Development Plans – One Size Doesn't Fit All
What has a onesie got to do with business?
The whole idea behind a onesie is that it’s a piece of clothing designed to fit a wide range of body sizes and shapes. It falls into the category of ‘one size fits all.’ In terms of covering up what it must, it does a pretty good job. But, let’s be honest, one could hardly call a onesie stylish or well-fitting (unless, of course, you’re one of those rare individuals who happens to have a body that exactly fits the garment). And therein lies the point: with a onesie, it’s the body that fits the garment, not the garment fitting the body.
Business Development Plans: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Why am I talking about this? Well, it seems that some people treat developing a business much like slipping on a onesie. They’ve got a set formula, and they stick to it, putting every business through the same process. Don’t get me wrong, having good business development processes is crucial. It helps you measure what you’re doing and repeat what works well. But here’s the catch: what works well for one business won’t necessarily work for another, because in business development, one size most certainly does not fit all.
Understanding the Unique Nature of Each Business
The first and most important step in any business development strategy is understanding the business you’re trying to develop—whether it’s your own or someone else’s. You can’t start making a plan without taking the time to dig into the core of the business. That means asking lots of questions to find out what really drives the company:
- Who is your target market?
- What is your unique selling point (USP)?
- Who are your main customers?
- Which products or services are most profitable?
- What are your short- and long-term goals (1, 3, 5 years)?
Without a deep understanding of the business, how can you expect to develop it and drive it to greater success? A good development plan is not something you pull off the shelf. It’s bespoke. It’s built around the unique needs and goals of the business in question.
Tailoring the Plan to Fit Your Business
From the answers to those key questions, a business development plan can be created. As we often say in the office, “You’ve gotta have a plan, Stan!” The more detailed the answers, the easier it becomes to write a development plan that is practical, achievable and most importantly, unique to your business. A one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t work.
Your business development plan should be as tailored to your company as a custom-fitted suit is to your body. Just like a bespoke suit, it needs to fit your shape, your goals and your challenges perfectly. Trying to squeeze your business into a one-size-fits-all solution is like trying to make a onesie look chic on a night out—it’s just not going to cut it!
Revisiting the Plan: It’s a Living Document
One of the most common mistakes businesses make is treating a development plan as a static document. You don’t just write it, set it in stone and leave it in the drawer. It’s important to review and adjust the plan regularly as your business evolves and the market changes. What worked in 2014 might not work by 2015. Stay adaptable.
At The Last Hurdle, we believe in creating flexible, tailor-made strategies that fit your business’s unique needs and ambitions. So, when it comes to business development, remember—onesies may be fine for lounging around the house, but they won’t work for your company’s growth plan!
If you’re ready to develop a strategy that truly fits your business, give us a call and let’s start building something that works for you.
