We’ve been questioned by some for writing a business book that dares to suggest that not everyone needs a business plan. While we in no way advocate going into business without some sort of a plan (afterall, Chapter 2 of the book is titled “Have a Plan”) we believe pretty strongly that until (or until) you’re looking for formal financing/investors your business plan doesn’t need to be the formal stuffy document we all dread. And since the phrase “write a business plan” causes so many of the smart and successful businesswomen we know to get a bit itchy, we prefer to think of creating the plan for your business as an exercise in fun and creativity, not a labourious homework assignment you’re likely to procrastinate on. In the book we encourage you to get that plan down on paper (or into your computer) in a way that will make it fun, meaningful and useful to you and your business, If for you, that means making a sparkle festooned collage of your business plan and goals: go for it.
As an advocate for less stuffy business plans, you can imagine my delight then when I came across the Right Brain Business Plan website. Site owner Jennifer Lee is a coach and she’s all about doing business in ways that work for you. When it comes to business plans she likes to get very visual, she says:
“Forget those Excel spreadsheets and Word documents (at least for now!). First start off by connecting with your vision through images, colors, textures and other creative elements. By tapping into your right-brain intuition, you’ll let your imagination run wild and you’ll discover new perspectives and options that your logical left-brain may not have allowed.”
Check out the rest of her guide to making a creative business plan here, and do browse around the rest of her site as it’s full of ideas and thoughts on creating a business that fits your values.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Betsy K. // Jun 4, 2008 at 2:46 pm
I felt so justified in reading about the unconventional business plan idea. I wrote my own a few years ago, when I was just starting to think about my business(which got put on the back burner until recently). The end result was a plan that didn’t even remotely resemble what my business meant to me. Thanks Lauren and Emira for igniting the fire that got me going and trying again! I will check out Jennifer Lee too.
2 Chantal // Jun 4, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I love this book! I’m sending it to my female entrepreneur friends, and recommending it to tons of people. I came to Lauren & Emira looking for someone to build my website and help me start my own business, and while I’m still hoping to work with them, I’ve really enjoyed the book, and the way it gets across the most important messages in a way that a lot of women think.
My small group of gals that are all starting our businesses around the same time have benefited so much by sharing our thoughts and challenges with each other, and this book reads like advice from a trusted friend who’s already been there. I hope you sell millions of books!
And thanks for this post, the site on business plans is great, and even though I have an official plan, bank worthy and all, I will make one that is more creative and visual to use for daily inspiration as a reminded. Along with the lists I made in the first part of the book.
Thank you for writing :)
3 Jennifer Lee // Jun 5, 2008 at 1:27 am
Hi Lauren and Emira! Wow, I’m so thrilled to be mentioned on your awesome site. It’s so funny, I ordered your book the other week and am looking forward to reading through it when it arrives. Gotta love the synchronicity! And I wanted to mention that I just launched my new e-Book guide to making your own Right-Brain Business Plan. Looking forward to hearing from others about their own creative business planning!!
4 Emira // Jun 6, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Jennifer! So glad you stopped by. I really loved your site when I came across it. Do let us know your thoughts on the book once you’ve had a read.
Leave a Comment