I attended a meeting of the Merrillville Chamber of Commerce earlier this month and listened to a presentation about Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympics.
I found it fascinating.
Not because of the impressive statistics, logistics problems to overcome, or the planned venues for the various sports.
My fascination was based upon the form of the presentation.
It was exactly the same as a Business Plan that every business should, but often doesn't, create.
I have written many times in this space about the many virtues of a well thought out plan and this presentation cemented my belief in the value of creating one.
In the half-hour presentation we heard the Mission and Vision of Chicago's bid.
We saw a timeline that illustrated the work that needs to be accomplished after winning the bid.
We got a fast Competitive Analysis, the points of differentiation that separate Chicago from the other cities competing for this iconic event.
We heard about the Marketing, Housing, Concession, Transportation, and Construction Plans.
We saw financial projections and the benefits of hosting the Olympics to the City of Chicago and the Greater Chicago Region.
In a very short time I learned a great deal about this hugely complex project with large risks as well as the possibility of great rewards for this area.
I was impressed with all the information that we received in such a short time.
It happened because the presentation was carefully created to be thorough, informative, and succinct, the same as a Business Plan.
It showed that the presenter knew the risks and rewards, the competition, the multiplicity of tasks needed to be addressed, and the extraordinary effort that a successful bid would entail.
In other words, those people in Chicago have done their homework; they know what needs to be done and they are prepared to do it A business gains the same result from the task of writing a Business Plan.
You gain greater knowledge of the business, the actions necessary to turn it into a successful enterprise, and the ability to communicate it thoroughly and succinctly.
Write it now!
I found it fascinating.
Not because of the impressive statistics, logistics problems to overcome, or the planned venues for the various sports.
My fascination was based upon the form of the presentation.
It was exactly the same as a Business Plan that every business should, but often doesn't, create.
I have written many times in this space about the many virtues of a well thought out plan and this presentation cemented my belief in the value of creating one.
In the half-hour presentation we heard the Mission and Vision of Chicago's bid.
We saw a timeline that illustrated the work that needs to be accomplished after winning the bid.
We got a fast Competitive Analysis, the points of differentiation that separate Chicago from the other cities competing for this iconic event.
We heard about the Marketing, Housing, Concession, Transportation, and Construction Plans.
We saw financial projections and the benefits of hosting the Olympics to the City of Chicago and the Greater Chicago Region.
In a very short time I learned a great deal about this hugely complex project with large risks as well as the possibility of great rewards for this area.
I was impressed with all the information that we received in such a short time.
It happened because the presentation was carefully created to be thorough, informative, and succinct, the same as a Business Plan.
It showed that the presenter knew the risks and rewards, the competition, the multiplicity of tasks needed to be addressed, and the extraordinary effort that a successful bid would entail.
In other words, those people in Chicago have done their homework; they know what needs to be done and they are prepared to do it A business gains the same result from the task of writing a Business Plan.
You gain greater knowledge of the business, the actions necessary to turn it into a successful enterprise, and the ability to communicate it thoroughly and succinctly.
Write it now!