The vacillating economy may be causing some tank cleaning facility owners to take a look at their business organization. The Small Business Administration (SBA) reminds companies that careful planning is fundamental to success.
On the SBA Web site there is information and resources for any stage of business life, beginning with starting a business and ending with advice for getting out. In between is a list of suggestions, including leadership, decision making, employee management, taxes, insurance, and legal issues.
"Too many people think strategic planning is something meant only for big businesses, but it is equally applicable to small businesses," the information states. "Strategic planning is matching the strengths of your business to available opportunities. To do this effectively, you need to collect, screen, and analyze information about the business environment.
"You also need to have a clear understanding of your business--its strengths and weaknesses--and develop a clear mission, goals, and objectives. Acquiring this understanding often involves more work than expected. You must realistically assess the business you are convinced you know well."
SBA points out that strategic planning has become more important to business managers because technology and competition have made the business environment less stable and less predictable. If a company is to survive and prosper, it should take the time to identify the niches in which it is are most likely to succeed, and to identify the resource demands that must be met.