Start The New Year With a Business Plan Review

Well, it's 6:23pm here in Wisconsin which means 2013 is right around the corner. I am thinking about what I've learned in the last 12 months and how I can use that information to make 2013 my best year ever. Most of you are probably thinking about your own personal and professional resolutions and goals for the new year. What steps do you need to take to achieve your goals, how are you going to stay on track, what happens if you fall short of your own expectations, etc... A great way to get on track and stay on track for the new year is committing to your business plan. Sit down with your previous plan and make some changes and adjustments based on what has happened since it was written, and then use it as a manual or road map to get you where you need to be by this time next year.

Your business plan likely contains all the necessary sections about long and short range goals, mission and vision statements for the business/organization, competitive analysis, etc...this means you already have what you need to build on. Now the rest is up to you. If your long range goal including growing your business by 32% sit down and strategize about how you can do that and if that was a realistic goal. Consider where you've been spending your marketing money, what groups you're involved in, etc... are you getting a good return on your investment? is it time for a change? should you be more involved?

If you want 2013 to be a repeat of 2012, continue doing what you've been doing with little consideration for the how and why and don't worry about analyzing your returns. If you want 2013 to be your best year ever, set goals that are aligned with your organizational Mission and Vision. As Jim Rohn says: "Either you run the day, or the day runs you." You have the next 365 days to make 2013 your best year ever, run each of those days and you'll achieve your goal!

May your paths be abundantly filled challenges, goals, and support and may 2013 be your best year ever! ~Crystal