Creating a business plan for growth

Benjamin Franklin said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”. If you start the new year not knowing exactly where you want to be by the end of the year, then how can you possibly get there? It’s a bit like jumping in the car on a road trip with everything packed but no destination planned. How are you going to know what direction you need to travel in and how will you know you’ve arrived?

In Jim Rohn’s article Four Steps to Success he said, “If you don’t’ design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much”. Before you get caught up in the demands of clients and BAS deadlines, lock yourself in a room, turn off your phone and email and prioritise your own business by making time to plan your year. It’s not just a good idea, something that you’d love to do if you had the time. It’s critical to your success.

The more specific you are the more likely you are to succeed:

• What turnover are you aiming for?
• How many accountants are you going to meet each month?
• When will you put on your next staff member?

And don’t forget to plan your personal goals which are just as important. Set clearly defined goals to have the upcoming year be transformational for you in every aspect of your life.