My 5 Minute Business Plan

Happy New Year!
2012 is Going to be a Great One!!

For your reading enjoyment - or maybe not (don't want to be presumptuous), below is my brief economic summary, a quick 2012 business planning technique that I use and top New Years Resolutions and how to keep them. Wishing you and your family all the very best in 2012. If you know anyone that needs financing advice, please do not hesitate to call - we sure appreciate the introduction!


My 5-Minute Business Plan

If you have 5 minutes, grab a piece of paper and give this a try. Of course it is very simplified but a great quick snap shot of where your business has been and where you want it to go:

1. Draw a circle on a piece of paper and write 2011 on the top.

2. Section up the circle by % of where you generated your business from in 2011 i.e. 65% past customers, 20% referral sources, 2% web etc. Till you get to 100% of course.

3. Now, draw another circle under it with the title 2012. Segment out your pie based on where you would like your business percentages to be. Add in new sources of business as percentages if you are planning on deriving income from new markets in 2012.

4. Compare pie 1 to pie 2. It will become quickly clear where you need to spend your time, dollars and efforts.

Things to Consider:

Looking at your numbers in 2011, if you put down 65% of your business from past customers, did you spend 65% of your marketing dollars and time on this segment. Each segment should be proportionate to the percentage. This is only broken of course if you are trying to grow in one area then your time and dollars will increase.

Finally, for 2012 take your marketing budget for the year ( as an example $15,00.00) and divide it up by percentage of business sectors in your pie. It makes it really easy for budgeting. Of course then all my other activities are scheduled to support this plan.

I'm all about sharing. If you have a great business plan template you use, I would love to see it. If you would like to see a copy of mine, I like to keep things simple - it’s only 8 pages - send me an email and I’ll fire it off.

With economists leaning more on the Bear than Bull side these days, we need to keep all the press in perspective and consider the facts:

Canada continues to be one of the strongest G7 countries.


The Bank of Canada has been fiscally managing Canada's recovery interest rates predicted to maintain low until into 2013.


Pockets of the country are doing really well, while others are struggling more. Here in BC, pockets of housing areas are booming and consumer debt is lower than the national average.


Employment is lower with more predominant companies moving into BC and stimulating jobs.


While the Canadian dollar is predicted to weaken in the first half of 2012, it is expected to make a rebound by the end of the year. No matter how wonderful we are at home though, our dollar is at the mercy of global financial markets and commodity prices.


Western provinces are in strongest fiscal shape with brisk migration and immigration.

Economists are calling for inflation to be slowed (currently at 3% and moving downward to 2%) as a result of stable oil prices and lower overall food prices.

Top New Years Resolutions and How to Keep Them

What is it about a new year that makes us all want to change? Most of us have every intention of making a fresh start once December ends, but as soon as that first temptation comes along, our determination is really tested. In fact, less than 25% of people who make resolutions end up following through. Here are the top resolutions and ideas to help you sick with it….

Lose weight: Gym memberships see a jump as high as 25% in January with the New Year’s surge in motivation, but as many as 60% of new members stop using the gym after a few months. Since many gyms crank up their prices in January, make sure you’re serious about your weight loss before paying through the nose. To be successful with this resolution, experts suggest coming up with a concrete plan, like committing to exercise three times a week and eat smaller portions, and breaking your goal into smaller achievements that you will accomplish throughout the year.

Paying off debt and saving money: Changing your money habits can be as tough or tougher than going on a diet because it can affect all areas of your life. People often cave on their resolutions after they realize that it can mean anything from cutting back on Starbucks to moving to a more affordable home. One way to make sure your financial promise sticks is to set up contributions directly to a savings account so the funds are automatically separated from your spending money and you don’t even have a chance to talk yourself into that extra pair of shoes or dinner out.

Quit smoking: The health benefits of throwing out your tobacco are obvious and enormous, but nicotine has a way of hooking people. There are ways, though, to give yourself the best chances, including weaning yourself off cigarettes by using a substitute like a patch or gum. Some studies show that people are 25% more likely to stay smoke-free if they give themselves a penalty for not following through, like having to pay a certain amount of money to someone. So go ahead and bet your brother $1,000 that you can quit smoking. It might just help you succeed.

Get organized: While it’s a great idea to get your affairs in order, it’s normally not as easy as it sounds. When people look at the daunting task in front of them, they often just give up. Instead, if you really want to organize your house and life, you should break up the issue into smaller, easy-to-handle tasks and give yourself short deadlines for each one. This will make you more likely to follow through, and if you end up quitting halfway through the year, at least you’ll have accomplished something!

Find a new job: At the beginning of 2011, an insanely large percentage (84%) of people resolved to find a new job within the year. Some were unsatisfied with their positions and lack of promotion opportunities; others felt like they weren’t being paid enough and wouldn’t likely get a raise any time soon. If you find yourself stuck in a job you hate and can’t seem to find your next position, think about what you really want from a new job. If it’s money, consider freelancing on the side or rethink your money habits until you find your next move. If you’re looking for more creative freedom, find a hobby or a project that can keep you fulfilled until you land a new job.

Volunteer: Volunteering your time to help others in need seems like a good idea while you’re still feeling warm and fuzzy from the Christmas spirit. Well, it is a good idea, but it’s not one that’s commonly followed through on. With most of the other resolutions, there’s a goal that you’ll hopefully reach in the end after you’ve dedicated your time to it. Volunteering begins to slip down your priority list since you don’t see any real benefits, and when you find out that many organizations require paperwork and training before you can do your good deeds, you might just give up. For the best chances, volunteer with a group you’re already part of, like your church or kid’s school.

Drink less: Drinking less probably weighs heavy on your pounding mind right after your rocking New Year’s parties, but many people forget about their cruel hangovers as soon as the next party invite comes along. It can be easy to lose track of how many drinks you’ve had once you start throwing them back, making it almost impossible to consume less. The solution to keeping this resolution comes before you set foot in a bar or party. Figure out exactly why you want to drink less so you can remind yourself of it throughout the night and before you go out, set a limit to how many drinks you’re going to have and don’t stray from it. If possible, have someone with you who will keep you accountable or you could just volunteer to be the designated driver.

Fall in love: Falling in love takes two people who can meet each other’s needs and are ready for a committed relationship, and there really aren’t any shortcuts to finding it. If your goal is to find someone this year, the only thing you can really do is to become the best version of yourself you can and put yourself out there. Figure out exactly what you want out of a relationship and work on becoming a more patient, kind individual — the kind of person you would want to date. Then start moving outside of your comfort zone to meet new people and be brave when making your move

Continued Success in 2012!

Jared Dreyer, AMP
Mortgage Professional
604 649-5991
www.dreyergroup.ca
jared@dreyergroup.ca


________________________________________
About Dreyer Group Smiles

Dreyer Group Smiles is a program dedicated to giving to facilities that provide safe and transitional housing to children and youth in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. By providing funds to these programs, Dreyer Group will make a meaningful difference to kids who otherwise may not have a roof over their heads, or hope for a bright future.
Dreyer Group hopes to expand this effort through their clients and business partners. In addition, they plan to raise additional funds through annual events and corporate fundraising initiatives. Dreyer Group is working closely with the Salvation Army to allocate these funds to the children and shelters.


About Dreyer Group Mortgages, A Member of the VERICO Brokers Network

As a senior mortgage consulting team with extensive experience in the financial services industry and thousands of happy clients throughout the Lower Mainland, we understand what it takes to build long-term relationships through service and expertise. As an independent brokerage, we are not restricted to one financial institutions mortgage options. We provide the best range of financing solutions by accessing over 40 lenders and hundreds of products coast-to-coast.

Each VERICO member is an independently owned and operated business.
Copywrite © 2008



Slow Dance

This poem was written by a terminally ill young girl in a New York Hospital. Something to ponder as we go into 2012



SLOW DANCE


Have you ever
watched kids
On a merry-go-round?

Or listened to
The rain slapping on the ground?


Ever followed a
butterfly's erratic flight?


Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Do you run through each day on the fly?


When you ask How are you?


Do you hear the reply?


When the day is done
Do you lie in your
bed With the next hundred chores

Running through
your head?


You'd better slow down


Don't dance so fast.


Time is short.


The music won't
last.


Ever told your child,


We'll do it tomorrow?


And in your
haste,


Not see his sorrow?


Ever lost touch,

Let a good
friendship die


Cause you
never had time


To call and say,'Hi'


You'd better slow down.


Don't dance so fast.


Time is short


The music won't
last..


Life is not a race.


Do take it slower


Hear the music


Before the song is
over.




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Dreyer Group Mortgages Voted BEST MORTGAGE BROKER 2010, Surrey, North Delta, White Rock, South Surrey by NOW Newspaper Readers. Many thanks to our valued clients and partners for voting for us!


Dreyer Group Smiles
When you do business with Dreyer Group, a portion of every mortgage funded goes towards providing safe housing for children and youth. Thank you for your support.




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