In the dynamic world of business, effective planning is the backbone of success. However, even the most driven entrepreneurs can stumble due to common pitfalls. Today, let’s shed light on five planning mistakes that, unfortunately, many female entrepreneurs make, which can significantly impact their sales. By recognizing and avoiding these errors, you can pave the way for a thriving business.
1. Neglecting a Strategic Business Plan
One of the biggest mistakes is diving into the entrepreneurial journey without a clear, comprehensive business plan. Your plan should outline your goals, target audience, marketing strategies, financial projections, and contingency plans. Failing to have this roadmap can lead to aimless efforts and missed opportunities for sales growth.
2. Overlooking Market Research
Understanding your market is fundamental. Female entrepreneurs sometimes overlook in-depth market research, missing out on crucial insights. Research helps you identify customer needs, preferences, and trends. Without this knowledge, you might create products or services that don’t resonate, hindering your sales potential.
3. Ignoring Consistent Branding
Your brand is your identity. Inconsistent branding across platforms, from your website to social media, confuses potential customers. Female entrepreneurs may underestimate the impact of cohesive branding. Consistent visual elements, messaging, and values create trust, attracting customers and boosting sales.
4. Underestimating the Power of Online Presence
In our digital age, having a strong online presence is paramount. Many female entrepreneurs underestimate the impact of a well-designed website, engaging social media, and regular content creation. An outdated website or inconsistent social media activity can deter potential customers. Investing in professional online presence significantly influences sales.
5. Avoiding Data-Driven Decisions
Data is invaluable in business. Some entrepreneurs, including women in business, avoid analyzing their sales data thoroughly. Data-driven decisions help you understand what works and what doesn’t. By tracking sales patterns, customer behavior, and marketing effectiveness, you can refine your strategies, leading to increased sales.
Empower Your Business with Strategic Planning
Now that you’re aware of these planning pitfalls, empower your business with strategic, informed decisions. Take the time to craft a detailed business plan, invest in market research, maintain consistent branding, enhance your online presence, and embrace data-driven insights. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll create a solid foundation for your business to thrive, attracting more customers and increasing sales.
Get a Strategic Business Planner
Running a small business is a lot! It requires a cohesive strategy for time, task and business management if you want to be successful at it. Which is why tackling and managing all this work with a simple to do list or basic planner just doesn’t cut it.
If you have a hard time deciding what to work on for your business, feel like you’re always behind on tasks and projects, constantly dealing with emergencies and have no clue if what you are spending time on is actually growing your business… You need a better business planning system.
And I don’t just mean your business plan itself.
Sure that’s wonderful to have, but your business plan is the overall structure for the direction of your business- it’s not the strategic plan for you to follow everyday to reach your business goals.
Imagine getting to work each day with a clear plan of action, prioritized tasks, ideas organized at your finger tips, and feeling confident that the work you complete is positively impacting your business growth.
If you are ready to trade overwhelm for clarity, disorganization for structure, and hustle for strategy, I have precisely the tool you need to successfully manage and grow your business!
The CEO Strategy Planner is the Ultimate Business Planning Tool to Help You Organize, Plan and Execute on Your Business Vision. Get your ideas out of your head, onto paper, and get down to business with the CEO Strategy Planner!Click here to purchase your copy now!
Remember, every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow. With a mindful approach to planning, your entrepreneurial journey can be not only successful but also incredibly fulfilling.
In the bustling digital landscape, where countless businesses thrive, how do you ensure your brand stands out as a beacon of innovation, trust, and creativity? The answer lies in strategic planning, the cornerstone of every visionary brand. Today, we invite you to embark on a transformative journey with the Digital CEO Strategy Planner—your guide to crafting a visionary brand that leaves a lasting impact.
Understanding the Visionary Brand
A visionary brand is more than just a logo or a product; it’s a narrative, a promise, and an experience. It’s the soul of your business, resonating with your audience on a profound level. Crafting such a brand requires clarity of vision and meticulous planning.
Step 1: Define Your Vision
Your brand’s vision is the compass guiding your journey. It’s the essence of what you stand for and the change you aspire to bring. Our planner provides the perfect canvas to articulate your vision. Use its dedicated worksheets to define your brand’s purpose, values, and unique selling points. Let your vision take shape.
Step 2: Design Your Brand Identity
Your brand identity is the face of your vision. From logos to color schemes, typography to imagery, every element should reflect your brand’s essence. With our planner, map out your brand’s visual identity. Visualize your logo, select your brand colors, and curate a consistent design language that resonates with your audience.
Step 3: Craft Compelling Narratives
A visionary brand tells compelling stories. Stories of inspiration, of challenges overcome, and of the impact your brand makes. Plan your brand narratives with our planner’s storytelling worksheets. Craft narratives that captivate, connect, and inspire, forging emotional bonds with your audience.
Step 4: Engage Authentically
Authenticity is the heartbeat of a visionary brand. Plan your brand’s authentic engagement strategies. How will you interact with your audience? What values will you uphold? Our planner guides you to create genuine, meaningful connections with your customers, fostering loyalty and trust.
Introducing the Digital CEO Strategy Planner: Your Brand’s Strategic Ally
Crafting a visionary brand requires more than creativity; it demands structured planning. The Digital CEO Strategy Planner is your strategic ally in this creative process. Its elegant design and comprehensive worksheets offer the perfect platform to weave your brand’s story and strategies.
If you’re familiar with my journey, you know that I’ve been running my business online now full time for nearly 10 years as a solopreneur.
Before that, I spent several years dabbling with online business, content creation and social media marketing trying to get all the pieces to fit together to create income for myself online.
I saw other people doing it online, and I knew if it was possible for them, then it was also possible for me. But I had so many ideas it was difficult for me to structure them into the right foundation for me to build momentum upon.
So, I know first hand how challenging it can be to turn your business aspirations into actionable plans, especially if you are multi passionate like I am!
Actually running my business and remaining consistent was even more of a challenge as I had to hobble together different systems and tools to organize the various areas of my business to keep visibility on all the essentials.
So, I was using my planner, project management tools, spreadsheets and notes apps to capture, generate and organize the information for my business, and it was a lot.
Until Spring 2020 when I created the ultimate business planning tool for myself and other creative business owners known as the CEO Strategy Planner! This was a set of print at home planner inserts that creative entrepreneurs and digital marketers could use to organize the key elements of their business plan and take that plan and turn it into the small daily actions to take to keep the whole vision running.
It was an instant best-seller!
But of course, nearly since it’s inception, members of my community have been asking for a digital version of the planner to use on their iPad, Tablet or Smartphone device.
I’m so happy to say that the wait is officially over!
Introducing the Digital CEO Strategy Planner: Your Blueprint to Business Brilliance
Are you a creative entrepreneur with big dreams but struggle to turn them into organized, actionable plans? Do you wish for a tool that not only understands your creative vision but also helps you bring it to life? Look no further, because the Digital CEO Strategy Planner is your ultimate solution!
Why Choose the Digital CEO Strategy Planner?
✨ Comprehensive Business Mapping: Dive deep into your business strategy with over 60 elegantly designed worksheets. From your executive summary to brand vision, annual plans, marketing, and finances, every aspect of your business finds its place in this planner.
📱 Multi-Device Accessibility: Whether you’re using an iPad, tablet, or smartphone, our planner seamlessly integrates into your digital life. With apps like Goodnote or Notability, you can sync your planner across devices, ensuring your plans are always at your fingertips.
🔗 Hyperlinked Navigation: Say goodbye to endless scrolling. Our planner’s hyperlinked pages make finding information a breeze. Effortlessly jump between sections and stay focused on what matters most—your business growth.
⏳ Timeless and Undated: No need to buy a new planner every year. The Digital CEO Strategy Planner is undated, meaning you invest in it once, and it supports your business journey indefinitely.
Embrace the power of planning. Ignite your creativity. Accelerate your business success. The Digital CEO Strategy Planner is not just a planner; it’s your partner in every step of your entrepreneurial journey.
Join the league of successful entrepreneurs who turned their dreams into reality. Let the Digital CEO Strategy Planner guide your way to business brilliance. Act now and experience the transformation!
To your prosperous future,
Founder, Strange & Charmed
P.S. If you aren’t a digital planner person, I totally understand! If you would prefer the print at home version of the CEO Strategy Planner, the link above will take you to an info page where you can purchase the paper version as well!
Mastering Your iPad Workflow with the Pareto Principle
The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, states that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. Applied to productivity, this means that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. By focusing on the most important tasks, you can maximize your productivity and achieve your goals more efficiently. In this post, we will explore how you can use the Pareto Principle when working on your iPad to increase your productivity.
Tip #1: Identify Your Most Important Tasks
The first step in applying the Pareto Principle to your iPad productivity is to identify your most important tasks. Take a few minutes to brainstorm all of the tasks that you need to accomplish, and then identify the top 20% that will have the greatest impact on your goals. Once you have identified these tasks, prioritize them and focus your efforts on completing them first.
Tip #2: Use Your iPad to Streamline Your Work
Your iPad can be a powerful tool for streamlining your work and increasing your productivity. Take advantage of the many apps and features that are available to help you work more efficiently. For example, you can use productivity apps to manage your to-do list, calendar, and email all in one place. You can also use the split-screen feature to work on multiple tasks simultaneously.
Tip #3: Eliminate Distractions
One of the biggest challenges to productivity is distractions. When working on your iPad, it’s important to eliminate as many distractions as possible. Turn off notifications for non-essential apps, and consider using a productivity app that blocks distracting websites and apps during designated work times.
Tip #4: Take Breaks to Recharge
Taking breaks is an essential part of productivity. When working on your iPad, it’s important to take regular breaks to recharge your mind and body. Use your break time to step away from your iPad and engage in activities that help you relax and refocus, such as taking a walk, practicing mindfulness, or socializing with colleagues.
Tip #5: Analyze Your Results
The final step in applying the Pareto Principle to your iPad productivity is to analyze your results. Take a few minutes at the end of each day to reflect on your accomplishments and identify areas where you can improve. By tracking your progress and making adjustments as needed, you can continue to refine your approach and achieve even greater productivity over time.
The Pareto Principle is a powerful tool for increasing productivity when working on your iPad. By identifying your most important tasks, streamlining your work, eliminating distractions, taking breaks, and analyzing your results, you can maximize your productivity and achieve your goals more efficiently.
In today’s fast-paced world, productivity is key to success in both personal and professional life. With the rise of technology, mobile devices have become an essential tool for staying organized, communicating efficiently, and getting work done on the go. Among these devices, iPads have gained immense popularity due to their versatility and user-friendly interface. iPads are not just a device for entertainment; they can also help you to be more productive and accomplish more in less time.
In this blog post, we’ll be sharing ten ways to boost your productivity with an iPad. From utilizing the split-screen feature to using productivity apps, these tips will help you make the most of your device and streamline your workflow. Whether you’re a student, a working professional, or a busy entrepreneur, these tips will help you get things done more efficiently and effectively. So, grab your iPad and let’s dive in!
Tip #1: Use the Apple Pencil to Take Handwritten Notes to Increase the Likelihood of Success with Your Tasks
Taking handwritten notes has been proven to enhance memory retention and improve focus. With the Apple Pencil, you can take handwritten notes directly on your iPad, giving you the benefits of traditional note-taking while still having the convenience of a digital device. You can use apps like GoodNotes, Notability, or Apple’s built-in Notes app to take notes, make annotations, and even create sketches. By taking handwritten notes, you can increase the likelihood of success with your tasks, whether you’re studying for an exam, attending a meeting, or brainstorming ideas for a project. Plus, with the Apple Pencil, you can easily highlight and underline important information, making it easier to review and recall later.
Tip #2: Use a Digital Notebook to Braindump and get your big thoughts, plans, dreams and ideas out of your head and onto digital paper
Have you ever had a great idea, but then forgot it moments later? Or, have you ever had so many thoughts and plans swirling around in your head that you feel overwhelmed and unable to focus on anything? Braindumping is the act of getting all of your thoughts out of your head and onto paper. With a digital notebook, like Notability or GoodNotes, you can braindump and organize your thoughts in a more efficient and accessible way. You can create different notebooks for different projects or topics and easily search for specific notes or keywords. Plus, with the ability to add images, audio recordings, and handwritten notes, you can create a multimedia notebook that suits your specific needs. Braindumping can help you clear your mind, increase focus, and boost productivity by allowing you to tackle your thoughts one at a time, rather than being overwhelmed by them.
Tip #3: Utilize the Split-Screen Feature to Multitask More Effectively on the iPad
One of the most useful features of the iPad is its ability to multitask with the split-screen feature. This feature allows you to have two apps open and visible on the screen at the same time, making it easier to complete tasks that require information from multiple sources. For example, you can have your email and calendar apps open side by side, allowing you to quickly schedule appointments without having to switch between apps. To use the split-screen feature, simply swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the dock, then drag an app icon to the left or right edge of the screen. You can then select a second app to open on the other side of the screen. The split-screen feature is a great way to multitask more effectively and get more done in less time.
Tip #4: Use a Digital Planner on Goodnotes to Manage your Time and Tasks with Your iPad
Goodnotes is a popular app that allows you to use your iPad as a digital planner. With Goodnotes, you can easily manage your time and tasks by creating custom pages, adding digital stickers and images, and using different colors and fonts to make your planner personalized and functional. You can also sync your planner with your other devices, making it easy to access your tasks and appointments from anywhere. Goodnotes even allows you to create interactive checklists and set reminders for important tasks. By using a digital planner on Goodnotes, you can keep your tasks and schedule organized, and stay on track with your productivity goals.
Tip #5: Use Siri to Automate Tasks and Save Time
One of the most powerful productivity tools on the iPad is Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant. By using Siri, you can automate many tasks and save time. For example, you can ask Siri to set reminders, send emails, schedule appointments, and even launch apps. You can also use Siri to control your smart home devices and play music, making it easy to multitask and stay focused on your work. To activate Siri, simply press and hold the home button or say “Hey Siri” if you have enabled that feature. By using Siri to automate tasks, you can save time and focus on the most important aspects of your work or personal life.
Tip #6: Use a Bluetooth Keyboard with your iPad to Work Faster
Another way to boost your productivity with your iPad is to use an external keyboard. While the iPad’s touch screen keyboard is useful for quick tasks, using an external keyboard can make typing longer documents or emails much faster and more comfortable. There are many keyboard options available for the iPad, including Apple’s own Smart Keyboard and third-party options from companies like Logitech and Brydge. When choosing a keyboard, consider factors like size, weight, and battery life, as well as whether you prefer a physical or virtual keyboard. By using a keyboard with your iPad, you can work faster and more comfortably, and get more done in less time.
Tip #7: Use Productivity Apps to Stay Organized
There are many productivity apps available on the App Store that can help you stay organized and on top of your tasks. Apps like Trello, Notion, and Todoist allow you to create to-do lists, set reminders, and track your progress on tasks. You can also use apps like Evernote or OneNote to take notes and keep all your important information in one place. By using productivity apps, you can stay organized and keep track of all your tasks and deadlines. This can help you to work more efficiently and avoid missing important deadlines or forgetting important tasks. With so many great productivity apps available on the App Store, there’s sure to be one that’s perfect for your needs.
Tip #8: Use iPad Apps to do specific tasks like Photo and Video Editing, Art Creation or Writing
The iPad is a versatile tool that can be used for a wide range of tasks, from productivity and organization to creative endeavors like photo and video editing, art creation, and writing. There are many apps available on the App Store that are specifically designed for these tasks, such as Procreate for art creation, iMovie for video editing, and Ulysses for writing. These apps are optimized for use on the iPad and take advantage of its unique features, like the touch screen and Apple Pencil, to provide a powerful and intuitive user experience. By using specialized apps for specific tasks, you can work more efficiently and create high-quality work on your iPad.
Tip #9: Use the iPad’s Camera for Virtual Meetings and Collaboration
The iPad’s built-in camera is a powerful tool for virtual meetings and collaboration. With apps like Zoom, Skype, and Google Meet, you can use your iPad’s camera to participate in video calls and collaborate with colleagues or friends from anywhere in the world. The iPad’s large screen size and high-quality camera make it ideal for video calls, as you can see more of the people you’re talking to and their surroundings. You can also use the camera to share your screen or show physical objects to others during a call. By using the iPad’s camera for virtual meetings and collaboration, you can stay connected with others and work effectively from anywhere.
Tip #10: Use the iPad to Relax and Recharge During Your Breaks
While the iPad is a powerful productivity tool, it can also be a great way to relax and recharge during your breaks. There are many apps available on the App Store that are designed for relaxation and stress relief, such as Headspace for meditation, Calm for sleep and relaxation, and Colorfy for coloring. By taking a few minutes during your break to use one of these apps, you can reduce stress and improve your overall well-being. Additionally, you can use your iPad to read a book, watch a movie or TV show, or listen to music to help you unwind and recharge your batteries. By taking time to relax and recharge with your iPad, you can come back to your work feeling refreshed and ready to tackle your next task.
The iPad is a powerful tool for boosting productivity in both personal and professional settings. By using features like the Apple Pencil, split-screen multitasking, digital planners, and keyboard shortcuts, you can work more efficiently and get more done in less time. Additionally, by using specialized apps for specific tasks, taking advantage of the iPad’s camera for virtual meetings and collaboration, and taking breaks to relax and recharge with the iPad, you can work smarter and achieve better results. By incorporating these tips into your workflow, you can unlock the full potential of your iPad and achieve your goals more effectively.
The iPad is a versatile device that can be used for much more than just browsing the internet and playing games. In fact, it can be a powerful tool for productivity in the workplace. With its large screen, portability, and numerous apps available, the iPad can help you stay organized, communicate more efficiently, and get work done on-the-go. In this post, we will explore 10 ways to start using your iPad at work and take advantage of all its features to enhance your productivity and efficiency in the workplace. Whether you are a freelancer, a business professional, or a student, these tips will help you unlock the full potential of your iPad and take your work to the next level.
1. Email management
The first way to start using your iPad at work is to manage your email more efficiently. With the iPad’s Mail app, you can easily access all your email accounts in one place and organize them into folders for easier management. You can also set up notifications for important emails, so you don’t miss anything urgent. Additionally, the iPad’s multitasking capabilities allow you to view your email while working on other tasks, making it easy to keep up with your inbox without interrupting your workflow. With these features, the iPad can be a powerful tool for staying on top of your email and maintaining good communication with clients, colleagues, and customers.
2. Document creation and editing
The second way to start using your iPad at work is to take advantage of its document creation and editing capabilities. With the built-in Pages, Numbers, and Keynote apps, you can create and edit professional-quality documents, spreadsheets, and presentations on-the-go. You can also use the Apple Pencil or other compatible styluses to handwrite notes, annotate documents, and make sketches. The iPad’s large screen and multitasking capabilities make it easy to work on multiple documents at once, while the iCloud integration allows you to access your files across all your devices. Whether you’re a writer, a designer, or a business professional, the iPad can be an indispensable tool for creating and editing documents and presentations.
3. Note-taking
The third way to start using your iPad at work is to use it for note-taking. With the iPad’s Note app, you can take notes using the keyboard or the Apple Pencil, and organize them by folders or tags for easier retrieval. The app also supports handwriting recognition, which means that you can convert your handwritten notes into typed text. This feature is especially useful for students or professionals who prefer taking handwritten notes, but need to share or edit them digitally. Moreover, the iPad’s ability to display multiple apps simultaneously makes it easy to take notes while also referencing other documents or web pages. Whether you’re in a meeting, a lecture, or brainstorming session, the iPad can be a valuable tool for capturing and organizing your thoughts.
4. Presentations
The fourth way to start using your iPad at work is to create and deliver presentations using its powerful features. With the Keynote app, you can design stunning presentations with animations, graphics, and multimedia. The iPad’s large display and high resolution make it ideal for displaying your slides to a small group or an audience in a conference room. You can also use the iPad’s AirPlay feature to wirelessly project your presentation to a compatible screen or projector. The Apple Pencil can also be used to annotate your slides or draw diagrams and illustrations in real-time. With these features, the iPad can help you create more engaging and memorable presentations that will impress your clients, colleagues, or audience.
5. Video conferencing
The fifth way to start using your iPad at work is to leverage its video conferencing capabilities. With apps like Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime, you can connect with colleagues or clients from anywhere in the world. The iPad’s front-facing camera and microphone provide high-quality video and audio, while its large screen makes it easy to see and interact with multiple participants at once. The iPad’s mobility also means that you can participate in video calls from anywhere, whether you’re at home, in the office, or on the go. With the iPad, you can stay connected and collaborate with others more effectively, without the need for a desktop computer or a dedicated video conferencing system.
6. Planning and Task management
The sixth way to start using your iPad at work is to use it for planning and task management. Another app that can be incredibly useful for planning and task management on the iPad is GoodNotes. This app is designed to be a digital notebook, allowing you to take handwritten notes, create sketches, and annotate PDFs. GoodNotes is perfect for those who prefer to take notes by hand and need a way to organize them digitally. You can create separate notebooks for different projects or topics, and use the app’s powerful search functionality to quickly find the information you need. With the iPad’s Apple Pencil, you can write or draw directly on the screen, making it feel like you’re using a real pen and paper. GoodNotes is an excellent tool for planning, brainstorming, and note-taking, and can help you stay organized and on top of your tasks and projects.
7. Reading and research
The seventh way to start using your iPad at work is for reading and research. With its high-resolution display and long battery life, the iPad is an excellent device for reading and annotating articles, reports, and ebooks. You can use apps like Apple Books or Kindle to access a vast library of digital books and documents, and highlight or annotate important passages for later reference. The iPad also supports split-screen multitasking, allowing you to view two apps side-by-side, making it easy to take notes or conduct research while reading. With the iPad’s ability to display PDFs and web pages in their original format, you can view complex documents, charts, and graphs with ease. Whether you’re a student or a professional, the iPad can be an invaluable tool for staying informed and up-to-date on the latest research and developments in your field.
8. Photo editing
The eighth way to start using your iPad at work is for photo editing. With its powerful hardware and a range of photo editing apps available on the App Store, the iPad can be a great tool for editing photos on the go. Apps like Adobe Lightroom and Affinity Photo provide professional-level editing tools, including exposure and color adjustments, cropping and straightening, and special effects. The iPad’s large touch screen and Apple Pencil support also allow for precise editing and retouching. Additionally, with the iPad’s easy-to-use multitasking capabilities, you can import and edit photos while using other apps, making it a great tool for those who need to quickly edit photos on the go. Whether you’re a photographer, social media manager, or just need to edit photos for work, the iPad can be an excellent device for photo editing.
9. Video editing
The ninth way to start using your iPad at work is for video editing. With its powerful hardware and growing range of video editing apps available on the App Store, the iPad is becoming an increasingly popular choice for video editors on the go. Apps like LumaFusion and iMovie provide powerful editing tools, including trimming, cropping, color correction, and special effects. The iPad’s large touch screen and Apple Pencil support also allow for precise editing and drawing. Additionally, with the iPad’s easy-to-use multitasking capabilities, you can import and edit videos while using other apps, making it a great tool for those who need to quickly edit videos on the go. Whether you’re a content creator, social media manager, or just need to edit videos for work, the iPad can be an excellent device for video editing.
10. Drawing and design
The tenth and final way to start using your iPad at work is for drawing and design. With its high-resolution display, touch screen, and support for the Apple Pencil, the iPad is an excellent tool for digital artists, graphic designers, and illustrators. Apps like Procreate and Adobe Fresco provide a range of powerful drawing and painting tools, allowing you to create complex illustrations, digital paintings, and designs. The iPad’s touch screen and pressure sensitivity make it easy to sketch and draw with precision, while the Apple Pencil allows for more natural and intuitive drawing experience. Whether you’re a professional artist or just enjoy drawing as a hobby, the iPad can be a great tool for unleashing your creativity and bringing your ideas to life.
The iPad is a versatile and powerful tool that can help you be more productive, organized, and creative in your work. From email management and document editing to note-taking and drawing, the iPad can help you streamline your workflow, stay on top of your tasks, and unlock your creativity. With a wide range of apps available on the App Store, you can customize your iPad to fit your specific needs and work style. Whether you’re a student, a business owner, a professional, or just looking to be more productive, the iPad can be an excellent addition to your work toolkit.
Today I to walk you through how I create my annual business plan for the new year to give you a sense of the process I go through and the tools I use.
Now before we get into the step by step process, I want to take a moment to discuss why business planing is so important and the achievements that are possible when you have a solid plan laid out ahead of time.
If you are an existing member of my community, you already know that planning is super important. Not only does it help you to remember what it is you want to get done, it also helps you get clear on details and generate strategies for how you will accomplish your bigger or longer term goals. Planning ahead gives you the ability to save time and effort because you can take the things you need to do, prioritize them and organize them in a way that makes accomplishing the tasks much more efficient. We waste so much time in our days just deciding what to do next. And if you are jumping from task to task without following a plan, you could be wasting up to 30 minutes of time in between each task that you switch to. Not to mention the procastination and perfectionism that can creep in when you get to work without a plan for what you are doing and why. Without a plan, it’s possible to spend a full day working, without seeing a clear impact or payoff for your effort, which I think has to be the worst feeling in the world!
But thankfully that’s not something I experience anymore. Especially when it comes to my business, I show up to work knowing exactly what I’ll be working on each day, and I can clearly see by the end of the day the fruits of my labor and the momentum I have built with my time and focus.
When you have a plan you get so much more done in less time!
In fact, in 2022 alone, thanks to my Business Planning System, I was able to:
• Write and self-publish a best selling book on planning • Create the first season of a Podcast • Film 40+ Youtube videos • Publish 20+ Blog Articles • Create 75+ Instagram Posts • Write 70+ Marketing Emails • Launch 2 New Business Programs • Taught 12 Master Classes, 12 group coaching calls, and 12 more monthly planning classes • Design dozens of new Planning and Productivity Tools • Thrive in my business for the 8th year! • Grew my savings and investment accounts • Deepen my Personal Development • Complete a Coaching Certification Program • Read 25+ books • Establish a Regular Self-Care Routine • Spend plenty of time with people I care about • Plus more things I don’t have the desire to catalogue for the public
Results like this aren’t achieved by accident.
They aren’t the results of luck or good timing.
Achieving your goals and creating the results you want to experience in life is something that takes careful consideration and planning.
So, that is what I am going to show you today, and to be honest, I think you are going to be surprised at how simple this process is.
Now, if you saw my 2023 planner setup video you know that I use a customizable planner system where I keep my business plans combined with my overall life plans and goals.
I have a dedicated section of inserts in my planner that come from the CEO Strategy Planner. The CEO Strategy Planner is a bundle of over 60 business planning inserts designed to help online entrepreneurs and creative business owners turn their big picture business goals into manageable daily tasks.
If you don’t have a copy of the CEO Strategy Planner yet, I’d highly recommend it, but just know that the process I am walking you through today is the process laid out in the CEO Strategy Planner. And if you’d like to see a video of me actually filling in my Business Plans for the year, I will also link you that video as well to watch.
The first part of the CEO Planner is the Executive Summary.
The Executive Summary includes foundational information about your business, your target market and your brand vision. Now, this information may seem really basic, but it’s actually very important that you set these parameters because it’s the framework that you build your business within. One of the major issues I see business owners experience is that they don’t set these parameters for themselves or aren’t clear on them, and then they end up going all over the place with their business.
So, it’s important to decide the following elements of your business.
First, Your business name, so what you call your business or brand, the name customers and followers will come to know you by.
Second, you need to decide your business values, so what values are important for you as you build your business, what are you committed to cultivating through your business and offers.
And the third element of your executive summary is the business manifesto- this is a statement for the purpose and direction of your business, essentially the why for your business and the impact you aim to achieve through your work.
So, that’s the basic identity of the business you are building.
From there you can decide your target market, and the following are the elements of deciding your target market that you need to decide at the state of the year.
First, what your business sells or how it earns income, what’s your plan for that, write it out. Next, who are your customers (this is also known as your ideal customer avatar), these are the people who need what you have to offer and who you will be pursuing through your marketing.
Then, what outcomes do you produce for your customers, so when your ideal customer buys what you are selling, what value are you brining to them, how is working with you benefiting them.
The final target market question you need to decide on and clarify is how do you market to your customers. So, what marketing strategies will you use, which platforms, how frequently will marketing happen, all that needs to be settled and decided at the outside of the year. This is huge because marketing is a key element to sales online, and without these guide-rails, it’s so easy for a business owner to go all over the place with their business and marketing, or fail to develop consistency with their marketing which is just as bad. I’ve seen it happen, unfortunately it happens very often, but getting clear on your target market is going to help you do a better job of marketing and selling for your business.
Next, we have the brand vision and this is meant to be a place where you can map out your business vision for the next 10 years.
So, where do you see your business in the next year, in the next 3 years, 5 years and 10 years? It may not seem important to have this mapped out, and you don’t need to go in depth with this, but it helps to see how your business can be evolving in the future over time. I think it helps you see that you don’t have to build out your perfect business this year, it doesn’t all have to be done immediately- it’s not really possible to do that, but often businesses fail because they try to do too much in a short period of time and it ends up sinking them. So, think about where you business going over time, think about what the logical evolution for your business might be and how you could be adding and layering things into your business over time to create a more sustainable business that lasts.
Now, you might be thinking- Alexis, you’ve been in business for years now, don’t you already have this information written out? Yes that’s true, but every year I like to repopulate this information fresh because it helps me create a clean slate or fresh start feeling with my business. It also helps me to get refocused on what I am building with my business because it’s so easy to get distracted by other things or think you want different things for your business and this executive summary or creative business plan as I call it, helps me choose and decide what direction i want to go for in the year and commit to it.
Next, we get to Yearly Business Planning and the first part of this is the yearly overview.
Here I will first lay out my income target for the year, which I will also break down into quarterly targets. I base this information off of some mathematical equations that I work through during my business goal setting process and all of the information I populate into my yearly business plan from this point on is information that I generated during that goal setting process. If you would like to set your business goals using my process, I will leave a link to the THIS IS YOUR YEAR BUNDLE which is a four part series of workshops that walk you through setting your personal and business goals and mapping them out into action plans across your year.
So, the next part of the yearly business plan is my quarterly objectives which are really more like milestones for my business goals. So I will list out three specific outcomes I want to reach by each quarter of the year.
Then I get to the yearly objective overview. So this is a list of what I am creating this year in four specific categories that I use to track all of my business objectives and tasks.
The four categories are Products or Offers, List Building, Marketing and Development.
So I will make a list of the new offers I want to create this year and/or any updates to existing products I want to complete.
Then I make a list of all the list building initiatives I want to undertake- so all the projects I want to complete this year to help grow my list, and that is mainly focused on my email list, but it can apply to growing any list technically- for instance your followers on Instagram are a form of your list in my opinion. So, what do you want to complete this year to grow your list, write your ideas out.
The next category is Marketing, where I will list out all the marketing related projects I want to work on- funnels, marketing campaigns, launches, content marketing etc, I list those.
And finally development- what business development do I want to do this year? This can be anything from web development, new technologies, growing a team, and even my own personal development as it applies to helping my business grow. I’m currently in the process of undergoing a Master Life Coaching Certification and I consider that a development project that impacts my business for instance.
Again, I want to reiterate, that the information I am populating in these categories is actually information that I mapped out during my annual business goal planning workshop. So, this is not just information I came up with on the fly, these are specific targets I developed during my business goal setting and planning process, and so it’s not information I’m brainstorming on the fly-I have deliberately chosen each of the projects I list out on this objective overview.
Finally, the last part of my yearly business planning process is that I assign each of those objectives I just listed out across the months of my year so that I know exactly when I will be working on each of the projects I laid out.
One of the reasons you want to do this is so you know what you are working on each month. But another big reason why you want to do this is to ensure you have enough time to do everything you anticipate. And I recommend and follow the rule that I focus on no more than three objectives. So, creating a new product or working on a marketing campaign or designing a new funnel-I can only do a total of three of those projects per month.
So, that is it- that is how I create my annual business plan. I hope this information helps guide you as you create your business plan for 2023. Please please please– don’t just start the year without a plan- take the time to do this essential work and I promise, you will get better results when you lay out a plan like this.
If you need more guidance and step by step instruction on setting your business goals and mapping out these plans, please checkout the THIS IS YOUR YEAR bundle and if you are a paper planner user who wants to organize your business plans and tasks inside your planner, check out my CEO Strategy Planner, it has been a game changer for my business organization and I really couldn’t run my business without it!
I hope it’s been helpful to you to see my process broken out and to understand how I use these yearly business planning inserts from the CEO Strategy Planner. Once I have these plains laid out, I break down my plans more specifically into actions for the current quarter so I have a 90 day plan made, but that is going to have to be a topic for another video so if you want to learn more about how I turn this yearly business plan into a 90 day quarterly action plan, let me know!
If you are a current or aspiring business owner and you are looking to find clarity on your business, in order to get started making better business plans- you need my FREE Business Planning Clarity Journal filled with prompts you can use to get in touch with your inner guidance to create that business plan that helps you reach the success you desire. The Journal is free, click here to download it now!
Watch the Video: How to Create Your 2023 Business Plan
As we kick off off the New Year, now is a wonderful time to reevaluate and establish a more productive daily routine.
For those of us who seek to find balance in our lives between our work and personal priorities, structuring an intentionally productive daily routine is an activity that will help us create a dedicated time and space for what matters.
I like to think of my daily routine in four segments:
☀️ Morning 💻 Afternoon (Workday) 🍽 Evening 🌙 Night
And within those segments of time, I have specific productive activities to perform.
Although I don’t believe it is necessary for any two people to have the exact same daily routine, I do know that there are research backed habits that are essential to your productivity and success. So for me, fitting those non-negotiables into my schedule creates the basic structure of my productive daily routine and helps me to create a day and life with a sense of intention and flow.
☀️ Morning Wake Up + Make Bed Meditate Journal Morning Hydration Plan for the Day
💻 Afternoon First Work Block Take a Break Second Work Block Make + Eat Lunch Third Work Block
🍽 Evening Movement Make + Eat Dinner Tidy Up Family/Relationship Time Personal Time
🌙 Night Bath/Shower Skincare Routine Evening Hydration Reflection Sleep
Feel free to use my structure to create your own Productive Daily Routine and let me know in the comments what your daily non-negotiable habits are for 2022!
xoxo,
P.S. If you are looking for more inspiration and accountability to build your ideal productive daily routine, the Productivity + Planning Mastermind is ready and waiting for you!
Members of my Productivity + Planning Mastermind get weekly accountability check-ins with me, as well as both group and direct coaching. Plus, members of the mastermind get a library of planning tools to help them get organized and manage their time and tasks better. They also get masterclasses that walk them through setting their goals, changing their habits, working on their mindset and other ongoing education topics.
