How to Start your Business Planning

• Would you fill up a cart and then asked the horse to push the cart?
• Would you fill up a cart and then hook up a cat?
• Would you fill up a cart and then realized you packed the wrong stuff?

Of Course Not!

Business Planning

One of the greatest challenges I see with so many of my clients is putting all their ideas, tasks, and tactics in order. They have all these amazing ideas but have not fully planned the Before Work….the who, where, when, how and why. The “What” of a product or service they pretty much have nailed down in their head and heart….their ideas are amazing (just sayin’).

The idea that is growing inside of them is full of excitement and opportunity! Here comes the butt – but when they start trying to put their business out there the ‘work’ becomes overwhelming and scattered.

Unfortunately even the “What” I get a little concerned about because without the the who, where, when, why and how nail’ish down the “What” can be confusing.

As their Coach I want my clients to achieve the next level of their business idea and/or reality! So it is my job to shatter their hearts 💔– just a little bit, but with love of course💕! I have to be the voice of reality – their voice of reason when it comes to business planning. Most don’t want a formal plan – which I am all for, but we still need to understand their goals and outline a plan to make them happen. This part can kinda sucks, but the reality is they have to do the ‘before work’ first!

The “Before Work”

The before work is what it is ➡ work – #sorrynotsorry. It is coming up with a tangible Action Plan (aka Business Planning) ! Of course I would love everyone to create a Business Plan – but when I mention a business plan they cringe with disgust. I get it – I did too!

Quick –Business Planning is the before work – it is the outline of what the who, where, when, why, and how…and the what.

Side Note – Your plan can be for your eyes only – if you want – the plan doesn’t need to be shared. It is living breathing document to store all your information. It is your filing cabinet, your online storage, your junk drawer, or what ever metaphor you want to apply.

Okay so back to the ‘Before Work’ (if it makes you feel better let’s call it the ‘before work’! Doesn’t that help soften the pain of Business Planning??)

What do you need to do first to get your business idea growing – the Before Work? Honestly – it this is a no brainer – but you need to set some priorities. Priority number one – outlining your business plan. Detailing out the who, where, when, why, how…and What.

What

What are you putting out in the world? What is it – a product or a service? What does it look like? What does it taste like? What does it cost?

Take the time to write out what your product is – inside and out. Remember – this can be for your eyes only so if you want to draw it – go for it. Ignore your spelling errors and bad grammar. This is not the time for perfectionism….but really when is it? Please just write, and then write some more.

Next – Try writing it out a summary – this could be your elevator pitch? Read it to your self, and then to your partner, your BFF, and then a stranger. Does your summary change when you change the audience? What tweaks are needed?

If you stumble on the Summary (or Elevator Pitch) that’s okay – you are not alone. This is hard for everyone to cram all the goodness of what your business into 90 seconds, with very little time for any questions at the end.

Pop Quiz: How many ‘ums’ and ‘I don’t fully know yet’ does it take to be confident in your product overview?

Why

Now that we have the What down let’s address Why this business – why are you bringing this product and/or service into the world? Once again I am encouraging you to write this out.

To help you out answer the following questions:

• I wanted to start this business because….
• This business is different because…..
• My community needs this business because….
• The world needs this business because….

The Why is so important to you and to your future customers/clients/users. You need to 100% believe in your business, your idea, in order for anyone else to jump on board with you.

Pop Quiz: Write out five reasons why you should launch or upscale your business idea?

Who

The Who gets EVERYONE hung up and stressed out over. Don’t worry (lol) there are countless numbers of webinars, seminars, courses, programs and worksheets to work on your Who. And yes I have bought into a few of them 🤦‍♀️. This can be the Business Coaches bread and butter to lure in their clients – helping them identify their clients Who Ideal Client (IC) is.

Now for those who are new to this Ideal Client rodeo – your Ideal Client, Avatar, Target Market, Audience, Peeps – they are that person or people who your business product or service is designed for. These are the peeps that will buy your into your business with very little hesitation because your business is designed for them’ish!

Insert Anxiety here because maybe you are one those peeps who think your product is for everyone! Oh hunny I wish – if that was the case business would be easy peasy.

I bet I know your biggest concern when it comes to your IC?

• You feel your Ideal Client is YOU.

Guess what – so many feel this way!! The reality is your business idea came from you heart, so it makes sense for you to feel that your Idea Client is you. Consider these feelings as your starting point – now it is time to dig into it deeper.

Pop Quiz: True or False – When you lock down your ideal client it is locked in for life!

Where

Okay so we have our What, Why and Who down – now it gets easier!! Whoop Whoop 🙌

Quick – Think About:

• Where are your Ideal Clients (IC) hanging out?
• Where is best for you to get their attention?
• Are they pro or anti social media?
• Are they book worms or magazine junkies?
• Do they travel or are they home bodies?
• Are they introvert vs. extravert – or both (like me!)
• Do they have kids? Are they Single?

Most of this information was probably pulled out when you are identifying Who your IC is, so now is the time to dig a little bit deeper and formalize it a bit more. To be more tangible with the Where your peeps are at. And yes….write it all out.

The Where is literally where you are going to find your current and future clients (Peeps, IC) so you should have a darn good understanding where Where is…and how you can get there😉.

Pop Quiz: If you wrote a childen’s book would you do you book launch at a popular sports bar? If you designed high end jewelry would you meet with Walmart to sell your product? If you were launching a Business Coaching service would you use Snap Chat to launch your business?

How!

We are at How the Hell are we going to make this all happen!? This could be the HORSE!! I bet you figured this out by now right? All the above was the cart? And you are the driver? Or are you the Horse? Honestly – what ever metaphor you want to apply go for it.

So How are we going to get your business out in the world?

Well if we have addressed the What, Why, Who, and Where coming up with the How is even easier than the Where.

It is time to make a new list – and because I love you all so much i’ll make it even easier for you. All you need to do is circle ⃝ the your need to align to your business.

Please note the How is usually where all the expense comes into play – #sorrynotsorry – but nothing is really free in life. Sucks I know – and trust me I have been trying to avoid the ‘i don’t want to spend any money game’. It will save you a huge amount of time and stress if you do your homework and invest in the right apps and team to support you.

Circle ⃝ all that are applicable to your business plan:

When

Final Step – at least in this post. I want you to take all of those items you circled ⃝ and come up with timeline / plan to execute! This is your When. We need to put all your ideas – your What, Who, Where, Why, and How into a schedule and a list of priorities.

Setting up your plan helps you understand what needs/should/could be done first before you are ready to move to the next step. It is also will help you put in perspective how much time, money, and effort will be required. And also – perspective in how much help you may or may not need.

Understanding your timeline helps you also identify any gaps or possible roadblocks that might be in your business planning – oops I mean ‘Before Work’.

Hard Part is Now Really Done!

You have a GOOD understanding of your business and all the pieces that need to be put into action. The extra hard part (and fun part) is now actually starting your Business – the tangible pieces, foot to the peddle, pounding the pavement, building the bridge – again whatever metaphor you want to insert here.

You can do this!! If your Idea is worth it to you, it is worth your time and investment to make it a reality!

Through out this post you have been encouraged to outline the Before Work into the What, Who, Why, Where, How, and When….sounds like you have the beginning of your Business Plan and an action plan to start work on! Well done.

Take the time to work through this post and all the thinking I have made you do. If at the end, and if you write it all out, are you still excited about your Idea? Your business?

If so – GET TO WORK!!

Have Fun my Friends – If it is not fun why are you doing it?

Jen

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Like What you are Readying? Hope so!

If you need some help with outlining, writing, or motivating you towards launching your business give me a call. I love a shitty and a good plan – I work with both. My role is to support you succeed!

📷: Unsplash – @minhphamdesign, @plushdesignstudio, @jeshoots, @romanbozhko, Canva