This will be my last King and the Moat Contractor column for Metal Architecture. After over 70 consecutive monthly columns, I first want to say it has been a pleasure working with Marcy Marro, the editor of Metal Architecture. Through the lectures of the King to Slide Rule the architect, and Igor the contractor, Marcy has allowed me to explore strategic, business and marketing planning as well as business development, by telling stories and quoting many notable authors. I even wrote a sonnet, which is probably the first sonnet ever printed in a construction magazine.
Many of the stories were based upon my own experiences. For example, I went to a chiropractor, so the King went to a chiropractor; I went on a diet, and the King, Slide and Igor all went on a diet. I had open heart surgery and that also became a lead into a story where I interweaved my points about surviving in today’s business economy.
The messages in my columns have been consistent over the last six plus years. The King always lectured Slide Rule and Igor on the virtues of business planning, and by setting goals and objectives and measuring results, you can control your firm’s destiny. Please understand this one point, planning gives you the tools to react to the signs of the economy and to competitive threats, and by constantly positioning your firm and providing real VALUE that goes well beyond the expressed needs and wants of the prospect, you can become victorious over your competition. Remember, if you don’t plan and set benchmarks, you have nothing to measure against what actually happened.
The King is no different. The King and the Moat Contractor column will continue in several expanded formats. In the first quarter of 2014, a new book will be released featuring the best of the King in both print and Kindle formats. Also, the King will continue in a new industry Ezine called Business Development where new columns, as well as older columns will appear. The new Ezine can be found at www.bd4aec.org.
The following quote has been attributed to many authors: “The business of business, is business.”
It’s not a whimsical statement, but a serious suggestion that, in fact, many principals do not work ON their business, they work IN their business. By embracing the business-planning philosophy, and working ON your business, you will be in a much better position than your competition. This means that the last two months of your accounting year are planning months, where an orchestrated set of goals and objectives are reviewed in light of the economy, past years’ performance and what is expected the following year. Remember, a strategic plan is five-to-seven years out, a business plan is an annual event that answers the question, what are we going to do this year to satisfy the long-range plan, and the marketing plan supports the annual business plan, and in turn, supports the long-range plan.
For all of you who have read my columns, I would like to say thank you for your letters, emails and telephone calls. I would like to make the following offer to my readers: if you send me an email at ramckenzie.compass@gmail.com, I will forward you a business plan outline that has endured the test of time, and will be a perfect tool to review your own plan, or to start a new one. Since the end of the year is approaching, you might find this a valuable tool going into 2014.
I wish all my readers continued business success. I hope that I’ve helped you reach your business goals and to think of planning as an important part of your business. I make my home with my wife Pamela in Las Vegas, not far away from the most famous Castle in the Las Vegas desert, where much of the inspiration for the King and the Moat contractor started. I continue to consult with companies across the United States, and speak at trade shows and seminars. You can reach out to me at any time if you have questions about business planning and marketing.
One last point, in business, as in life, you must always pause for a moment and step back and reflect on the big picture, which will provide you with the proper perspective for you to grow and prosper.
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Ronald A. McKenzie is president of COMPASS Consultants Corp., a strategic planning and marketing company specializing in developing business growth. He is a published author and has made nationwide presentations on the subject of strategic planning and marketing. He resides in Las Vegas and can be reached at ramckenzie.compass@gmail.com and www.compassconsultantscorp.com.