Subject: It's time for a BOARD MEETING!
Happy New Year! It's time for your annual BOARD MEETING. If you are married, sit down with your spouse. (If you are single, sit down with yourself or a business buddy.) The agenda is simple and yet extremely effective for long range business planning. The goal is two-fold. First, determine where you'd like your business to be at this time next year. Second, communicate and share mutual goals with your spouse. This beginning of the year board meeting will include your spouse in your business (and vice versa) and will set a standard of team work within your household.
Annette's comments: I love this idea of a "board meeting" and I think hubby will too. If you have a whiteboard or anything else similar, write out your goals/ideas on that and then brainstorm with him about them on the whiteboard.
Take this meeting seriously, give it the respect it deserves. Do this without the children underfoot (this may require a little planning and perhaps even a night out with a babysitter - YOU PAY!)
Together, sit down with your calendars for the year. What events are in place for both of you? When will your spouse be in and out of town? What meetings (including kick-offs and conventions) do you have coming up? If you are attending your company's annual incentive trip, what are the dates? What activities do the children have and when?
Annette's comments: This is a huge step and a great time saver down the road. If you sit together with your calendars and force yourself to put important dates on there it's amazingly freeing - you'll know you are covered and your husband will see that your family IS top priority.
Take some time to reflect on last year. Running a home business has its own set of challenges and certainly impacts family life both positively and sometimes negatively. What worked well last year and what needs to change? Be prepared to hear some things you might not like, but try not to get defensive and take it personally.
Annette's comments: reflecting is such a great idea. Let's face it... some ideas we have are just flops BUT they can also be tweaked and made into something fantastic. Very often your spouse will have the idea that turns a dud idea into a success.
Share your business goals for this year with your spouse. What are you working towards this year? What would you like your income to be at the end of 2008 and how will that help your family? Is there another family bill that you will commit to paying this year with your business income (this is music to every spouse's ear!) What company incentives are you working toward and what's in it for your family? What help do you need from your spouse? How do you need to help him/her? Men (spouses) don't like surprises!
Finally, present your business plan. What will you need to do to accomplish this goal? How many parties and recruiting appointments must you hold each week? What will your work schedule be in terms of evenings or days when you will be out doing parties and appointments? Be ready to tweak and fine-tune based on input from your spouse.
Treat your business like a business. Have a plan, work it, and give youhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifr spouse the job of holding you accountable to the plan. You will find that communication is the key to smooth sailing in a home-based business. Put a post-it note on your bathroom mirror or your refrigerator and don't take it down…_________________(fill in your spouses name) doesn't like surprises!
Annette's comments: All great stuff here. The more you involve your spouse and family in your business the more successful you will be. Having them involved in the planning is a win win for everyone!
What do you think? I'd love your comments on if you do this or not, etc. Please comment below!
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