Fresh start 2015 print final

FRESH START

2015 A WORKBOOK & PLANNING

GUIDE TO MAKE YOUR BUSINESS EVEN NICER IN 2015

A M B E R M CC U E

SEVEN STEPS TO SUCCESS 1. Make a commitment to grow daily.

2. Value the process more than events.

3. Don’t wait for inspiration.

4. Be willing to sacrifice pleasure for opportunity.

5. Dream big.

6. Plan your priorities.

7. Give up to go up.

JO H N C M A X WEL L

TABLE OF CONTENTS Intro : Start Right

4

Celebrate 2014

8

Operation 2015

25

Action Jackson!

49

MEET THE AUTHOR

AMBER MCCUE Amber McCue has a sweet spot for helping entrepreneurs do better business and increase their bottom line. Amber partners up with the Nicest, smartest CEOs around.

Entrepreneurs come to her to build streamlined, scaleable, profitable business operations without working 24/7 and they are not disappointed.

She loves all things business — especially, problem solving, systems, making money via strong revenue streams, sharing that wealth again and again, and team building.

BUSINESSES WHO PLAN AHEAD PERFORM UP TO 60% BETTER THAN THOSE THAT DON’T.

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START RIGHT

A YEAR FROM NOW, YOU WILL WISH YOU HAD STARTED TODAY. KAREN LAMB

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S TA R T R I G H T

If you want to finish ahead, you have to start right. If you start right, you are an immediate success…even if you can’t see it quite yet. You are laying the foundation for wild success.

This is where it begins.

Part of starting right is creating a plan. Seeing yourself living out that plan. Visualizing yourself achieving your goal. Then actually taking the steps to achieve your goal.

For those who believe, it’s how manifesting begins. It’s a structured, systematized way of making what you want to happen.

Olympic athletes performing at the top of their game train and prepare for months before the big day. Not only do they train, but they rehearse their performance through planning and visualization. These rehearsals prepare you for your day in the spot light. When the moments for you to step up and perform your best appear, you will perform better because you have planned, you have seen yourself succeed, address and overcome obstacles, and you are ready. Studies reveal that athletes who spent 25% of their time in physical training and 75% of their time mentally training had greater success than the people who spent 100% of their time in only physical training.

ARE YOU READY TO REALIZE OLYMPIC SUCCESS IN YOUR BUSINESS? A GOOD PLAN FITS LIKE YOUR FAVORITE PAIR OF JEANS PLANS ARE USELESS. PLANNING IS EVERYTHING. –EISENHOWER While the planning process is necessary as you get into the plans themselves may change. What is important is that through the planning process, you are prepared to tackle whatever comes your way. We’ll do a little scenario planning… What if this doesn’t go the way I plan? What’s the worst that can happen?

If this… Then...

Flexible plans are key–as a leader you have to know when to stay the course and when it is time to change it up!

We’ll build room for changing it up into our 2015 plans. Like a good pair of jeans, the plans have to fit right and stretch in all the right places.

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THE WEAKNESS IN EVERY PLAN IS LACK OF FLEXIBILITY. In this workbook and planning guide, you’ll learn how to create a plan that gives you room to grow and room to change over the course of the year. It will also help you rapidly identify what is working for you and what isn’t. You will not get to the end of another year and wonder WTF, where did my year just go?

ONE SIZE FITS ALL? I do not believe in one size fits all business solutions. Many business principles and teachings of business leaders are widely applicable and carryover from one business model to the next, but the good stuff happens when you take the old and make it new and refreshing and 100% you.

As you move through this workbook, you may find that some pieces don’t apply to you right now or that you aren’t ready to complete certain sections yet. That’s okay!

Don’t write-off the entire process of and definitely don’t beat yourself up for not having the answers. There’s a lot of content and potential ground to cover in this workbook.

Only do what works for you in your business for where you are now.

Write what you are feeling and thinking in any given moment.

Be true to yourself and your business values. But don’t give up because you think this isn’t going to work for you. Put the pen to paper and write something–even if it is a note to say “I’m not here yet...November, 2014”

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ONE SIZE FITS ALL?

20% OF THE WORK EFFORTS GETS YOU 80% OF THE RESULTS. Have you heard of the pareto principle? It’s a fascinating principle that reveal that 20% of our efforts give us 80% of the results.

It’s evidence that you don’t have to DO everything or tackle everything you think you need to to get massive results.

There are a few sections I’ve noted throughout the workbook that I recommend you do regardless of where you are in your business.

Thinking through your money plans and your strategic roadmap are two of those big ticket items.

We’ll highlight the key items with the little rocket as follows:

PROGRESS TRUMPS SUCCESS EVERYTIME

DOING LESS IS NOT BEING LAZY. DON’T GIVE IN TO A CULTURE THAT VALUES PERSONAL SACRIFICE OVER PERSONAL PRODUCTIVITY. TIM FERRISS

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CELEBRATE 2014

EVEN IF YOU FALL ON YOUR FACE, YOU’RE STILL MOVING FORWARD. VICTOR KIAM

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C E L E B R AT E 2 0 1 4

LOOKING BACK Even if 2014 didn’t look exactly how you hoped it would, amazing things happen and everything happen just the way it was was supposed to. Even if 2014 completely rocked for you, there are still a whole slew of lessons we can capture from 2014 that will make your 2015 even better.

Some of this exercise will be fun. Some may be difficult.

One thing is for sure–you uncovered some amazing opportunities for growth in 2014.

Crank the music up or turn it down if you prefer. Whatever you do, get in a space to celebrate your 2014 growth before we move full steam into 2015.

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HAPPY TIMES

What’s one word that describes your best day in 2014?

What did you accomplish in 2014 that you are proud of?

Challenge yourself to fill this space up!!! There is nothing to big or too small.

What worked really well in 2014?

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HAPPY TIMES

Who did you work with this year that really rocked your socks?

Consider team members, coaches, clients, etc.

What client feedback did you receive that you cherish and need to add to your “this is why I’m hot” file?

What people came into your life and business that you are grateful for?

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HAPPY TIMES

What marketing efforts really worked well this year?

How did you sell when you were selling at your best and feeling good about it?

What did you love most about your business in 2014?

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C E L E B R AT E 2 0 1 4

WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES “If you don’t change the direction you are going, then you’re likely to end up where you’re heading.”

John C. Maxwell

What did you hate most about your business in 2014?

What opportunities do you have to amp up and wow your clients in a bigger way?

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WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES

What working relationships did you have this year that can be improved upon? What do you want to do to change it up and make it better?

What didn’t work so well this year overall?

What time sucks did you run into again and again?

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WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES

What energy sucks did you run into again and again?

What steps can you take to stop the suck and amp up the nice?

What have you learned in 2014?

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WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES

What do you tell yourself you’d do if you were younger/older/smarter/prettier/in better shape?

Let’s be sure to pull this into your 2015 plans–because that little voice that tells you you need to be “more” before you do your thing needs to be put in it’s place!

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C E L E B R AT E 2 0 1 4

TRUTH TELLERS :: THE NUMBERS ####### What was your actual revenue in 2014?

What were your actuals expenses in 2014?

What was your actual profit (revenue minus expenses) in 2014?

What is your current list size?

Pinterest?

Twitter followers?

Instagram?

Facebook fans?

LinkedIn?

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C E L E B R AT E 2 0 1 4

List the products and services you offered in 2014 from highest money making revenue generator to least.

HIGH END - LOVE IT - GIVE ME MORE!

LOWEST MONEY MAKER

HIGHEST MONEY MAKER

LOW END - BLEH - NEVER AGAIN!

Then rate how much you enjoy delivering those products and services in the scale.

RATE ME! PRODUCT/SERVICE NAME

BLEH - NEVER AGAIN!

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LOVE IT - GIVE ME MORE!

How do you feel about the numbers?

Considering all of the happy times, wonderful opportunities you uncovered, and the truth tellers what wildrandom-final thoughts do you have about 2014?

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NICE CHECK! WHAT ARE YOU FEELING GRATEFUL FOR IN THIS MOMENT?

What you just did–all of that reflecting on 2014–it’s no small thing. It’s going to be the secret sauce for your amazing year to come! Shhhh - I wont’ tell!

If you are feeling emotional or feeling a surge of whelm, sit with that and know you are not alone. I usually cry when I feel the release of the prior year, acknowledge how far I have come, and see opportunities for amazing growth. Then again, I cry at toilet paper commercials…

This is important stuff you just did. As you go forward and complete your 2015 planning, remember how you felt about various things in 2014. This is your chance to be the change.

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IDEA MANIA

When it comes to how you’ll actually make the money in 2015 - and beyond - it’s in the business model design component that so many people get tripped up. There are so many possibilities as to how you can bring your visions to life.

EVER FEEL LIKE THIS?

ON E- ON -O NE ’S WIL L GE T M E T HE RE FA S T E R.

E V E RY ON E IS S TAR T IN G ME MB E RSHIP SI T ES - I BET T E R GE T ON MI NE

I CO U LD RU N A .

CO U R SE O N T HAT

I

S TAR T D L U CO

I NEED MONE Y NOW

A

UNI C OM M

T O GO I T' D BE SO CO O L O N A RE T RE AT

T Y!

O H - I ’V E G OT T O GE T T HA T B O O K D ON E.

W O R KS H OP S C OULD BE AN O T H E R R E V E NU E S T REAM F O R M E.

I WA N T T O HO S T AN IN - PE RSO N E V EN T.

M AY BE I SH OU LD S TA RT AN OT HE R BL OG A BO UT ...

RE AT I’ V E G O T T HIS G W EE K I DE A FO R A O N E I LD CHAL LE N G E T O BU M E LI S T.

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It’s a little something I like to call idea mania!

If you are like the other entrepreneurs I know, you have no shortage of ideas. They are probably pretty fantastic ideas too!

Just one problem–you can only so so much at one time. Everyone has limited focus.

Entrepreneurs and business owners have many competing priorities.

It’s not a problem that is unique to small businesses, however. Big and small. All companies have limited resources.

Be selective about what ideas you decide to focus on for 2015 vs. hold for 2016 or beyond.

First–let’s break it down. Make note of all of your ideas here in a little idea dump. Don’t hold back–keep them allllll! It’s doesn’t mean you’ll DO them all. Let’s just get them out of your head!

EVERY REALLY NEW IDEA LOOKS CRAZY AT FIRST. ABRAHAM MASLOW

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ALL THE IDEAS

All those ideas that have been cooking around up in your head? Now’s the time to get them all out. Lay them all out in the space below.

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DO ANY OF THESE IDEAS HAVE A FIRM TIME FRAME TIED TO THEM?

If yes, what is the timing? Make a note of your non-negotiable dates.

YES?

What’s the most important idea above?

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OPERATION 2015

THE FARTHER BACKWARD YOU CAN LOOK, THE FARTHER FORWARD YOU CAN SEE. WINSTON CHURCHILL

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O P E R AT I O N 2 0 1 5

I’M READY FOR YOU! Whoa! It’s here. Another year. Another Fresh Start full of opportunity and growth. You are no dumb cookie.

You are going to be insanely ahead of the game–including your competitors–because you are taking the time reflect and plan for your ultimate success. That’s exactly where we’ll start. Success.

What does success look like to you?

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O P E R AT I O N 2 0 1 5

GOT VISION? “TELL ME, WHAT IS IT YOU PLAN TO DO WITH YOUR ONE WILD AND PRECIOUS LIFE?” Mary Oliver, New and Selected Poems

What vision do you have for your business? Fill in the blanks.

creates Insert name of company Insert name of what you create HINT: if you are computer maker you don’t create computers – what’s your higher purpose

for

Describe your target market

to What do you want your customers to achieve as a result

To accomplish this goal, we will never List things that you and your company will never do

will Insert name of company

Insert list of things you will do to ensure your higher purpose is realized

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O P E R AT I O N 2 0 1 5

Here’s an example of a the NiceOps vision statement that is a work in progress - and that’s okay.

What is important is that you put a stake in the ground today which you can leverage and pivot from in the future.

NiceOps partners with entrepreneurs and small business owners who are creating businesses that do business better than usual.

NiceOps clients are having an impact in their lives and the lives of others and they are able to do so on a greater scale, because they do good business behind the scenes as well as in the public domain. By taking a leadership role on how business is done, NiceOps our clients are able to make more and give more.

To accomplish this goal :: We will never guilt trip our clients into working with us or getting something done – Everything happens at the right time.

We will never act above or less than our clients – We are partners, mutually interested in the client’s success.

We will never make our clients recreate the wheel. If we’ve got a solution that will work for you at our fingertips – We share it.

NiceOps will :: Challenge our clients to step into their CEO mindset to build a company that…..

Offer personalized consulting because business isn’t one size fits all.

Share tools and templates to accelerate success.

Keep the fun and heart in business.

Always have our clients goals at the top of our mind when building strategies.

Be an objective partner.

Continually look for ways to share success + wealth.

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What differentiates you and your products and services from your competitors?

EXAMPLE

NICEOPS DIFFERENTIATORS Element of Surprise

VISION WITHOUT ACTION IS DAYDREAM. ACTION WITHOUT VISION IS NIGHTMARE. J APA N E SE PR OVER B

Results + Action Oriented :: 80% Results, 20% Fun Ease + Grace Business Partner Drama Free + Guilt Free Zone Proactive vs. Reactive

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Now that you’ve got your vision in hand, let’s break down how you will achieve that vision. It sounds like a simple thing, right? Until you get in there and the ideas start flowing. So many good ideas. So many ways that you can achieve that vision.

To ensure you get a Fresh Start & Start Right it’s our goal to make sure the right ideas are executed on in the right way in 2014. The other ideas don’t have to go away forever. We’ll just set them aside until the right moment.

To make sure we are focused on the right things at the right time, let’s start with the end in mind.

SEE THE END GAME.

FOLLOW YOUR BLISS AND THE UNIVERSE WILL OPEN DOORS FOR YOU WHERE THERE WERE ONLY WALLS. JAPANESE PROV ERB

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O P E R AT I O N 2 0 1 5

If your life were a movie, what kind of movie is it? A romantic comedy? A drama…? What character do you play in the movie? What’s the plot? The scene? How does it all end?

What is your big 2014 goal? Your goal should align to your vision and should take your breath away… Just for a second.

How much effort will you put forth to attain this goal?

Meh, I’m not so sure.

I’m all in and will do whatever it takes!

If you are leaning toward the “Meh, I’m not so sure” side of things, spend some time with your goal.

Is it the right goal for you?

What resources do you need to realize your goals?

Consider team members, contractors, technology systems, etc.

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W H AT I F ?

YOUR FEAR IS 100% DEPENDENT ON YOU FOR ITS SURVIVAL. St e ve Ma r a b oli Will you have regrets if you do not work toward these goals? If yes, what are they?

What fears come up for you as you consider your goals?

What is the worst that can happen if you go after your goals?

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What will it look like if the worst happens?

What is the best that can happen if you go after your goals?

What will it look like if the best happens?

YOU GAIN STRENGTH, COURAGE AND CONFIDENCE BY EVERY EXPERIENCE IN WHICH YOU STOP TO LOOK FEAR IN THE FACE.

Is it worth the risk to go all in?

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

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M A R K E T I N G M AT T E R S

What is your desired list size at the end of 2015?

Twitter followers?

Facebook fans?

Pinterest?

Instagram?

LinkedIn?

What big launch dates or milestones do you want to consider for 2015?

If you are looking to grow any of your audiences in 2015, how will you do that?

What strategies do you have in mind? (e.g., contests, free downloads, live calls, clone camp, challenges, guest posting, etc.)

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What events would you like to speak at in 2015?

What is your approach to PR in 2015?

Will you guest post? If yes, where?

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CLIENT EXPERIENCE + ENGAGEMENT

What type of clients do you want to partner with in 2015?

How will you ensure your clients are well taken care of even when the going gets rough?

How will you wow your clients and prospects again and again?

Examples: gifts, real time support, transparency, partnership approach

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How do you sell best?

DO WHAT YOU DO SO WELL THAT THEY WILL WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN AND BRING THEIR FRIENDS. WALT DISNEY

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What ideas are most important to your audience?

NICE CHECK Remember that idea dump we started way back on page 22. Draw some attention back to that now. What feels good and right to you right now? Has anything changed as we’ve progressed?

What ideas are best aligned to the life you want to lead?

What products and services will you offer?

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How will you deliver your products and services to your clients?

What are your revenue targets (list them by product and service, then add them up)?

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

PRICE

#SOLD

TOTAL REVENUE =

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REVENUE

What are your revenue and profit targets in each month of 2015?

REVENUE

EXPENSES

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

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PROFIT

MAKING IT HAPPEN

What do you do best?

Who will you need on your team to bring your vision to life and realize your goals?

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Consider where you are (refer back to 2014 reflection as needed) and where you want to be this time next year.

What learning and development gaps do you have? What gaps in knowledge do you have?

CAUTION You know more than you think. Many people forget how much they do actually know when starting a business.

You likely have more knowledge than even you know. Don’t forget–you are a smart cookie. Plan your training, learning, and development like a smart CEO. Training is needed. Get the right training to fuel your success.

What events do you want to attend to move you closer to your goals?

Events serve different purposes–networking, learning, collaboration, all fun. When you plan your 2014 event budget be mindful of the purpose the event serves so you can prioritize as needed.

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What books are on your reading list for 2015?

Ever finish a book and think…what’s next? Then go without a good book for a while? A good book fuels me up. Create your 2015 reading list so you are never without fuel. These books may support your growth and development in your core area of expertise or they may help you grow and develop in another area of your business or from a personal perspective.

I am most productive when: What time of day? What’s the environment? What is the temperature of the room? What do you smell?

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Remember the time and energy sucks you uncovered from 2014? What rules do you want to have on how you organize your time going forward?

NICEOPS EXAMPLE: NiceOps Time Rules / No working hours from 5-8:00 / Only offer X services on X days / Only offer X services X times per month

How do you work best?

NICEOPS EXAMPLE: NiceOps Works best with space to think + create / Taking inspired action/ Chunking time/ Schedules / Daily activities I work to complete everyday / In-person events over online programs for inspiration / When music is turned up!

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Who’s on your wish list of people work with in 2015?

Consider coaches, mentors, training, designers, branding experts, etc.

Who do you want to get close to and love up in 2015 for the sake of your mutual business success?

Try not to have over 5 people on this list.

YOU CAN GET EVERYTHING IN LIFE YOU WANT IF YOU WILL JUST HELP ENOUGH OTHER PEOPLE GET WHAT THEY WANT. ZIG ZIGLAR

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What other administrative activities do you need to tackle in 2015?

Example: set up LLC, get bookkeeping system in place, upgrade email system, etc.

NICE CHECK How do you feel about what you are cooking up for 2015?

Of all of things you’ve dreamed and schemed and brainstormed for 2015, what is most important now?

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MAKING IT HAPPEN

You are going to have to take care of yourself if you are going to get all of this done and not fall over from exhaustion half way through the year.

What will you do throughout the year to renew and recharge or just flat out pamper yourself?

EXAMPLES Recharge Yoga / Get my nails done / Read Journal Snuggle / Hang with my girls / Give back

Where do you go for inspiration?

More of that in 2015 please!! So we are clear, we are talking about the good kind of inspiration–not the kind that throws you into a comparison tailspin.

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What causes you to go into a comparison tailspin?

Avoid those places for the first 3–6 months of 2015. Time for a comparison cleanse.

What adventures are you going to go on in 2015 to get out of your head and to clear the air?

EXAMPLE I love summer, so last year I made my Summer Lovin’ List.

SUMMER LOVIN’ LIST Staycation Lots of Beach + Pool Time Play volleyball with Lilly Go Kayaking Hello Disney World!

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ACTION JACKSON

SUCCESS SEEMS TO BE CONNECTED WITH ACTION. SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE KEEP MOVING. THEY MAKE MISTAKES BUT DON’T QUIT. CONRAD HILTON

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T I M E TO M A K E M AG I C

THE FUTURE DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU DO TODAY. MAH AT MA G AN DHI

So all of that planning and dreaming and scheming is critically important. No doubt about it. The real magic is going to happen when you step into action and implement. When you get in action and see what’s what you may notice opportunities to shift or pivot or expand your plan for sweet success.

Like your favorite pair of jeans, we want this plan to last more than a month into the new year. We want it to last all year long and set you up for success in 2015 too.

To make it happen in 2015, we are going to leverage a planning system that will help you get as much done in a week as you used to get done in a whole year. Ready for that?

To start, we aren’t going to put everything you want to accomplish in 2015 on a monthly or weekly timeline.

We aren’t building a massive project plan to show how you’ll get everything you want to get done next year done from January–December. We are focusing in and powering up–for the first 90 days of 2015.

LITTLE BY LITTLE = MAXIMUM MOMENTUM First up, based on all the reflections and brainstorms you created for 2014, identify what you want to do in the first quarter of the year. If there is a specific date something has to happen, by all means make note of that. We aren’t breaking all of this down into months or weeks just yet, though, because we want to keep some wiggle room.

To create massive momentum, we are focusing on the big ticket items you will complete in the first 90 days.

Annual goals are important as you are thinking about the big picture, but you want to get more done in a short amount of time, we need to focus on 90 day plans.

Ever gotten to the end of the year only to set the same goals as a New Year’s resolution for the upcoming year?

Annual goals and New Year’s Resolutions allow way too much time in between to mull it over and delay progress toward a goal.

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EVERY WEEK, EVERY DAY, EVERY MOMENT COUNTS. Set your goals for the next 90 days with milestones in between now and the 90 day mark. For example if you have a goal to launch a new program in 90 days, what specific steps do you need to take first second and third to get you there. What result do you want to achieve after thirty days? 60 days? 90 days? Include this in your plan. Use the 90 day plan template below to build this out.

NICE CHECK What obstacles do you encounter when you move into action? What can you do to remove the obstacles in 2015?

Just two things you mustn’t forget to include in your 90 day plan: #1) Do something related to your #1 2015 priority–the most important thing #2) Don’t forget to build in space to create your next 90 day plan between the 60-90 day window.

EXAMPLE: Area of Focus/ Goal

30 Days

60 Days

90 Days

List your goal or area of focus in this column

Then list wht needs to happen each month to make that goal a reality in the 3060-90 day boxes

Launch new program

- Complete program - Draft marketing strategy - Meet w/ CX expert -Finalize promo materials

- Begin to execute marketing campaign - Build out social media calendar , etc.

- Draft emails - Execute marketing campaign - Send sneak peek to VIPs

Rally team + Reset team structure

- Schedule call w/team to share vision + set up team structure -Complete roles and responsibilities matric (RACI)

- Check in call with team - Reset as needed on roles and responsibilities - Ask what training may be needed for team

- Check in call with team - Send gifts to team for kicking butt as we near the end of teh launch

Remember to keep your 90 day goals SMART!

S – Specific M – Measureable A – Actionable R – Realistic T – Timely

Finally, don’t forget to celebrate the wins and engage a community to keep the momentum!

Repeat for next primary goal

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9 0 DAY P L A N

Area of Focus/ Goal

30 Days

60 Days

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90 Days

WHAT DO I DO AFTER THESE 90 DAYS?

NOW & LATER

As nimble, agile small businesses I do not recommend building a detailed project plan for the future. Life changes, priorities change, the marketing shifts.

The strategic roadmap process ensures your success for your now and your later.

One of your advantages is to adapt and adjust to meet the needs that arise as they come up. Using the 90 Day Plan approach, which you went through in the previous exercise, enables you to go deep in a specific area for a specific amount of time without having invested tremendous

ADDED BONUS You are kick starting the manifesting process by laying

effort creating longer-term plans that may change.

out and focus on both the now

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do any long term planning.

amounts of energy.

Long term planning is key to bringing a vision to life.

Remember the idea dump we did earlier? Let’s pull them back in now and create your strategic roadmap for the future (short, mid, and long term). It’s a way of thinking and strategic mindset that you’ll take forward and leverage again and again as your business grows. The strategic roadmap development process will empower you to make thoughtful decisions in the business and allocate your resources, energy, and time accordingly. Again, we aren’t going to be as detailed in our long term plans because we want to leave room for change and growth.

We’ll layout a plan - or your Strategic Roadmap - that helps you know what to do with all the ideas without getting too far ahead of yourself!

Laying out the roadmap for what to focus on over time or based on various if then scenarios will help set the stage for what’s to come. That leaves you free to focus and rock out the here and now wowing customer after customer.

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and later with the appropriate

B U I L D YO U R S T R AT E G I C R OA D M A P

In the next section, you’ll find four different templates that you can leverage to layout your strategy. You can’t pick a wrong template. Some

FRESH TIPS!

people may even want to do the exercise using different templates until

As you go forward and build

you find the right plan and the right model for your vision.

your plan in the pages ahead,

There is no wrong choice & nothing is set it stone.

keep these tips in mind: Take care of your most important ideas first.

Build a smart plan, where one item relates to the next. If you want to host a live event, but have a very small list, how will you attract people to attend.

Will you draw people in through paid marketing or will you spend time in the months prior building your list.

Pick a filter question to make sure everything you build aligns to your key goals & objectives.

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S T R AT E G I C R OA D M A P P I N G 1 o f 3

WHERE ARE YOU GOING? Roadmap - Build Over Time Excellent to get the ideas out quickly This basic template takes you through time giving you a space to document over time your focus or theme (e.g., marketing, team building, development or sales of a program) and the activity (e.g., event, challenge, hiring, etc.).

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2015 ROADMAP

JAN

FOCUS :: ACTIVITY :: FEB

FOCUS :: ACTIVITY :: MARCH FOCUS ::

ACTIVITY :: APRIL

FOCUS :: ACTIVITY :: MAY

FOCUS :: ACTIVITY :: JUNE

FOCUS :: ACTIVITY :: JULY

FOCUS :: ACTIVITY :: AUG

FOCUS :: ACTIVITY :: SEPT

FOCUS :: ACTIVITY :: OCT

FOCUS :: ACTIVITY :: NOV

FOCUS :: ACTIVITY :: DEC

FOCUS :: ACTIVITY ::

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2016 ROADMAP

Q1 FOCUS ::

ACTIVITY ::

Q2 FOCUS ::

ACTIVITY ::

Q3 FOCUS ::

ACTIVITY ::

Q4 FOCUS ::

ACTIVITY ::

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2017 ROADMAP

1ST

FOCUS :: HALF

ACTIVITY ::

2ND

FOCUS :: HALF

ACTIVITY ::

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2018 ROADMAP

2018

FOCUS ::

ACTIVITY ::

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S T R AT E G I C R OA D M A P P I N G 2 o f 3

WHERE ARE YOU GOING? Roadmap - Build by Time & Area of Focus Excellent template for multi-facted planning Using the orbit below, put the key areas of focus involved in running your business on each axis and make a note in the relevant circle of what you plan to achieve in that year. The big advantage of it is you can easily compare your goals and see if they relate. For example if you plan to double your sales in one year, will you be doubling your marketing too? If not how do you plan on reaching that goal?

Year 3

Marketing

Year 2 Profits of $10,000

Year 1 Break even 1 new collecion made

3 events

Profits of $5,000 after saleries

Finance 2 new collecions made

2 new collecions made

5 events

7 events

Selling events

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Collections

ROADMAP

Year 3 Year 2 Year 1

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S T R AT E G I C R OA D M A P P I N G 3 o f 3

WHERE ARE YOU GOING? Roadmap - Build by Difficulty Level Excellent template for beginners

Using this template put your keys areas of focus on the ladder from the bottom up with bottom being the simplest. As you move up the ladder the activities are intended to get increasingly harder. The concept with this is that once you master one area, you move to the next. In addition to mapping activity, along the side you can include an estimate as to when you anticipate you may

Easy

Difficult

master each activity.

Activity

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Time to Master

FRESH CHECK!

How’d you make out? As you built your roadmap did you clear some space for you to focus and succeed now and later?

Before we call it quits on this roadmap, let’s check it to make sure it’s working for you.

Does your roadmap align your strengths in a way that provides continually increasing value to your clients?

Does your roadmap leave space for you to execute and provide a first class experience for your clients?

Do your marketing and growth plans align with your business efforts?

Does your roadmap support you living the lifestyle you want?

Nice work, Ms. CEO. You are rocking this out!

If you answer this questions in the affirmative, keep on growing!

If not–no worries–you have time to tweak it as you move ahead. Hold space for changes. Just make a note in the pages here so you can come back to it.

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LIKE A FINE WINE We are going to set this strategic plan aside for now

You now have a plan!! I am not going to leave you

and let it marinate. Like a fine wine or a growing

hanging without the tips and trick you must have to

401k account, this roadmap and your vision will be

consistently implement your empire building plans.

enhanced over time. No specific action is required in terms of the roadmap.

WEEKLY + DAILY PLANNING + EXECUTION A 90 day plan in and of itself won’t get you there.

You may want to mark your calendar so you remember

Be sure to set aside 5 minutes at the start of every

to periodically revisit your roadmap throughout the

week and map out what you need to do this week to

year to check in and make updates as you grow.

make sure you realize your 30-60-90 day goals. Use

I recommend a quarterly review that can be completed when you update your next 90 Day Plan.

whatever daily planning and project management systems work best for you --- This is where you start to break down the 90 day plan into daily and weekly activities. Block out time to break it down as well as blocking any other time you may need to ensure you get the things on your list done.

ACCOUNTABILITY + MEASUREMENT

FOCUS In the meantime, stay focused and in action on your current 90 Day Plan. Because the magic happens at the time of implementation!!

Whatchya Waiting For?

Measuring progress to a goal builds confidence because you can clearly see the steps you are taking to be successful. Can you imagine someone like Steve Jobs, Oprah, or Sheryl Sandberg not knowing the numbers to support how their companies are performing?

Pick out key numbers that support your goals and track them! It may include your revenue targets, it may include growth of your list, or your community on social media channels.

Whatever it is track it and measure it. What gets measured gets done.

It’s takes guts to track performance like this - Have the guts to do it!

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PEOPLE + COMMUNITY No one builds a successful business on their own. It is important to be a part of community that understands your goals, understands the importance of measurement, and accountability, and that you can engage with on progress, struggles, and challenges you are facing. If you are implementing change or trying to do something of meaning, don’t go at it alone.

Your chances of success are 7 times greater if you get some peer support.

GOAL CARD Finally, get out a fancy piece of paper that you would be delighted to look at every day. On the piece of paper or notecard, write out what your goal is for the year. Specifically, answer these four questions on the goal card: What goal are you focused on working toward right now?

When do you intend to meet this goal?

What will you give or what effort will you put forth to attain this goal?

What is the financial or monetary target associated with this goal?

WHAT YOU FOCUS ON EXPANDS. SO FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WANT, NOT WHAT YOU DO NOT WANT. ESTHER JNO - CHARLES

Put it up on a notecard or pretty piece of paper in a place where you can see it all year long to keep your eye focused on the prize!

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NICE CHECK! MY KEY FRESH START PLANNING TAKEAWAY IS ____________________.

I AM MOST EXCITED ABOUT ____________________________ IN 2014.

THE FIRST THREE STEPS I AM GOING TO TAKE TO PUT MY PLAN INTO ACTION ARE: 1.__________________________ 2. __________________________ 3. __________________________

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2015 BETTER LOOK OUT! If you did the work and made it to the end, your empire building plans are rock solid. All that’s left to do now it implement!

THIS ISN’T THE END. This is the start of something good.

If you think creating about when to play and how to win without consideration of aspirations and goals, you may end up with a strategy that is effective for it’s intended goal but isn’t something you actually want.

WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT TO CREATE A STRATEGY, YOU HAVE TO ITERATE. Roger Martin, Harvard Business Review

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE, THE FIRST THING YOU HAVE TO DO IS WAKE UP. J.M. POWER

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B O N U S : W E E K + DAY P L A N N E R T E M P L AT E

Haven’t married a daily planner for 2015 yet? Here’s a sample one page day planner you can leverage to map out key activities day-by-day each week. Create your own on the next page.

Daily 5

90 Day Goals

People

What 5 things do you want to

Document what you are

Use the people section to

do everyday of the week, no

driving to over the course of

make a note of anyone you

matter what?

the next 90 days here.

need to follow up with, reach out to, get information from, or support in the week ahead.

M

T

W

T

F

List your daily plan here to capture the things you need to do each day of the week to drive to your 90 day goals, which of course align with your broader vision.

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Daily 5

90 Day Goals

People

1.

2.

3.

4.

1.

2.

3.

4.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

5.

5.

M

T

W

FRESH START 2015 | Page 69

T

F

I LOVE TALKING BUSINESS! I love talking business!

If you find you need anything when you’re moving through your 2015, do not hesitate to reach out!

You can find me at:: NiceOps.com amber@ambermccue.com https://www.facebook.com/niceops https://www.twitter.com/ambermccue

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