Take the Boring out of Small Business Planning – Interview with Jennifer Lee

Do you face your business planning with a sense of dread?

Do you have a business plan, but it’s primarily used as a coaster for your coffee mug?

Multiple studies show that entrepreneurs who use some type of formal planning are more likely to succeed. So like medicine, why can’t there be a spoonful of sugar to make it go down? (FYI that will probably be the only time I ever quote Mary Poppins).

Good news, there is! In fact, it’s better than a spoonful of sugar. It’s more like a double chocolate peanut butter cheesecake for business planning. It’s the The Right-Brain Business Plan: A Creative, Visual Map for Success by Jennifer Lee!

I had the chance to pester interview Jennifer Lee recently, read on for her amazing insights.

Interview with Jennifer Lee, author of The Right Brain Business Plan™

Question #1: The book Right-Brain Business Plan goes against all conventional wisdom. There’s pictures, craft projects, and a sense of fun. How did you know or decide that there really was a need and a market for this book?

The idea for the book came about very organically back in November 2007 while I was participating in an Art Every Day Month challenge. I was inspired to make a visual representation of my business goals so I made a collaged accordion book that had a vision board on one side and pockets and cards with the details of my plan on the other. And that’s how the first Right-Brain Business Plan® was born.

I heard on my blog how excited people were about bringing more creativity into their work. Traditional business books left them feeling alienated, overwhelmed, or just plain old bored! In 2008, I created a 9-page illustrated e-Book and readers started to share pictures and their stories of how the Right-Brain Business Plan had helped them. Plus, my workshops and courses let me see up close and personal how the process really gives people permission to let their creativity guide them in planning and running their business.

The RBBP approach had certainly tapped into a collective yearning in the creative community for a new way of doing business way that works for us right-brainers!

Question #2: What is a Left Brain Chill Pill? Can you recommend one for our readers when facing the “numbers beast”?

A Left-Brain Chill Pill is a short quick tip that helps you quiet your judging mind.

Here’s a chill-pill for you:

Release Mental Money-Baggage. Write down all of the fears and limiting beliefs you have about money and abundance. Once you’re done with that laundry list, transform them into positive, empowering affirmations. Now take the paper with your limiting beliefs and crumple it up and toss it in the trash. Connect back to your affirmations and breathe in ease and confidence. Post your affirmations where you can easily see them, especially when you’re working on your books or doing pricing.

Question #3: I love the concept of Creative Cohorts. Can you summarize the idea, and why the shift in mindset is important to entrepreneurs?

Creative Cohorts are the people who support you and your business. They include:

• Your colleagues who provide you with emotional support and accountability (referred to as a Nurture Huddle in the book).
• Your inner circle of advisors and experts who help you make decisions and provide expert guidance
• The freelancers you hire to help you with specific tasks (like design, bookkeeping, copy writing, etc.)
• Your mentors who you admire and learn from.
• And anyone else who helps to keep your business running smoothly

One of the biggest mistakes I see entrepreneurs make is trying to do everything on their own.

Sure, it may seem easier and more cost-effective to go it alone, but in fact, you’re most likely wasting your precious time on things you’re not very good at or can’t stand doing and that means you’re squandering opportunities for you to be focusing on what you love to do and on what makes you more money. Even if you’re not ready to hire help, it’s important to have emotional support and people to turn to when you’re stuck.

That’s why having something like a Nurture Huddle or an accountability buddy is so beneficial to helping you move forward more quickly. Plus it’s just more fun to be surrounded by folks who love and support you and who want you to succeed!

If you attend the free Right-Brainers in Business Video Summit this week, you’re sure to connect with lots of creative cohorts from around the world! Hope to see you there!

About Jennifer Lee

Jennifer Lee is the founder of Artizen Coaching and the award-winning author of The Right-Brain Business Plan. Her bestselling book has helped thousands of entrepreneurs around the world grow their businesses authentically and creatively. Join her live for free at her 2nd annual Right-Brainers in Business Video Summit February 27th-March 9th. You can find her on Twitter at @artizencoaching.

From The Numbers Whisperer™