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Denise Kirk-Murray, MBA — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:56:47 +0000

Top 5 Ways to Beat Business Plan Procrastination

Denise Kirk-Murray, MBA — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:00:40 +0000

As the year gets off to a great start, many business owners take some time to look ahead to what they want and expect in the new year for themselves and their business. What a better time than now to pull out those business plans to help get you started. What? You haven’t gotten around to writing that business plan? Try my Top 5 Ways to Beat Business Plan Procrastination.

Remind yourself of the payoff of a completed business plan.
Work with a business coach, or someone to keep you accountable.
Break down the task into small pieces.
Start with a section of the business plan that is easiest for you.
Reward yourself as you go.

10 Steps to a Finished Business Plan

Denise Kirk-Murray, MBA — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:59:42 +0000

Have you wanted to write a business plan but you just have not gotten around to it? It is on your to do list, but other more pressing items keep you busy. Maybe you even started writing it, but then you stop. You know the business plan is important to the success of your business. It is the roadmap for your business and it helps to identify opportunities and potential risks. You know this yet you still don’t have a business plan. You are not alone.

There are many reasons why business owners don’t have a plan. Common reasons include not knowing where to start, the belief that a plan is only necessary if you need money or the fear of not doing it correctly. The benefits of having a business plan outweigh the reasons not to write one.

So to help you move forward, follow these 10 steps and you can have a completed business plan.

Step 1 : Identify the Roadblock-Recognize that there may be something holding you back from accomplishing your goal of a finished business plan. Identify what is stopping you.

Step 2: Make It a Priority-Schedule time to work on the plan and stick with your schedule.

Step 3: Create an Outline-Get Organized and make an outline for each section of the plan.

Step 4: Start Somewhere-Pick a task that is easier for you and start there so you develop some momentum.

Step 5: Establish a System of Accountability-Recruit a friend, partner, business coach or support group to keep you moving forward.

Step 6: Break It Down-Don’t try to complete the plan all at once. Break it into smaller, manageable tasks.

Step 7: Take Action Every Day-The more you do it, the more comfortable it will become.

Step 8: Get the Information You Need-Do your research, but watch out for information overload.

Step 9: Reward Yourself-Recognize your accomplishments by giving yourself rewards at different parts of the process.

Step 10: Get Help If You Need It-Know that there is plenty of help out there for you. Send me your comments and questions about your business plan.

Keep That New Year’s Resolution Going All Year

Denise Kirk-Murray, MBA — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 02:08:08 +0000

Well, if you are like many, as the clock struck midnight to ring in the New year, you were full of excitement about your New Year’s Resolution and what you want to accomplish. Maybe you wanted to make more money in 2009. You wanted to get that business off the ground. How about that book you wanted to write. Or you wanted to lose 20 pounds. The first week you were working on the goal with all of your strength. Now days later, some of you are still working hard but some of you are unfortunately back to your old habits.

All may not be lost. Don’t beat up on yourself. You can revisit that resolution.

Pull out a calendar. Think of each month as a new opportunity, just like you did at the beginning of the new year. Let each month be a different step in completing your resolution. Make up action steps for each month that will move you closer to what you want to accomplish. What does your calendar look like now?

New Year and New Beginning

Denise Kirk-Murray, MBA — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:42:27 +0000

Welcome to the EntrepreneurTraining.com Blog! Today is the first full workday of the new year. While this year will bring some challenges due to our economic condition and I am also excited about what 2009 will bring! This blog will bring you new tools and tips as you start and grow the successful small business that you have been dreaming about.

So why would I start another blog when there are so many other blogs that deal with small business already? Hmmm, let me think. Well, I am an entrepreneur and I just like to start things. Maybe. I have a few extra minutes in my busy day and just want to fill it with yet another project. No, that is not it. Entrepreneurs are always asking me my thoughts, and for recommendations and tips to help them start and grow a successful business. This blog will allow me to share those tips with many more small business owners than I can in individual conversations. Yup, that’s it. It also allows me to chat with you about your successes and challenges in your business.

So what do you want to accomplish with your business in 2009? What are your challenges in your business that you need some help with? What is one action that you will take to move your business forward in the new year? This is the place to get started.

Send us your comments today and you may be on your way to a successful 2009 just like me.