When starting a business many coaches take advice from different sides. Might it be strategies or the latest tactic to achieve xyz. It all sounds promising, doesn’t it?

Later on the problem reveals itself: To grow and prosper your business needs a sound foundation and a fitting strategic plan – one that is aligned to help you reach your goals. Learn the 5 steps to set up a strategic plan.

I’m doing laps in the infinity pool – enjoying the view over the valley…

(can you imagine how awesome it is to have something as beautiful all to yourself?)

All of a sudden, I hear a deep droning sound.

The sound gets louder and then it emerges, right below my infinity pool border and…

… I’m eye to eye with a big farm tractor!

(fancy that in a vineyard)

Ok, there goes my serenity, I think…

But then everything goes pear shaped.

The tractor starts to spray something on the vines – ugh….

Random thoughts are running through my brain, “why now?” just being one of many…

What is this and how dangerous is it to inhale?

How long can I hold my breath?

Where is my towel to cover my mouth and nose?

Needless to say, I’m out of this pool pretty fast!

Back in the apartment I eye the complimentary bottle of wine suspiciously.

I thought we booked ourselves into an organic vineyard?

But there is no organic certification label on the bottle…

This evening I’m in the wine tasting area and ask the friendly young Italian whose English is a lot better than my Italian:

“What was the tractor spraying on the vines this morning?”

“It’s copper – as we are organic, we have to respray the vines every time it rains. This is what makes organic wine a lot dearer.”

I learn also that

• one spray load of copper is easily 4 times the price of normal pesticides
• the vineyard has to grow their vines organically for 8 years before they can get the certification to put the organic-label on their bottles.

Uff… 8 years!

I bet you’re wondering, what does this story have to do with you?

And no, I don’t share this story to make you jealous about my holiday ;-)

The guy who bought the vineyard years ago and decided to go organic, had a long-term vision for his business.

He was prepared to work for years on building something awesome without reaping rewards fast.

He knew there are no short-cuts in his trade.

So, what about you?

Are you in for the long haul?

Are you prepared to build your foundation and grow from there?

Being prepared that it might take some time until you reap the rewards?

Even if you are in business for a while and you are successful, there is always a new stage.

And it is back to sow and nurture before you can start to reap again.

Imagine, the wine guy tried to short-cut and sneak something in that is not allowed in organic vinery?

Or wouldn’t have done his homework and build the foundation his business can grow on?

Fortunately, businesses like yours and mine don’t need 8 years to let us reap the rewards.

But it is easy to forget about the foundation or try to wing it instead of following a strategic plan.

From there there’s really just one thing you need to do: stick to it for at least 3 months.

If you don’t see any progress in 90 days you can reevaluate and readjust, but try to change one thing at a time, so that you can tell later on, what made the difference.

Ready to work on your plan? Set – Go!

PS: If you need help on your strategic marketing plan, let me help you and book your free consultation call here.

Photo by Christiane Mohr