We may not be able to anticipate many things that will happen in life nor in our businesses, but we can be clear on the direction we want to go and how we will move in that direction. Whatever stage your business or career, there are certain things that you will want to think about and plan for in advance. I often see business owners writing down ideas and to-dos on sticky notes (I’m guilty too!). That’s fine when you have a system to immediately transfer those ideas instead of letting them pile up or worse- losing them.

For those ideas that pop up in the midst of other activities, a sticky note may suffice, but for your important plan to start or grow your business you need something that holds your most important plans and strategies in one spot. Am I talking about a complete, formal business plan? Only if you plan to seek funding. There are many templates, resources and organizations that can assist you to develop one for little or no financial investment (e.g. SCORE).

If you’re not planning to seek out funding from investors, you still need a plan to start or grow a business that simplifies things and that supports you in increasing your income. Here are some tips to get you started:

What elements need to be included in your plan?

Your plan can be as “big picture” or detailed as supports you in executing your plan successfully. Regardless of your level of detail, there are a handful of necessary elements to include in your plan to support you in defining and directing your efforts. At minimum, a useful and motivating plan needs to include: your overall vision for the business in the next 1-5 years, your top 2-5 goals for the current year toward fulfilling that vision, your core strategies for reaching those goals and at least one milestone for each strategy (e.g. if a strategy is partnering with complementary businesses to collaborate, a milestone may be to host a joint event or offer a joint service package).

What should your plan look like?

That depends on your particular type of business (e.g. product or service), your learning style (e.g. visual, auditory, kinesthetic), and personality. If you’re a creative, visual type you may depict your plan using images and key words (See the Right-Brain Business Plan); if you’re a more analytical, linear type you may like a simple outline structure. Also, it can be as long or short a document as is needed. I offer a variety of options for my clients and members including a one-page plan, a 3-page plan or development of a customized version based on their needs. When it comes to what your plan looks like and length it really depends on what you like and what best serves your progress.

What should you do with your plan?

So, you have a plan, now what? First, you need to use your plan. It is not written in stone. It is your personal plan and you own it. That means it is not “against the rules” to change it as you go. It will need to be updated if you decide to modify your goals or strategies based on results or new information. Use it as your go-to reference point to keep your plan fresh in your mind and to support you in making business decisions. And don’t forget to check off completion of your goals or milestones.

Second, keep your plan visible and easily accessible. If your plan is buried in a folder on your computer or in a pile on your desk it may not serve you well. Instead, you might post it on your bulletin board by your desk or on the inside cover of a binder or pad folio you carry. Keeping it handy supports you in staying focused on your most important priorities and in tune with your progress toward your goals.

Do you have additional suggestions for informal business plans based on your own experience? Please let me know in the comments below or send me an email.

For assistance with creating a plan for your business or to learn more about how I can assist you, please contact me today for a free 30-minute phone call at (760) 650-6354.

Debra Simpson recently invited me to her blog talk radio show to introduce myself and Launch Your Life. Debra is the owner of Syndicating Your Content, where she is the go-to expert for blogging, social media and podcasting, and owner and host of North San Diego Business, an online radio show.

The interview was tons of fun! I enjoyed it so much, I may be addicted now. Here is the recording of the interview. Please feel free to comment or ask a question. Thanks!

I hired Sara when my business & life took me into five different directions. It is not hard for me to over-extend myself and take on too many projects. Sara was great at helping me to focus on what path to take and which projects I needed to let go of entirely and which ones to hire an expert to manage. I had become over-whelmed and frozen. Sara was great at assisting me to see my issues and get out of my own way and focus my energies so as to accomplish my goals. -Jeannette Santino, PhD, March 2012

At any given point you should be able to respond to those questions with confidence. If you are unable to, perhaps it is worth the time to sit and write those things down. Not knowing off hand your core strategies for income generation could be an indication that you are not clear about your direction or are trying too many things at once that you have lost touch with your business model. When you are not clear about your direction or your basic business model, you probably have found yourself lacking confidence about your decisions, feeling uncertain about how to spend your time or feeling like you are scattering your efforts only to feel overwhelmed and dissatisfied with the results.

It can be too easy to spray and pray- try a whole bunch of things and hope for the results you want. Be intentional girlfriend! Decide what key categories of services or products you will deliver to your customers in the next 1-2 years. Then give those items 100% of your time and focus to allow yourself a chance to be successful and develop them.  I have seen several fellow fempreneurs try to be chameleons, frequently modifying their services in response to passing ideas or trying to please everyone, only confusing their audience. It can take time to develop your core model, while some of that “work” can be done behind the scenes and not rolled out until you have vetted your ideas thoroughly. Seek out the advice and insight of a coach, mentor or professional friend who can support you in that process.

You might have lots of ideas swarming in your head for all those potential services and products you could ever provide, and that is great. Put those in a file named, “parking lot” and save them for later. You can regularly take a peek at that parking lot of ideas every couple of months to see if any of them make sense to pursue and integrate into what you are currently doing. For now, decide what your core services and products are at whatever stage of business you are in. Know them well so you recognize opportunities you can improve upon and incorporate those as you move forward.

When you are clear and focused on your key categories for direct income generation, it is important to apply your energy toward strategies and activities that support those. First decide which main strategies best support the sources of income for your business. Then identify the activities that support those. As a life coach for entrepreneurs a primary source of income is coaching sessions, and an important strategy to support sessions is to create efficient systems and tools to make providing them as seamless as possible. After spending time thinking about how to make that process enjoyable and as easy as possible in order to minimize wasted time (e.g. recreating scripts or worksheets and finding files) I have developed a set of forms and a process that supports and facilitates my coaching sessions including  bringing a new client on board. These steps have proven to be a worthwhile activity that supports my coaching income generation, and my desire to provide excellent service.

Another strategy that many small business owners or entrepreneurs find valuable is to regularly follow up with potential, current and past customers. A solid follow up system is like a well-oiled machine that keeps your business moving forward. When you make time for follow up activities you increase your chances of securing opportunities to provide your income generating product or service. When you grasp the connection between follow up activity and income generation you prioritize it.

As a small business owner or entrepreneur the area of marketing can feel overwhelming. The key is to select the right marketing strategies for you and for the current stage of your business. It is not necessary to invest lots of time and money into all the latest and greatest marketing opportunities hoping that one or some will work. Marketing is all about attracting potential clients or customers to you. The how you do that is up to you. Depending on your business industry, personality and woman-power, you might consider networking, trade-shows or expos, advertising, social media, affiliate marketing, referrals, etc. Decide which of those do you enjoy most and which have been most successful for you. I challenge you to pick the top 3 and focus on those for the next 6 months. Then, once you have a system to support those three and are seeing results, revisit any other marketing strategies you like to see if it makes sense to fold into your mix.

Set aside some time this week to clarify the major areas of your business and the key activities are required to support and market them.

Questions or comments? Take a minute and email me now or share the love and recommend this article by clicking on a button below.

The first article in this series focused on the importance of having clarity and boundaries about what you do and for whom (your ideal client), as well as questions you can ask yourself to determine whether to say yes to an opportunity or not. Now that you have identified those things, deciding on a set of guiding principles for choosing what prospective clients you will serve will support the success of each project and client relationship (and help you stay sane!).

One powerful influence for choosing projects in any fledgling business may be the need to increase your income. While there are occasions when this may be the right decision based on your personal and practical circumstances, and perhaps short-term goals, let that not be a guiding principle. Accepting a client out of fear of not getting other business will not help you make the best client-fit decision, and you may end up spending more time and energy dealing with a difficult client or project that proves to not be worth the money. Ever experience that? What lessons do you know in retrospect?

It can be difficult turning away a potential business opportunity when you NEED the money; however, if it is not the right opportunity for you, then you may not be happy with the trade-offs of taking it on anyway. And yes, when you take a business opportunity solely for the money there are trade-offs. The important thing is being aware of those trade-offs, and making an intentional decision and taking full responsibility for your experience and outcomes from that decision.

What are your guiding principles? The principles you choose may include nonnegotiable policies, ways of working, personal fit, etc. Marketers often call this “qualifying” prospects or business opportunities. Some of the questions in the first article of the series can also be considered part of qualifying a potential client. Examples of non-negotiable polices are requiring payment or partial payment prior to providing services or delivering products, only accepting credit cards, having a signed contract prior to any work commencing, etc. What are your non-negotiable policies?

Do you have specific ways in which you work that provide the best experience possible for you and your client? Examples of such a guiding principle could be that you meet with your client at their home, only do appointments by phone, do initial product delivery in person, only communicate and work with clients during certain hours. What are you ways of working?

Other guiding principles may be more subjective like the connection you feel with the prospect or if they seem like they would be easy or fun to work with. Whatever your guiding principles, use them to make good decisions for your business (and your sanity!).

Knowing your guiding principles for choosing your clients and projects simplifies your business by determining good-fit clients, highlighting potential red flags, and supporting you to give yourself permission to choose your work and create the life and business you want. Guiding principles support you to feel empowered and increase your chances of enjoying the experience of working with your clients.

Please share with me your guiding principles for choosing projects below. You may stir up some fresh ideas for the rest of us!

As women we want to help everyone. Newsflash: We cannot. That is why it is important that we not only become clear on who can benefit most from what we have to offer, whom is seeking it most from us and who has the ability to pay, but also with whom we want to work.

My intention for this topic is less about defining your target market and messaging in the formal business plan sense and more about being honest with yourself about who you can and want to help, and how. You want to be able to communicate that easily and with confidence. That way, your intended audience listens and you have clear boundaries about your desired clientele and what you will do- and not do- for them.

How does being clear about what you do and for whom, provide boundaries?

First, it focuses your attention on the core group of people you are looking for when talking with potential prospects, networking and choosing promotional activities. Who are your ideal customers?

When you know what demographics, traits, behaviors and lifestyle your ideal customers have they are easier to spot. Otherwise, it feels like spraying and praying when you communicate your message, whether through formal promotional activities or networking events. Bottom line is when you are clear about what you do and for whom you attract and include those prospects, while excluding those whom do not fit with your definition of an ideal customer.

Second, being clear about what you do and for whom, provides boundaries that help you to more quickly identify when there’s an opportunity for which you should pass. Knowing your ideal client is your “go-to” reference when you evaluate and prioritize new business opportunities so when you come across someone who is not your ideal client you can pass.

Third, define what type of work falls outside of what you want to do for your clients. This establishes boundaries for your scope of business and where you direct your energy, and acts as a compass or guide when you face new opportunities. This knowledge gives you confidence to say “no” to an opportunity that does not match your self-defined criteria for your ideal client and desired projects. Your ideal client and projects may change over time so it is a good idea to periodically evaluate them.

Knowing WHAT you do and FOR WHOM simplifies your business by providing focus and minimizing distracters, and supports you to make more money by wasting less time and attracting and keeping the right clients and projects.

Here are some questions to consider in helping determine whether you should accept or pass on an opportunity:

• Does this person/company meet my definition of an ideal client?
• Does this opportunity align with my values, ethics and personal boundaries?
• Am I the best person to assist the client with their need?
• How will saying yes to this opportunity help me and my business?
• How does this opportunity fit with my vision for my business?
• Will this opportunity bring me closer to my goal?

What other questions do you ask yourself to choose the right business opportunities?

Have you ever attended a training or motivational seminar and left pumped up about your success, only to get home and leave your materials on the shelf for weeks or months?

Have you ever felt excited by a New Year’s resolution only to get back to your daily grind and forget all about it?

Have you ever written a plan to achieve your goals, but felt the need to have a more visual representation of them to bring them to life?

(Example of a vision board)

A vision board created from your ideas, desires, and goals will:

• Keep your motivation and drive real and alive
• Inspire you toward your goals and intentions on a daily basis
• Provide you with a visual representation of your goals to reinforce your written statements
• Remind you of the great and exciting things you imagine for yourself and your life

In a Private Vision Board Session, you get TWO hours with me, Sara, to guide you through the process from start to finish (I’ll even help you cut out pictures from magazines and paste them!). By the end of the session you will have a complete Vision Board that compels you forward.

The investment for this private 2-hour session is only $99. Email me or call (760) 650-6354 to set up your session today. This is a limited-time offer, valid through February 29, 2012.

Did you miss the promotional period? Contact Me to hear about the NEW Vision Board Session that’s now a regular coaching service.

There are many good online resources available for steps to create a vision board. Beyond those steps, here are some tips to consider when you create yours:

1. There are no rules.
2. Before you start the crafty activities…Spend some time thinking about what you want in the next year. Allow yourself to freely reflect and envision what that looks and feels like. Take your time to be sure you are not limiting your brain to the common life goals that only fit into neatly wrapped boxes. Jot down whatever thoughts, words, feelings and images come to mind. Use these to guide your selection of images to put on your vision board.
3. When looking through magazines, pick images, words and colors that jump at you- cause you to respond in some way, inspire or energize you.
4. Have a large posterboard or foamboard to allow plenty of room for the creative addition and arrangement of your selected images.
5. Put the images words or symbols on a large posterboard in such a way that seems to flow naturally to YOU. Some like to cluster the items together based on life area while others devote an entire vision board to one life area (e.g. health & fitness or business).
6. Have fun!

Want my help to create your 2012 Vision Board? Email me to set up your private 2-hour session.

In this Private Vision Board Session, you get:

• 2 hours of me to guide you through the process from start to finish (I’ll even help you cut out pictures from magazines and paste them!)
• Clarity about what you really want
• Create a vision to help you experience what you want
• A complete 2012 Vision Board that inspires you forward

The investment for this private session is only $99. Email me to set up your session today.

Offer good through January 31, 2012.

In this 2-session coaching group you will:

• Clarify your desires and direction in all areas of your life
• Identify what actions or changes to make where it counts most
• Have a concise, simplified list of actions to purposefully connect you with your goals

The 20 Things Coaching Group is an intimate, inclusive 8-person group for fempreneurs (entrepreneurs, self-employed, independents). Together we support you to position yourself for success, enjoyment and balance in your life and business for 2012. Through TWO 2-hour sessions you will:

• Know you’re not alone in your challenges of running your business and having a life
• Get inspired and energized
• Have confidence that you are on the path to directing your energy, time and resources to the right things

WHEN: TWO Wednesdays, January 18th and 25th from 9:00-11:30AM.

Check-in starts at 8:45AM

Networking and Coffee 9:00AM-9:30AM

PLUS, you get a private 30-minute phone coaching session within 2 weeks of the second coaching group session. You will get customized feedback on your plan with guidance on gaining the most momentum possible.

Your ultimate outcome of the 20 Things Coaching Group? A focused, uncomplicated plan of action for 2012 that enables you to create a life that supports your business and a business that supports your life. It is possible! Let’s do it together.

Only $129 (Launch Your Life Workbook included!).

Too often we scatter our efforts and get mediocre results. It’s time to get focused and stay the course to reach your important business milestones and experience the life you want. The 20 Things Coaching Group will support you in doing exactly that, with the insight and encouragement from your fellow fempreneurs. Register here for only $129.

Are you a go-getter who likes to take your endeavors to the next level? Then you probably already know you will want to “go visual” with your 2012 plan of action!

An optional private 2-hour Vision Board Session is available to all attendees for $99. We will arrange and complete the session together within 30 days following the 20 Things Coaching Group. Simply select that option when you register for the 20 Things Coaching Group to reserve your spot on the calendar. It’s filling up fast! You will also have the option to register at both sessions on January 18th and 25th.

*Location information provided on registration page.

We’re thrilled to announce the November WomensNet.net Amber Grant Winner…. Is Sara Clark-Williams from Escondido, California. Sara is the owner of Launch Your Life where she is a life coach. We love Sara’s story as a women entrepreneur who used her passion to coach other women entrepreneurs. We were also impressed by Sara’s website and her use of social media marketing to promote her business. We’re sure you’ll be inspired and informed by the short interview we did with Sara below.

BTW, we’re currently taking applications for the December/January WomensNet.net Amber Grant. We’d love to hear your story, and you just might be our next winner. But there are only a few weeks to get your application to us. So if you’re interested, please don’t wait. We will announce our winner the first week in February.

WomensNet.net: First of all, congratulations on winning, Sara… so what will you use the $500 Amber Grant for?

SCW:Thank you so much again for selecting me for this grant. I am so grateful…. I’ll use the Amber Grant to expand my reach, and to grow my business through: development of an MP3 audio companion to the “Launch Your Life Workbook,” as well as the creation of an ebook. Specifically, the funds will go to professional editing and design of both of these products.

WomensNet.net: How long have you been in business, what exactly does your business do, and what lead to you starting Launch Your Life?

SCW: I coach women entrepreneurs who want greater enjoyment in their life and their business. Often these women don’t make use of some very practical strategies and habits, and find that their lack of a plan, focus or confidence is getting in the way of what they want. We work together to get clear on what they want, create an action plan and go for it! My clients are amazing women, and while I teach them they also teach me… I started my business on February 7, 2008. I got a great job out of graduate school in 2004 and worked at that corporate job building my career and earning a great living. But after a couple of years I knew that was not the direction in which I wanted to go, and one I would not be happy with for much longer. Over the course of several months, I sought to discover my core strengths, interests, skills and passions. The end result was to start Launch Your Life, helping other women pursue their dreams. I resigned from that corporate job in August of 2008 and am so glad I took that leap

WomensNet.net:So have you always had a passion for consulting?

SCW:Yes, absolutely. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with individuals and teams to grow personally, academically and/or professionally. The specific content of the consulting and coaching has varied – but the common element I’m most passionate about has remained. I’m most passionate about providing guidance, support and encouragement to others that will last beyond the time I work with them. It gives me a sense of fulfillment to see my clients’ eyes light up when they have an “aha!” moment, and then to see them take action from that new insight. I enjoy the satisfaction of seeing the direct results of my efforts and the look in my clients’ eyes when they say “thank you.”

WomensNet.net:What have been the best business decisions you’ve made, and what were the results?

SCW:One great business decision has been to manage my time effectively from the start. This is something that I find is most difficult for many of my clients, no matter how long they have been in business. Because I’ve focused so much on being efficient with my time, and using a variety of strategies to do that, it has helped me to confidently provide support and tools for my clients in that area… Another great business decision I made just this year was to listen to what my clients and prospective clients are telling me about what they need. Often they tell me what they want directly, but I have learned to hear what they need even when they don’t know exactly what they need. The result of listening to this “demand” was to create a new type of coaching service that is accessible to more women entrepreneurs than simply providing full service coaching services. I recognized what “demand” was and it has been empowering to create something that people want.

WomensNet.net: What have been your worst decisions?

SCW: My worst business decision was failing to continue networking and marketing during a time when I had a strong client base last year. As a result, my income dropped substantially for a period of time, and I found myself working hard to catch up.

WomensNet.net: One of the things that attracted us to your Amber Grant application was that when we checked out your website, we noticed your extensive use of Social Media. How and why did you start using social media?

SCW: I started using Social Media in my business in 2009 after I had been using it personally. I began noticing the value it could bring in staying in touch with and building a relationship with my clients and prospects. I started by using social networking sites like Twitter, LinkedIn and FaceBook, and I am now expanding to YouTube.

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