Running
your business (and life for that matter) using a "millimeter approach"
to all that you do requires you to learn how to chunk down aspects of
that business and create a plan. Your "millimeter" business plan takes
all facets of your business, from marketing to personnel, and breaks it
down task-by-task into small chunks to build toward BIG results.
How does that work?
Step 1: The best way is to literally de-construct your business. Identify each area of business and break these areas into "categories". Now take these categories and create sub-heads in your business plan.
Step
2: Now make sub-categories under each area. For example marketing can
be broken down into sub-categories such as direct marketing,
education-based marketing, marketing collateral materials (postcards,
business cards, promo).
Step
3: Now break these areas down further into the tasks required to create
them. For example, write your newsletter every Thursday to release on
Friday or update your business cards once every three weeks (mark a date
on the calendar).
Step
4: Now under the idea of a "millimeter" at a time under each category
at one weekly, monthly or annual goal you would like to achieve in that
area.
Step
5: Next under each weekly, monthly or annual goal, add the tasks or
steps required on a weekly, monthly or annual basis to achieve those
goals.
Step 6: Now delegate those areas to proper staff or yourself (if you're a solo-preneur).
Step 7: DO NOT look at the monthly tasks or goals as you begin to implement. Keep your focus solely on the daily or weekly tasks/goals.
Step 8: You may review at the end of the month to see your progress toward your annual goals.
Step
9: And this is HUGE: Reward yourself each week or each month when
you've accomplished those tasks/goals. It doesn't have to be anything
more exotic than a simple self-affirmation of "I did X." Revel in the
small accomplishments and perhaps even set your sights on a BIG reward
when you've achieved monthly or even bi-monthly results.
Once
you've walked through steps 1-8 you will have an actual business plan.
Remember don't try and do it all in one day, week or month. Build toward
the small results toward the BIG wins. It's much less daunting when you
keep your eye only on the tasks/goals in a day with the idea that small
steps build toward BIG results.
