During this year end review and the holidays I took time recently to reflect on my accomplishments this past year in preparation for 2009. First I looked for my Plan, the Plan for my Business, oh oh, the one my closest canine friend Treva munched on last April – where did I put it? I asked Treva, she looked at me, wagged her tail, and was hoping I gave her another treat. (I did).

No help there – did I really have to throw it out because of those teeth marks? But didn’t I follow it? Sure, I remember, something about my mission, my vision, goals, strategies, and action plans. I can see it clear as day now – but, where is it? Oh, I am sure I will find it. But I did follow it, I think.

Sure, I had my vision clarified; the ophthalmologist said I was 20/20 again. No, not that vision – the one about where I was going to bring the business in 5 years, who I was going to service, what target market I was looking for, what products and services I was going to provide. Sure, now I remember – boy, that was easy to do with a fill-in-the blank template.

And that mission – I remember saying there was no way I could state my vision in 8 words or less – but I sure fooled my executive coach – I did it, and actually remember it – see, I wrote it down, someplace. What was it again? Boy, I remember what a challenge that was, but then my executive coach reminded me that some of the largest companies in the world did it – "The World on Time" (FedEx), "We’re driving protection" (Pennzoil), and "We create beautiful spaces" (Ethan Allen). Simple as baking a cake! Well, almost.

Now writing those goals and objectives were wicked cool. I chose from financial, customer, employee, and process points of view. I couldn’t believe how many choices I had. Exactly, that fill-in-the blank template worked wonders. I increased sales from a to b, reduced debt from c to d, increased new accounts. I was able to create 9 specific, measurable objectives. And what was super cool was keeping each objective to one line – boy that was a challenge in precision! Now, where did I put it? Treva – do you know…

Well, I thought the almost greatest benefit (I know, not yet, you will have to wait) was creating up to 9 specific strategies. How? You guessed right again, that good old fill-in-the blank template worked wonders. One specific strategy per line, and what was equally challenging was linking the strategies to the objectives all the while reminding myself of the mission and vision I had created. Thought it might create a headache in the beginning, but not to worry, it was smooth. And I think I remember what I actually might have, sort of, accomplished. But, where is that Plan?

The action plans helped focus on the WHEN of the plan. When during the year and WHAT I was going to do – design, implement, research, complete – you get the sense this template thing could really work. Only I wish my dog had not eaten that plan!

Say, I think I remember where I could get the plan, the real plan – it was online all that time? Sure, I had it printed, the dog ate it, but it was in a computer file on the Internet. Where were my records? How cool is that. I logged into my website, entered my company name, user name, password, and before my very eyes was my very own One Page Business Plan! Boy, did I feel like a chump. It was there all year long. Oh, now I remember two other tidbits about this Plan.

The scorecards, sure, I clicked on one of the bullets next to an objective and there it was – a scorecard for my sales objective – only – I had only filled out up to April. Hmmm, will have to correct that after I go for another walk! And yup, there, next to one of the action plan items was another bullet – I clicked that and saw my progress report for that action item, complete – you guessed it, through April. Work on that after supper, and another walk.

I think I should have listened to my executive coach and taken her up on that monthly accountability coaching that she offered. I remember her saying that most business owners will let their Plans gather dust unless they agree to be held accountable.

With all that in mind, I have made my New Year Resolution – I will complete my One Page Business Plan for 2009, I will reengage my executive coach to help me be accountable to my plan, I will use it to grow my business, and, last but certainly not least, I will buy my favorite canine a box of good treats and keep them in my office at all times – lest she be tempted to eat my Internet connection the next time around. Treva, here girl!