Are you falling prey to the relentless focus on what is going “wrong” in the economy? You are bombarded daily with information, in the newspaper, on TV, over the internet, and from the people around you; some times it is positive – “there were robust job gains last month, or exports remain strong” and sometimes they are not – “housing starts have tanked, the economy is slowing”.

As you begin to look down the road you will have to choose what position you will take to plan your business. You might start by asking some tough questions. Do you recognize the need for change? One client is researching a new direction for his business, a whole new model, as his market is disappearing.

• Are you prepared to look reality in the face?
• Are you willing to change the way you do business – and change yourself?
• Will you turn the plan into action?
• Do you have the guts to take your business in new directions?

I would like to lay out a road map that will get you to view your business through a lens that eliminates the distortions of everyday business. Let me warn you, you may not like what you see. But if you are going to meet the year head on it is a necessary process. Let’s look at what a strategic plan could do for you.

1. Develop a statement of purpose. Why does your business exist?

Sometimes why we started the business is not the same as why we continue to work it. One of my long time clients over the years has added staff, and possibly her successor, so that now she can travel more. The business was started so she could support her family.

2. Conduct a SWOT analysis. This will help you evaluate your business’ internal strengths and weaknesses, along with the opportunities and threats you face in the market place. It will give you a basis for developing a plan.

3. Crystallize your thinking.  Determine what specific long range goals you want for your business. It is never enough to just want more money. They should cover all aspects of the business.

4. Create benchmarks, with specific results for meeting those goals. It is easier to make adjustments along the way without losing sight of the long range goals.

5. Brainstorm strategies for reaching each of the results. There is more than one way to achieve a result, ask others for ideas.

6. Develop a Plan of Action. Plan the progressive steps, along with who will do what when. Nothing ever happens without action, but there is a world of difference between mere action and constructive action.

7. Be confident in yourself and your own abilities. Be determined to follow through on your plan, because without determination the plan will deteriorate.

The 8th step is to track your progress. Write out your numbers (yes I said write), know your sales number, gross profit, cost of goods/time. It is a sure way of staying focused.

The Challenge: You have the ability to choose your experience.

Barbara founded MindMasters, an organization for entrepreneurs to master the challenges they face in an ever-changing market place and is the Co-Director of MindMasters Entrepreneur Association.

How would you like to have your content delivered daily to your prospects desktop? What would that mean to the success of your business? Dianna Arreola of Core Specialties shares how you can reach out to your prospects, motivate and reward your employees, and strengthen the core of your business with a variety of programs.

After listening to this 10 minute interview, I’d love to hear how you are using new technology to reach your prospects and strengthen the core of your business! Please leave a comment!!

Currently Dianna is reading, The Carrot Principle: How the Best Managers Use Recognition to Engage Their Employees, Retain Talent, and Drive Performance by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton. The Carrot Principle illustrates that the relationship between recognition and improved business results is highly predictable–it’s proven to work. But it’s not the employee recognition some of us have been using for years. It is recognition done right, recognition combined with four other core traits of effective leadership.

Maybe if you read this book, you won’t have to worry about your employees suing you. If you didn’t read the book, and your employees are thinking about suing you, check out the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday Breakfast April 1st.

On February 5th at the Handlery Hotel, businesses can learn some new and progressive management strategies. We’re  always looking for profitable strategies. One huge investment for any small business is the hiring, training and development of good employees. Yet, what kind of atmosphere do you provide for your employees? Here’s a management style to think about…kindness!

The Management Initiative is part of a nationwide effort to promote business success through a kinder leadership style and is offering a one day workshop to share these strategies with small business owners. Endless research supports the fact that a kind working environment means better business results…and yet something is missing.

What they aren’t telling you is that it requires very specific management skills and the right marketing, strategic, and legal efforts to support that kind environment. Only about 3% of decision makers know what these skills are, but Reut Schwartz-Hebron and The Management Initiative do and they want to spread those skills like a virus.

You’ll learn what those very successful 3% know about combining a kind business style with outstanding business results, so you can start enjoying financial security without giving up on being the person you want to be.

The Management Initiative wants to give you some of the new skills you’ll need to promote your business success with the intention of modeling a new set of excellence standards in the most influential part of society. You get accessibility to top expert skills, tools, and keys for outstanding business results and we all take another step toward a better future.

I recently met Reut Schwartz-Hebron, international speaker, an author and a trainer. She is the founder of the Managzement Initiative Project, the president of the Kind-Excellence Institute and the owner of MetaConsulting Solutions. Reut is the author of "Outswim the Sharks" and is personally dedicated to training executives in using Kind Excellence management skills. Over the past 12 years, Reut supported organizations of all sectors and sizes to increase their overall productivity.

Reut and I sat down for an interview about her vision and the passion behind sharing why kindness is your strongest ally and how to make it lead to more income than any other business style. She’s holding a one day event on February 5th here in San Diego on The Management Initiative. To get more information, or register for the event visit The Management Initiative.

As always, I invite you to share your theories on management strategies by commenting! Enjoy the interview.

You, Inc., The Art Of Selling Yourself by Harry Beckwith and Christine Clifford Beckwith is an easy read. I took it on our holiday road trip to Mom’s house. I was able to finish it within a few days. However, being an easy read doesn’t mean it wasn’t full of valuable info for running a small business.

What I loved best about You, Inc. is that in short stories and examples you discover strategies for selling, planning, relationships (which we are hearing so much about these days), and attitudes. They also reinforce the need for integrity in what you do.

One of the things I struggle with is remembering names. There are a couple of great examples of how to develop the ability to put a face and name together. I also enjoyed learning how to strengthen my relationships, and why our relationships are so important to our business success.

I like little books.  Little books that I can keep within reach for that moment of inspiration or motivation that these books offer. This is one of those little books that will always be within reach to help me move past any obstacles that might come my way. Check it out. If you’ve read it, offer up a comment!

I’ve always been fond of kindness. I always thought if I could be as kind as my mother, I’d die a happy woman. In fact, February 12-18th is "Random Act of Kindness Week." One of my earliest Toastmaster speeches was about random acts of simple kindness. Wikipedia has a nice section on how random acts of senseless kindness started and what organizations are doing about kindness, not only in the realm of humanity, but now as a management strategy for getting the best out of your organization.

 I recently met Reut Schwartz-Hebron, international speaker, an author and a trainer. She is the founder of the Management Initiative Project, the president of the Kind-Excellence Institute and the owner of MetaConsulting Solutions. Reut is the author of "Outswim the Sharks" and is personally dedicated to training executives in using Kind Excellence management skills. Over the past 12 years, Reut supported organizations of all sectors and sizes to increase their overall productivity.

Reut and I sat down for an interview about her vision and the passion behind sharing why kindness is your strongest ally and how to make it lead to more income than any other business style. She’s holding a one day event on February 5th here in San Diego on The Management Initiative. To get more information, or register for the event visit The Management Initiative.

As always, I invite you to share your theories on management strategies by commenting! Enjoy the interview.