Why Write a Mini Business Plan?

Why write a mini business plan over a long drawn out thirty page document? Because it's easier and you are more likely to do it! Think about things you would rather do every day. Email – you respond to emails that are easy to get out of the way. Phone Calls – you call the people that don't require a complicated thirty minute conversation. Mini business plans are easier to put together and move you to action faster than traditional business plans. Mini business plans have many advantages. The two page mini business plan for example is short, to the point, and doesn't require months and months of research and writing. All you need to include in the two page variety is the following information: The first section is the Grand Vision you have for your business. This is what you imagine for your life and your business if there were no barriers to getting what you want with regards to revenue, profit and time off. Next comes the Mission Statement which explains the purpose of your company. This is where you describe what you do for your clients. In essence, it is the promise you are making to your clients should they work with you. Because I believe so strongly in the power of positioning a business, the next section is simply Branding. In this section you must explain how you are going to set your business apart from the competition. Next comes a detailed area covering the Goals your company will have over the next one to three years. This would include revenue goals, new client goals, and new product or service goals. Following goals is Strategies. We all need to decide how we will build the business over time. Is it by being an industry leader? A follower? How will you achieve your goals? The last section is Marketing Activities. This is really the "proof is in the pudding" section of your plan. Based on your goals and strategies, your marketing will get you where you want to go. Another advantage to a mini business plan is that if you are just starting out and wish to check out the financing options available for your business, preparing a mini plan in order to evaluate interest could save you quite a bit of time. The last advantage to writing a mini business plan is that because it's so brief you can put it where it's visible and it will help motivate you to get everything done regarding moving your business to the next level. I tape a copy of my mini business s plan to my office wall. Whenever I find myself doing activities that don’t necessarily grow my business, I glance at my mini business plan and say "That's what I need to be doing in order to achieve my business vision!" So don't delay, start writing your mini business plan today. You'll be glad you did!