The Ultimate Small Business Marketing Weblog

Introducing Marketing to Millionaires™

My name is Kelly O’Neil and I am the founder of UpLevel Strategies, Inc. There has been quite a bit of buzz surrounding the new programs I have been keeping under wraps. Today, I am so pleased to debut Marketing to Millionaires™. For the past six months, I have been working with leading industry consultants and my team to meticulously develop this program based on a lifetime of research.

Introducing a Virtually Recession Proof Marketing Strategy. Marketing to Millionaires™ is a program designed to teach you how to market to the affluent as well as people who spend like they are. Marketing to Millionaires ™ will provide you the insider secrets to sell your services to people that value your expertise, are happily willing to pay premium prices for your services, AND will build your business for you by raving to all their wealthy friends.

Stay tuned over the next month as we unveil the full details of our programs. I will give you a little hint…Block off your calendar for October 22-25, 2009, because there is a one of a kind event, which you will not want to miss.

To living the good life,

Kelly

Sponsorship Opportunity Help Companies Increase Sales By Reaching Qualified Small Businesses With High Buying Needs and Potential; Limited Sponsorships Available

Los Gatos, CA (PRWEB) March 25, 2009 -- UpLevel Strategies, Inc, a business and marketing coaching company specializing in helping small businesses take their business to the next level, is pleased to invite small business vendors to participate in sponsorship opportunities for its exclusive retreat scheduled to occur October 22nd through 24th, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.    

A limited number of comprehensive sponsorship packages are available for interested buyers at varying levels of commitment. Prices ranges $2,500 to $25,000 with financing plans available upon approval.

One platinum sponsor, the highest-level participant, will gain maximum exposure as the exclusive sponsor of the VIP event and hospitality suite as well as through myriad of other name recognition and brand building activities. Further event assets are available for all other sponsor levels including interactive website promotion of the event, electronic newsletter advertisements, logo inclusion on event signage and collateral, and complementary tickets to the event.

Additionally, a useful resource directory containing the listings of all retreat sponsor company and contact information will be given to attendees and all UpLevel Strategies clients for up to one year after the event for maximum exposure. Premium advertising placements will be reserved for sponsor participants only. Customized sponsorship packages are available upon request.

"In creating these sponsorships I thought about what activities would make me as marketing strategy coach say 'this is a FANTASTIC opportunity' to my own clients," states Kelly O'Neil, owner and president of UpLevel Strategies. "I believe we achieved that result and more."

UpLevel Strategies intends to gather a highly targeted and purchasing audience of an estimated 150 small business professionals and entrepreneurs at a luxurious Los Angeles resort. The firm will support the event with over 1 million media impressions delivered through aggressive pre event promotional efforts including public relations, social media marketing, direct mail and the Internet. In addition to the extensive media attention and tremendous network of attendees, sponsors will benefit from positive brand positioning resulting from the UpLevel Strategies association. Those interested are encouraged to register quickly in order to fully leverage the promotional window.

"We are so excited to bring sponsors together with our attendees who are a qualified group of buyers really looking for the products and services they offer," added O'Neil. "The potential sales and business growth opportunities for these sponsors are tremendous."

The event promises to be a sound investment for companies that service small businesses and are seeking unique selling opportunities with this audience. Potential sponsors may include but are not limited to accountants and bookkeepers, financial service providers, IT and Web consultants, technology service providers as well as a variety of marketing services and product providers.

To find out more about these sponsorship opportunities, contact UpLevel Strategies at: (866) 615.8150, extension 0 or send an email to info@uplevelstrategies.com.

By following this simple tip, you can achieve a million dollar headshot that is not only professional but also tailors your image to the type of people and businesses you want to attract:

Color Counts! Mix it Up

Your wardrobe for your corporate photo doesn’t have to consist of one thing – mix it up and take a couple of outfit changes.  Take one with a professional look like a blazer and collared shirt and another with a more business casual approach like a sweater.  Coordinate your colors with what best highlights your facial features and is consistent with your brand identity.

Try using a variety of backgrounds for your photo. If you are planning on using the site for your web site, you might want to choose a white background so it can be easily Photo Shopped. Just be sure that this doesn’t blend in with your outfit. 

Your photo session can cost as little as $20.00 by purchasing a color sheet reprint of your photos.  Many studios still don’t’ offer digital, but don’t fret, you can easily have them scanned at a local photo store.  Be sure to get this in both high-res and low-res digital so you can utilize these for a variety of reproduction purposes.  Since the photo studio claims ownership rights of the photos, you will need to sign a model consent release form for the photo studio’s authorization to reproduce your photos.  Be sure to take this release form with you when you go to print your photos.

Getting a great head shots doesn’t have to cost you hundreds of dollars.  You can get a picture perfect head shot and greatly reduce your budget by using this great tip.  

Steer Clear of Boring Traditional Shots

Make a statement about yourself and your small business by taking non-traditional head shots.  Don’t be afraid to show your personality and make it fun!   You can still present a professional image by taking a picture with your hands on your hips, crossing your arms in confidence, or turning your head a certain way.  Another idea is to ask the photographer to stand on a ladder and take a shot looking down at you – presenting another angle’s impression.  I personally love this tip because it is incredibly flattering to a lady’s figure.  Research the types of shots you want and print out examples to bring them with you.

The objective of your headshot is to provide a powerful and memorable impression of your small businesses image and personality.   Take my advice and you’ll end up with one that looks like a million bucks!

Do you want to get in on the ground floor of something BIG???  Are you looking for the opportunity to offer new strategies and programs--completely complimentary to your own--that practically sell themselves???  How would you like to capitalize on a product launch with HUGE marketing support backing it up???

I’ve been talking a lot lately about the amazing program in development here at UpLevel Strategies.  One that is designed to provide the tools, resources, support and advice that will guide service based businesses in their endeavor to reach the next level of success and freedom.  I guarantee our new program will teach the insider secrets to help sell to a highly desirable market that is recession proof, willing to pay premium prices and make referrals to like-minded contacts. 

Now... Are You Interested In The Chance to Join US?

 

As a valued member of the UpLevel Strategies community, I’m thrilled to extend an invitation for you to become part of this one-of-a-kind program (there is no one else out there selling anything like it – your clients can only get it here!)  as our UpLevel Ambassador.  Click here to sign up now!

Join us TODAY so that you can capitalize on our new program and benefit with HUGE Ambassador rewards:

• Competitive commission levels earned on the sale of a range of products priced for the entry level buyers as well as investment spenders looking for major payoff
• Leveragable multi media marketing campaign to establish a solid foundation of awareness so your ambassador products will sell themselves with little effort
• Co-marketing opportunities for shared database contacts and exclusive content your followers desire
• Positive brand association as you align with UpLevel Strategies, an award winning and established name in the coaching and consulting industry

So please, click here to learn all the details about this wonderful (and profitable) new UpLevel Ambassador program!!  Don’t wait to become part of it!

Kelly O’Neil

President, UpLevel Strategies

A picture is worth a thousand words and taking a great head shot can be a fabulous asset to your small business. Here’s an incredibly useful tip to getting a GREAT shot on a BUDGET.  

Hit the Mall

While I love my celebrity photographer, I couldn’t always afford it and I had to become resourceful to get a killer head shot that did my brand justice.  And you can too….simply visit a photo studio located at your local mall. With the advancement in digital technology, photo studios are equipped to handle numerous types of photography from children to families, pets, corporate head shots, and professional modeling portfolio shots.

Photo studios are not only convenient but they are also ideal if you’re on a limited budget.  I used The Picture People (www.picturepeople.com) in the Bay Area for my own personal head shots because they can produce high quality photos at a fraction of the price of the professional photographer.  These types of studios provide the convenience of no sitting fees and extended weekday and weekend hours in order to meet customer needs.  If you’re on a limited time frame, be sure to schedule your appointment around dinnertime to avoid the usual mall crowds or wait for your photo session.

Photo studios also provide the added convenience of allowing you to immediately view the digital photos during the shoot – adding the benefit of making sure you’re getting just the right head shot to accurately portray you and your business image.  This avoids paying for photos which don’t portray your intended brand impression.

Use this advice to get a corporate head shot that looks like you spent millions on it!

Media search engine Technorati is about to release The Technorati Attention Index, which measures the mainstream media websites with the highest number of blogs linking to them in the past 30 days. Right now it has a blog post with the inaugural list. YouTube takes the top spot with the New York Times, BBC News, CNN.com, and MSN rounding out the top five. Compared to the top non-blog sources on Techmeme’s leader board, which is a narrower universe of sites which tech blogs link to, the top five mainstream media sites there are CNET News, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and Computerworld. (The leader board for sister site Memorandum, which covers politics, more closely matches Technorati’s list). 

Here’s the list in its entirety from Technorati’s index:

YouTube
New York Times
BBC News
CNN.com
MSN
guardian.co.uk
Washington Post
Yahoo! News
Reuters
Los Angeles Times
Telegraph.co.uk
MSNBC
The Wall Street Journal
Time
Wired
USA Today
boston.com
FOX News
Daily Mail
ESPN
CBS News
Financial Times
Forbes
San Francisco Chronicle
Chicago Tribune
The White House
New York Post
New York Daily News
International Herald Tribune
PBS
Salon.com
BusinessWeek
Slate
Newsweek
New York Magazine
Economist.com
CBC.ca
San Francisco Examiner
MarketWatch
Chicago Sun-Times
US News & World Report
Houston Chronicle
Yahoo! Sports
Entertainment Weekly
Seattle Times
E! Online
People
Science Daily
Style.com
The Christian Science Monitor

Posted by: Leena Rao, TechCrunch

I’m Revealing EXCITING News!

If you’ve been up to date with the recently UpLeveled ezine newsletters, you are probably already aware that we will soon be embarking on some very BIG news. It is almost time to reveal EVERYTHING!!! Click here or below to my NEW VIDEO, as I share with you about our upcoming program that promises to help you UpLevel your business, even in this challenging economy. With innovative and one-of-a-kind products, we’ll soon teach you how to sell your services to a qualified audience that values your expertise, is happily willing to pay premium prices and will refer you to all their like-minded friends.

Just a reminder, if you haven’t already, please check out our new website: www.uplevelstrategies.com. And, continue to tune into our blog and social media networks on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. We update these regularly with incredibly resourceful information to maximize your business results and leverage your expertise.

So, stay tuned over the next few weeks—or sooner…I look forward to speaking with you soon!!

Kelly O’Neil
President, UpLevel Strategies

PS: Remember to catch me on the CEO Factor Retreat preview call with Million Dollar Lifestyle Business Coach, Melanie Benson Strick and Process Prodigy Coach, Beth Schneider TODAY at 11 AM Pacific (12 PM Mountain, 1 PM Central and 2 PM Eastern). In the call, we will reveal how to triple your productivity, dramatically increase your bottom line and put more time, freedom and meaning into your business. If you haven’t done so, click here to register NOW!

A business plan is the document that sells others on your business, your excitement about your product or service, and your ability to be successful.  Whether you view it primarily as an internal or personal document or as a public statement of your objectives and abilities, having a strong business plan is very important. 

 

Here are some of the most critical reasons why a strategic business plan may be the difference between your business success and failure:

 

1.  To Expand your Business in Creative Ways.  If you are looking to expand your business, for example, by bringing in people on a profit-sharing basis, your business plan demonstrates the vision and direction for your business at the moment and in the future. You cannot expect to bring in good people if you are perceived as directionless. 

 

2.  To Understand the Market.  In order to write a compelling business plan, you must come to understand the market you wish to serve.  You must understand what the people in the market buy, want, or need.  You must have a strategy for informing the market of your product or service and showing people why your particular offering is the best.  You must know if the market will buy your product or service, and at what price. Unfortunately this is a step many small businesses skip.

 

3.  To Remain on Track.  A good business plan will keep you on track.  It will help you avoid distractions, evaluate opportunities, develop the right product, and differentiate yourself in the market.  Your business plan will help you keep your focus and make smart decisions.

In my work with entrepreneurs and small businesses, I’ve never really been surprised by the number of people who don’t have a business plan. I have, however, been surprised by the number of entrepreneurs and small business owners who actually think they don’t need a business plan.  In fact, 99% of small business owners don’t have a plan.  Why do you need a business plan?  There are actually many reasons for taking the time to write a business plan.  Here are some of the most critical ones.

1.  To Create a Roadmap to Success.  Your business plan is your roadmap to a place called “Success.”  Your business plan will state your understanding of what you have to offer, the competition within your market, product or service development strategies, financing, marketing, and your expectations of success.  The business plan becomes the framework of your strategies future execution.

2.  To Educate Your Team.  My team and I work off our business plan.  It allows us to clearly understand the vision of the business and to all be marching in the same direction.  Additionally, when we bring on a new member of the team, it allows me to quickly train them on the bigger vision of the business to accelerate their success and mine.

3. To Arrange Strategic Alliances, Joint Ventures and Partnerships.  Many businesses take great leaps as a result of strategic alliances and partnerships.  Whether you convince a manufacturer to buy a particular component only from you or you develop alliances and partnerships that are mutually beneficial, partners must have some level of confidence in your viability before they will make a commitment.  Your business plan is your argument.

UpLevel Strategies Announces Sponsorship Opportunity for Companies That Help Small Businesses to Thrive and Increase Their Own Sales in The Process

Sponsorship Opportunity Help Companies Increase Sales By Reaching Qualified Small Businesses With High Buying Needs and Potential; Limited Sponsorships Available

Los Gatos, CA (PRWEB) March 25, 2009 -- UpLevel Strategies, Inc, a business and marketing coaching company specializing in helping small businesses take their business to the next level, is pleased to invite small business vendors to participate in sponsorship opportunities for its exclusive retreat scheduled to occur October 22nd through 24th, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.    

A limited number of comprehensive sponsorship packages are available for interested buyers at varying levels of commitment. Prices ranges $2,500 to $25,000 with financing plans available upon approval.

One platinum sponsor, the highest-level participant, will gain maximum exposure as the exclusive sponsor of the VIP event and hospitality suite as well as through myriad of other name recognition and brand building activities. Further event assets are available for all other sponsor levels including interactive website promotion of the event, electronic newsletter advertisements, logo inclusion on event signage and collateral, and complementary tickets to the event.

Additionally, a useful resource directory containing the listings of all retreat sponsor company and contact information will be given to attendees and all UpLevel Strategies clients for up to one year after the event for maximum exposure. Premium advertising placements will be reserved for sponsor participants only. Customized sponsorship packages are available upon request.

"In creating these sponsorships I thought about what activities would make me as marketing strategy coach say 'this is a FANTASTIC opportunity' to my own clients," states Kelly O'Neil, owner and president of UpLevel Strategies. "I believe we achieved that result and more."

UpLevel Strategies intends to gather a highly targeted and purchasing audience of an estimated 150 small business professionals and entrepreneurs at a luxurious Los Angeles resort. The firm will support the event with over 1 million media impressions delivered through aggressive pre event promotional efforts including public relations, social media marketing, direct mail and the Internet. In addition to the extensive media attention and tremendous network of attendees, sponsors will benefit from positive brand positioning resulting from the UpLevel Strategies association. Those interested are encouraged to register quickly in order to fully leverage the promotional window.

"We are so excited to bring sponsors together with our attendees who are a qualified group of buyers really looking for the products and services they offer," added O'Neil. "The potential sales and business growth opportunities for these sponsors are tremendous."

The event promises to be a sound investment for companies that service small businesses and are seeking unique selling opportunities with this audience. Potential sponsors may include but are not limited to accountants and bookkeepers, financial service providers, IT and Web consultants, technology service providers as well as a variety of marketing services and product providers.

To find out more about these sponsorship opportunities, contact UpLevel Strategies at: (866) 615.8150, extension 0 or send an email to info@uplevelstrategies.com.

How Do You Get A Million Dollar Headshot on a Budget for Your Small Business? Color Counts! Mix it Up

By following this simple tip, you can achieve a million dollar headshot that is not only professional but also tailors your image to the type of people and businesses you want to attract:

Color Counts! Mix it Up

Your wardrobe for your corporate photo doesn’t have to consist of one thing – mix it up and take a couple of outfit changes.  Take one with a professional look like a blazer and collared shirt and another with a more business casual approach like a sweater.  Coordinate your colors with what best highlights your facial features and is consistent with your brand identity.

Try using a variety of backgrounds for your photo. If you are planning on using the site for your web site, you might want to choose a white background so it can be easily Photo Shopped. Just be sure that this doesn’t blend in with your outfit. 

Your photo session can cost as little as $20.00 by purchasing a color sheet reprint of your photos.  Many studios still don’t’ offer digital, but don’t fret, you can easily have them scanned at a local photo store.  Be sure to get this in both high-res and low-res digital so you can utilize these for a variety of reproduction purposes.  Since the photo studio claims ownership rights of the photos, you will need to sign a model consent release form for the photo studio’s authorization to reproduce your photos.  Be sure to take this release form with you when you go to print your photos.

How Do You Get A Million Dollar Headshot on a Budget for Your Small Business? Steer Clear of Boring Traditional Shots

Getting a great head shots doesn’t have to cost you hundreds of dollars.  You can get a picture perfect head shot and greatly reduce your budget by using this great tip.  

Steer Clear of Boring Traditional Shots

Make a statement about yourself and your small business by taking non-traditional head shots.  Don’t be afraid to show your personality and make it fun!   You can still present a professional image by taking a picture with your hands on your hips, crossing your arms in confidence, or turning your head a certain way.  Another idea is to ask the photographer to stand on a ladder and take a shot looking down at you – presenting another angle’s impression.  I personally love this tip because it is incredibly flattering to a lady’s figure.  Research the types of shots you want and print out examples to bring them with you.

The objective of your headshot is to provide a powerful and memorable impression of your small businesses image and personality.   Take my advice and you’ll end up with one that looks like a million bucks!

An EXCLUSIVE Invitation to Join the Excitement

Do you want to get in on the ground floor of something BIG???  Are you looking for the opportunity to offer new strategies and programs--completely complimentary to your own--that practically sell themselves???  How would you like to capitalize on a product launch with HUGE marketing support backing it up???

I’ve been talking a lot lately about the amazing program in development here at UpLevel Strategies.  One that is designed to provide the tools, resources, support and advice that will guide service based businesses in their endeavor to reach the next level of success and freedom.  I guarantee our new program will teach the insider secrets to help sell to a highly desirable market that is recession proof, willing to pay premium prices and make referrals to like-minded contacts. 

Now... Are You Interested In The Chance to Join US?

 

As a valued member of the UpLevel Strategies community, I’m thrilled to extend an invitation for you to become part of this one-of-a-kind program (there is no one else out there selling anything like it – your clients can only get it here!)  as our UpLevel Ambassador.  Click here to sign up now!

Join us TODAY so that you can capitalize on our new program and benefit with HUGE Ambassador rewards:

• Competitive commission levels earned on the sale of a range of products priced for the entry level buyers as well as investment spenders looking for major payoff
• Leveragable multi media marketing campaign to establish a solid foundation of awareness so your ambassador products will sell themselves with little effort
• Co-marketing opportunities for shared database contacts and exclusive content your followers desire
• Positive brand association as you align with UpLevel Strategies, an award winning and established name in the coaching and consulting industry

So please, click here to learn all the details about this wonderful (and profitable) new UpLevel Ambassador program!!  Don’t wait to become part of it!

Kelly O’Neil

President, UpLevel Strategies

How Do You Get A Million Dollar Headshot on a Budget for Your Small Business? Hit The Mall

A picture is worth a thousand words and taking a great head shot can be a fabulous asset to your small business. Here’s an incredibly useful tip to getting a GREAT shot on a BUDGET.  

Hit the Mall

While I love my celebrity photographer, I couldn’t always afford it and I had to become resourceful to get a killer head shot that did my brand justice.  And you can too….simply visit a photo studio located at your local mall. With the advancement in digital technology, photo studios are equipped to handle numerous types of photography from children to families, pets, corporate head shots, and professional modeling portfolio shots.

Photo studios are not only convenient but they are also ideal if you’re on a limited budget.  I used The Picture People (www.picturepeople.com) in the Bay Area for my own personal head shots because they can produce high quality photos at a fraction of the price of the professional photographer.  These types of studios provide the convenience of no sitting fees and extended weekday and weekend hours in order to meet customer needs.  If you’re on a limited time frame, be sure to schedule your appointment around dinnertime to avoid the usual mall crowds or wait for your photo session.

Photo studios also provide the added convenience of allowing you to immediately view the digital photos during the shoot – adding the benefit of making sure you’re getting just the right head shot to accurately portray you and your business image.  This avoids paying for photos which don’t portray your intended brand impression.

Use this advice to get a corporate head shot that looks like you spent millions on it!

The 50 Media Sites Bloggers Link To The Most

Media search engine Technorati is about to release The Technorati Attention Index, which measures the mainstream media websites with the highest number of blogs linking to them in the past 30 days. Right now it has a blog post with the inaugural list. YouTube takes the top spot with the New York Times, BBC News, CNN.com, and MSN rounding out the top five. Compared to the top non-blog sources on Techmeme’s leader board, which is a narrower universe of sites which tech blogs link to, the top five mainstream media sites there are CNET News, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and Computerworld. (The leader board for sister site Memorandum, which covers politics, more closely matches Technorati’s list). 

Here’s the list in its entirety from Technorati’s index:

YouTube
New York Times
BBC News
CNN.com
MSN
guardian.co.uk
Washington Post
Yahoo! News
Reuters
Los Angeles Times
Telegraph.co.uk
MSNBC
The Wall Street Journal
Time
Wired
USA Today
boston.com
FOX News
Daily Mail
ESPN
CBS News
Financial Times
Forbes
San Francisco Chronicle
Chicago Tribune
The White House
New York Post
New York Daily News
International Herald Tribune
PBS
Salon.com
BusinessWeek
Slate
Newsweek
New York Magazine
Economist.com
CBC.ca
San Francisco Examiner
MarketWatch
Chicago Sun-Times
US News & World Report
Houston Chronicle
Yahoo! Sports
Entertainment Weekly
Seattle Times
E! Online
People
Science Daily
Style.com
The Christian Science Monitor

Posted by: Leena Rao, TechCrunch

Watch As I Reveal...

I’m Revealing EXCITING News!

If you’ve been up to date with the recently UpLeveled ezine newsletters, you are probably already aware that we will soon be embarking on some very BIG news. It is almost time to reveal EVERYTHING!!! Click here or below to my NEW VIDEO, as I share with you about our upcoming program that promises to help you UpLevel your business, even in this challenging economy. With innovative and one-of-a-kind products, we’ll soon teach you how to sell your services to a qualified audience that values your expertise, is happily willing to pay premium prices and will refer you to all their like-minded friends.

Just a reminder, if you haven’t already, please check out our new website: www.uplevelstrategies.com. And, continue to tune into our blog and social media networks on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. We update these regularly with incredibly resourceful information to maximize your business results and leverage your expertise.

So, stay tuned over the next few weeks—or sooner…I look forward to speaking with you soon!!

Kelly O’Neil
President, UpLevel Strategies

PS: Remember to catch me on the CEO Factor Retreat preview call with Million Dollar Lifestyle Business Coach, Melanie Benson Strick and Process Prodigy Coach, Beth Schneider TODAY at 11 AM Pacific (12 PM Mountain, 1 PM Central and 2 PM Eastern). In the call, we will reveal how to triple your productivity, dramatically increase your bottom line and put more time, freedom and meaning into your business. If you haven’t done so, click here to register NOW!

The Critical Reasons Why Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Must Have a Strategic Business Plan: Expand Your Business, Understand The Market and Remain on Track

A business plan is the document that sells others on your business, your excitement about your product or service, and your ability to be successful.  Whether you view it primarily as an internal or personal document or as a public statement of your objectives and abilities, having a strong business plan is very important. 

 

Here are some of the most critical reasons why a strategic business plan may be the difference between your business success and failure:

 

1.  To Expand your Business in Creative Ways.  If you are looking to expand your business, for example, by bringing in people on a profit-sharing basis, your business plan demonstrates the vision and direction for your business at the moment and in the future. You cannot expect to bring in good people if you are perceived as directionless. 

 

2.  To Understand the Market.  In order to write a compelling business plan, you must come to understand the market you wish to serve.  You must understand what the people in the market buy, want, or need.  You must have a strategy for informing the market of your product or service and showing people why your particular offering is the best.  You must know if the market will buy your product or service, and at what price. Unfortunately this is a step many small businesses skip.

 

3.  To Remain on Track.  A good business plan will keep you on track.  It will help you avoid distractions, evaluate opportunities, develop the right product, and differentiate yourself in the market.  Your business plan will help you keep your focus and make smart decisions.

The Critical Reasons Why Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Must Have a Strategic Business Plan: Create a Roadmap, Educate Your Team and Arrange Partnerships

In my work with entrepreneurs and small businesses, I’ve never really been surprised by the number of people who don’t have a business plan. I have, however, been surprised by the number of entrepreneurs and small business owners who actually think they don’t need a business plan.  In fact, 99% of small business owners don’t have a plan.  Why do you need a business plan?  There are actually many reasons for taking the time to write a business plan.  Here are some of the most critical ones.

1.  To Create a Roadmap to Success.  Your business plan is your roadmap to a place called “Success.”  Your business plan will state your understanding of what you have to offer, the competition within your market, product or service development strategies, financing, marketing, and your expectations of success.  The business plan becomes the framework of your strategies future execution.

2.  To Educate Your Team.  My team and I work off our business plan.  It allows us to clearly understand the vision of the business and to all be marching in the same direction.  Additionally, when we bring on a new member of the team, it allows me to quickly train them on the bigger vision of the business to accelerate their success and mine.

3. To Arrange Strategic Alliances, Joint Ventures and Partnerships.  Many businesses take great leaps as a result of strategic alliances and partnerships.  Whether you convince a manufacturer to buy a particular component only from you or you develop alliances and partnerships that are mutually beneficial, partners must have some level of confidence in your viability before they will make a commitment.  Your business plan is your argument.