Creating a successful RoadMap for 2010!

Launching into a new year is always exciting as we plan our resolutions and move forward with excitement. However, only 8% of those that make resolutions actually keep them, ouch! So how can you as a start-up business owner/entrepreneur plan for 2010 and stick to it or keep focused? It is really simple create your own RoadMap to success!


A RoadMap directs and guides you as you begin a journey, and it can be modified as the journey launches. Just like on a vacation you may map out one direction then stumble upon something amazing and make a detour. The same is for your business, you map out the direction you desire to head then modify it as new ideas or opportunities come in your path. Be sure however, the opportunities and ideas are in you plan of vision. Too many times we branch out all over the place because it sounded good in the moment.

Part of the RoadMap creation is to identify your niche or target market, which is your ideal client base. In 2010 the second step to this part is to micro-niche your target. Micro-niching is taking it one level deeper, for example, your target market/niche is coaching, and in 2010 you would get deeper and perhaps market to new entrepreneurs or medical professionals. Coaching is a great one to use for an example to go deeper with, how many Life Coaches are out there now? They are a dime a dozen, so how do you set your practice apart from the other Life Coaches? Micro-Niche! Select a specific group you want to specialize in and market to them. The biggest fear in doing this is you will loose business, not true you will actually increase your business because you are seeking out a specific type of client.

Another key to a successful RoadMap is to do it in your own handwriting; yes that means pen/pencil and paper. The reason for this is to take ownership in what you have written, to many times when we put it all on the computer it becomes very cold and impersonal. I find that many will even deny some of their goals because it is not in their handwriting so you can’t prove it (yes this really happens). Take ownership in your dreams and take control of your RoadMap and you will be amazed at what can happen to your business!

Can you believe it we are rapidly approaching 2010? Are you a new entrepreneur or a seasoned one? Perhaps you are one of the thousands of Accidental Entrepreneurs of 2009. No matter the case it is time to seriously look at the approach you will have for the New Year. I know many are saying I am too busy to look at it now with Christmas and all. Let me tell you if you do not start planning it now you will not begin the process because something will always be a priority.

A friend of mine, perhaps you know him Chris Bogan (http://chrisbogan.com/), mentioned in his blog this week that his forecast is that we will see small businesses merging together. Taking what you are lacking in skill & resources and merge with an appropriate counterpart. So the question lies in your hands do you want to merge or stand out as the expert and go to source on your own? Something to think about, as many will flee to what they consider the safety net of a JOB, however let me remind you what happen this year that so called safety net yielded 600,000 average job losses per month…safety net?

Nothing happens overnight a business takes planning, structuring and sometime re-inventing to fit with the economy today and your passions. If you do not start that thought process now how can you launch anything except perhaps a football as you watch the games on New Years? It is crucial for you to take the time to sit down and plan for 2010, at least for the first 3 months of the year. Below are some great questions to ask yourself that my friend Adam Urbanski from The Marketing Mentors (http://themarketingmentors.com/) asked himself as he launched a very successful business:

1. WHAT do I want to accomplish?
2. WHY do I want to achieve it?
3. What BARRIERS stopped me from already achieving this goal?
4. What new SOLUTIONS and SKILLS do I need to acquire?
5. What specific ACTION STEPS do I need to take to achieve this goal?
6. What SUPPORT will I need?

I challenge you today to answer each of these questions in complete honesty so you can discover you next steps for 2010. Once you have your hearts desire then connect with an expert to help you stay on track, a Business Coach. Even those of us that are Business Coaches hire a coach to keep us on track. Invest in yourself and you will succeed!

Choosing the right business…Part 2

Choosing the right business…
Part 2 “Start your own business from scratch.”

Where do you begin when starting a business by scratch or your own ideas? The process may seem overwhelming however, once laid out it is a simple process.

There are a few questions to ask yourself when launching a business from scratch:

1. What am I passionate about? When we speak of passion it

means what to you absolutely love to do, think about during

the day and even dream about at night.
2. What have you been told you are really good at?
3. What are the needs in the community?
4. What would I call my business?
5. Do I provide a service or product?
6. What expenses are related to launching the business?
7. Do you need a place to store products?
8. What is the anticipated rate of return? (initial output of money compared to the income)
9. Do you have a support system?
10. Do you need licensing or permits?
11. Home office set-up or rent an office space?
12. What is my plan? (Your RoadMap, Goals, Business Plan)
13. How will I market my business?
14. Do I have enough reserves to survive until the business is profitable?

These are just a few solid questions you need to know the answer to in order to be successful. Most of the time you can launch your business from your home with the use of the internet therefore, start-up costs could be relatively small. Understand that starting a business does not mean you will instantly make thousands of dollars; businesses take time to grow and become profitable. Most businesses take up to 2 years to see a profit, so you must be prepared to cover the expenses until the business can sustain itself.

It is really crucial as you build your business you establish a presence on the internet. Research has shown that 73.9% of us utilize the internet to seek out products and services. It is not necessary to invest thousands of dollars into a website, the main things you want to be sure happen with the website are:

· You own it
· You can modify it
· You are ranking on Google or Yahoo searches (SEO)
· Cost can be $500 to $2,000 depending on the size

So what is holding you back now? You have the questions you need to know in order to launch the most amazing journey of your life; you just have to put it into play.

The anticipation is building…

The anticipation is building…

We are almost there, 2009!
I just finished watching the Today’s Show top stories and happenings for 2009. At the end of the show I was exhausted 2008 has been a busy year!

Can you hear the buzz building momentum for 2009? It is in the air, in the universe, and the talk of the town. 2009 is going to be a year of Power for those that choose to embrace it and take action. I challenge you to be one of action over these last few days of 2008 brainstorming and creating a treasure map of success for 2009, I know I am!

Are you ready to take the challenge?

Robin Hardy
Business Consultant, Sales Trainer & Motivational Expert
www.RobinHardy.net

Only 7 Days Left...

Resolutions, resolutions and more resolutions are set then broken or forgotten. What are you planning for 2009? What resolutions are you writing down? Did you put an action plan to the resolution?

Look at your resolutions as a goal or objective for 2009, stay focused and write out your game plan. Look at the winning football teams they all have written plays to make it to #1, they did not just wing it and quit when then plan did not work. If the plan did not work then re-work the plan, sometimes we need to shift in order to succeed. Be willing to take a chance, step in faith and take action.

What are your resolutions or plans for 2009?

Robin

www.RobinHardy.net

The Countdown Begins

Wow! I sat here this morning in amazement we are only 17 days away from 2009! How did we get here, did we do everything we wanted to accomplish in 2008? The biggest question I have for you is are you where you want to be as we close out 2008?

There is so much in the media and surrounding that is telling us why bother it is all negative, however I choose to say no to their mindset. Just like HP and Max Factor said no to the mindset in the 1930's. Are you willing to join me in this stand? It is time today to make a stand and set the intention for the direction you are choosing for 2009. I know 2009 will be a year of power for those willing to put on the armor and play hard and finish the game. Sometimes we need a "cheerleader" on our side to make this happen, someone that will encourage and direct us into that next level of success (you chose the definition of success).

Are you ready to count down these next 17 days with your armor on and ready to play hard? Then I can be your "cheerleader", taking you to the next level in your life!
What do you want out of 2009?

Robin
Empowered Options Coach
www.RobinHardy.net

Creating an Unstoppable YOU...

What do you consider to be Unstoppable? A Steam Engine, a plane, the news, the spinning world. perhaps life...

Do you consider yourself to be Unstoppable? You can become Unstoppable if you want to, or we can choose to continue to be distracted by things that hold no real meaning or matter to us when you step back and observe the entire picture. How do you see yourself? Are you moving forward and focused on the goal/prize? Think about the Olympic athletes, in order to win the gold they practice for months ahead seeing, visualizing the victory. The day they compete it comes much easier because they can see themselves already a winner.

So what are you focusing on today? How do you see yourself today?
Are you ready for change?