| In order to achieve anything, your desire to succeed | | | | you are writing it only to impress your bank manager |
| must be greater than your fear of failing. A business | | | | or sponsors, step back and ask yourself what are the |
| plan is a live document, a point of reference, | | | | chances of it succeeding in the long term? You might |
| somewhere to refer back to as your business | | | | get the loan or the sponsorship but more importantly |
| develops. It will change and grow as your business | | | | you must have a real desire to make it succeed, |
| grows and will help you stay focused when you hit | | | | otherwise the odds are stacked against you. |
| obstacles along the way. Don't make the mistake of | | | | Creating a business plan is no different from setting a |
| treating it as an arduous task to get done, out of the | | | | goal. The core of a business plan is simply an |
| way and filed away, never to see the light of day | | | | accumulation of actions that will eventually bring about |
| again. | | | | the desired outcome. |
| If you have an idea and want create a business | | | | So, be CLEVER |
| around it or indeed extend your current business, the | | | | C reative: Write down all your ideas. |
| first step is to write a business plan. Describe your | | | | L ook: At the big picture. |
| idea, your objectives and goals, your competition, how | | | | E ffort: Rise to the challenge. |
| you plan to market your product or service, your | | | | V isualise: Imagine yourself achieving it. |
| financial projections and so on... | | | | E mpowered: Stay energised, keep driving on. |
| It is very important to partake personally in developing | | | | R ealistic: Keep your goal in sight and all that is relevant |
| a business plan - you need to feel associated with it. If | | | | to achieving it. |