There are two types of businesses in this world.
- One where the owners fly by the seat of their pants.
- The other where the owners plan the future.
Life's exciting for the first group - flying from one crisis to another. It certainly keeps the adrenalin flowing. But it doesn't flow much less for the second group. I mean look at all the businesses out there whose owners thought they had it all sussed - and then the economic crisis hit.
There are different aspects to this for existing business owners as opposed to those starting out on a new business adventure. If you've been running a business for a couple of years or more, you'll have some results to draw on - even if they're not quite what you expected. But if you're new to business, then either you know the task that's in front of you (and it can seem overwhelming at times), or worse still you have no real idea and can be suddenly faced with unexpected challenges.
Plan - target - action
Business plans enable you to set targets - to adjust for bumpy rides - and to take action to ensure you still face the most beneficial circumstances possible.
Of course, this doesn't automatically follow planning. Some large organisations still produce large glossy business plans that make the office bookshelf look good and rarely do little else. We're not talking planning like that.
Living plan
Instead, we're talking a living plan - one that can be adapted to changes as needed - but which still acts as a framework for the business. In particular, it always keeps the core vision at its centre - and everything in it should be tuned to this. If major events necessitate rethinking this core vision, that too is possible.
Our own re-focus
All of this is not simply theory. For example, our own business had a major rethink in 2009. And we came across some software which lets us connect to our clients very simply over the Internet - and vice versa. So no longer are we accountants and business advisors in a certain location. We are now virtual accountants and business advisors - although we choose not to deal outside NZ because that's where we have specialist local knowledge. But the key principles apply everywhere.
Where are you going?
So if you are not sure where things are going; if you've got tired and run down by daily fighting of problems associated with your business, or if you just want more direction - even another pair of eyes without the baggage of your involvement in the daily life of the business, why not give us a call. Talking costs nothing - and we might be able to help you get back on top of things.