This document provides guidance on creating an effective business plan and operations manual for an interior decorating, home staging or design business. It discusses key elements to include such as a mission statement, vision statement, objectives, strategies, and action plans. The mission statement should clearly communicate the business's goals and philosophies. The vision statement describes the future aspirations. Objectives are specific, measurable goals that support the mission. Strategies outline the internal and external approaches for achieving objectives and the vision. Finally, action plans detail the specific work needed to execute the strategies. The overall purpose is to create focus, alignment and accountability for business success.

1. A blueprint for creating an effective business plan & operations manual for your interior decorating, home staging or design related business. Plan You are here Success! Execute Dream Design Board for Your Biz ™ 1 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

2. What & How What are we going to cover? How to create a Design Board for Your Biz. How to use the Design Board for Your Biz as a strategic planning and growth tool. 2 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

3. Why is a Biz Plan Important? Without it, you’ll be you lost! There are many different ways to get where you are going, life is short, time is precious, don’t you want to take the quickest route? 3 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

4. Blueprint & Communication Tool Not only is a business plan your blueprint for success, it’s also a communication tool. Share it with investors, employees, team members, vendors, referral sources, coaches, mentors & mastermind groups. 4 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

5. Key Questions To Get Started What product or service does your business provide, and what needs does it fulfill? Who are your potential customers & why will they purchase from you? How are you going to reach your potential customers? Where will you get the financial resources to start and grow your business? 5 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

6. A Fabulously Simple Biz Plan Mission Vision Objectives Strategies Plans 6 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

7. Part 1: Crafting Your Mission Statement Your mission statement, in a few succinct sentences, the essence of your business's goals and the philosophies underlying them. Equally important, the mission statement signals what your business is all about to your customers, employees, suppliers and the community. To craft your mission statement, it’s important to get clarity about your business. Start by asking yourself a few key questions. 7 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

8. Great Mission Statements The mission of Southwest Airlines is dedication to the highest quality of Customer Service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and Company Spirit. * Helping people make their homes more beautiful, organized and healthy by connecting them to a wealth of resources, ideas and community online. – (Apartment Therapy) Facebook 's mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. 8 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

9. Final Thoughts on Mission Statements Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc. 9 Involve others. Schedule it. Brainstorm. Choose Your Words Wisely

10. Part 2: Creating YOUR Vision Statement Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc. 10 Your vision statement(s) answers this question: “What are we building?” and “What do we want to be?” Focus is on the future Guides the mission and business plan Should be a memorable and engaging expression of hope and inspiration.

11. Sample Vision Statements Our vision is to be earth's most customer centric company; to build a place where people can come to find and discover anything they might want to buy online. - AMAZON "To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world” * If you have a body, you are an athlete. – NIKE Our vision is to expand our locations both domestic and overseas by being the largest and most profitable airline company to achieve both short and long-haul carriers efficiently and with low cost. Also to be an airline carrier that has the most productive workforce to guarantee the best flight possible for each and every passenger. – SOUTHWEST AIRLINES 11 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

12. Final Thoughts on Vision Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc. 12 Create it for the right reasons. Let it evolve. KISS it, baby. Focus & Clarity Own it! Live it.

13. Part 3: Objectives Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc. 13 Specify results and activities Must be measureable Can related to financials, performance, customer satisfaction and other key elements of success.

14. Sample Business Objectives Goal: “Empower DIY homeowners to affordably and easily live in beautiful spaces.” Objectives: A prototype of our custom design process & plan with 90% of the steps and information will be available for testing 20 days before the launch date. Interiority Complex will be able to assist our customers and prospects in reaching their design goals 99.5 percent of the time. In a customer focus group, 80 percent of Interiority Complex customers will rate their experience 4-5 stars (see customer survey.) A follow up phone call and e-mail will be sent to every prospect or customer to determine their level of satisfaction and percentage of design goals met. 14 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

15. Final Thought on Business Objectives Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc. 15 Objectives define a goal. They are: Specific Measureable Action-Oriented Realistic Time-bound

16. Part 4: Strategies Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc. 16 How are we going to build this company over time? What will make this business successful over time?’ How will we achieve our goals? How will our vision bring our mission to life?

17. Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc. 17

18. Definition Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc. 18 The definition of business strategy is a long term plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal or set of goals or objectives. Strategy is your game plan for strengthening the performance of your business enterprise. It states how business should be conducted to achieve the desired goals. Without a strategy management has no roadmap to guide them. Internal vs. External.

19. Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc. 19 Graphic Provided by from Small Biz U

20. Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc. 20 Mission & Vision Internal & External Strategy

21. What is Internal Strategy? 21 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

22. 3 Principles of Internal Strategy Creation Create Preserve De-Clutter Remember to find your OWN style, niche, place of authenticity. What are you passionate about? What can you be best at? What drives the economic engine? 22 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

23. Sample Internal Business Strategies Create new assets Leverage existing assets Buy assets of another Abandon old assets 23 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

24. Final Thought on Internal Business Strategies Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc. 24 How: Inside-out, creative. Who: Organization What: Assets Result: Innovation

25. What is External Strategy? It’s about your approach to communications. Built from the customer backwards. The focus is purely strategic as opposed to creative. Positioning the product/service 25 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

26. Positioning Get there first or find a niche Positioning yourself to the leader Repositioning the competition 26 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

27. The Importance of Being First 27 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

28. Positioning to a leader 28 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

29. Step into your niche & Own it! 29 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

30. Repositioning 30 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

31. Tylenol Bursts the Aspirin Bubble 31 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

32. Final Thought on External Business Strategies Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc. 32 Start with the consumer in mind. What position do I already own in the mind of the prospect? Customer focused. Use communications. Positioning is key.

33. Part 5: Plans Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc. 33 What is the work to be done?

34. Design Action Plans It’s not enough to talk about it…you must say how and why This section will help you in the development and prioritization of your plans and in relating them to specific objectives and or strategies. 34 Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc.

35. Tips for Success Copyright 2010 (c) Ashley Whittenberger Companies, Inc. 35 Spend at least ½-1 day a month working ON your business. Schedule it NOW! Remember the purpose of this exercise is to create focus, alignment and accountability.