Recently, I noticed that a top Business Leader stated that all entrepreneurs need an 18-month plan. Actually, I completely agree with this premise that an 18-month implementation plan is essential. Yet really most business plan “outline formats” and Business Plan Books do not have this as part of a standard business plan.
Nevertheless a smart entrepreneur having hopefully done it all before would be wise enough to have this available and really, know it off the top of their head at the snap of their fingers, I always do. Down to the minute details in fact, you have to if you want to win.
Not long ago I visited a college in Los Angeles to give a speech then decided to head on over to the USC Entrepreneurial Program across town. They were closed, I was surprised since true entrepreneurs have such a passion that the students should still be there sitting around doing work.
So, I went over to the book store on campus and bought all the “Entrepreneurial Course Books” and yes I way over paid for them, smile (publish or perish as they say). So much for capitalism and free markets, a definite monopoly there with college text books, indeed reflected in the price.
The point is that the 18-month implementation plans are simply not given the proper value they should be. Without the proper foundation being laid, how can the business expect to handle the future chaos that will ensue during the “fly by the seat of your pants phase” which is often the most fun part. If you are going to make your business fly and like nothing else then you need an 18-month plan for your business too.
L. Winslow is an Economic Advisor to the Online Think Tank, a Futurist and retired entreprenuer. Currently he is planning a bicycle ride across the US to raise money for charity and is sponsored by http://www.Calling-Plans.com and all the proceeds will go to various charities who sign up.
Tags: online, money, amp, monopoly, free
