6 Steps to Creating an Effective "sticky Note" Business Plan

Copyright (c) 2008 Christine Kloser3. Download Your Ideas. Here comes the fun part. Get
If you're like most creative entrepreneurs, the thoughtyour pen and sticky notes and begin to write down
of writing a business plan is not the highest item onevery single idea that comes to mind for each
your priority list. You'd rather explore new ideas, createcategory. Don't edit or censor any ideas. Simply write
products and services, develop a new speech, orthem down and stick them on the poster board for
work with your clients... than sit down and write a plan.that category. Try to stay with one category at a time
But, to be successful in business, you need to have aas best you can. But, if other ideas keep coming to
plan in place. The good news is you don't have tomind, write them down and pop them on the
write a formal (bank-friendly) business plan to keepappropriate poster. Let the ideas flow and enjoy the
your business on track. In fact, until recently, I used myprocess of getting everything on paper.
self-made "sticky note business plan" to keep track of4. Organize Your Ideas. So, now that your ideas are
my business goals and plans.on the poster boards, begin to organize them. Look for
The "sticky note business plan" is a simple and fun toolthemes, sequences, and categories of items. Physically
you can use anytime, any place to keep your businessmove the sticky notes on the poster board to group
pointing in the right direction. Here are a few simpleideas together. Sometimes I'll organize ideas by timeline,
steps to get you started:sometimes I'll organize by concept... you can organize
1. Gather Your Planning Supplies. Thankfully, you won'tthem in the way that makes sense to you.
need fancy computer software, or heavy reference5. Put It All Together. Now, step back and take a look
books to write your plan. All you'll need is a wall, sixat your whole plan. After going through this process,
poster boards, three pads of sticky notes, scotch tape,you may discover some items need to move higher
a note pad, a Sharpie marker and a pen. It'll also help toon your priority list; while other ideas may need to be
have a quiet place and a few hours of time to enjoydropped from your plan completely. The right things to
this process. You may even want to light your favoritedo (and the order in which to do them) will surface
candle and play some relaxing music.now that you have the whole plan in place. Next,
2. Lay Out Your Plan. Tape the six poster boards uprearrange the posters so the highest priority plan is at
on the wall. Once the boards are up on the wall, grabthe left side of the wall and the lower priority plan is to
your notepad. Sit down for a few minutes and quietlythe right side of the wall. Finally, transfer your highest
think about the aspects of your business you want topriority tasks to your calendar to make sure you begin
plan. For example: do you need to design a newexecuting your plan.
product or event, do you want to create a marketing6. Keep Going. As you make progress with your plan,
plan, do you need a timeline plan for the next 3 yearscontinually re-evaluate where you are... and keep
of your business, or is it time to plan the launch of amoving forward with your projects. Personally, once I
new service?complete a concept from one of my poster boards, I
Use your notepad to collect all of your ideas andremove the sticky notes so I can visually see my
decide on the six main categories you want to includeprogress and all that I'm accomplishing. You may enjoy
in your plan. Next, write each category on six separatedoing the same thing.
sticky notes using your Sharpie marker. Then, stick oneNow that you know how to write your "sticky note
note on the top center of each poster board... so eachbusiness plan", you'll discover it's actually FUN to work
board is labeled for one of your six topics.on your plan. And, it's a huge asset to your business.