Protect YOUR Marketing Dollars with the Art of War.

Growing a business is hard work, but you CAN make things easier for yourself. It’s about what you know.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.”

-Sun Tzu, the Art of War

Small, wisely made investments can have huge returns, but you need a battle plan, a strategy that outlines what you want and how you plan to get it.

Before you walk away from this article, let me be clear.

It doesn’t have to be complicated, it can be written on a napkin if necessary, as long as it keeps you focused on your goals.

Complicated budgets and plans are great when your going to the bank to ask for money — but unless your looking for a loan you can let go of those formalities.

YOU can decide how long or short your battle plan needs to be. Remember, this is for YOU.

Try this. Get yourself a piece of paper and write down some important questions, like this:

• What do I want?
• When would I like it?
• What am I doing to get it?
• Is what I’m doing now working for me?
• Do I want to improve upon, or stop doing any of these things?
• What else could I be doing right now to get what I want?

REMEMBER: THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE COMPLICATED.

Your notes could be as simple as:

What do I want?

More Clients.

When Do I want it?

This month I would like more new clients than last month.

What have I done in the past to get more clients?

Post Card Mail-Out.

How did that go?

Did not see very good results. Only 2 people responded.

Is there anything I can do to improve on that?

5% discount might have been too small. 10% would probably be better.

What else could I be doing to get what I want?

People keep hanging up on the answering machine rather than leaving a message to call back. Should add my website and the booking instructions to my message.

Congratulations. You have just taken the first step to improving your business, and saved yourself a lot of time and money on business consultants. Now all you need is a good battle cry.

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