Below is a list of areas you need to consider when writing your business plan. These steps will help define business goals, reason for existence (of business), and define direction you will take.

Step 1 – Define your vision You may know inside your head why you want to start a business, and what business it will be. However, your staff will not know this information, and after a time, you too will also forget some of details. Write down what your mission is – your purpose and vision for company. This sets tone for all business and actions taken on a daily basis, working toward achieving your mission and purpose.

Step 2 – Set your goals and objectives for business Think big. Do not let your own limitations impact on what you think your business is capable of achieving. Define what you short (less than 12 months), medium (1-3 years time frame) and long term goals (usually 3-5 years timeframe) will be. Think of topics such as how much revenue do you want to generate? How many outlets will you have? How much passive income will it produce for you in future? How many customers on your database will you have? What will be your geographic area of influence? These goals will be a combination of your personal goals for your own life blended with that of life of business.

Step 3 – Define your USP In order to stand out form crowd, it is imperative that you know and define your USP – Unique Selling Proposition. What it is that you offer and provide that is different to other people in market? It may be that you offer additional services to your core product; it may be that you have a more personalised customer service approach; it may be your after sales service and warrantee on product. What is it that your customer will be attracted to above other businesses offering same service or product? Once you know this, then you can use it as a focus for your customers to recognise you and remember you.

Step 4 – Know your market Have you ever thought up a brilliant idea and began to investigate it, only to find out that another business has already started with that exact same idea? This happens daily to many people, but do not be discouraged. The marketplace is huge and can support a number of businesses providing same service. Look at petrol stations and dry cleaners as an example. So, get to know market – your market. How many competitors are there? What do they offer? What have trends been in industry? What might be future trends and predicted growth/decline of industry? Are there any benchmarks you can base your business performance on, such as profit margins, expected turnover per business size, and so on? Once you have a broader picture of market you are entering into, you will be better equipped to handle and maximise your potential business growth.

You basically have two options: Do everything yourself or invest time to get your family involved. For me, second one is ONLY option.

First off, if you are doing everything yourself, you are probably spending a lot more time with your business than with your family. Secondly, you are depriving your spouse and children of joy of owning a home business.

Why not take some of burden off of yourself by allowing your family to help you in your daily tasks. Here are a few ideas that you can implement to start getting your family involved.

SPOUSE: If your spouse is not involved with you in your home business you are missing a great opportunity to spend some much needed time with him/her. I know, this may not be everyone’s idea of quality time with your beloved, but is it not better than alternate – you doing your thing and he/she doing theirs? My wife is my biggest supporter. She is person I bounce ideas off of. She is also my proofreader. If your spouse is not in tune with what you are doing, do what you can to peak their interest and get them involved today.