Strategic Planning Session ...

A two-day master planning session for MLM company startups as well as existing direct sales companies!

Sheffield Resource Network has developed a powerful planning session to conceptually build a successful Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) business model around the Client's business concepts called the "Strategic Planning Session". This intensive two day session for MLM company startups as well as established companies is held at the Sheffield Resource Network offices in Arizona. A senior member of the Sheffield Resource Network MLM consultant team serves as facilitator, as the Client literally draws out the master plan for their business.

The session begins with an analysis of the values around which the Company must be built -- customer values, distributor values, employee values and owner values. A one-to-one correlation is established between these sets of values and the areas of the plan. For instance, customer values are most appropriately addressed by the Product Plan. Distributor values are considered for the Marketing Plan. The Operations Plan is built around employee values, and the owners' values determine the Financial Plan.

To create each plan, we begin with a mission, and establish specific goals. Then, we decide on a set of four or five strategies by which we will accomplish those goals. For each strategy, we define the tactical steps to be taken. Each tactic is broken down into specific tasks, which are charted, along with assignment of authority and responsibility for that task. Finally, a calendar is established.

Topics typically covered in the Product Plan include definition of the Company's centerpiece product and both current and future product line extensions; discussion of sourcing, costs, pricing and margins; examination of production lead times and inventory requirements; a review of competitive products and determination of how the Company's products are to be positioned in the marketplace; and development of the Product Story.

The Marketing Plan includes identification of the target market; development of an appeal, or core marketing message; creation of a simple and duplicable selling system for distributors to follow; discussion of an appropriate type of compensation plan, and preliminary conceptual design of the compensation plan; development of a plan for recruiting front line distributors and pre-launching the marketing program; creation of an advertising and promotion strategy; and discussion of an Awards, Incentives and Recognition program.

The Operations Plan consists of creation of an ideal organizational chart at some point in the Company's future growth (with few or no names attached), as well as a discussion of how to get there. The organizational chart also leads to definition of job descriptions, skills required, and industry standards of compensation. Operations also include a discussion of computer system (MIS) needs and costs, appropriate Standard Operating Procedures (systems), and Triggers for change. In addition, a transaction flow chart is developed.

The Financial Plan establishes revenue and expense projections, creates pro forma income statements, balance sheets and cash flow analyses; creates budgets; and examines owner exit strategies.

After all these issues have been addressed in our two days together, (whether for MLM company startups or established companies) the Sheffield Resource Network team goes into high gear to prepare a complete project plan, in which the Product, Marketing, Operational and Financial plans are tied together in a critical path, including an analysis of potential bottlenecks, definition of methods for assuring proper communication among members of the Company's team, and fallback positions in case things don't go as planned.

Several purposes are served by this exercise:

• First, the session follows a template, designed specifically to gather, analyze and organize all the various parts of the plan, to see what's missing or weak, and to identify areas where attention is needed. With more than 700 MLM company startups to its credit, Sheffield Resource Network has a wealth of experience upon which to draw.

• Second, it uncovers incorrect information or assumptions upon which previous decisions may have been made or future decisions are pending. By locating these "land mines" before they explode, we can hopefully help the Company avoid making costly mistakes.
  
• Third, it makes sure everyone is on the same page. Miscommunication and misunderstanding are often the most costly part of starting a new enterprise.
  
• Fourth, it takes everyone's good intentions and converts them to concrete task assignments, thus establishing accountability.
  
• Fifth, it enables everyone to plan their day-to-day activities around accomplishment of the agreed upon goals.
  
• And finally, it transfers information to Sheffield Resource Network that we will need to create our deliverables.

The finished product is a master plan in which every aspect of the business has been conceptually designed and prepared for implementation by MLM company startups or existing companies.
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