March 2014
www.dakotasupplygroup.com
SPOTLIGHT Tom's
Current
What’s Your Plan? I really enjoy the work of Larry Winget, a motivational speaker with an in-your-face, back-to-basics style that is very refreshing. He is aggressive and confrontational, but his message has a truth to it that can’t be denied. One of his most famous quotes goes something like this: “Nobody ever wrote down a plan to be broke, fat, lazy or stupid. Those are the things that happen when you don’t have a plan.” As you can see, Larry doesn’t mince words. Thankfully, that makes his meaning unmistakable. You must plan for success in order to succeed. That’s easier said than done, I know – especially when you get up at 5:30 a.m., work until 7 p.m., then do your paperwork when you get home and then start over the next day. Oftentimes “planning” ends up in the “when I get some time” file along with fixing up that old car in your garage and working on your golf swing. Meanwhile, your business is cruising along without a road map. One of the biggest problems of doing business without a plan is that sometimes it works. The media is full of stories about entrepreneurs that stumble blindly into success in spite of their lack of preparation. These rags-to-riches tales capture our imagination. “That could be me!” we tell ourselves, but here’s the thing: Those entrepreneurs may have had a big idea or worked incredibly hard, but they also have something in common – they got lucky. Lucky that their idea became
a trend. Lucky that they stumbled onto a huge project. Lucky that they didn’t make a mistake that blew the whole thing. One out of a hundred businesses get lucky. The rest of us have to make our own luck. Businesses that have a plan are prepared for problems and poised to take advantage of opportunities. Are you? What’s your plan for reaching new customers? What are you doing to train and retain your employees? How much do you need to charge per hour to make a profit? How much should you be saving or reinvesting in your business? A plan means fewer surprises, and that’s the first step in controlling your own destiny rather than leaving your future to chance. Start planning today, but don’t be afraid to ask for help. Talk to your banker and your accountant, if you have one. Then talk to your representative here at DSG. We have proven resources and a lot of experience helping businesspeople just like you. Larry Winget is right – planning for success is the surest way to attain it. Ask us how.