"A business plan? I don't need to write down a business plan. I have it all in my head."

I hear it all the time. No one can question your decision because you can say, "That's part of my business plan" and you don't have to prove it because it's living in your head and not visible on paper. How do you build a successful business on that? You don't. An attorney I once worked for told me, "If it's not in writing it didn't happen."A business plan is your road map to success, and setting realistic goals is a huge part of your business strategy. More importantly, a business plan must be in writing. Let me say that one more time: A business plan must be in writing.Lenders require a written business plan if you are applying for a loan to help fund your business, but a written business plan is just the beginning.Writing down your goals is also a valuable tool in the toolbox to success. Being able to see your business goals has more of an impact. It makes them real.So, how do you measure goals? You set milestones.Milestones are specific, concrete achievements, such as a new product launch, the opening of a new location, or the number of reviews you have on social media. Milestones are what you use to track results, and review and revise your plan. Without tracking and review, there is no management, and no accountability.However, it's not enough to just set milestones, you have to actually achieve them. Milestones turn your business from a dream to a reality.From "Wow, wouldn't it be great if we could …" to "Wow, look what we've accomplish!"Give each milestone a name or title:• Project• Due date• Budget• Person responsibleInclude ending dates, what the benefits of reaching the goal will be and make sure those benefits are measurable.Another important step is to make sure all your people know what the plan is and that they follow it.If you don't communicate the importance of the plan with your employees, they will not have any buy-in and the plan will not be implemented.Develop milestones by thinking through your strategy, tactics and actions for your business.Use them to facilitate real management then make sure you have a monthly review meeting so you can get together with key employees to verify progress for each milestone, and make course corrections. Look at the milestones that were due and those coming up and ask the questions:• Are we on budget?• Are we on time?• Do we need to make any corrections?• Did we achieve the desired results?Being successful in business is not brain surgery, but it does take a lot of effort and paying attention to the details.If you are looking for funding for your business, my office can help.The Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corp. offers low-interest loans to businesses that just need a hand up or need long-term solutions.We also offer counseling services free of charge through Wilkes University's Small Business Development Center.So what are you waiting for? Call our office today at 610-379-5000 to schedule an appointment!