Are you Structured? Hello my friends, Do you have a business plan for your online business? Do you feel you need one? Do you feel you need to be structured? Kathy/simikathy

Kathy, If you don't have a business plan for a venture, whether online or off, you will be subject to drifting whichever way the wind blows. Many people start businesses without a business plan, but those that succeed usually have one. The problem with online businesses is the same as their advantage, which is that anyone, with no business experience whatsoever, can get involved in a business for little or nothing invested. So lots of them don't even know about business planning, and many of those that do don't bother. It's also true that a traditional business plan doesn't fit the homebased, online business model very well. Nevertheless, if everyone would sit down and determine their interests, values and strengths before starting, fewer people would become disillusioned by their businesses so quickly. If they would also determine a budget of time and money to invest in their business, and consistently apply the plan, they'd also have better luck in actually making money with the business. Even if it is just a plan of action, as long as it relies on solid principles like Rudy's one-a-day formula, it can't help but lead to success eventually. They say the only way to fail is to quit, but most people fail by inconsistent action or lack of genuine enthusiasm for the programs they are trying to promote. Cheri

Hey Kathy,

This a very good subject to discuss.

Net-Marketing is a no-man's land of trial and errors - we don't have a clue of what works, what to do and where to do it.

Most peple succeed by Luck instead of total planning.

Nevertheless, as Cheri says, some basis economics is helpful, like making a budget of your money and time and sticking to it.

Running out of gas on the Super-Hwy can be disasterous!

Thanks for Caring and Sharing,

maxinvegas  

Hi Kathy! 

Great topic!  Am I structured?  Do I have a plan?  Well, yes and no.  Let me explain.............

Every month I set goals for myself as to what I would like to accomplish in my business.  I do formulate a "guide" for how I will achieve this goal.  Now I don't always end up sticking to exactly what I have written down....things change.  I rely heavily on my intuition most of the time - and life always has it's way of butting in too.  But I always meet the goals I have set for myself.  So yes I always have a plan.....it's never 'set in stone'.....so it doesn't always happen the way I originally planned.

I feel that as a marketer/business owner......you need to have some sort of direction.  Nothing has to be set in stone - but you should know where you want to go and 'sort of' know HOW you plan on getting there.  Otherwise, your like a boat that is just floating down the stream instead of intentionally blasting your way through.  Does that make sense?

"If you fail to plan - You plan to fail."

I encourage everyone to have some sort of plan.  Know what you would like to accomplish....how you MIGHT get to where you want to go.  I agree with everyone that budgets are important....it's important to know where your boundaries are. 

You don't have to be 'military' or rigid about it........just have some sort of focus.  Get it going......and have fun!