Writing a Long Range Plan - Part I

Some of the Etsybloggers have been talking about creating their own business plans. This can include a vision statement, profile, strategic plan, long range plan, and economic & cash flow assessments.

This all seems a bit overwhelming, but I thought it was time to start putting things down on paper. I wrote a long-range plan a few years ago at work, and it came out surprisingly well. Using the same format, I will explain here the process I used, give some examples, and you can write your own long-range plan along with me.

The plan I wrote at work was for museum preservation, and it required a list of needs. So for our first step, we will substitute a list of needs with a list of goals. That should be easy enough, but you might want to spend a few days and jot down what you want to accomplish. Now, these goals and accomplishments don't have to be completed all at once. Remember, this is a long range plan - five years is a good time frame.

My list is a bit long, but I have a lot of things I want to do:Our second step is to figure out what Action is required to accomplish your goal. Let’s look at goal #8 from my list: Build a light box and take new pics of my jewelry. Actions would include:

a)set aside money to buy materials
b) purchase materials
c) get some instructions and put the lightbox together
d) photograph my jewelry and edit the images
e) replace my current images online (especially for Etsy) with the new images

That makes five actions needed to finish goal #8.

The third step is to look at the Resources required to accomplish the Action. This might include spending money or getting some help to complete your task. Again, let's look at goal #8:

a) set aside money to buy materials - storybeader's checkbook says I can afford the materials

b) purchase materials - materials will cost about $10

c) get some instructions and put the lightbox together - I already have the instructions, and I can get DH to help me put it together

d) photograph my jewelry and edit the images - this is just going to take time - it should be fun and I can do it myself

e) replace my current images online (for Etsy) with the new images- again, time and effort on my part

The fourth and final step has to do with PRIORITIES. I’ll write about that in another post. So until then, list your Goals, figure out the Actions required, and look at your Resources.