When we ask business owners if they have a business plan, we often hear:
“Yeah, it’s in my head somewhere…”
Or worse:
“Yeah, it’s on a wall somewhere but I haven’t looked at it in a while.”

That’s not a business plan.
That’s a forgotten idea.

In this week’s Business Success Conversation, the Carthy team talks about what a business plan really is, and how to keep it working for you every single day.

A business plan isn’t a one-time document. It should be a living, breathing part of your business.

A Plan That Lives, Breathes and Guides You

A business plan isn’t a one-time task.
It’s a living document. Something you return to regularly to guide decisions, measure progress and course-correct when needed.

Whether it’s every 90 days or once a year, your plan should be:

• Reviewed
• Updated
• Used as a decision-making tool

If you’ve written one and it’s now collecting dust, it’s time to pull it back out.

Use It to Align Every Decision

Every action you take, from hiring to spending to marketing, should tie back to the plan.
Every decision in your business should align with your vision, values and business plan. If it doesn’t, why are you doing it?

That’s why we say:
Look at your business plan daily.

It’s not about adding admin to your day.
It’s about keeping your direction clear and your choices consistent.

It All Starts with Personal Goals

Before you map out revenue, team size or operations, ask yourself:
What do I want from my life?

If your personal goal is to take 10 holidays a year, you need a business that can:

• Fund that lifestyle
• Function without you
• Support a team that keeps things moving while you’re away

Your business plan should be built around you because that’s what makes it meaningful.

Helping You Get The Business You Want

Your business plan should be more than a one-time exercise.
It should be the lens through which you make every major decision.
And it should start with your life, not just your product or service.

Need help bringing your plan to life (or updating one that’s been gathering dust)?
Get in touch today: https://carthyaccountants.co.uk/contact