An odd title for a post, I know....but let me explain...
There's not many people I know that want to spend their weekends researching and writing a business plan. Those that do typically do it because the bank, the board and/or investors want it done. It's a necessary evil to get something - money, line of credit, you get my point.
We've gotten so wrapped up in the document writing that we've lost sight of the REAL value of the plan - to get everyone on the same page. To debate issues, directions, growth ideas, partner and product decisions, so that we all see the destination ahead and we are taking the same plane to get there! It's the mental map people carry around in their head that matters most.
And that's why I love flipcharts. It's the best way I know to develop the plan. Flipcharts bring out the creative juices in people. They draw, debate, huddle around the page pointing and writing - they become totally engaged. I have used flipcharts for years as a way to engage a team in planning - it works. The team can see the story unfold visually as page after page is displayed around the room - key decisions get circled, diagrams get created that become key building blocks for the company, assumptions get tested, and mindsets get shared. It's a simple yet powerful technique.
Once the map is drawn, if you need a document, writing a plan is much less painful. The direction is set and now it's packaging.
So buy some flipcharts and build a REAL business plan!
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