Doug Ott Consulting, LLC

  • Home
  • About
    • About Doug
    • Clients We Serve
    • Testimonials
  • Services
    • Coaching
    • Training
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Payment
  • Home
  • About
    • About Doug
    • Clients We Serve
    • Testimonials
  • Services
    • Coaching
    • Training
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Payment

Blog

you can plan on it!

12/16/2020

 
​How many of you sat down this time last year, put together a well-thought-out plan for 2020, had a strong start to the year, and then saw it all unravel in March?

For those raising your hands, how many of you adjusted your plan soon thereafter to adapt to the new market?

It was not an easy task for most of us since we felt like we were flying without instruments in an unpredictable storm. Who would think that our grandiose plans could be uprooted from something so unexpected? And the scary thought today is that we are still in the thick of it, yet many have learned to fly without instruments. Others have even been able to fix the instruments to allow them to fly above the storm.
​Wherever you may be at this stage of your business, one thing is for certain; taking the time to figure out what your plan is for 2021 is still an important part of growing your business.

It is difficult to plan for outcome, i.e., results, but it easy to plan for output, i.e., activity. Predicting how much revenue you bring in over the year is hard because you cannot control how and when your clients purchase your services. You can, however, control how much time you invest in your business such as reaching out to your contacts, writing articles, and staying active on social media. This activity increases your chances of winning more work simply by staying top of mind with your network.

Sure, there are times when you can be buried with work and business development can get pushed to the back burner. We are all guilty of this to a certain degree, yet this is a slippery slope many professionals slide down when that “I am too busy for BD” excuse extends from days to weeks.

In a time when we really do not know when this storm will pass, we cannot afford to get lazy, even if you had a better-than-expected 2020. While you start planning your business growth for the coming year, think about how you want to prioritize and invest your time. Set measurable goals and realistic yet specific timelines for when you want to accomplish those goals. Hold yourself accountable or find someone else to hold you accountable for reaching those goals.

Most of you are not moving mountains here. You have had time to learn and adapt to the new market. You now know how to work Zoom. You have a home office that is functional and somewhat kid-proof. You realize that in-person meetings are not the only way to conduct business development. You might have experienced a virtual conference that was productive and even conducive to meeting new people.

Bottom line - the business development basics have not changed. Activity begets results. The more active you are with your network and building your pipeline, the more business you will bring in. Waiting for the phone to ring is not an effective business plan in today’s market.

Could your plan be uprooted again? Sure, but I have a good feeling that next year will be a little bit better than this year.

Now is a great time to think about how you want to continue to adjust and thrive in this new market. Write it down, get creative, and make it happen!


Comments are closed.

    Archives

    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    December 2018
    January 2018
    March 2017
    January 2017

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

have a question or want to learn more? Contact doug Directly: 

EMAIL: [email protected]    |    PHONE: 415.350.9423    |
Picture

© 2023 Doug Ott Consulting, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Website by RyTech, LLC