If you're running a business what should you focus on first, growth or planning?  Many small to mid-sized companies focus on growth and for many of them it makes sense to do so.  But what if your company does not have a strategic business plan put together?  Does it make sense to charge ahead without a plan?  Perhaps.  Would you get in your car and head off on vacation without first knowing where you want to go?

Some of the business owners that I have worked with in the past two difficult years have told me that they want to grow their business.  Of course, they want to.  Revenues have been down for most businesses during these tough times.  When I asked them how they would grow, how they would support their customers or clients and how they would build their organization to support the higher revenue levels some of them did not have an answer.

Some business people believe that things will return to normal if they can just get revenues back to the level of two years ago.  Then they can grow and thrive from there.  The problem is, a lot has changed in recent years in terms of how business is done and what customers expect from you.  If your business is not prepared to offer a unique selling proposition, exceptional customer service and a strong personal relationship your competition will eat your lunch.

What is needed to get your business refocused on success is a clear vision, a strong mission with well thought-out goals and a plan to meet those goals.  "Our goals can only be achieved through a vehicel of a plan, in which we must fervently beileve and upon which we must vigorously act.  There is not other route to success." -Pable Picasso.  

For a business to succeed it must be driven by management, supported by employees and focused on customers.  If the employees do not understand the vision they will have difficulty doing the work necessary to help take the business in the right direction.

The vision, mission and goals are the key components of a strategic business plan.  A well thought-out plan, with clear goals and a plan to achieve those goals may seem like a daunting task.  However, most small to mid-sized companies have enough knowledge and brain power to create a plan that can move them forward with a reasonable invest of resources.