What’s Next?

This year, I will be concentrating on the question that I
have been asked over and over again. “What’s next?” That question comes right
after I finish the corporate documents for nonprofit or forprofit companies
that I help to set up. “What next?” tells me that even though many of us have
great ideas we need a roadmap to get the idea from a thought in our mind to
something do-able that can be part of the operations.

The roadmap to “what;s next” isn’t hard but it will take commitment and persistence. Why? Remember, a nonprofit is a business and you and your team will have to figure out everything from the money to daily operations. I use a tried and true tool called the business plan. If you complete it you will have a roadmap.

Business plans don’t have to be long and arduous. Sometimes
you just have to outline the steps from goal to results. You can even make it
fun. I remember running an experiment in my entrepreneurial class: the
assignment was to write a business plan answering eight key questions using any
mode of communication you wanted. For fun I even threw in singing it, if they
wanted. No one went for the song and dance but the assignment opened up a big
door of excitement for people to get it done in their own style. You can work
with friends, family or even solo, just do it.

Here is the free template I use at sba.gov. Take a look, sign up for free and try to answer the questions about your business. I suggest working on it now because you will have to answer those questions sooner or later for the life of your business. Don’t give up. Keep at it. I have confidence that you will be successful.