Mary Kay Ash of Mary Kay Cosmetics famously stated: ‘Ideas are a dime a dozen. People who implement them are priceless.’ This is where a business coach can be invaluable. The fastest way to learn is to study a successful person who has walked the path you want to walk.

Ok, so you’ve done your homework and your business idea is feasible. You’ve started your business and you’re ready to conquer the world. What’s the next step in business best practice? A business plan. 

Starting a business is an incredible journey, but it’s not one for the faint-hearted. As an accountant and business coach for over 11 years, I know what it takes for an SME to succeed in a sea of competitors. The best piece of advice I can give? Proper planning!

With an early stage business, if you are not meeting a customer need you don’t have a business. Access to customers and their feedback is vital for a new venture or start-up business. If research (however preliminary) shows customers are willing to buy what you’re selling, all other parts of the business can grow from this starting point.

An effective business planning process gets to the heart and soul of your business.