The Present.

Remember that famous line by Eleanor Roosevelt "'Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that is why it is called the present."? It is a personal mantra for me, it helps me focus on intentionally enjoying the present minute, hour and day. Because every single day, just like the one before it, came to pass.

One area in which I am completely focused on the future, is in my work, creating best-fit strategies for businesses and start-ups. In crafting Business Plans, the focus should not only be on the present, otherwise it will merely be a reactionary to do list or at best, a tactical plan and never a strategic one.

A lot of decisions needs to be made while building a business: pricing, location, marketing, hiring, finances, partnerships, production and so much more. If there is no explicit, clear and targeted strategy written and agreed upon to guide these decisions, it will be nearly impossible to use that as a vehicle to drive your brand towards its long term goals.

A well-defined, research-based and tested strategy document is the most important tool your business can have. It can make the difference between success (achieving your goals) or failing. It serves as the roadmap to your vision, helps you stay relevant to your mission and simplifies your decision making, while ensuring you are perfectly aligned and not straying from your path.

Your business strategy is the vital link that connects the present with the future and it has to be dynamic and adaptable enough to take whatever happens on the journey. Ever heard it said that "tomorrow never comes"? It does, but it always arrives as today, in other words, your strategy must begin with your future. So gift your business a partner who understands how your long-term goals (the future) ties in with the present.

That is why we exist at VANOTO, to help create that profitable business that is a perfect fit for your vision.

Olanike@vanotoconsults.com