When I was researching and writing Tips and Traps for Writing an Effective Business Plan I identified that there were more than 450 touch-points that need to be covered to have a balanced plan for your business.

You are probably thinking, "Wah?! 450?!" and the answer is, yes.

Before you get overwhelmed hear me out. When these 450 areas are spread out over an entire business plan, this is how they shake out:

• Marketing Strategies 110
• Customer Service 59
• Sales 78
• Profit Maximization 29
• Financial Management 39
• Systemization 48
• Human Resources 59
• Leadership 52
• Lowering Costs 12

You & Your Business Evolve

When a small business is starting out the focus is on sales, marketing and customer service. The other areas certainly get dealt with in the process of running a business but when it comes to integrating and implementing them into the business that takes more time.

A small business has a limited capacity to absorb change and therefore it a focus on adding structure, processes, and systems - over a period of time - before they become a part of the DNA.

It is unrealistic and impossible to start a business from scratch and have every one of the 486 areas covered. It takes time, time to absorb and adapt to the changes that need to be made. Tell me, which of the 486 areas your business can do without? I don't think you can do without any of them and hope to have a profitable and sustainable business.

It Takes Time and Effort to Mature

Just like our kids, a business takes years to mature. Like a child a business needs to learn how to walk, talk, and eat. Often it needs a lot of care and maintenance but you keep at it you will eventually evolve your business structure and systems to a point of maturity that you have either considered or integrated everyone of those 486 strategies.

Be Patient

Remember, you, your staff, and the business have a limited capacity to absorb change. Just make a point to look at the development of your business as a multi-step process. How long it actually takes depends on many factors.

Just make sure that you have a system or process for dealing with those 486 points. You can buy my book on business planning which could be used as a guide to develop your business or you could look into my coaching programs for a more intensive and accelerated approach.