Is Creating a Detailed Annual Business Plan Common Among Consultants?

[Humble Beginnings]

I have been a consultant since May and it seems like time is just flying. First is was spring summer and before I knew it we were talking about the new Fall products, now we are talking about the Holidays before Fall even started. I feel overwhelmed sometimes trying to figure out how to map out my business. Overwhelmed in a good way because I love this business and want to do so much with it. Just wondering if others put together a business plan more to the extent that you know what recipes, customers contact, booths, shows, open houses etc you are planning for the year to keep your business growing.

 

[susanr613]

Hi Carol:

I think this is a great idea and now is the perfect time to start planning. How about if we each take a crack at it and look at each others' plans?

Is anyone else interested?

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Basically, my business plan is 3-2-1.

3 contacts a day
2 shows a week
1 recruit a month

It all starts with the 3 contacts a day!

I do take my calendar at the beginning of the year, and mark out all of the dates I know I won't be working - I do shows on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and 2 Saturdays a month. So, I mark out all of the other days as unavailable. Then, I set my goals monthly in the PC Planning Calendar.

I keep in mind some rules to follow as I'm planning:

Always have the following month booked by the 15th of the previous month.

Always remember that what I do now will be seen in my business 90 days from now. So, If I slack off in July - it's going to hurt in October.

Have January booked by Thanksgiving


And remember that 8 is enough. I killed myself last fall doing 12-14 shows a month. Loved the paycheck, but got a bit burned out and my host coaching and customer care really suffered. I'm being more careful in my booking this year, and spacing them out more. 10 a month, but no more.

 

[raebates]

My plan is basically like Becky's. I make sure to check my progress with any incentives on a weekly basis. I plan for the week and the month, and I set goals for the next couple of months at a time. Life is such that even the best-laid plans don't always work out. However, I know that without a plan I rarely get to all of the things I want to accomplish.

 

[PChefPEI]

Great thread Carol! I'm in. I love to plan stuff, so planning my business is good. There are some things that I follow already.

I am starting to put the Power Hour into play, so I think that will help me immensely.

I do shows on Mondays, Wednesdays and if someone wants, I will do one to two Fridays/Saturdays a month. My goal is 8 shows a month. Now that I have October where I want it, I want to get November booked up by next week (the 15th, as Becky does I think is a good plan). I already have 3 dates booked, so only 5 more to go!! If I can get on that pattern, then things will be great for me.

I am really working on host coaching too and have been doing really well with that. I do believe that is the reason why my shows were so successful in September (no show under $500....my average for the month was $725!).

And, of course, I try to do 3-2-1.....

 

[Humble Beginnings]

some great ideas, anyone else ??

 

[cmdtrgd]

Look at your calendar in 4 distinct groupings. Sept-Oct-Nov Dec-Jan-Feb Mar-Apr-May Jun-Jul-Aug For some reason it helps me to focus on the same things in each grouping. For example, Sept-Oct-Nov is holiday shopping. I know there will be some holiday shopping in December, but I'm focusing on booking February in December, not holiday sales. DEFINITELY book January by Thanksgiving and follow the letter/postcard plan that is floating around here. January can be difficult, but it can also be your most successful month. HTH

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Look at your calendar in 4 distinct groupings. Sept-Oct-Nov Dec-Jan-Feb Mar-Apr-May Jun-Jul-Aug For some reason it helps me to focus on the same things in each grouping. For example, Sept-Oct-Nov is holiday shopping. I know there will be some holiday shopping in December, but I'm focusing on booking February in December, not holiday sales. DEFINITELY book January by Thanksgiving and follow the letter/postcard plan that is floating around here. January can be difficult, but it can also be your most successful month. HTH

YES! I did this for this past January....had it completely booked - 11 Cooking Shows - and sent out a series of 3 letters during December to my January Hosts. 9 of my 11 shows held (2 postponed due to weather) and I had a $4900 month! That $4900 translated to 9800 points because of double points month! Whoo Hooo!

 

[PCMelissa]

I like this idea. Not sure if I will have time to do mine for a while. I will check back after all the baby stuff settles down to see what you guys have come up with!