Business mistake #1: Don't have a strategic business plan. I learned this the hard way when I was dipping my toes into the entrepreneurial pond for the very first time. Now that it is almost 2010, the economy is showing at least some signs of light at the end of the dark and depressing recession tunnel. Gift giving is right around the corner so why not get creative with what you want to give the entrepreneur in your life. Now is the time to start thinking ahead and plan for success in the coming year.
If you want to revitalize your business, you'll need to consider more possibilities, shift some priorities and sort out what you can do with what you have. Whether or not you need capital to do more, here is a unique line-up of tools to help you and your team accomplish what you need to in order to take off in the right direction in 2010.
I discovered that Biz Plan Builder, HR Builder and Publicity Builder are a full-spectrum strategic plan tools for 2010. An updated strategic plan for my business was just a click and a download away. Having a proven strategic business planning and financial forecasting system will help you, not only save time and reduce stress, but also make the most out of your existing cash flow, opportunities and resources.
If you want to raise capital, you'll need to offer investors or lenders a level-headed proposal that demonstrates that you will make them money by financing your deal. Investors must invest to make money. Give them what they are looking for. At the same time, your revised strategic plan will carry you forward with or without outside capital. Often that's even more inspiring to investors and lenders. Includes SWOT analysis and is great for raising additional investment capital through Angel or VC investors as well as SBA loans.
Professional Public Relations Management Software via Publicity Builder provides everything to plan, create and deliver a PR campaign and will save you some serious cash. PR firms typically charge a retainer fee from $3-10K per month. Start-ups, companies restructuring and coming out of the haze of the recession cannot afford to be putting this chunk of change towards a full blown PR campaign that may or may not produce any significant results that lead to increasing the bottom line.
Wherever you are in your career, whatever the stage or situation of your present business, 2010 is the time to energize and stimulate your entrepreneurial passion, get rid of burn out and recession blues and put a success plan into action.
Get the tools that work for you. Make sure they are simple, easy to use and effective. Most importantly, make sure they make your life and business easier. Revitalizing your business, shift priorities, and evaluate additional possibilities. Then sort out what YOU can do to get it done.