Is Creating a Detailed Annual Business Plan Common Among Consultants?

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores the practice of creating detailed annual business plans among Pampered Chef consultants. Participants share their personal experiences and strategies for planning their business activities throughout the year, including setting goals and scheduling shows.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses feeling overwhelmed yet excited about planning their business activities, including recipes and customer interactions.
  • Another participant suggests collaborating on business plans and encourages others to share their strategies.
  • One consultant outlines a simple business plan of making three contacts daily, hosting two shows weekly, and recruiting one person monthly, emphasizing the importance of planning ahead.
  • Another participant shares a similar approach, noting the necessity of regular progress checks and the flexibility required in planning.
  • One participant mentions implementing the "Power Hour" strategy to enhance their planning efforts and highlights their success in host coaching.
  • Another consultant discusses organizing their calendar into four distinct groupings to maintain focus on different business aspects throughout the year.
  • One participant recounts a successful January by booking shows in advance and utilizing a letter campaign to engage hosts.
  • Another participant expresses interest in the discussion but indicates they may not have time to contribute immediately due to personal commitments.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the specifics of planning, with some participants sharing structured approaches while others express a more flexible or less defined method. No clear consensus emerges regarding the necessity of a detailed business plan.

Contextual Notes

Participants share a variety of personal experiences and strategies related to business planning, reflecting their individual approaches and circumstances within the consultant community.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for insights into different planning strategies and personal experiences related to business management may find this discussion beneficial.

H
Humble Beginnings
Messages
667
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.
 
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?
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.....
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
some great ideas, anyone else ??
 
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
 
cmdtrgd said:
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
Click to expand...

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!
 
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!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is creating a detailed annual business plan common among Pampered Chef consultants?

Yes, many Pampered Chef consultants find that creating a detailed annual business plan is common and beneficial. It helps them set clear goals, track progress, and stay organized throughout the year.

What are the benefits of having an annual business plan as a consultant?

An annual business plan provides consultants with a roadmap for their business. It helps them identify their target market, set sales goals, plan marketing strategies, and allocate resources effectively, ultimately leading to increased sales and growth.

How often should consultants review their business plan?

Consultants should review their business plan at least quarterly. This allows them to assess their progress, make necessary adjustments, and stay aligned with their goals as market conditions and personal circumstances change.

What key elements should be included in an annual business plan?

A comprehensive annual business plan should include an executive summary, sales goals, marketing strategies, budget and financial projections, target audience analysis, and a timeline for achieving specific objectives.

Can new consultants benefit from creating a business plan?

Absolutely! New consultants can greatly benefit from creating a business plan as it helps them clarify their vision, set realistic goals, and establish a structured approach to building their Pampered Chef business from the start.

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