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Milda Rowlinson

Strategy

4 Really Useful Business Planning Tips

It goes without saying that without a good business plan or a marketing strategy, your business is destined to fail. You need to know exactly where you’re headed, and you need to know exactly how you’re going to get there. Here are 4 really useful business planning tips to help your business obtain success.

 

1. Put your core values first

Core values are significantly more important than many people believe – in fact, when applied correctly, core values should play a key role in the decision-making process of your business. For example, keeping committed to environmental sustainability ensures you will always be highly regarded by partners, clients and customers that share these values.

 

2. Be realistic with resources

It’s important to understand how far your business can stretch itself before things start to fall apart. If your estimating how long it will take for a task to be completed, always allow yourself some room to breathe. Things often take longer than expected – there’s no use in putting unnecessary pressure on your team by making overly optimistic promises.

 

3. Work backwards

Whatever your long term goals are, knowing what steps you need to take to obtain them is the only way you’ll succeed. If you want to achieve a milestone by year 3, decide where you want to be by year 2, year 1 and a half, and so on. Breaking your ultimate goals into smaller, specific targets will ensure you know to reach them.

 

4. Be aware of competitors

If you want to beat your competition, you have to learn how to better them. Take a look at their websites, brochures or any other source material that’s available; understanding their services will enable you to understand how you can better them and make your target market choose you instead.

 

The most successful businesses all have a detailed plan in place. Prepare as well as you can, review and update regularly, and make sure everyone is working towards the same goals. Keep these tips in mind and your business plan should guide you towards a successful future.

To get in touch with our strategic team for some free, no obligation advice, call 01462 262020 or email hello@focus7int.com.

Milda Rowlinson
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Strategy

6 Business Lessons You Can Learn From The Great British Bake Off

The Great British Bake Off has become one of the UK’s most iconic TV shows of the decade. Over 14m people tuned in to watch Candice Brown triumph in last year’s final; and despite a channel hop and a presenter reshuffle, hopes are already high for beginning of the new series. But can we take inspiration from their success story? Here are 4 business lessons we can learn from the Great British Bake Off:

Milda Rowlinson
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Creative

5 Copy Mistakes That Keep Your Marketing From Flourishing

Creating engaging content isn’t a gift writers are born with; even talented writers struggle when they first take their skills to marketing. Blog posts, email campaigns and websites all demand a developed knowledge of how and how not to sell when it comes to creating their copy. Here are 5 copy mistakes that’s keeping your marketing from flourishing.

Milda Rowlinson
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Strategy

9 Business Lessons We Can Learn From Cats

It’s International Cat Day! This may not be the event of the year for some (we know how many dog lovers there are out there) but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any worthwhile lessons we can take from our feline friends. Here are 9 business lessons to help you become the cat’s pyjamas.

Milda Rowlinson
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digital

4 Great Social Media Tips for Directors

If you’re a director of a company, chances are you’ve got your hands full – a lot. You’ve got a hundred obligations to meet, five more meetings to attend and you haven’t even had your morning coffee yet. You’re probably thinking Facebook can wait – but if your company isn’t properly utilising social media, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity for growth.

Milda Rowlinson
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Creative

‘Content Block’ and How You Can Overcome it

Anyone who has run a blog (be it for themselves or a company) can attest to the fact that sometimes the gears just grind to a halt. No matter what the theme is, sometimes you just find yourself staring at a blank Word document, your eyes slowly beginning to water. But it doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, if you find yourself in this position, stop. You can overcome this blogstacle. You just need a change of tactics.

Milda Rowlinson
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