However, if you ask the owners why they originally started the business and what motivated them, money usually if very low on the list.

Most will describe to you phrases similar to:

I had an idea for a product and was so passionate about it I turned it into a business.

I needed freedom from my job and by starting my own business, I was able to control my time more (give time to my family, spouse etc)

I couldn’t get anyone to come into business with me, so I did myself.

I knew I could give better service with this product than what the other business’s were giving.

I was able to help people and the money was a bonus.

I needed so much to do something for myself and my family.  This gave me the opportunity to prove myself.

The list goes on……….

Most will not mention money.  The focus on money is well down the list and usually the only consideration was that they had enough to pay the business bills and provide for their family.

I will talk further about balance in my posts, but this Proverb from the Bible is a healthy reminder to us all:

“Be wise enough not to wear yourself out trying to get rich.  Your money can be gone in a flash, as if it had grown wings and flown away like an eagle”

Proverbs 23:4

Have fun out there!

John Burkhardt – Amplio Business Solutions

This is the first step to starting to organize and arrange all that information that is floating around in your brain.   Sometimes what happens next is that this generates a whole new drive on thinking about that project and getting more ideas onto paper.

At other times, by just getting that out of the brain and onto paper, the brain rests and you may not do anything with this anymore for awhile.

The most common challenge that next comes up is “it’s a mess, I have bits of paper everywhere”.  In addressing this is it important to look at how this project fits in with your current business and personal life and what priority is to be given to it.  This will drive how much time you contribute to the project, research and how to timetable it into your life.

How critical the project is a combination of emotional and physical restraints.  The emotional component drives the passion for the project.  The physical restraints are our own use of time, money etc.

The most common example is someone who is currently employed and is looking to create a second income stream in conjunction with their paid job with a view for extra income or to create a business to move into later.  How critical the project becomes depends on the difference between where they are now and the need for where they want to be.  i.e.  the project becomes driven by the clarification of your goals and the formalization of your business plan.

Different people use different methods of sorting out their concept into a logical sequence (the draft of a business plan). This ranges from inserting their existing information into a business plan template, cut and paste (literally) onto a large chart, doing the same thing on computer software etc.  Which ever method you use, it needs to be something that you can relate to and use (or delegate someone to do).  There is no point using a Word based business plan when you are a creative visual arts based person.

Choose a method that works for you.  If you don’t know where to go, ask someone who is “wired” similarly to you and see what method they use.

More information on business planning in the next blog.

John B. – Amplio Business Solutions

The most common challenge we face is the realization of just starting!

All too often these concepts and ideas are created and remain in someone’s mind.  Why?  The first area of resistance is the result of feeling embarrassed should you share that idea with someone and they think you are mad.  The second is the accountability that comes with sharing that concept or idea and then being accountable to seeing it through.  It’s much safer just not to start.

The most challenging part is to start to get your ideas into a visual written form.  For some this is a notebook carried with them with doodles and notes etc in it.  Some of us actually number and content table the pages.  Others are happy with scrap paper, napkins or sketch paper which is drawn all over.  In reality, it doesn’t really matter which method you use (computer notes included) as long as you start to un-clutter your mind and get the information into a format where you can add to it, challenge it, draw pictures and use colors etc.

So start getting your information down on paper, start to collate the information, use a process that works for you.  This information will create the basis of your business plan and organisational structure.

Regards,

John Burkhardt – Amplio Business Solutions

It compliments all of your Organizational roles (Job Descriptions), Branding, Marketing, Systems design, and underpins your Ethos and business values.

At Amplio we teach a quick one page business planning tool to simplify and clarify what your next steps should be.  It can be applied to all types of challenges, business decisions and keeps your focus on working out solutions rather than focusing on your problem.

A great organizational structure and plan will:

Guide business decisions in short, medium and long term tasks
Be easy for the organization to focus on and provide business focus
Align the business operations with your ethos and values
Distinguish between your roles of the business owner or director and your role within the business

One of Amplio’s strengths is getting businesses to move their thinking from people positions to job descriptions (including templates) with the focus on supporting the staff for that role with the applicable training, skills, tools and reporting lines.

The benefits to the organization be it from a start up business, franchise remodel or existing business is amazing.

The complimenting coaching on the mindset to accompany this strategy is very important to establishing high calibre, high achieving, balanced teams.

A quick example of going from a two person business to putting on an employee involves:

Identifying your current roles with in the business and what tasks are completed
What tools or equipment are required to complete these tasks?
What skills are required to achieve these tasks at an acceptable level?
What training is required to achieve these tasks at an extraordinary level?
What systems are in place currently either mentally, manually or electronically?

With this information we can create a flowchart of any particular process and identify tasks, equipment, tools, skills, training and much more.  We are also able to create an organizational chart of the roles involved in your business.  More often than not, you as the owner are in every role.

The focus then is to take the visual off the person (owner) doing the role (multiple roles) to what roles there are and who would be best to fill those roles.  i.e. what skills and training should that person have?

This process releases a lot of information from you and you will often (with coaching) create new solutions to old challenges which greatly improve your business performance. i.e. new or updated equipment or maintenance, training, apprenticeships, outsourcing etc.

The most common area which can be outsourced at a reasonable rate with a high quality outcome and high return on investment (ROI) is book keeping.  It is usually inherited by the spouse anyway and the most common bugbear of small business.  P.S. Your Accountant will love you for it.

A new and improved way of thinking and organising your business awaits.

John Burkhardt – Amplio Business Solutions

At Amplio we have provided a business links page for some Government and private businesses which provide mainly free tools to understanding business, business planning and business development.

The main aim is to start.  Get the ideas onto paper and start organizing it.  How would you expect to get expert input or raise finance if you have nothing to show them.

Think like you are going to franchise this business in the future.  Let it underpin everything you do with marketing, systems, attitude, planning etc.  Open your eyes to a better way of doing things.

Finally, contract a business coach to assist you in questioning your motives, your plans and direction.  The main thing here is the questioning so that you have thought about everything you need to, fill in the gaps and move on.  This is not mean to be a negative or counterproductive exercise, but rather one that stretches the mind to create better or new ways of looking at things.

What we find way to often is that people fear coaches or other professionals and attach a stigma to them.  To be quite honest, most wish to only help you, this is what they are great at and they really don’t want others to go through the mistakes and pain that they have been through themselves in learning.

Have fun. John Burkhardt – Amplio Business Solutions

You have ideas floating around your head, people giving you advice (some of which have never had a business in their life) and the more you think of it the more confused and demotivated you become.

We have all heard of the statistics, you know the ones about how many businesses survive etc.  The reality is you don’t want to focus on that, you need to focus on what the ones who do survive, prosper and grow are doing.  In nearly all cases:

Formal education is not a pre-requisite
They have a written concise and well thought out plan has been utilized
They have surrounded themselves with people they respect for mentoring
They have connected to local Church, Social, Sporting and Business networking groups
They are passionate about their product or services
They are willing to make mistakes and learn from them
They work with professionals in the finance, insurance, financial planning, accounting and legal sectors for quality advice
They monitor (not do) everything in their business.  They have their finger on the pulse of their business
They reward themselves
They crave knowledge and wisdom   and much more!
Now that you have that to think about, I’ll do more shortly.

John Burkhardt – Amplio Business Solutions

We have all heard of the statistics, you know the ones about how many businesses survive etc.  The reality is you don’t want to focus on that, you need to focus on what the ones who do survive, prosper and grow are doing.  In nearly all cases:

Formal education is not a prerequsite
They have a written concise and well thought out plan has been utilised
They have surrounded themselves with people they respect for mentoring
They have connected to local Church, Social, Sporting and Business networking groups
They are passionate about their product or services
They are willing to make mistakes and learn from them
They work with professionals in the finance, insurance, financial planning, accounting and legal sectors for quality advice
They monitor (not do) everything in their business.  They have their finger on the pulse of their business
They reward themselves
They crave knowledge and wisdom and much more!

At Amplio we have provided a business links page for some government and private businesses which provide mainly free tools to understanding business, business planning and business development.

The main aim is to start. Get the ideas onto paper and start organising it.  How would you expect to get expert input or raise finance if you have nothing to show them.

Think like you are going to franchise this business in the future.  Let it underpin everything you do with marketing, systems, attitude, planning etc.  Open your eyes to a better way of doing things.

Finally, contract a business coach to assist you in questioning your motives, your plans and direction.  The main thing here is the questioning so that you have thought about everything you need to, fill in the gaps and move on.  This is not mean to be a negative or counterproductive exercise, but rather one that stetches the mind to create better or new ways of looking at things.

More information at www.AmplioBusinessSolutions.com