Q: I’ve set the date I want to open, but how do I make sure I get there ready?
Q: The business plan process is taking longer than I thought – I keep moving my target opening date back, will I ever get to opening day?
Q: I’ve set the date I want to open, but how do I make sure I get there ready?
On the one hand, things have a way of coming together when you set and write goals. On the other, we always must be ready to adapt if things don’t go as planned. Some people never do set goals because they fear things might not work as planned. We suggest setting your goal for opening day and then backcasting to identify the main milestones. Something like the following…
June 15 Grand Opening Day
May 30 Financing in Place
March 20 Loan Application Submitted
March 15 Business Plan Completed
March 1 Business Plan Final Draft Done
February 5 Market Research/Feasibility Done
January 4 Business Plan Start
You get the idea. We also recommend frequent visits and fine tuning to the Action Planning Steps.
Step 35 Develop Your Strategic Plan and Goals
Step 45 Develop a Marketing Action Plan
Step 53 Develop Your Operational Action Plan
Q: The business plan process is taking longer than I thought – I keep moving my target opening date back, will I ever get to opening day?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to have our goals set in concrete? In reality, life tends to inject itself into our visions of perfection, requiring that we adapt. There’s nothing wrong with adjusting your targets along the way to a business start-up or growth plan. The important thing is to learn from the adjustments and keep pushing toward achievement of your goals. If your opening day is important to you, and you keep moving forward, you will get there. Business planning and ownership demand flexibility, patience and persistence.
On the other hand, if you’re running up against too many speed bumps, perhaps you aren’t suited to or ready to go into business. Here are a few tough questions to ask yourself:
- Is this business important to you?
- What barriers are holding you back from opening day?
- What are the biggest obstacles to getting started?
- Are you suited to business?
- Is this the right business for you?
If nothing insurmountable is holding you back, perhaps you just need to get focused and busy. There’s nothing quite as effective as action planning to cure procrastination. Check out the Action Planning Steps (Step 35, Step 45, and Step 53).
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