subject: Top 7.5 Steps to Reaching Your Business Outcome [print this page] Top 7.5 Steps to Reaching Your Business Outcome
Everyone knows that some businesses are experiencing challenging times. But I have to tell you, I also see some amazing things happening with many of my clients. It's not that they are not experiencing the pinch of the economy - they are. Yet, what I love about my clients is that they are remarkable people who refuse to focus on the economic downturn and so remain focused on the rebuilding! For those focused on the possibilities and potentials, forward movement is occurring in spite of the economy.
"Most people only use 10% of their abilities; it is time to tap into the other 90%".
Below are seven steps that will allow you to reach your business outcomes. These steps will assist you in making result-focused, knowledgeable decisions on a daily basis.
1. Define Your "Visioning Great" Business Model
Define your vision first and then make sure that you write it in one or two sentences. If you don't know where you're going, how can you ever plan to get there? When you document your business model, it will bring clarity and will serve to solidify your plans for business marketing, sales and internal operations etc.
2. Create a Dynamic Mission Statement
This is where you define the core business you're in. Write it and refine it until it becomes one or two sentences that are your true mission. The mission can become your tag line or your selling proposition.
3. Identify Forward-Thinking Ideas
Start with annual outcomes, and then break them down into quarterly and monthly outcomes. Think through the sequence of events that will lead you toward your annual outcomes and objectives. Be sure to celebrate every milestone along the way.
4. Develop an Out-of-the-Box Strategy
Use your review of last year's operating budget and information along with your projected outcomes for the coming year to help you define the results you want. How can you best use your resources? What else do you need? What else should you do?
If you are planning a new business, your strategy will be to identify and define your target market, to strategize how to identify your niche and to determine how you will outclass your competition.
5. Define Your Accelerated Results Plan
Create a results plan with a corresponding time frame. Be sure to allow some initial planning time. Get help if you need it there is nothing wrong with asking for help.
For those who are new to the business arena, your plan should be an implementation, start-up or execution plan that defines how you will get your business up and running. You will also need to determine what steps your need to take to bring your business to fruition.
6. Implementation for Success
This is one of the most important steps in the process. Break down your yearly plan into monthly plans, then into a weekly plan and add the specific action steps to your weekly calendar. Make sure you schedule time to do what's necessary. When planning the next week, bring forward anything that didn't get done from the previous week.
7. Assessment is Mandatory
Review your operating procedures monthly. Check out industry trends and pertinent economic indicators. Use the data and make adjustments to your strategy and plan. At least annually, perform a total review of your vision and mission. Summarize and document results; define what worked and what didn't. Most importantly, you should discard what doesn't work.
7.5 Repetition is a Must
Repeat the process annually and reap the rewards daily. Success is not achieved through a one-time act. You need to repeat one success with a second; and the second with a third.
Decide to proceed. Do not waver. Do not pay attention to what you see outwardly. Focus on the resources that will create the new, the improved, and the expanded and as yet unmanifested ideas. Be the one to bring in the new'. Be the one that goes the extra mile. Play. Be creative. Connect to new people. Form alliances. Go with your instincts. Trust! Imagine. Dream...and do it.
I have found that if your career and business plan includes success, you must step up and play a bigger game.
