The Business and Life You Want to Build

In the early days of my first consulting business, I knew I needed some sort of plan to give me the greatest chance at success. I took many a wrong step, yet in the end I managed to put a solid business together.

I had learned through bitter experience that forming a successful business is to be conscious about the kind of business, and the sort of life, I wanted to have. I spent long hours thinking and writing about what I believed, what I wanted from my life, why I wanted to start a business, and the things I did well.

Only after that initial work was I able to look at the How of creating a sustainable business.

The Conscious Business

Being conscious about creating your business and your life will set you apart from 99% of the other businesses in your industry. Setting your intent and clearly visualizing and defining your goal gives you the clarity and energy you need to take what you do best and focus it on success.

Many a business plan has been slapped together using one of the business planning tool software packages available today. The problem with such tools is that they start you off in midstream. Make the mistake of thinking that a quick business plan is all you need for success and you will be gnashing your teeth before you're through.

There is a lot you need to know before you begin a business plan. And all the software in the world will not substitute for the background you need to create solid business plans, investor presentations, and communication strategies.

Never Too Late to Start

For the small business it's never too late to reexamine your foundation. But it is far better to begin well. In the beginning you have a smaller team. Your minds are not contaminated by what you think you know, by the sorts of experiences you get in the first few years of a new business.

Don't get me wrong -- experience is a wonderful teacher, but experience without focus is worthless.

You have an opportunity to create a mindset and the right focus. Spend the time early on and you can manage most of the difficulties you'll encounter while they're still small. You'll mitigate the risk of launching a new business or product because you'll have spent time understanding the territory. Remember: Knowing the territory comes first. Maps come later.

Starting a business is risky. Take the time to assess your concept and develop a clear picture of your resources, your abilities, and what's needed to make your idea a reality before diving into the planning process.

It's in our culture, unfortunately, to not be conscious about the choices we make and to blame others for the circumstances of our lives.

Why not be different about the choices you make today? Make what happens in your business and your life a conscious decision.

Create the path that's right for you!

Michael Knowles, co-author of The Entrepreneur's Concept Assessment Toolbook (available at http://www.booklocker.com/books/1988.html or Amazon.com) helps businesses take what they do best and focus it on success. A Principal in One Straight Line LLC, Michael has over 25 years of experience helping companies create communication strategies help them engage customers, employees, investors, outsourcing partners, and the community.

Michael can be reached at mknowles@onestraightline.com.

Sign up for the One Straight Line newsletter by sending email to subscribe@onestraightline.com.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Key to Starting Your Own Clothing Company

Starting your own private label clothing company is not as... Read More

About Ending Competition

1. Why should I not compete with others?The very concept... Read More

What Kind of Business Should I Start?

It's not uncommon to reach your 30s, 40s or even... Read More

What It Takes To be An Entrepreneur Series: Action

Many people have the professed desire to be their own... Read More

Its Good to Know Your Banker

Recently my bank opened a new branch that is a... Read More

Competitive Edge

In his book, The Road Ahead, Bill Gates of Microsoft... Read More

Online Women Entrepreneurs Need To Pace Themselves

Saving time means pacing yourself, being organized, and always prioritizing... Read More

Before the Business Plan

Purveyors of conventional wisdom would have you believe that the... Read More

Prescription for the Future and Technological Revolutions

The world sure has changed in the last two-decades hasn't... Read More

Starting Your Business: It All Boils Down To Making Money and Saving Money

Bootstrapping in the context of business start-ups refers to the... Read More

Franchises - Emotional Fulfillment - The Challenge

Does A Franchise Meet Your Needs?Do you look forward to... Read More

Can You Make Money Without Money?

When I ask why you don't start your own business,... Read More

Preparing to Outsource

It's important to understand when to add individuals to your... Read More

10 Ways Entrepreneurs Shoot Themselves In The Foot

Entrepreneurs and their businesses have a tendency to ambush themselves... Read More

Business Planning for College Students and First-Time Entrepreneurs

More and more students, both in undergraduate and graduate institutions,... Read More

5?4?3? 2...1?

A streak dating back more than three decades came to... Read More

Everything You Wanted to Know About Public Domain Info, but Were Too Afraid to Ask!

What to Look Out For:Copyright - you absolutely must check... Read More

Oil Change Guys History; Part III

Studying the history of franchise companies is interesting is watching... Read More

The Ideal Length of Your Business Plan

How long should a business plan be? A business plan... Read More

Business Name - How to Choose One

It's very important to get your business name right. You... Read More

Do You Have What It Takes To Be An Entrepreneur?

Q: I am interested in starting my own business. I... Read More

Near-death Experience is the Mother of Invention for Two Dallas Electricians

To morning commuters, the hulking truck encircled with barricades and... Read More

... in Pursuing the American Dream

This morning I woke up at 4:30 in the morning,... Read More

Business Is No Guarantee of Riches

Q: I'm thinking about starting a business since that seems... Read More

What Qualities Do Franchisors Need?

When I got into business I wanted to build a... Read More

PR That Entrepreneurs Often Overlook

If that sounds like you, here's what you may be... Read More

Applying The Daffodil Theory into Business Practice

At times all of us need a bit of inspiration... Read More

Ten Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs

Successful entrepreneurs have many traits in common. Here are ten... Read More

5 Tips to Step Boldly into the World & Set Yourself Apart from Others

"Real champions believe in themselves even when no one else... Read More

Empathy - Not Business Plans - Key to Your Home Based Business Success - Do You Have Empathy?

EMPATHY is a Natural Talent, you were born with it... Read More

Franchising Companies Need New Franchisee Checklists

When franchise companies are moving fast in the market place... Read More

The Visionary Entrepreneur

Any success you have in life must begin with a... Read More

Designing a Comprehensive Franchise Company Computer System

One of the most important management tools a franchised company... Read More