SSP Step 1) SWOT Building a SWOT chart is the first step in building your plan of action. Be honest in assessing each area. The rest of your strategic plan is built upon this exercise. Use simple bullet points. Strengths Document what you do inherently well (where are you remarkable?) and other factors that are working in • – your favor at this point in time. These are the good things that you can leverage to your advantage. Weaknesses Enter the things you don’t/can’t do well right now. These are areas you need to develop into minimum • – competence or eliminate altogether as you move forward. They are present pains and hurting your efforts. Opportunities Write down the things that can take you to the next level once you get going. What can you tap into • – to get to the next level? You will need to prioritize your activities to take advantage of these areas. List the things that are in your way or can take you down (this may include your perceived or real Threats • – competitors). Counter/eliminate them while moving forward. SSP Step 2) Mission Statement The Mission Statement for your business taps into your passion and begins to define the dream. It should be succinct, clear, and unchanging. This is where you draw a line in the sand and give purpose to your business. What does it exist for? What will it always do, even if the products change over time? What does it exist for? Use your passion. Think about the reason you wanted to start the business when it was just • – an idea. What will it always do, even if the products and services change over time? Think broader than the products and • – services you provide. Technology will change over time, and so will the needs and wants of your target market. Start Writing stare at a blank screen or sheet of paper too long. Start by writing down your thoughts, dreams, • –Don’t and desires for the business. Do mind-maps or other exercises to get going. Record yourself talking to a friend about it, and then take notes when you listen to it. Themes and keywords will start to appear.
SSP Step 1) SWOT Building a SWOT chart is the first step in building your plan of action. Be honest in assessing each area. The rest of your strategic plan is built upon this exercise. Use simple bullet points. • Strengths – Document what you do inherently well (where are you remarkable?) and other factors that are working in your favor at this point in time. These are the good things that you can leverage to your advantage. • Weaknesses – Enter the things you don’t/can’t do well right now. These are areas you need to develop into minimum competence or eliminate altogether as you move forward. They are present pains and hurting your efforts. • Opportunities – Write down the things that can take you to the next level once you get going. What can you tap into to get to the next level? You will need to prioritize your activities to take advantage of these areas. • Threats – List the things that are in your way or can take you down (this may include your perceived or real competitors). Counter/eliminate them while moving forward. SSP Step 2) Mission Statement The Mission Statement for your business taps into your passion and begins to define the dream. It should be succinct, clear, and unchanging. This is where you draw a line in the sand and give purpose to your business. What does it exist for? What will it always do, even if the products change over time? • What does it exist for? – Use your passion. Think about the reason you wanted to start the business when it was just an idea. • What will it always do, even if the products and services change over time? – Think broader than the products and services you provide. Technology will change over time, and so will the needs and wants of your target market. • Start Writing –Don’t stare at a blank screen or sheet of paper too long. Start by writing down your thoughts, dreams, and desires for the business. Do mind-maps or other exercises to get going. Record yourself talking to a friend about it, and then take notes when you listen to it. Themes and keywords will start to appear.
SSP-Template-for-CYK.docx