The best news is that everything you need to write your one page business plan® is already in your head. After all, you had lots of ideas when you decided to start your business. So now it’s time to put those ideas in writing.
This article will give you an outline for a one page business plan®, and an explanation of each section of the 5-step business plan.
The five steps to writing a one page business plan®:
1. Vision
2. Mission
3. Objectives
4. Strategies
5. Actions
Step #1 – Vision
Defining your vision answers the questions of WHO you will serve and WHAT you will offer. WHO – get specific about the people who need, want and will pay for your services and products. You’re finding a need and filling it. WHAT – be clear about what those services and products are. Envision your success and even take the leap to “guess-timate” your revenue for the coming year, next year, and in 3 years. Create a bold vision for your business that energizes you.
Step #2 – Mission
Defining your mission is about how you differentiate yourself. What makes you, your services or products unique? With the recent explosion of Internet and other home-based businesses this should be your top concern – to set yourself apart from the pack.
Your mission is where your great business ideas come together with your unique characteristics, skills, experience and passion. There is one thing in your business that no one else can duplicate – YOU!
Step #3 – Objectives
Road races have a set distance so we know when we’ve crossed the finish line. It’s hard to know where we’re headed if we don’t measure our progress. Yet, most home-based business owners do not measure key performance indicators to stay on track or make corrections. Pick several important measurements and track them consistently. Measure what matters and watch your performance improve immensely.
Step #4 – Strategies
Following a daily “To Do” list is not enough to build a sustainable coaching practice. Without long-term strategies, it’s easy to fall into the trap of reacting to situations rather than creating what we want. Being strategic means we are working on our business using systems, principles, policies and values that authentically reflect our business vision and mission.
Step #5 – Actions
Decide on actions that support your business vision, mission, objectives and strategies. It’s hard enough to juggle all the activities of running a business. An action plan recognizes all the functions, sorts out what to do and what to delegate. Take time to write down the most important work to be done, who will do it and by when.
Summary
I hoped you’ve enjoyed this three part series on the one page business plan®. In summary, writing a one page business plan® will have the following benefits:
• You will have a focused vision of what your business will accomplish, bringing passion, satisfaction and fulfillment
• You have a compelling, clear and consistent way to describe your business with others, bringing confidence and attraction
• You will have a realistic measure of your current results as well as a way of tracking your improvement, bringing clarity, honesty and a sense of accomplishment
• You’ll be strategic and relaxed instead of reactive and stressed out, bringing structure, freedom and consistency
• You’ll have a unified plan of action that saves you time and effort, bringing results, positive habits and peace of mind
Isn’t it amazing just how much difference one page can make?
This is the third in a three part series about creating a one page business plan®. You can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here.
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This post was written by guest blogger Amy Grossman, MBA. Amy is a One Page Business Plan® Certified Consultant who makes it easy for solo-preneurs to write a business plan. For more information, get Amy’s free 7-part e-course “Top 7 Business Plan Myths Exposed”.
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