What continues to vex most small business owners, executives and entrepreneurs is taking action or implementation. Planning is a good thing much like the well known expression "Knowledge is Power," but implementation is the next level. For without applied knowledge or working the plan, very little focused and forward progress is made toward the desired results or goals.

Work Your Plan

Mistake: Pay for a strategic plan and leave it on a shelf or in a desk drawer. A plans purpose is action. Without action, the plan is useless and the dollars along with the other resources of time and energy invested in creating the plan are wasted.

As a small business coach, the most consistent obstacle that I hear is the inability to achieve those big hairy audacious goals (BHAG) or implementation. A plan is only as good as the effort made into working it each and every day.

To consistently work your plan begins by asking yourself the following questions:

1. Do I have all of the necessary skills to implement a plan? Plan implementation centers on the ability to consistently plan and achieve goals along with excellent leadership skills. If you do not consistently achieve your goals, then this skill set needs to be developed. Also, leadership is another skill that can be developed. Find a solution that marries both leadership and goal achievement. HINT:By doing so, you are working smarter not harder.

2. Do I have all of the necessary attitudes to implement a plan? Even with the best developed skills, without positive attitudes, the implementation of the plan is potentially doomed to fail. Improving attitudes begins by identifying those foundational beliefs that are driving the attitudes. For example, if you say you don't have the time to work your plan, then those foundational beliefs and supporting attitudes will deliver exactly what you believe.

3. Do I have all the necessary tools to implement a plan? The strategic plan requires a variety of tools for successful implementation. These tools may range from simple surveys to goal sheets.

4. What other strategies or resources will I need to implement the plan? Working a plan requires numerous strategies and resources. This may include seeking additional expert advice such as a mentor to hiring a small business coach.

5. What is my level of commitment to working the plan? Personal commitment is critical to the implementation of any plan. Each and every moment, you need to be demonstrating through your behaviors (see question number 2) that you are indeed committed to this plan. This will require effective decision making at all levels of your organization.

Working a plan is much easier than most people realize when you address these five questions. Plan implementation begins and ends with your belief of Making It So!

P.S. If you missed the previous article, click here Coaching Your Business to the Next Level Series Part 4 = Strategic Plan.

Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Good Day. Thanks for visiting. I hope that you have enjoyed my articles. In 1999, I founded ADVANCED SYSTEMS because I saw that performance could and should be doubled in warp time. Individuals, small and large businesses could not afford expensive solutions that may or may not deliver improved results in 12 months.

From my corporate, small business and education experiences, I recognized the individuals must have opportunities for connecting their passion to their purpose to secure the desired performance results, but many lacked the necessary skills, strategies and tools.

With over 20 years in sales management and 10 years in education, I understand how to unite productivity with profitability by developing a proactive working culture. My previous experiences resulted in cost savings through one of the first implementations of a computer software in a wholesaler distributor to the creation of a vendor performance assessment.

Since facilitating over 500 sessions, developing and editing over 25 training programs and writing numerous articles focusing on performance improvement, I bring a results focused approach to my clients. Also, I am proud to be one of the first five nationally certified facilitators of America?s Rising Stars (a Student Leadership developmental curriculum).

My passion is to help others connect their passion to their purpose to double performance. As The small business coach in Chicago, my clients have easily doubled their performance. Since our greatest resource is our young people, I am now working with large urban schools to generate the same results.

Education Background

• Graduated with honors from Purdue University with a B.A. in Education
• Earned M.S. from Purdue University in Instructional Design and Curriculum
• Published in the national trade journal, The Supply House Times, and numerous national newsletters
• Developed seminars and training on diversity, communication, leadership, sales, effective trade show behavior, networking, knowledge management, goal setting and improved educational outcomes
• Co-authored M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential: 7 Capicities for Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement, to be available in 2006
• Working a another book focusing on performance in public education
• Speaker in a national bureau - Resource Associates Corporation