Do you know what you are doing?

Do you know WHY you are doing it?

Would everyone on your team have the same answers to those questions?

Once upon a time, my mentor grabbed me by the chin and challenged me with these questions: What are you doing and why are you doing it? And as I asked those questions it became obvious that my business-partner-husband and I were not on the same page. No wonder we were always frustrated with each other. The effect that had on our team members was stressful. They were confused because we would give conflicting directions. Our company culture was a mess…drama-filled and non-productive. No wonder we weren’t making any money.

What helped us, and what could help you and your team members, get on the same page? A simple, powerful, profitable business plan.

I know that business planning sounds like something you should do. Like eat more vegetables. Maybe it sounds like a drag. Perhaps it sounds like something only people who own big businesses have the time to do. Maybe it sounds like a waste of time. Most of the time, it is.

However, business planning can be a way to get clear about what you want, and commit to a plan of action that will make that happen. It can save time and frustration. It can save relationships. And the process can be fun and inspiring. It can be empowering. For you and your team.

And, are you ready to get really profitable?

My mentor also asked me if I was ready to start making money and get really profitable. It has been an incredible journey since then. Money buys options. Jim Rohn once said, “Set a goal of becoming a millionaire. Not for the money, but for what it will make of you to achieve that goal.”

And the money is nice, too. I’ve worked with hundreds of business owners. I’ve studied many more. This is what I know: Those owners who are really, really, really clear about what they want, and take aligned action, are successful. By their own yardstick. They make more money, have less stress, have better relationships, and have more fun.

Today, I am challenging you. Are you ready? To ask and answer the big questions? To put a profitable business plan in place and commit to making your dreams come true?

Join me for The Biz Plan Challenge!

And if you don’t take the Biz Plan Challenge? Well…another year is racing by. Do you have another plan for getting your team aligned and your business on track? Your business holds the potential of creating wealth and freedom. Why not fix it? Or, start fresh with another one. But don’t let another year slip by.

“It’s been about 5 months since I completed The Challenge. As I continue my business education labors – reading about business, sales, marketing etc. I am amazed at how much of what others say to do, I already did in The Biz Plan Challenge. It made it too simple – though I don’t mean to imply it was not a challenge. It was and still is work. However it is very satisfying to use it regularly and to see positive results.

“When I stood up in our BNI group to share what my business was all about I simply read the mission statement and USP from my Bare Bones Business ‘thing’ that I put together in The Biz Plan Challenge and ‘WOW!’ is what they said. ‘Did you write that or were you coached? It sounded professional. We’ve heard of doing that but never heard one actually presented.’ Of course, it IS professional, and I wrote it, with your help, input, and encouragement. AND, I’m making money with it, AND it was only from the first week of The Biz Plan Challenge.“

A great investment in my business foundation!”

Bo DeAngelo

Here’s what The Biz Plan Challenge can do for you…and REQUIRES of you…

The Biz Challenge requires that YOU meet – on time, on GoToWebinar – with me and the other The Biz Challengers once a week for eight weeks. The Biz Plan Challenge requires that you be prepared with your homework completed. What is in it for you? At the end of six weeks, you will have a living, breathing, workable PLAN, one that captures your vision and moves you in the direction of your ideal business. Then, we energize the last two weeks to revisit and improve the plan. (And, catch up if you got off track!)

Note that whatever energy you put into this process, you will receive back in multiples. Your business planning efforts reap wildly effective results.

Join me! We’ll work together on the phone, via email and webinars. Let me help you, and do what I tell you to do…and in six weeks you will be on your way…Plan in hand, making your dreams come true. This process is a combination of focusing your energy on what you really, really want and taking inspired action in that direction.

The Challenge works because it helps you…

Get clear.

Get going.

Get profitable.

 

1. You’ll see immediate results.

Each day, the work you do on your Biz Plan will start delivering results in your business and in your life. You will know where you stand, and have a simple path for getting where you want to go. You’ll have clarity on WHY you are in business and WHAT you offer and WHO would spend lots of money with you. You’ll be clear on the score…you’ll know when you are on track, or off track. And you’ll know what needs to be done to get back on track. You’ll be on your way to a better business and a more fulfilling life. You’ll have a PLAN…in writing and in action. That focus means you can work less and achieve more. It’s all about making things…easier.

2. Weekly LIVE Inter-active Webinars

Once a week, we’ll meet on the phone for one hour in a lively, interactive Webinar. The agenda will be specific and to-the-point. You and other Challengers will work together, and move easily and quickly through the exercises that will help you build your customized Biz Plan. I will coach you through it…every step.

We use GoToWebinar™ so that you can SEE the forms and checklists and systems we use to build your unique Biz Plan. It makes it so much easier when you can see living, breathing Biz Plan examples of every exercise.

BONUS! We’ll have Guest Stars joining us on the calls, successful Challengers who have put their Biz Plans together and are enjoying the results. These are real world business owners who are using focused thought, inspired action and a written PLAN to make great things happen in thier lives. They’ll share tips and encouragement to help you build your winning business! And, we’ll have renowned business experts drop in and share their experience and advice.

3. You and any or ALL team members can attend the Webinars

You and your team can work together on your business plan. This means more buy-in and less frustration for all of you. You can invite key employees to help you put the plan together and get your homework DONE.

“The Bare Bones Biz Plan Challenge was an easy, communicative tool, that spoke to not only me, but my staff as as well, (who do not have as much experience). Having a written dialogue that speaks to you makes this book user friendly.”

Mary A. Ardapple
Apple’s Bakery, Inc

BONUS for Family Businesses! The Webinars are especially great for family members. Have you found it frustrating to talk about business without arguing or someone’s feelings getting hurt? A formal, focused Webinar can take the emotion down a notch, and increase productivity. You know, I may say something you have been saying for years. It’s just easier to take from a non-family member. I’ll act as your mentor and family counselor.

4. Networking with other Biz Building Challengers

You’ll help each other as we review Challenger homework. You are not required to share your homework. However, if you are brave enough to share your Biz Plan exercises, you will be rewarded…with wild applause and great gifts.

5. The Bare Bones Biz Complete Suite (a $595 value…is included!)

GET THE COMPLETE SUITE RIGHT AWAY!! For over 20 years I have been growing businesses…my own and others. As a result, I have a GREAT collection of books, forms, files, checklists. These tools can help you build an extraordinary business. And they “dovetail” perfectly with The Bare Bones Biz Plan and The Challenge. This will also give you a chance to get a jump on reading The Bare Bones Biz Plan prior to our starting line date.

You’ll find all this on a special Challenge website …

Included are electronic versions of…..

• Where Did the Money Go?,
• How Much Should I Charge?
• The Bare Bones Biz Plan. (NOTE…we will use The Bare Bones Biz Plan as the guide book for The Challenge)
• The Weekend Biz Plan. You’ll use this as your Biz Plan refresher tool.
• ALL the forms to complete The Challenge exercises and build your Biz Plan, PLUS dozens more! The Complete Suite has tools to help you “flesh out” each section of The Bare Bones Biz Plan. This means every form I have can be customized for YOU and your business. The Complete Suite may save you YEARS of work...otherwise spent creating your Biz Plan, procedures and systems from scratch. Note the way they are organized…
• The Setting Sight Suite
• The Building the Team Suite
• The Making Money Suite
• The Getting it Sold Suite
• The Getting it Done Suite
• The Making Sure Suite

In each of these Suites are super useful files that will help you flesh out and EXPAND on the work you are doing to build your winning business plan. Save these files on your computer. Use what you like. Customized these forms to work for YOU. Every form is a result of working with my clients in the “real” world to get focused, keep track, communicate and DO what is needed to make business WORK. Some I created for my own businesses. What I have learned is that it is so much easier to edit a form than to start one from scratch. Have fun making these tools your own. The result: An extraordinary business…more impact, more money and more fun!

We’ll also send you softcover copies of the four books…

PLUS the DVD of “Is There A Business In YOU?” – a televised PBS special demonstrating The Bare Bones Business Planning process.

You’ll also get a FREE copy of the audio companion to The Bare Bones Biz Plan. This program is chock full of tips and suggestions for completing the exercises and building your own Biz Plan.

 

6. You won’t have to go it alone.

We’ll build your Biz Plan TOGETHER. I’m here to help. And, you’ll benefit from the power and encouragement of the group. We’re in this together. Your success is leveraged with the success of other group members. It makes the process FUN, too.

“The Challenge gave us the courage and the tools to take our business to the next level. It was a powerful moment when we realized that we could combine our personal values with our business goals to create a mission statement that is so much bigger and more important than just making money. We are excited to represent our company with the confidence of knowing who we are and why we do what we do. Thank you Ellen.”

April Buchschacher, Watermark Plumbing

7. You’ll work smarter…not harder. You’ll get RESULTS!

The Challenge is easy. You can DO this. Just let me be your “Pace Setter” and I will guide you through the process of building and using a POWERFUL Biz Plan…to drive you to your BEST business…and life!

BONUS! BONUS! BONUS! BONUS! BONUS! BONUS! BONUS! BONUS! BONUS!

Once you sign up for The Challenge, you can always participate in future Challenge programs. You may need a little review and dust-off of your Biz Plan. Once you are part of The Challenge community…you are welcome to play with in upcoming Challenges. You can visit Weeks One through Week Six, or just stop by for the Week that you are currently working on.

You will also benefit from the “veteran” Challengers on the call. A business plan is never done – it is always evolving. As you achieve your goals, you can add even goals to the plan. Our returning Challengers will inspire you with their accomplishments…and you will help each other.

We’ll also provide on-going “Challenger Exclusive” access to our website so that you keep USE your Biz Plan to move you in the directions of your IDEAL business and Perfect Life!

CAUTION!!

While it is easy to do The Challenge, it is easier NOT to do it. (Recognize that in your life?) That’s why your commitment to this program is required!

Why not take The Challenge…and change your life?!

Are You A Good Fit For The Challenge?

It’s not for everyone. I just don’t tolerate whining or complaining. Ready to make a dramatic, positive change? Great. Ask yourself these questions.

Do you want to…

• Get everyone on your team on the same page?
• Get rid of the day-to-day “fire fighting?”
• Make more money?
• Want more time, money and resources so that you can have a bigger, positive impact in life?

Join me. I will guide you in each Webinar and day by day, for two months. And, at the end of the program…YOU claim the rewards: A winning business and a better life. I’ll help you…

Get clear.

Get going.

Get profitable.

“Ellen helped me get much clearer on my goals and the month end reports are reflecting that!!! I will be joining you on the next challenge to finish up. It was a great experience and very helpful in getting my business where it needs to be—PROFITABLE!!!”

 

Kathy Gavin,

www.myammara.com

Why Should You Learn From Me?

My husband “Hot Rod” and his buddy Richard Yox started a plumbing and solar contracting company. Hot Rod and Yox were good technicians and they got busy…fast. Within a few years, their business grew from easy-extra-money to maxed-out-overwhelming. On a Friday afternoon, Yox complained about a remodeling project. He was fed up with the general contractor and our flaky employees. He said, “If I don’t do it myself, it will never get done.” Yox had worked about 100 hours that week and he wasn’t feeling well.

By Saturday, Yox was in the hospital. By Sunday afternoon, he died. He had health problems and didn’t take great care of himself . . . there was too much work to do. He was 33 years old. It was devastating for Hot Rod, who had been friends with Yox since they were in third grade. We were stunned. We started to recover, as you just do.

And, then I did a really stupid thing.

Yox had been the bookkeeper at Hot Rod and Yox, Inc. After he died, I raised my hand to take over those duties. Hot Rod had no interest in the paperwork, and was more productive out in the field. I had a degree in business and lots of working experience, so I figured — piece of cake — I can handle the accounting for a dinky plumbing and heating company.

I was wrong. The next few years were . . . humbling. Every month I would ask, “Where did the money go?” I didn’t know why we weren’t making any money. I would try and talk to Hot Rod about it, and all he heard was, “You are not good enough.” It was so stressful on both of us.

Then, at Hot Rod’s urging, I wrote a letter to Frank Blau. Frank is a super successful contractor and – as I was to discover – a brilliant mentor. My letter was a request for help — and a pathetic justification for why we were charging $30 per hour. Frank called me on the phone a few days later. He introduced himself by telling me I had my head so far up my #@% I would never see the light of day. He told me I didn’t know the first thing about business or accounting and that we would never make a profit. Even worse, he added, I thought I was so smart with my business degree. That degree just meant I was arrogant in my misunderstandings.

Well. I was…offended. Then, I got angry. Then, I got over it.

I called Frank back. This was the beginning of our unlikely mentorship. This mentorship, now a deep friendship, has had a rippling impact on so many others, in powerful, positive ways.

Frank is an amazing man. He’s funny and irreverent and he loves to help people make money. And he believes that one should make a good living providing essential goods and services. His meat-and-potatoes advice applies to everyone who has hung up the shingle – or plans to – offering the gifts that he or she has to share.

I am so grateful for Frank. He taught me how to make money. Frank mentored me. So, I am honor bound to help others. In 1995, I started Bare Bones Biz- a business planning and profitability consulting company to help folks turn their big ideas into successful businesses. Since then, I have helped thousands of business owners start, fix and grow their businesses. My basic approach works. With the help of some terrific investors/mentors, I started Benjamin Franklin The Punctual Plumber. Within 2 years, we went from $0 to $40 million in franchisee sales and 47 locations. I learned that the simple systems I teach work…from Main Street to Wall Street.

In The Challenge, I will be your mentor. The Bare Bones Biz Plan is a sound, simple, no-nonsense plan that will appeal to your common sense. I’ve learned a lot about building businesses over the last 20 years. From mom-and-pop-shops to a Wall Street-bound conglomerate, I have used a simple business plan to reach goals and enjoy uncommon business success. It is so much fun to envision what you want…and then make it happen. The Bare Bones Biz Plan will work…as long as you are willing to think differently and act accordingly.

One step at a time, we’ll get through it together. And YOU will reap the benefits. You get the WIN! You are six weeks away and all you have to do is say, “Yes.” I will take care of the Plan. You just have to keep up. You can do it…one step at a time.

Everyone I have worked with has helped me…to help YOU!

And, I know that I would NOT have the success I have without Frank and other amazing mentors who have shaped my life. Our family plumbing business was failing. I can’t describe the energy I saved by letting go of a bad approach and allowing myself to be helped. How freeing it is to know how to manufacture money with a profitable business!

Are you ready for The Challenge?

The #1 requirement:

You are WILLING to change the way you think and act. And, be honest with yourself, if your plan was working…you wouldn’t be reading this. Once you change, everything changes for you. Everything changes for your team. Imagine what can happen at your business when you are all aligned and inspired and moving in the same direction. Are you willing to show up for the Webinars and put your business plan together? I challenge you!

Say YES to The Challenge…and get a simple, powerful Business Plan working for you!

Not sure? Email me at contact@barebonesbiz.com or call 1-877-629-7647. Let’s find out if you are ready to do whatever it takes to succeed…if you are ready for The Challenge. Space is limited so don’t delay!

The Investment: $1,299 (This is early bird pricing! The price goes up to $1,499 after September 18^th) for the intensive six week program, The Challenge, including the Complete Suite…PLUS two additional weeks of “Biz Plan Polishing!” (This is a bargain compared to my individual consulting prices. Take advantage of it…and my offer to help!)

And, we’ll finance the program for you. Pay with your credit card…and reserve your spot with your first payment of $433.  Then, we’ll charge the card on the starting date, September 25th, and two weeks after that! – interest free! – three easy-to-cash-flow payments of $433 each.

Note: After September 18, the initial payment goes up to $633 so BUY NOW!

The starting line is September 25^th, 2012 at 4:00 pm central time.

I only want to work with people who need and want what I have to offer. That’s not everyone and I am OK with that. If for any reason you change your mind about participating in the program, I will give you ALL your money back. So, even if you are a little skeptical, why not sign up and try it out?

“Ellen was so great, she really makes the process easier to understand. I loved getting our procedures in place. I worked on our biz plan and just hit a milestone… in LESS than one year we went from 1.4 Million to…are you ready … $3+ Million…Thats 3,000,000.00 so fun to type it out. We  started 2011 with 3 people and now have 10!

So this goes to prove in a “Down economy” if you have a good product, and the drive to succeed, stay the course and follow your BBB Plan ( Even if not complete…) you can make it happen!”

Michelle Blemel
Amber Leaf Designs

Will you be there? Are you ready?

Join me for…The Challenge…

Sign up now. Just do it.

P.S. I’m so proud of these Challengers. More clarity…less drama…more money!