3 P’s of Business Planning

Martha LereduOct. 2, 2004

Business Planning Tools

• Strategic Plan• Business Plan• Business Case

When Do You Need A Plan?

• At start-up • To justify additional resources• When change happens• Before you are asked for one!

Your Library As A Business

• What is your market?• Who are your competitors?• How do you sell your products & services?• What resources do you need?• How does the environment effect your business?

Getting Started

• Incorporate your organization’s business goals• Use a group process• Summarize your SWOT• State your vision • Test your assumptions

Recognize Opportunities

• Assess the environment• Define the issue• Gather information• Develop Solutions

What To Do With Your Plan

• Use it to stay focused• Use it to say - yes• Present it to key stakeholders• Look at it often• Revise as necessary

Lessons Learned

• Change must occur to move forward • Nobody else knows what your skills are• Resources are available• The process is constant, but it gets easier• There are no guarantees