You might think now, this is not for me, as I am not in business - wait! This applies to any form of wealth creation venture as well as to any project you start in your private life.

If we fail to plan we plan to fail!

If you plan to paint the fence it will get done eventually. But if you write a plan, which includes steps like colour selection, calculating the amount of paint you need, buying the paint and brushes and painting, then you won't forget anyting. And a plan also includes a date. By when do you want that fence painted.

You might think now this article is not for you, as you are in business and you have to write a business plan and not to paint a fence - wait. A business plan is very close to painting a fence just on a higher level or chunked up as I name it.

• What are your targets or goals for the next year or until the end of the year?
• How many sales?
• What is your marketing budget? And what is your marketing plan?
• How many more employees do you want to employ?
• Your last turnover was what? And what do you want your next year's turnover to be?
• How much do you want to expand and how are you going to do this?

A business plan covers all these areas and more.

It takes a goal and maps it out over the year or until the end of the fiscal year. It looks at strengths and weaknesses. It also looks at the economy and at the statistics of your industry.

What if you don't know you last years figures or the industry statistics?
Start your business plan anyway and start to research your market, because:

If we fail to plan we plan to fail!

How to write a business plan is not a science and by the way when it is finished your business plan is probably already out of date. Don't worry and schedule to revisit your business plan every 3 or 6 months.

How to write a business plan is just bringing all your thoughts or the thoughts of your managing employees to paper, so that you can measure and compare results.

It doesn't matter if you are starting out or if you are an established business. Start writing your business plan by adding what you know.

To Your Success
Elisabeth Peischl
Business Coach and Results Coach

www.candoresultscoaching.com