Is your business ready for 2017?

How to Create a Successful Business Plan for 2017

The year is coming to a close, and 2017 will soon be in full swing. If you haven't already done so, now is the time to create your business plan for the coming year. Objectives such as setting sales goals, defining your vision, and creating a marketing strategy are essential to growing your business and staying ahead of the competition.

Not sure where to begin? Follow the below steps for creating a successful business plan:

Step 1: Set goals and objectives (the what)
Start out by asking yourself what you hope to accomplish in the coming year. Be specific. At a minimum, determine a figure for your sales goals. You may also want to work on building your database of contacts, identifying new referral sources, and improving your knowledge of the latest industry trends and best practices.

Step 2: Create a game plan (the how)
Once you know what your goals are, create a game plan for how to accomplish them. This is where a solid marketing strategy comes in. You'll want to reach your customers through a variety of mediums, such as direct mail, email marketing, social media, and print ads. Be sure to reflect on what has and has not worked in the past and adjust your approach as necessary.

Step 3: Define success (the when)
This final step is easy to overlook, but it's essential for implementing your business plan effectively. Define what success looks like, how it will be measured, and hold yourself accountable. Schedule times to evaluate yourself on a quarterly basis, and be sure to reward yourself along the way by celebrating small and large milestones.

Whether your business plan is simple or robust, these three easy steps will set you on a path for success.

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