Remember, you are not starting a business for the sake of starting a business. You are starting a business that will move you closer to achieving your personal goals. Therefore, your business venture is a strategy through which you believe will get you to where you want to be. Your business and marketing plans will help you execute that strategy.

To the left you will find links to a systematic approach toward the development of strategic business plans. Many people avoid planning because they say they don't have time. I have heard people say, "When am I supposed to find the time, I have a business to run". This is an interesting comment. Would you hire a contractor that told you that he or she was too busy building your dream home to draw up the plans for it first? Like building a house, building a business involves the coordination of a variety of simple and complex pieces. All of these pieces must ultimately fit together and function properly. By not evaluating the best methods available, you won't be prepared to make a mid-course correction if one of the pieces is not operating as planned.

When you choose the path of entrepreneurship you are accepting the "job description" of that role. Entrepreneurs who fail to plan are shirking their responsibilities. When they do, some will get by, but most will be fired by their new bosses -- their customer base. Much like when you were applying for your first job, you knew you had to set yourself apart from your competition to win the job. Well, nothing has changed. You now have to convince even more people that you will deliver more value to them than your competitor.