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Work smart | Business plans

Creating business vision statements and writing business plans are often discussed in the context of a start-up business, but in reality it is relevant to all businesses both new and old. You?ll find time planning your business direction and writing business plans is a very worthwhile investment.

In this section you will find practical advice on mind mapping, creating a business vision statement and writing a business plan through to the importance of setting long term business goals, business succession planning and developing business exit strategies.


FREE WEBINAR - Wed 12 June: Create your inspiring vision!

20 May 13

In this interactive webinar with Flying Solo's Robert Gerrish and Peter Crocker, you'll learn how to build a business vision that is both inspiring and sustainable. Supported by Telstra BizEssentials. Read more

Find communication gold in your small business plan

13 Oct 12 | Jess Tyler

Business plans often contain a lot of marketing jargon, but they can also be a goldmine of ideas and inspiration, which can form the basis of your communication messages. Here’s how to dig out the gold from your small business plan. Read more

Comments: 4

Business succession planning for micro businesses

25 May 12 | Michael Quinn

The old adage, “Fail to plan and you will plan to fail”, is very relevant and true when it comes to business. Implementing a business succession plan will ensure your business continues to thrive when you leave. Read more

Comments: 0

Writing a business plan

12 Apr 12 | Brad Callaughan

A business plan can mean the difference between having a good business and having a great business. Here’s some tips for writing a business plan that's a cracker. Read more

Comments: 4

Benefits your small business plan should deliver

01 Oct 11 | Marcus Tarrant

When undertaken as a regular process, small business plans can provide substantial benefits. This article discusses four of the most important. Read more

Comments: 6

Business plans: Do you like flexibility or framework?

26 Jul 11 | Jayne Tancred

If free-forming works for you, then by all means go for it. But I have to say, I don’t understand the appeal of being a soloist without a business plan at all. Read more

Comments: 22

Quarterly review: What’s next?

21 Jun 11 | Robert Gerrish

Every quarter, Sam, Peter and I contemplate Flying Solo’s future. We’ll laugh, banter …we may even shed a tear. It’s all part of the fun of a quarterly review. Read more

Comments: 15

Is it time to crack the WIP?

15 Mar 11 | Peter Crocker

A mate of mine kicked off this year by escaping the office to develop new plans, products and growth strategies for his business. What happened was unexpected. Read more

Comments: 11

Steps for putting your business plan into action

17 Jan 11 | Rhys Roberts

I don’t know a single small business owner who doesn’t plan. On the other hand, implementation isn’t always a strong point. Read more

Comments: 7

The joys of uncertainty

04 Jan 11 | Robert Gerrish

Like a number of other businesses, Flying Solo operates in a sector that is evolving at high speed. It can be hard to plan for the year ahead when the future refuses to give up its secrets. But that’s half the fun. Read more

Comments: 12

Offsite business planning days – solo style

12 Nov 10 | Madeleine Shaw

Getting away to clear the head, think differently and create your plans is not just for corporate bunnies. Here’s how to have an offsite business planning day on your own. Read more

Comments: 14

The soloist’s flight plan

07 May 10 | Mark Moore

Will your version of flying solo involve soaring above the clouds or spinning out of control and coming back down to earth with a thud? A good flight plan could make all the difference. Read more

Comments: 1

Do you know when to quit?

04 Feb 10 | Mark Moore

Never giving in can sometimes lead to flogging a dead horse. But knowing when to quit and when to stick is a business skill that many of us struggle with. Read more

Comments: 4

The one-page strategic plan

11 Jan 10 | Stacey Barr

Does your strategic plan sit on a shelf gathering dust? If it’s full of abstract goals, vague strategies and useless key performance indicators (KPIs), then I bet it does! Here's how you can create a one page strategic plan. Read more

Comments: 18

Creating a vision board

14 Dec 09 | Robert Gerrish

Now is the perfect time to capture your vision for the year ahead by creating a vision board. Read more

Comments: 19

Five excuses for a lack of business vision

24 Sep 09 | Zern Liew

A successful business vision is the ultimate carrot to steer your life’s work by. It should be aspirational and inspiring. Are you inspired by your business’ current vision? Does it bring tears to your eyes?! If not, read on... Read more

Comments: 0

Business vision: Remember your big picture

09 Aug 09 | Megan Hills

Even when business is going well there’s often a larger business vision we want to reach. But with day-to-day distractions, it’s easy to forget the bigger picture. Read more

Comments: 6

Could you sell your business?

22 Jun 09 | Peter Crocker

You’ve worked hard, built up a good customer base and established a profitable niche for your business, but is it actually worth anything? Could you sell your business? Read more

Comments: 39

How to prepare for disaster

17 Jun 09 | Robert Gerrish

In this video interview, I talk to Flying Solo contributor Greg Pritchard on the topic of how to prepare for disaster. For many soloists, most of their valuable information and data is kept in one place and that's the very place where disaster can strike. Read more

Comments: 1

Nine ways to disaster proof your business

18 Nov 08 | Greg Pritchard

A disaster doesn't need to signal the end if you plan ahead. Here are nine tips to help you disaster proof your business. Read more

Comments: 10

How a business planning day can work for you

21 Aug 08 | Kate Tribe

You have heard it numerous times – you should be working on the business as well as in the business. Business planning is just one of many aspects vying for your attention. You know it is essential, but fitting in time for planning is difficult. Read more

Comments: 6

Business plans: Writing a business plan

01 Jan 08 | Megan Hills

‘Business plan’ remains a dusty, conceptual notion for many soloists. Here’s how to bring business plans to life so you can start achieving this year's goals right now. Read more

Comments: 14

Exit strategies: is it right to quit your business?

02 Aug 07 | Michele Hackshall

It's natural to think about leaving your solo business. Whether you're tempted due to financial, stress-related or personal reasons, you need to consider alternatives before deciding. Read more

Comments: 5

Business planning: How to make the most of July

01 Jul 07 | Karen Morath

July is either the beginning of a new financial year or the middle of a calendar one. But whatever way you look at it, it is a great month to review our business planning and take stock of how our business is tracking. Read more

Comments: 2

Practical creative planning with mind mapping

13 May 07 | Megan Hills

Does your ‘to do’ list feel like an endless treadmill set on high speed? Practical creative planning with mind Mapping could be the answer. It can help you get back into control, plus it will inject a bit of colour into your working day. Read more

Comments: 9

Strategic business planning: Vision, mission and values

10 May 07 | Peter Morgan

When setting out on their solo journey, some people undertake strategic business planning, while others set off blindly, with no clear direction. Many soloists take the more haphazard approach, and this results in what I call business misery. Read more

Comments: 11

Business succession planning: Developing an exit strategy

03 Apr 07 | Grant Hyman

Not many soloists give a good deal of thought to business succession planning and developing an exit strategy, yet one of the key requirements of a successful business is to know how you want your involvement to end up. Read more

Comments: 7

Strategic review: The soloist 'away day'

08 Jan 07 | Peter Crocker

If you've been around a corporate environment, you'll be familiar with the concept of the 'off site', 'away day', 'strategic review', 'conference', or 'executive retreat'. Read more

Comments: 7

A brand new approach to writing a business plan

22 Sep 05 | Megan Tough

A business plan is an essential documents that we are all meant to have, right? So why do so many solo professionals not have one? Here's a new approach to writing a business plan. Read more

Comments: 0














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