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So you’ve set some goals, you’re feeling ambitious, and you’ve promised yourself that you’re going to follow through. You’re determined to make this year better than the last. And hopefully, it works out that way. But you’ve seen the reality, too. In spite of a sensible plan and good intentions, most people find themselves off course by March. Imagine if you could uncover the cause, stay the course, and get what you really want. The answer lies in having a solid starting point…a strategic plan that really works.

Every year, we meet thousand of decision makers around the country in our consulting and speaking work. Like you, they’re smart, ambitious, and they’re doing a decent job. But, they’re also often frustrated that they aren’t doing better. When we break down the element for them, we find that few if any of them have a good strategic plan they can work from. In fact, most of them don’t even know how to create one.

The following is a mini lesson in strategic planning. We don’t have a lot of space, but here are some important things to know when creating a basic plan.

1. Know the difference between a strategy and a tactic. Strategy is the plan that defines where you’re going. Tactics are the things you do and use to get to the destination. Sounds simple, right? You probably already know this, right? Take a closer look at any list of goals; you will find that many of those goals are tactics. This is the reason most New Year’s resolutions and company goals are off track by March.

2. Be specific. A few words can make all the difference in the direction you take your firm, and the tactics you use to implement a strategy.

Vague statement: We will improve customer service response time.
Specific statement: We will improve customer service response time will drop 29%.
Can you see how a few words change the way you might approach a challenge or opportunity?

3. Engage the aging process. Like great wine, the making of a strategic plan takes time. A strategic plan is NOT built during a weekend retreat! It evolves out of thoughts, research, information, and experiences. Spend some real time developing a strategy so that it’s the right one for your organization. Not having a strategy is hard on a firm. But having the wrong strategy, because you just threw one together, can be disastrous. On the flip side, don’t let the time frame hinder you from doing something, at least. It’s better to have some type of plan to follow, even if it isn’t exactly what you want it to be today.

4. Keep it simple. You can still be thorough without running yourself through the mill. Use the A-B-C approach:

A. Establish what you want to achieve: STRATEGY.
B. List available, realistic ways to make it happen: TACTICS
C. Select options that give the highest rewards for the lowest output: IMPLEMENTATION.

5. Follow the plan. Most plans are developed, and then put on a shelf. When (or if) they’re finally taken off the shelf for referral, you usually have to blow the dust off them. Not good. Senior management is guiltiest of not following the plan. A CEO should be able to clear everything off his desk and follow the plan daily if the plan is complete. He shouldn’t think it is meant for everyone but himself. Think of the strategic plan as the road map you and your organization use to follow your intended path. If you were to drive from California to New York, you would use a map of some sort. You’d refer to it to make sure you took all the turns and exits you need to follow the right roads, prevent getting lost, and get where you want to be. The same with the corporate map.
6.Be flexible. If, during the course of the year, you find that the plan needs some tweaking, you can certainly modify it. Be careful not to switch directions too often, as this will discredit you and your plan in the eyes of its followers. But, make sure that the plan is working in the best interests of the organization, even if that requires a sensible, justifiable change here and there.

Using these tips alone, you should be able to develop a stronger strategic plan…one that will endure through the unexpected trials that arise through the year, also. We hope this year is one full of growth and success for you. Good luck.

© David and Lorrie Goldsmith

Getting started on eBay can be overwhelming for the newcomer who has no idea where to begin. That’s why it’s helpful to look at those who have built successful businesses in this venue. To get to where they are now, the most accomplished entrepreneurs all learned to do six things. All six require willingness to study and learn — but then, so does being a successful online retailer.

1. Identify Emerging Markets
An emerging market is one in which the bid rate is growing at a faster pace than the listing rate. Unlike a hot market, which has reached its capacity, an emerging market still has room for growth. Don’t chase after hot-ticket items with saturated markets. You’re looking for neglected niche markets with greater demand than supply. Http://Andale.com and http://Hammertap.com offer market research tools that can show you what’s selling and what people are looking for.

2. Look at Your Competition
Find out who the big sellers are in your category, and look at what they do to put themselves on top. While it’s okay to borrow some of their more successful tactics for your business, don’t become a carbon copy. Distinguish yourself by catering to your particular sub-niche. Being unique allows you to build a following of loyal customers.

3. Set Your Prices
The first place to look is your competition’s prices. Bear in mind that the greater the range you average, the more reliable that average is going to be. Again market research tools can give you your item’s average selling price and also show you all the factors that influenced prices. They can interpret the data for you and show you how to get the most for your item — the best day and time to end an auction, which listing features draw the highest bids, etc.

4. Know Your Seasons
Seasons affect trends and, therefore, sales. By recognizing and anticipating the trends, you can make wise product sourcing choices. Look at your product research. In what season does an item not sell well? — that’s a good time to source it. Stock up now and bring it out later, when you know you can get the most for it. If you know a product’s seasons, you’ll know the best time to list it.

5. Create Effective Titles
Picking keywords for your listing titles is not unlike picking keywords for search engine optimization. You want words specific to your market. Generic words cause your listings to get lost in the crowd. Gregg Gunn, of market research giant http://Terapeak.com, says, “Pick keywords that are unique to your category. You don’t just want a ton of exposure — you want the right exposure.” Terapeak is beta testing a product designed to help you create optimal titles for your merchandise based on eBay data (http://www.Terapeak.com/TitleBuilder).

6. Keep Records
Don’t just look at last years’ sales results — look at how products fare from year to year and season to season. Over time, you’ll see trends emerge. Gunn states, “It’s long term thinking, not just day to day.” Studying longer time periods provides you with a better understanding of how seasonal trends affect your market. This, in turn, lets you analyze your current market circumstances and make smarter business decisions.

1) Demand–

Lets say for instance, that you have a really amazing product, and a website that looks like a million dollars–but what if you have no demand for your product?Have you ever thought about starting an internet business? It could really be as simple as opening a Yahoo Store, or on the other end of the scale, as complicated as building your own, professional, dynamic, e-commerce website. Regardless of your approach to internet business, to ensure the success of your business, you need to know of, and apply the following 7 key points. In saying that, you aren’t going to be left with a sword in a gun fight. In the online world, there are many ways to advertise and generate demand for your product. There are the choices and possibilities of advertising in Ezines, joint ventures, affiliate programs, referrals, and even as simple as encouraging word of mouth. Remember, without demand, what do you have? No sales. Where does a business without sales end up?

2) Order–

Its all well and good to have visitors to your website, but they don’t do anything for us unless they become a customer. However, its not as easy as it first appears. Now, once your visitor has turned into a customer, you need to ensure that them becoming an actual customer, is as easy as possible. A straightforward and simple ordering process will do wonders for your business. Less clicks and less time it takes for a customer to complete his or her order, the better it is.

3) Payment–

If there was any part of your business that you would not want to get wrong, it would be this–how payment is actually being transferred between you and your customers. Generally, when taking into account online businesses, the most popular method is credit card transactions. Not only are they an easier and quicker method than most other forms of payment, but it also goes to a psychological level. Credit Cards exude a “buy-now, think-later” attitude. Taking this into account, as a business, you’d be making more profit and sales if you accepted credit cards. However, in saying that, it would also be a wise decision to use alternative methods of payment. After all, the easier it is for your customer to find ways to pay you for your product, you’ll see a more efficient increase both in sales and customer numbers.

4) Fulfillment–

Now payment has been received from your customer, the path isn’t clear just yet. This is a mistake often made by new businesses. Your products need to be delivered, remember! Generally, if you sell digital products, the industry standard is for the product to be delivered instantly; generally through a download link. Your customer expects this, so ensure this is in place. Physical products require more attention to detail; namely physical delivery. Ensure that your customer is informed every step of the way. Communication is essential. If at all possible, send your customer a means of tracking the product through the course of its delivery. Feeling insecure is something your customer should never have to experience.

5) Service and Support–

A good and trusted business will always endevour to provide and utilise excellent customer service support. To a decent extent, your online business customer support will determine whether or not you get repeat purchases, or if your customer requests a refund. The support abilities of your internet business should be efficient as possible; after all, this is the industry standard. At the least, a well-structured and timely e-mail support service should be available to the customer. The more professional your online business becomes, so should your support methods. More advanced methods such as utilising online helpdesks, FAQs, live chats, a ticket system, a knowledge base, will help greatly; these are just examples, there are more support methods out there which you can use.

6) Security–

The internet business world is filled with people who are honest, trustworthy, and are willing to do everything to help the customer. But, on the other hand, the opposite is also very true. And as such, the internet community at large are getting more aware of ways to protect themselves from the internets less desirable people and activities. Namely, E-commerce frauds.

Because of this, it is up to you and your business to ensure that your visitors are protected, and to prove to them that they can trust you. Simple things, such as using a secured server to process your payments, can help more than is seen on the surface. A digital certificate can also help your business, so purchase one if you can. Physical mailing addresses, and even a phone number where your customers can contact you. Whatever you can do to provide your customers with some piece of mind.

Well there you have it! Utilising and practising these 6 keys will not only help your online business grow, but will also ensure your customers are happy, too!

You have the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed and yet, you’re still earning a pittance. If this sounds sadly familiar, what you need is a definite change in attitude to have a brighter future.

Take Risks If You Want to Earn Money
The word “risk” itself is sometimes enough to strike terror in people’s hearts. The word “risk” usually represents fear of the unknown and some people would rather not confront their fears – even if they’re offered the greatest rewards – when they can always choose to stay in their comfort zone.

If you want to earn money right now, you need to develop the courage to take risks. But be sure, of course, that you don’t get foolhardy and just leave your future completely in the hands of fate. Be daring, but don’t forget to act smart.

Be Eager to Learn If You Want to Earn Money
You can never be too thin, too rich, or in this case, too smart. There’s always room for improvement and having a sincere keenness to learn will allow you to not only earn money right now but to continue doing so in the far future. Never allow yourself to think that you already know everything there is to a certain business because when you do, that’s the time you’ll stop improving, and this gives your competitors a chance to sneak up on you.

Be Passionate If You Want to Earn Money
To earn money, you have to find something that you can care for and grow with for the rest of your life. Even if you’re earning lots of money right now from a job that you certainly don’t love, it will always ultimately end in your defeat. If you want to earn money right now and continue doing so, you need to find a job or business that you can be passionate about and never lose interest in. You – and your business – must evolve together if you wish to start and continue earning money.

Be Thrifty If You Want to Earn Money
Wealth isn’t just produced by making money. In fact, that’s just a part of it. Wealth is more importantly and mostly produced by knowing how to save money as well. You need to really understand the value of money if you want to start earning it right now. And if you do understand it, then you’ll also understand the need to be thrifty. Don’t spend if you don’t have to. Don’t spend if you can’t afford to. These are painfully simple rules to live by, but most people end up ignoring them because the opposites are sometimes just too sinfully tempting.

Do Right If You Want to Earn Money
Playing fair and square may be the long and hard road to accumulating wealth, but rest assured that it will deliver on its promise and it will end as you desire. Ignoring ethics and morals, on the other hand, may be rewarding at first but you’ll still lose in the end. If you want to earn money and continue doing so, you need to understand that a business can’t exist alone. It needs the help, support, and trust of its clients, suppliers, distributors, retailers, employees, and everyone else that it interacts with – but how can that be possible if the company doesn’t play fair?