Ever experience the READY ... FIRE ... AIM ...phenomena?
Strategy & planning help you look before you leap.

Aim - What's The Target?

The 3-C Methodology, adapted from Kenichi Ohmae's book, The Mind of the Strategist, Business Planning for Competitive Advantage, McGraw Hill (1982)is a useful framework for gathering and analyzing data, and making informed decisions about your target market.

• Customers? Who are your customers and why will they buy?
• Competitors? Who are your competitors and how are you better?
• Company? How will this business operate and make money?

Ready? Plan the Route.

Mapping out detailed steps before you commit $$$ and time.

• put your ideas on paper
• surface your assumptions
• get feedback
• examine alternative approaches

FIRE - GO FOR IT!

Business Plan Key Questions:

Customers

• Who are they?
• Why will they buy?
• How will you reach them?

Competitors

• Who are they?
• How are you different? better?

Company

• Where will you locate?
• How will you organize & operate?
• How much can you afford to spend?
• How will you work with your partner/investors?
• How will you resolve differences?
• What is your pricing strategy?

1. Executive Summary
Provide a concise overview.

2. Product/Service Description
Describe product/service features and benefits. Explain why is it better, who will buy, and the market potential Highlight your proprietary or sustainable competitive advantage.

3. Sales and Marketing
Describe target market, pricing, competitive positioning, sales and distribution plans.

4. Operations
Describe how you will operate and manage the delivery of product/service.

5. Management
Describe the experience of members of the management team and key advisors.

6. Financials
Provide projected cash flow, income statement and balance sheet.

7. Appendices
Background information

Your Marketing Action Plan

• What’s your goal?
• Who’s your target?
• What’s your message?
• How will you communicate the message?

Planning helps you:

• put your ideas out on paper,
• surface your assumptions,
• invite others to review your ideas and assumptions; and,
• get feedback.

Planning enables you to make informed choices and using a timeline enables you to express your plan as an action-oriented roadmap.

1. take stock of your current situation.
2. determine where you want to go.
3. map out alternatives on a timeline.

With this approach, you can make informed choices & determine your route.

Your Business Action Plan

Business plans help you focus and grow your business.

Planning helps you:

• put your ideas out on paper,
• surface your assumptions,
• invite others to review your ideas and assumptions; and
• get feedback.

With this approach, you can make informed choices & determine your route.

1. take stock of your current situation.
2. determine where you want to go.
3. map out alternatives on a timeline.

Using a timeline enables you to express your plan as an action-oriented roadmap.