directedfocus

Having a business plan is an illusion of control.

A plan for a business (business plan) is a snapshot in time, a photograph if you like.

Business plans are best used to clarify what you are doing and where you are going, especially if you are readying yourself for an event ... borrowing money or raising equity capital.

They aren't a flexible living document.

Planning processes focus on the wrong leverage points

This is because the planning approaches I've come across, and yes even used, can be summed up as

• Ready, aim, fire!
• Ready, fire, aim!
• Fire, fire, fire!

The problem with these approaches are best summed up with the following questions

Are you ever ready?

The Pareto Principal applies here ... 80% done then just go.
By the time you get to ready (100%) the world will have moved on and left you standing.

What are you aiming for?

Most of us have no idea or are totally focused, both of which have the tendency to override spontaneity and block unseen targets.

That's the big problem with having a plan ‚ you might hit it.
Do you think this may mean you probably weren't stretching enough.
You weren't uncomfortable enough.

What are you firing at?

Fire is a rather violent, unfocused and overly aggressive word. From a business preparation view point lots of fire can give you the wrong kind of execution you want.

Instead, consider this alternate approach ...

• Listen
• Do
• Listen
• Leverage

Firstly Listen

You could also discover, watch, observe or follow. This is a part of receiving feedback to see if your concept or idea has actually got some wings.

Do

I'm a big fan of this quote from Yoda - "Try ... there is no try. Only Do or Not Do"

So just go do stuff.

Listen again

Having taken action sit back and observe, listen and follow the conversation

What's the feedback you are hearing and observing?

Use your lever

You identify your next step by asking

"Now that I have this, what else does this make possible?"
"Now that I have this, what can I do as the next best step?"

Ultimately: Failure doesn't come from poor planning ‚ but from the timidity to proceed.

Don't get hooked.

Planning for many is the drug to procrastination.

Just remember: Don't become a prisoner to your plan

Footnote:

Business Plans : Are a snapshot of where you are and where you are headed at a specific point in time

Business Planning : This is where you adjust your actions and reactions in response to real live activity in moving toward your business goals