1. Create a plan. This is a required component for your success. Without a written plan, it is extremely difficult to stay on track and achieve your goals.

2. Create each part of your plan based on verifiable facts—not conjecture or opinions. Research must be an integral part of your planning process. The Internet, the local library, and trade associations are often excellent sources of qualified information.

3. Define your marketplace and your target customers rather than trying to be all things to all people, often called the majority fallacy. You must define your customer and then target only that customer. Otherwise, your efforts will be weak and diluted.

4. Develop your matrix of product or service benefits. Just what are you going to sell? Many entrepreneurs try to sell far too many products or services and their business lacks focus. You must define each product or service and then analyze it to determine its profit potential.