Jasz
VIP Contributor
If your business plan is more than a few months old, it's time for an update. The world has changed since you last updated it, and there are new opportunities to take advantage of in your market.
Here are five things to consider as you update your business plan.
1. Review the macro environment. The economy and industry trends can have a big impact on how your business operates. And sometimes, external factors can force you to change direction or alter how you deliver value to customers. For example, if oil prices rise or fall dramatically, it could impact the demand for biofuels and alternative fuels — even though these fuels have nothing to do with oil.
2. Focus on customer needs. Your customers value certain things in your products or services that may not be obvious at first glance (e.g., convenience, reliability). Identify these needs by asking questions like: Why did they purchase from us instead of competitors? What keeps them coming back? How do they perceive our brand? Then use that information to improve how you deliver value to them through product development, service improvements and marketing campaigns.
3. Analyze industry trends that might affect your business model or profit margins over time (e.g., increased competition). This may require changing.
Here are five things to consider as you update your business plan.
1. Review the macro environment. The economy and industry trends can have a big impact on how your business operates. And sometimes, external factors can force you to change direction or alter how you deliver value to customers. For example, if oil prices rise or fall dramatically, it could impact the demand for biofuels and alternative fuels — even though these fuels have nothing to do with oil.
2. Focus on customer needs. Your customers value certain things in your products or services that may not be obvious at first glance (e.g., convenience, reliability). Identify these needs by asking questions like: Why did they purchase from us instead of competitors? What keeps them coming back? How do they perceive our brand? Then use that information to improve how you deliver value to them through product development, service improvements and marketing campaigns.
3. Analyze industry trends that might affect your business model or profit margins over time (e.g., increased competition). This may require changing.