Everyday we see businesses fail because of lack of planning. Sorry, we have to get to the root of the problem right away. The plan has to start within; jotting down notes on a piece of paper, post it or recording something to your cell phone.

Write the vision and make it PLAIN!!!

Take those notes and put them in an order that is clear and precise to start the plan. These notes may turn into a great business plan, but you first have to see it on paper and pull it all together.

Why do you need to SEE the vision on paper?

Who else will know what your business is to be if it isn't on paper, power-point, or napkin? No one. The purpose of getting what you need from outside resources by showing them what you want and how you see it coming to pass. Are you ready to staple all of your smeared napkins together and present it to the bank, or friends and family? Good, I didn't think so; no re-write the vision.

Who cares about your vision and planning?

No one YOU know cares. It is not anything they want to do AND they do not care if you succeed. Another reason why you need to make it clear and precise. You will not become a millionaire by selling to your friends and family. They want what you have, but not FROM you. They will not help promote you either. The people that will invest more than time into your business are the ones that care about your vision and your planning.

Is your plan working?

What if you have written a plan and it has not been working for you? Well, re-read the plan and start over or make changes. Look at what your goal is for the next five years; is it feasible? If not, rethink it NOW. You will not get a loan or a grant on a plan that is not logical.

Okay, now you are ready to hit the ground running; just have your plan in hand. If you don't have the plan stay at home and work on it.