Forecasting for Strategic Planning

Follow your business plan All businesses should have both short- and long-term business plans. If you do not have a good business plan in place, how do you know you’re on the right road to achieving your goals? Now is the time to stop and check the map for directions.

I recommend:  Without a business plan telling you where you’re going, you’ll be lost in no time. For more than 500 business plans, plus a wealth of information, go to Bplans.com.

Focus on financial systems Finance is one area the small biz owner can’t afford to let things slide, and this often means financial systems need upgrading each year. Make sure that if you DO decide to upgrade, the system you choose helps you save time and money, and doesn’t require a CPA to operate it.

I recommend:  QuickBooks 2007 takes QuickBooks 2006 to the next level, offering automatic classification of business expenses, improved Shipping Manager and data back-up, Google Desktop and Google marketing tools (some free, some not). Other subscription-based add-ons include the Payroll Center, and QuickBooks Time Tracker. Not sure which version is best for your business needs? Then check out this QuickBooks Comparison.

Power up your Web presence There are still some small businesses whose online presence is minimal, and some who –gasp! –do not even have a Web site. Make 2007 the year that your Web site is given priority status – or you may find yourself lost behind your competitors.

I recommend:  Not sure how to start up or build your site? No problem – go to the Website Pros, a national, full-service site developed especially for small business people. They’ve built more than 400,000 Web sites, and whether you’d like them to do the work, or you just need some pointers on building your own site, they’re the ones to guide you through the process.

Assess equipment and services for replacement or updates Remember that old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”? That applies here. Evaluate your current office equipment, supplies, and services objectively to determine which current measures – whether they’re phone, equipment, or business supplies – are inefficient, outdated, or nickel-and-diming your business to death.

I recommend:  At BuyerZone, you can request quotes from multiple dealers for a number of small business systems, including telephone systems, security services, technology, Internet, collection agencies, and much more. For the everyday goods and small business needs, check out the amazing NEBS, which serves more than a million small biz owners a mind-boggling assortment of business-building items – from checks to promo products and workwear, to Web-based services and management tools.

Upgrade your technology The technology upgrades are endless, but some products – such as the updated Microsoft Office 2007, and the company’s Exchange Server – are must-haves for those who want to stay on the cutting edge to keep their company ahead of the competition, with efficient computer-based offerings.

I recommend:  Just in time for the New Year, Microsoft has several new products available for your small business, including Office 2007, Exchange Server 2007, and Windows Vista. In Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft has increased this messaging server’s security, the mobile workforce, and regulatory and policy compliance in this upgrade.

Re-evaluate health insurance offerings Health insurance is one of the most important benefits you can offer your workers. Unfortunately, the costs for such plans are often exorbitant, even though the benefits are often vital to the small business’s long-term success. Make it a point to evaluate your health insurance plan each year to ensure that it’s still the best one for you.

I recommend:  For more info on health insurance and the small business, check out the many great resources about how to choose a plan, which benefits to offer, and how to negotiate health plan contracts, go to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Center: Employer Toolkit.