Devoted to Managers and those that seek to improve their management skills

There is one thing that you can't do enough of when starting a new business or new project in a company. That one thing is "overplan."

I'm not talking about the business plan you write here. Rather, it's the marketing and sales plan I'm referring to.

In the specific, quick-changing environment we work in, there can never be enough contingency plans waiting in the wings. The key here is to not make endless plans and then never implement any of them; or paralyze yourself into inaction. Instead, make a number of plans, and then take what you think is the best way to start and get going. Obviously you're watching and measuring all the time to see how it's performing.

It is those contingency plans in place that offer the greatest chance for success if your original plan doesn't work.

The bottom line in all of this is that you must know how the company or new project is going to generate sales. You can't have only one way it can be done. Have these written plans in a place where they can be reviewed over and over again as things get going. When things start to fall apart, you will be able to nimbly and quickly respond and put another plan or option in place that can change the fortunes of the company or project.

Why is this so important? When it comes right down to it, to be in business is to be in marketing. I know of some people that no longer even consider the word business as being any different from marketing. To them it is one and the same. They are right. Make sure you have a number of plans and options at your disposal for whatever the marketplace may throw your way. You'll be glad you do.