Where do you want YOUR business to be in 2 years? What do you want it to look like?

Do you know that the business environment is rapidly changing, and that the landscape will almost completely remake itself in the next 2 years? What is the best way to stay both abreast of, and ahead of the game?

This article contains, from the business perspective, a checklist for your business to succeed for the upcoming season and far beyond!

Understand that no one business system is perfect, nor does it exist in a vacuum. Business is a fluid concept, and businesses must adapt to the present times.  However, if we have a format for setting, logging and tracking the changes, we are way ahead of the game … and can survive and thrive!

The BusinessGrades® system reveals the 8 vital areas and essential checklist items that lead to:

• “turnkey” operations where very little falls between the cracks;
• a marketing system wherein dollars spent are Investments, not merely Expenses;
• harmonious human resource utilization from start to finish;
• coordinated information technology, front office operations and customer service;
• increased revenues and profits;
• intelligent facility allocation, productivity and maintenance;
• decreased risk;
• an inspired staff; and
• more freedom for your life!

If this sounds like exactly what you need … then that is because it is!

The BusinessGrades® process is now an online application, with the free (Lite) version available at www.SuccessDash.com.

BusinessGrades® provides a clear road map to success in any service industry, and particularly in the Children’s Activity Center industry (businesses that have some combination of sports instruction, arts, entertainment, and education). Let’s take a more detailed look at each area.

ManageSmart – Understanding the Essentials in progressive order:

• A Business Manager focuses on strategy and systems.
• The number one priority of a Business Manager, or any person, is to develop a Personal Organization and Effectiveness plan.
• Becoming a “student of business strategy” is an essential skill. Knowing WHY businesses fail and succeed TODAY is the key to riding the wave to profitability.
• Business Managers understand that a business without documented systems is like a ship without a rudder.
• Business Managers understand that business is a fluid concept, and must adapt to the present times.
• Business Managers understand that the ManageSmart module sets the stage for the successful implementation of all other modules.

MarketSmart – Understanding the Essentials in progressive order:

• A Marketing Manager develops a strong team.
• The number one priority of a Marketing Manager is to understand and execute the prerequisites to a successful and timely marketing plan.
• Understanding your local area demographics and customer segments is essential for “target marketing”.
• Marketing Managers understand that marketing is a mixture of strategy, brand, products, advertising, word of mouth, referrals, community involvement, social communications and more.
• Marketing Managers understand that the MarketSmart module sets the stage for the successful implementation of all other modules.
• Marketing Managers understand the reality that business is a competition. You either build your market share … or give up market share to competitors … and the choice is yours!

 PeopleSmart – Understanding the Essentials in progressive order:

• A Human Resources Manager develops a strong team.
• The number one priority of a Human Resources Manager is to plan for the “lifespan” of managers and other employees through the company.
• A Human Resources Manager documents everything.
• Human Resource Managers understand that training and development (continuous education) is the key to staff retention. Beyond the BusinessGrades® system and online dashboard, the ManagerGrades and OfficeGrades dashboard platforms work together to set a complete plan.
• Human Resource Managers understand that the PeopleSmart module sets the stage for the successful implementation of all other modules.
• Human Resource Managers understand that a deeply educated and highly motivated staff is a major key to competitive advantage in the marketplace.

TechSmart – Understanding the Essentials in progressive order:

• Someone in the organization (owner, office manager, IT manager) develops and maintains a Cloud Computing Technology map.
• The number one priority of a Front Office is to organize all of the daily, weekly, monthly and other “as-needed” duties and tasks into a working office manual.
• A Front Office Manager sees that everything is documented.
• A Front Office Manager builds a great team, and understands their role in coordinating communication with parents, children, staff and owners/directors.
• Front Office Managers understand that the TechSmart module sets the stage for the successful implementation of all other modules.
• Front Office Managers understand that a major key to competitive advantage in the marketplace is a consistent ongoing and future-facing Customer Service culture.

 FinanceSmart – Understanding the Essentials in progressive order:

• A Financial Manager is necessity, not a luxury, and should develop a very detailed description of the daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual responsibilities.
• A Financial Manager sees that all financial transactions are documented.
• A Financial Manager is able to produce monthly or on-demand reports that contain meaningful data to ownership or administrators.
• A Financial Manager shall give guidance on pricing, discount and value strategies, as well as input into forecasting and expansion plan financing.
• Financial Managers understand that the FinanceSmart module sets the stage for the successful implementation of all other modules.
• Financial Managers understand that beyond the “competition results” on the gymnastics or cheerleading floor, the dance stage, the swimming pool, etc. – there exists a far more REAL competition in the financial results arena!

 FacilitySmart – Understanding the Essentials in progressive order:

• A business shall have a Facilities Manager, with a very detailed description of the hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual and “as-needed” responsibilities.
• A Facilities Manager sees that everything is documented of past, current and future repairs and maintenance projects.
• A Facilities Manager understands that the major components of running an efficient facility are Space Allocation, Space Productivity and Space Maintenance, and is able to participate in discussions about these areas with ownership or administrators.
• A Facility Manager can research and give guidance on energy conservation and “green” programs.
• Facility Managers understand that the FacilitySmart module sets the stage for the successful implementation of all other modules.
• Facility Managers understand that an efficient, well-maintained facility is a definite competitive advantage in the marketplace.
• The online application recommended for this purpose is www.RiskAssure.net.

RiskSmart – Understanding the Essentials in progressive order:

• Everyone in the company has a moral responsibility to understand the components of a solid Risk Management system.
• Risk Management has several components, including:
  • Safety
  • Insurance
  • Advance Legal Defense Planning
  • Emergency Action Plans
  • Security
  • Crisis Management
  • Risk Management means advance preparation in each of these areas. Although it might not be as “fun” as other business module elements, it is the one area that can quickly put a business under if ignored.
  • A great Risk Management plan can reduce insurance premiums.
  • A great Risk Management plan can improve profit margins.
  • Everyone should understand that the RiskSmart module sets the stage for the continued survival and success of the business.
  • The online application recommended for this purpose is www.RiskAssure.net.

 InspireSmart – Understanding the Essentials in progressive order:

• While “motivation” may be a completely “inside job”, inspiration is the responsibility of owner, directors, administrators and managers.
• Inspiration has several components, including:
  • Motivation
  • Success Formulas
  • Goal Setting
  • Change Factors
  • Innovation and Creativity
  • Negotiating
  • Leadership
  • The InspireSmart module provides a personal development program for everyone in the business.

The InspireSmart module provides the “fuel” for the continued survival and success of the business – but is only effective when the rest of the BusinessGrades™ and Success Dashboard components are in place!

Frank is the creator of the BusinessGrades® system, an industry standard rating system for children’s activity center businesses, as well as the related online www.SuccessDash.com application.