Defining a Roadmap for Your Business: Creating a Plan That Works for You

Defining a Roadmap for Your Business

Are you in the process of defining a Roadmap for your business. Are you hoping to create a plan that works for you? First things first… Quick, name a benefit of owning your own business…

1. Getting to be your own boss
2. Working from home on your schedule
3. You pick the projects you want to work on
4. Deciding who you want to work with

Are these at the top of your list? They are at the top of mine and many other entrepreneurs. It is why we have decided to go into business for ourselves. The independence is wonderful, we get to decide on the path we take and we can define the values of our company.

Creating A Plan that Works for You

However, when I talk with other business owners or some of my clients that are starting out they are always (many times inadvertently) trying to force their business to fit into the plans of another business. Or trying to follow the roadmap that their friend followed when starting their successful business. Why?

Create a plan that works for you! Decide on what is most important to you, what you want to be known for. Imagine what your ideal day would look like and build a plan that takes these things into account. Map out a plan that accounts for your passions. The plan should highlight your strengths and minimize the impact of your weaknesses. When I am working with clients to begin creating a roadmap for their business I have a series of questions I ask them, like the ones below. They are aimed at helping the client figure out what the right direction is for them as they begin their business endeavor. If you are at this stage or even revisiting your roadmap take a look at some of the questions below and answer them honestly.

Defining The Mission of Your Business

For what do you want to be known?

What types of projects do you wish to work on?

Which aspect of your business inspires you the most?

What is your bread and butter service/item?

How will you bring clients and customers in the door?

Once you get them in the door how do you plan on selling them the bread and butter item/service?

Defining Your Clients

Who is your ideal client?

What makes them your ideal client?

Do you know where your ideal client works?

This ideal client currently purchases goods and services from what business?

Where are you likely to meet your ideal client/customer?

Setting Priorities and Defining Goals

What is your number one priority?

What do you wish to accomplish in 3 months? 6 months? 9 months?

Define your key differentiators… What sets you apart from others in your field?

Define a win in your own words. What does a win look like for you ?

How much time do you think it will take to reach your goals?

Can you dedicate an appropriate amount of time to reaching your goals every week?

What limits do you have on your time?

Do you think you are working on things now that are not helping you reach your goals? Can these be eliminated?

Past Experiences and Lessons Learned

What are some of the experiences you have had in the past that you can draw on to build your success?

What mistakes have you made in the past?

Think about the lessons you have you learned from these mistakes?

What is something you have told to past employees/coworkers that you can use yourself now?

Think back to the interview question…

Talk about a time when you had to overcome diversity in the workplace, what was the situation and what did you learn in the end? Answer this honestly.

What is one of the hardest lessons you have had to learn in business?

Strengths and Weaknesses

Describe your strengths?

What are your weaknesses?

The thing that excites you about your business most?

What terrifies you?

The tasks in your business play to your strengths?

Do you have a plan to minimize the impact of your weaknesses?

Obstacles

The obstacles do you foresee?

What plans can you make now to help you overcome these obstacles?

When obstacles present themselves how will you react?

How will you prevent obstacles from throwing you off course?

Can you take these obstacles into account as you build your roadmap?

Building and Activating your Network

Who in your area would you most like to work?

What do they bring to your business?

Who do you already know that could help you build a successful business?

How often do you talk with those already in your network?

How are you planning to expand your network?

What connections do you hope to make?

Name some ideal jobs the people you want to meet will hold?

Are you willing to network with others who do not possess these job titles?

What activities will you engage in to maintain your network?

Are networking events part of your strategy?

After you have reviewed these questions and answered them honestly you will have a better idea of the specific needs you have for your business. Then you can begin to plan what your specific roadmap looks like. If you still need help putting it together, please reach out to us here at JRH Graphics.

If you would like this blog in the form of a worksheet to work on, grab your free copy of it in the store under social media tools.