Imagine just for a moment going to the grocery store and that you all of a sudden you realize that you left your written grocery list at home. What happens is usually the beginning of a disaster - you SPEND more more, time and feelings. And what you probably didn't realize is that grocery store owner absolutely loves you because your unplanned SPENDING made him that more richer for the day. By not having that written list or plan, you are now on the grocery's owner plan. Your destiny is now controlled by another. Is that you truly want?

Now, think about your business. If you don't have a written plan of who does what by when or what some call a strategic plan, then the destiny of your business is potentially being controlled by another and it may just be your competition. Have you ever asked yourself these questions:

• Is your business where you wish it to be?
• Do you wonder why others in the same industry appear to have more success?
• Are you curious how others are starting new businesses in the same or similar industry when your business is not growing and possibly faltering?
• Do you feel like you are always behind the competition instead of in front of it?
• Are you tired of putting out fires and scrambling just to make ends meet?

Did you answer yes to any of these questions? Then, maybe it is time to begin working your business instead of in your business. Strategic Planning - who does what by when - may be just what you need to deal with the competition.

There is an old adage that those you fail to plan, plan to fail. Thomas Edison recognized this adage, but his positive attitude turned this quote around to: Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with planning.

You can catapult your small business, meet the competition head on and exceed your desired results or goals by taking the action to create an executable (written) strategic plan who does what why when. Or, you could continue to be on your competitors plan, the choice is yours.

Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Good Day. Thanks for visiting. I hope that you have enjoyed my articles. In 1999, I founded ADVANCED SYSTEMS because I saw that performance could and should be doubled in warp time. Individuals, small and large businesses could not afford expensive solutions that may or may not deliver improved results in 12 months.

From my corporate, small business and education experiences, I recognized the individuals must have opportunities for connecting their passion to their purpose to secure the desired performance results, but many lacked the necessary skills, strategies and tools.

With over 20 years in sales management and 10 years in education, I understand how to unite productivity with profitability by developing a proactive working culture. My previous experiences resulted in cost savings through one of the first implementations of a computer software in a wholesaler distributor to the creation of a vendor performance assessment.

Since facilitating over 500 sessions, developing and editing over 25 training programs and writing numerous articles focusing on performance improvement, I bring a results focused approach to my clients. Also, I am proud to be one of the first five nationally certified facilitators of America?s Rising Stars (a Student Leadership developmental curriculum).

My passion is to help others connect their passion to their purpose to double performance. As The small business coach in Chicago, my clients have easily doubled their performance. Since our greatest resource is our young people, I am now working with large urban schools to generate the same results.

Education Background

• Graduated with honors from Purdue University with a B.A. in Education
• Earned M.S. from Purdue University in Instructional Design and Curriculum
• Published in the national trade journal, The Supply House Times, and numerous national newsletters
• Developed seminars and training on diversity, communication, leadership, sales, effective trade show behavior, networking, knowledge management, goal setting and improved educational outcomes
• Co-authored M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential: 7 Capicities for Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement, to be available in 2006
• Working a another book focusing on performance in public education
• Speaker in a national bureau - Resource Associates Corporation