We’ve all been told that mistakes are bad. If you want to be in business you need to unlearn that style of thinking. You have to be prepared to make the mistake; recognize it; learn from it; adapt your system so you don’t repeat it and go ahead and make another one!
You also have to make small mistakes and learn big lessons.
One example is going to a BIG 5 accounting firm for an owner operated business plan. That type of business plan could cost you 20K or more; he would be relegated to a junior staff member; you’d learn the million reasons not to, but you know it’s cheaper and faster than getting an MBA and better than going into business without the plan and possibly losing your spouse’s house.
What mistake do you want to make?
One of our life lessons taught us a mantra that we will share: Good; Fast; Cheap…everyone wants all three…but you can only get two of the three.
Decide which ones are important to you; look at your resources and budget; List your talents (product development, marketing, accounting, finance, human resources, legal, or computer applications), weigh your talents against your needs, and MAKE A DECISION. Do it now or sleep, but you have 24 hours.
The BIGGEST mistake most people make when making business decisions is not making a decision.
Remember that wanting something perfect gets in the way of getting things done.
Procrastinating and finding things to do that are mundane or urgent gets in the way of doing what is important and essential. Waiting for inspiration often prevents applying a little inspiration to get things done.
Perfection is not how it works in business.
Steve Jobs didn’t wait for the perfect iPhones, iPads, or iPods. He simply made sure that his products were as good as those around him; at a fair price (not cheap); fun to wear and cool, too. And this “cool” came from a super-geek. That’s why we’re all waiting for the iPhone 5…not to say that the models before it weren’t good, but they weren’t perfect. That lack of perfection allows things to remain affordable and innovation allows for marketing opportunities!
The same is true for your Business and your Business Plan. It doesn’t need to be perfect, it doesn’t need to be a work of art, it doesn’t even need to be better than your neighbor’s. But you do need to understand the business environment; you need to understand your audience and you need to understand how you will provide value to the selected party.
Success is often built on things that came before.
For example, a successful novelist does not write a bestseller in the dark.
Instead, they read. They study other writers. They talk about and with other writers. They think about writing. They investigate. They write. They edit. They test their writing on people close to them. They learn and grow.
This process also applies to other trades, trades and professions.
This process is true in business.
The art of business is more accurately called the craft of business.
The market system drives this innovation.
The difference between Walmart and K-Mart may seem huge now; the difference between McDonalds and Hardees’; the difference between Tim Horton’s and Dunkin Donuts: These differences may seem huge now, but they weren’t always.
Rivals strengthen each other, but there are winners and losers. The thrill of victory is a huge motivating factor, but even second-row quarterbacks on every NFL team were “great” quarterbacks in their college or high school. Yes, there are winners and losers!
How many remember that before the iPad there was the Newton?
It always starts with something.
Then work to make it better.
Apply your knowledge, skills, aptitudes and attitudes.
Let your audience know how that knowledge, skill, aptitude, and attitude will help the Business. Let your business plan highlight these skills, whether it’s with a photo, logo, tagline, vision statement, or other clever trick. For example, if you want to become a fishmonger and open a store, maybe you can wrap your plan like a fishmonger would. (Hey, it’s just an idea!)
Starting any project doesn’t mean you have to start with a blank screen. Start with something you like and make it better. So by all means, use a business plan template; assemble your team; provide the leadership and motivation and create a PLAN that is like you. ONLY.