Business Blast-Off Planning for 2012
Acclaimed creative coach Mariette Edwards was the first speaker of the New Year, hosting the January 5th session on business planning. Mariette began the evening with a quick, motivating presentation and then attendees broke into small groups for some insightful brainstorming sessions. Mariette had a great list of thought-provoking questions to uncover fabulous ways of improving our businesses. This was a fantastic meeting that had everyone inspired.
Mariette is an executive coach for high achieving creative professionals. Mariette's greatest gift is her ability to see possibilities others can't see. Through her company Do Your Great Work, she uses that gift to help her clients build the strategies, tactics and plans that turn their desire into results.
In trying to find answers for moving your business to the next level, Mariette stressed on the importance of SMART goals – goals that were specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. Periodization of goals was vital. She suggested a 90-day plan to define your business objective, devise a strategy, and enlist the support of a mentor or accountability partner to follow through. She also touched upon the fact that opportunities come from other people and if we are clear about what we want, then people can help bring those opportunities to us.
Another important tip was that clients today wanted more from a service provider. While being a trustworthy expert in your knowledge area is great, what sets you apart is your ability to take initiative and to anticipate the client’s need and problems before they come to you for a solution. She ended the session with these words – Plan for success, not the avoidance of failure. Anything can be achieved if you have a burning desire, the willingness to act and the courage to do it.
Mariette's work as a strategist and coach has been featured in Make a Name for Yourself by Robin Fisher Roffer, Wired for Creativity by Candace Long and 201 Best Questions To Ask On Your Interview by John Kador. Her articles and advice on business and career strategies have appeared in print and on-line around the world including The Wall Street Journal, CNN, CNN London, the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Business to Business Magazine, Atlanta NBC and more.
To read some of the questions Mariette offered for writing your business plan for the year, as well as some of the responses from the breakout sessions, visit http://www.freelanceforum.org/files/FF%20Business%20Blast-off%20Mtg.%20Ideas_2.pdf
For more information on Mariette Edwards and her company Do your Great Work, Inc., visit www.doyourgreatwork.com or reach out to her at openthedoor@doyourgreatwork.com
All images courtesy Teryl Jackson Photography.
