Chapter 4. Know Yourself

Taking stock

Start with the basics

The central objective

Are you visionary?

How did you arrive here?

Some numbers to please the bankers

Building up value

The all-important management team

Business organization

Business infrastructure

Products and services

Core competencies

The next step

“To know one's self is to know others.”

—Chinese proverb

Now that the plan is really underway, it is time to take a close look at your business. This chapter takes you through the process of documenting the current 'internal' status. This is an easy and fairly mechanical exercise. However, it is not unimportant. It helps both you and your readers understand your activities – and, critically, your competencies. It also helps lay the groundwork for the part of the plan that looks to the future. In Chapter 5 , we will look out of the window at the world at large.