Why Every Business Needs a Plan

Posted 15 May

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin

That quote hits hard, especially when you're deep in the hustle of running a business. But it’s not just about ticking boxes or making another to-do list - it’s about getting clear on your why, your vision, and how you’ll actually get there.

At its heart, a business plan isn’t just a document - it’s your roadmap, a reflection of where you are and where you want to go.

At Empire Accountants we go through the following routine to focus on what’s important, but also capture the core of your business.

1. Start With the Vision

Take a minute to pause and reflect:

• Why did you start your business?
• What excites you most about it?
• What impact do you want to have?

These aren’t fluffy questions. They’re the foundation of every decision you make. Your “why” is what keeps you going on tough days and keeps your team inspired. So write it down. Make it visible. Stick it on your wall. Your “why” is your compass.

2. Dream Big – Then Build the Plan

Ask yourself:

• If my business were wildly successful, what would that look like?
• If I had unlimited time, money, and team - what would I create?

Go crazy here, dream big and come up with things that seem unrealistic now, Rome wasn’t built in one day either.

3. Assess where you are now

Now, let’s bring that dream down to earth. That’s where a one-page business plan becomes your best friend. Here's how to use it to drive clarity and action:

People

•   Do you have the right team?
•   Are roles clear?
•   Is training built-in, and are you creating a culture people want to stay in?
•   Where would you rate yourself now between 1 and 5 – 5 being amazing.
•   What is one thing you can do in the next quarter to move closer to your ideal?

Work

•   Are you spending time on the business or stuck in it?
•   What work actually moves the needle?
•   What type of work do you enjoy?
•   What are the margins on the different type of work business does?
•   Where would you rate yourself now between 1 and 5 – 5 being amazing.
•   What is one thing you can do in the next quarter to move closer to your ideal?

Processes

•   What’s slowing you down?
•   Are systems documented?
•   Where can you automate? This is how you scale without burning out.
•   Where would you rate yourself now between 1 and 5 – 5 being amazing.
•   What is one thing you can do in the next quarter to move closer to your ideal?

Numbers

•   Know your numbers. Not just what you’re making - but what you need to survive and thrive.
•   What’s your weekly breakeven?
•   Gross profit %?
•   Target income? Make decisions based on data, not guesses.
•   Where would you rate yourself now between 1 and 5 – 5 being amazing.
•   What is one thing you can do in the next quarter to move closer to your ideal?

Marketing

•   Who is your ideal customer?
•   Where are they, and how do you reach them?
•   What makes you different (your USP)?
•   If you don’t know, your customers won’t either.
•   Where would you rate yourself now between 1 and 5 – 5 being amazing.
•   What is one thing you can do in the next quarter to move closer to your ideal?

Risks

•   Identify your top 3 risks. If things go wrong, what’s most likely to trip you up? Planning helps you avoid costly surprises.
•   Where would you rate yourself now between 1 and 5 – 5 being amazing.
•   What is one thing you can do in the next quarter to lower the risk to your business?

The Missing Piece: Accountability

Here’s the truth - having a plan is one thing. Following through is another. That’s where accountability comes in.

You don’t need another PDF sitting in your Google Drive. You need someone in your corner asking the tough questions:

• Are you tracking your numbers?
• Are you making progress on the actions you committed to?
• Is your business performing the way you intended?

This is exactly where we at Empire Accountants steps in - not just as a tax agent, but as your accountability partner. Someone to keep you focused, help you measure results, and hold you to the plan you made. Because without accountability, even the best plans gather dust.

Make It a Living Document
Your plan isn’t something to do once and file away. Revisit it monthly. Update it quarterly. Use it as a tool to guide your team and yourself. It keeps you focused on the big picture while handling the day-to-day.

Because when you plan with intention - and pair it with accountability - you’re not just hoping things will work out. You’re building a business that will.

Need a hand with your plan? We help business owners clarify their goals, understand their numbers, and create real-world strategies they can stick to. Book in a strategy session and let’s bring your business vision to life - on paper and in practice.