7. Do a human resource compliance audit and stay out of legal trouble. Unless you have a fully staffed HR department, you may not be aware of all of compliance laws regarding employees. Have an audit done by an outside professional and prevent problems that could result in million dollar lawsuits by unhappy ex-employees.

8. Know your top 10 customers - what more can you do for them, where can you find more just like them. List your top ten customers by sales volume and let everyone in your organization know who they are. Are they in a particular geographic region, of a particular type - what is similar about them? Do everything you can to build on those relationships.

9. Get a coach or mentor, or join a business support group. Build accountability into your own personal planning by asking others to help you turn your dreams into reality. Enlist people who you can trust to give you objective feedback and create deadlines for your planned successes. 10. Make a list of year's accomplishments and celebrate your successes with your employees. Don't forget to acknowledge and celebrate each of your milestones. The best part of creating a plan is to know when you've reached your goals, allowing some time to pause and appreciate accomplishment, and begin to create your next set of goals.

Who may apply and what are conditions?

Any entrepreneur may apply for entering an incubator program on condition that his business project is viable or his business has great potential. An necessary condition is that applicant must have a business plan containing relevant information.

There are also specific conditions and requirements for admission into such programs that vary from case to case, usually referring to business industry, business location, for-profit/non-profit strategy of businesses or financing means.

Programs usually last up to three years.

Advantages and disadvantages of resorting to a business incubator

On one hand, business incubators provide:

• financing, without requiring
• customized professional assistance
• entrepreneurial training
• economical access to facilities
• inexpensive business services
• opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect with people who can promote business growth and profits
• a forum for exchange of ideas among entrepreneurs

On other hand, there may be some inconveniences too with business incubators. For instance, with incubators that have goal of gaining a profit, necessary agreement to be reached upon can be most of times a very cumbersome one for most firms.

Also, with non-profit incubators sponsored by governments there is tendency to favor high tech startups that plan for rapid growth (as thus they will create more jobs) rather than more traditional businesses.

However, business incubators may be a very helpful opportunity to start your business; they can constitute a real boost for a beginner business.

Laura Ciocan writes for http://www.businessplanning.ws where you can find more information about what is a business plan