BizNet OnLine Magazine, If You Only Planned Like You Were Taking A Vacation...

If You Only Planned Like You Were Taking A Vacation...

By Marilyn & Paul McAtee
p&m@biznetonline.com

Where do you want to go, to the Bahamas, Paris, a National Park, Aspen or visiting family and friends? What do you enjoy, the mountains, the beaches, hiking, skiing, the glitter, or the serenity of just getting away?

Usually the first thing you decide is where to go. Then when to go and for how long. You may make all the plans yourself or you may call upon a travel agent for the sage advice of the experienced. Regardless or what you choose -- a vacation is always planned, even if you are going to "play it by ear and just be leisurely". You still know where you are starting from, where you are going, how you are going to get there and how much time you have.

Why do you plan your vacation? Because you want the hard earned money you spend to bring you pleasure. You want everything to go smoothly and you want to have fun.

Owning and running a business is much like a vacation, you need to plan for it so that it will bring you pleasure and, oh yes, profits so you can actually take all those vacations.

In a business it is imperative that you know where you are starting from, where you want to go, how you’re going to get there and how much time you have. Sounds like that leisure vacation, doesn’t it? Write it down, know where you stand now and where you want to be in the future. Establish time constraints and strategies to reach your goals. Some people call this a business plan, others call it an itinerary for a lifetime vacation. Whatever you call it, it’s up to you to make the decisions of where you are going and how long it will take.

If you don’t know where to start, get a business planning book or seek out a professional, similar to a travel agent, to provide some sage advice and experience. You may want a formal business plan or merely a written "things to do list" that expands over a year or two. In any case, write it down and become committed to your goals.

Then, and most importantly, use your plan. It’s pointless to purchase tickets to Paris on the 8 o’clock flight and then fail to show up at the airport. So why would you write a plan and put it on the shelf never to be opened again. Think of your business as a vacation, planning it is the hard part, living it is the easy part. Once you know where you are going you can use your itinerary to keep you on track, so you don’t miss that plane or business opportunity.

As you reach your short-range goals, you develop momentum and a sense of accomplishment which help you to reach your long-range goals. It’s like going on that vacation and not wanting to return home. Sometimes, on vacation and in business, plans have to be changed. A canceled flight or a detour can be much like a competitor moving in next door to you. But if you have planned, developed strategies and researched your industry, you will have the tools necessary to meet these challenges head on.

Remember, planning is the key to that successful journey. But you have to actually take that journey to reap the benefits of enjoyment and pleasure. Running a business can be fun, especially if you are meeting your goals and earning the profits.

Once you’re on your journey, make sure you watch the itinerary and monitor yourself. If you want to gross $500,000 by the end of the year, don’t wait until December to realize you have come up short. Think of it as picking up that rental car on time, if you’re a day late you may be stuck walking in the Swiss Alps.

Why do people spend so much time planning a two week vacation and so little time planning a business which could last years and years? I don’t know, you tell me!

Marilyn McAtee is the co-owner of the Small Business Growth Association with her husband Paul. They have published a Home Study Course entitled Minding Your Own Business. This course will not only help you plan the Vacation of your Life (your business), but will help you Live It! Visit their web site at http://www.socalmall.com/sbga.htm or call 818-243-8970 and talk to Marilyn or Paul.

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