Copyright 2002 by Herman Drost

When you go for a job interview, the recruiter often asks, "where do you want to be 5 years from now?" I often ask that
about my own business to keep revising my business plan.

Since you are approaching the beginning of the second half of this year, ask yourself "where do I want my business to be by
the end of 2002?" When it's January 1st 2003, you can hopefully look back and be proud of all that you accomplished in the last 6 months.

7 Step Action Plan

1. Take out a sheet of paper and spend the next 10 minutes writing answers to these simple pointers.

2. Evaluate your current business plan (you have one don't you?)
You may need to write or rewrite one, as this is your road map to success.

3. Create a concrete goal for the next month (i.e. "I will make $1000 in sales for this month")or 6 months.

4. Break down your goal into doable strategies (i.e. I will make $250 per week in sales).

5. Does your web site need a makeover?
"Think outside the box" – you may love your web site SO MUCH that you can't see how others may see it. Get someone else to review it and ask:

"Is it clear who my target audience is?"
"Is it easy to navigate my site to find what you want and how to order it?"
"Are you satisfied there is enough information given on my site to make a purchase?"
"Is it clear who is behind the site?"
"Do you feel you can trust this person with your business"?

6. Review your marketing goals
Analyze what marketing technique has worked well and what has not. Maybe you should eliminate the time wasters – techniques that take lots of time to employ, but don't produce many results.

Research and try another marketing strategy (i.e. instead of mailing your offer to millions with the hope someone will buy, try advertising to a more targeted audience – you may get a better response).

7. Place this newly written paper in front of your computer and revisit it every few days to keep you on track with your goals and strategies.

By the end of 2002, you can look back and be proud of what you accomplished by doing this 10-minute exercise.

Credit:
Herman Drost is a Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) owner and author of iSiteBuild.com
Site Design and Low Cost Hosting
(http://www.isitebuild.com)

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Related Information:

NBA Benefit Provider - How-To Create A Business Plan

NBA Resource Article - Plan Your Business

NBA Resource Article - Start-Up Planning: Prepare Your Business For Opening Day