How do You eat an Elephant

The answer is simple, a bite at a time. A journey is a step at a time. But first you must have a plan with bench marks to measure progress.

When I was in a class the instructor asked me to lift a one pound weight over my head, and with no problem I complied. Then I was asked to lift a one pound weight over my head and hold it for 10 minutes and here was a problem. The size of the weight was not the controlling factor. The time requirement was the problem. The development of a plan incorporates all resources available and the economic or time restrictions. The success of any plan requires that the team understand the goal and agree to the plan. The bench marks to measure progress or completion and the time line must be clear. These tools identify management problems for resolution as early as possible.

No business decision should be made unless the goals have been defined, stated, and all participants informed. To make a profit, grow, not fail, etc. are not goals that will gain the support of employees, venders, lenders, and the advisors necessary to survive in today’s business environment. The entrepreneur starts with a dream and then must focus and communicate that idea with a clear statement of where he wants to go. That direction or goal is the beginning of all enterprise. A business plan is how and when we get there.

Many business owners/operators work hard and have great ideas. Still first year startups fail at 80% per year. The desire, resources, and energy are not enough. The control and management of these factors is what determines the success or failure to achieve the economic performance necessary to justify the investment of time, ideas, money, and resources. To manage and direct the resources available the entrepreneur must produce and communicate the goals with a plan including performance benchmarks and a time line. This plan can be refined and modified as time and conditions change. This is the true measure of management skills.

Once a clear statement of goals with a plan has been produced and communicated the process becomes the solution of problems. The world is filled with smart people that can solve problems but do not want to risk. The business owner takes the risk and manages the resources to produce the goals and economic rewards. Leadership is simple if you know where you are going. Without a clearly defined goal the energies and resources are wasted in many directions. Leadership and management produce the focus for a team oriented efficient organization.

Ken Roys, CEO

BTF Management Consultants Inc

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