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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.
Benefits your small business plan should deliver
01 Oct 11Marcus TarrantWhen undertaken as a regular process, small business plans can provide substantial benefits. This article discusses four of the most important. Read more
Comments: 6Business plans: Do you like flexibility or framework?
26 Jul 11Jayne TancredIf 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: 21Quarterly review: What’s next?
21 Jun 11Robert GerrishEvery 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: 15Is it time to crack the WIP?
15 Mar 11Peter CrockerA 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: 11Steps for putting your business plan into action
17 Jan 11Rhys RobertsI 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: 5The joys of uncertainty
04 Jan 11Robert GerrishLike 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: 12Offsite business planning days – solo style
12 Nov 10Madeleine ShawGetting 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: 14The soloist’s flight plan
07 May 10Mark MooreWill 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: 1Do you know when to quit?
04 Feb 10Mark MooreNever 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: 4The one-page strategic plan
11 Jan 10Stacey BarrDoes 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: 16Creating a vision board
14 Dec 09Robert GerrishNow is the perfect time to capture your vision for the year ahead by creating a vision board. Read more
Comments: 19Five excuses for a lack of business vision
24 Sep 09Zern LiewA 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: 0Business vision: Remember your big picture
09 Aug 09Megan HillsEven 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: 6Could you sell your business?
22 Jun 09Peter CrockerYou’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: 39How to prepare for disaster
17 Jun 09Robert GerrishIn 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: 1Nine ways to disaster proof your business
18 Nov 08Greg PritchardA 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: 9How a business planning day can work for you
21 Aug 08Kate TribeYou 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: 6Business plans: Writing a business plan
01 Jan 08Megan 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: 13Exit strategies: is it right to quit your business?
02 Aug 07Michele HackshallIt'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: 5Business planning: How to make the most of July
01 Jul 07Karen MorathJuly 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: 2Practical creative planning with mind mapping
13 May 07Megan HillsDoes 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 wil inject a bit of colour into your working day. Read more
Comments: 9Strategic business planning: Vision, mission and values
10 May 07Peter MorganWhen 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: 11Business succession planning: Developing an exit strategy
03 Apr 07Grant HymanNot 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: 7Strategic review: The soloist 'away day'
08 Jan 07Peter CrockerIf 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: 7A brand new approach to writing a business plan
22 Sep 05Megan ToughA 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: 0Copyright © 2005-2012 Flying Solo Pty Ltd · Web design by Sharkey Media
Small Business is Australia's fastest growing sector – this business community site was created for those running a small business of one to five people. Here the solo and micro business owner will find small business forums, a small business directory, free resources, help, tips and advice on: starting a small business; working smarter when working from home; effective small business marketing; small business networking; the solo psyche; staying balanced as a small business owner; small business technology advice and small business finance tips.
