Scottish poet Robert Burns penned, “Best laid plans of mice and men / Oft go awry.”

This is very true when you consider how the plan was laid.

Consider YOUR business plan. How are you laying it out? For the past few months many have been pondering the New Year 2009. Many look at 2009 with trepidation and others are looking at it like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow a sigh of relief that 2008 IS SO OVER! Whichever way you decide to embrace 2009, a simple fact is you’ll need a plan.

We talk about making these fancy plans with graphs, charts and big words--like "systemic methodology of transaction management"... Huh? Others write theirs on a cocktail napkin. Well, the only way to have a successful 2009 is to break it down and get specific. No big words or cocktail napkins.

Review 2008 and ask yourself did I meet my goals, if not, why not? If yes, why yes? Analyze 2008 where did your business come from? Look to use all the successful parts and see where this could be expanded. Look at the unsuccessful parts and tank them, or review execution. Sometimes it’s not the idea, but how it is executed, an evaluation of your strengths and weaknesses.

Look at your operations/systems--could they use tweaking or an investment of time and/or money? Marketing, what worked what didn’t, and did you track it so you could know; prospecting methods and what was most effective; and what do I still need to work on. Do I need coaching, an assistant, a day off? All of this sounds fundamental, and it is.

Do not get discouraged, or feel overwhelmed; reach out to others to get feedback. Use all the resources available to you; many are available online and perhaps through your company. Whether you’re in the business one or 20 years, it is always good to have a road map. Look at where you are today, and then decide where you want to be in one month, three months, by end of 2009, or how about five years?

Simplicity is the answer really, so be specific and realistic so you can clearly understand it and explain it to anyone, and the chances of it going awry pretty slim.

“Our business in life is not to get ahead of others, but to get ahead of ourselves – to break our own records and to outstrip our yesterday by our today.” - Stewart B. Johnson

 Let us know what your plans are. Cooperation goes beyond compensation it starts with us, so… BLOG ON!