Business, especially if you are operating your own, involves an unlimited amount of decisions that need to be made. If you’re company is young, many of these courses of action can have major implications on the future or well being of the business. Because there is immense pressure on making the right move at the right time, you have to do your best to prepare. Businesses can’t afford to operate reactively. Maybe it’s passing up on an opportunity. Maybe it’s entering a market after a competitor has already beaten you the punch. Maybe it’s trying to figure out when to hire. It can be as simple as setting standard operating procedures that are not cost effective. All of these decisions are extremely common in business, but if not addressed until it’s too late can have a major negative impact. In order combat this problem, you need to plan. I’m not talking about “What am I going to do today?” or “What has to be done by Friday?” I’m talking about real planning for the future. Set goals for where you want to be in a year. Start thinking about what needs to happen to get there, then figure out what you need to do to make those things happen. Also, with each assumption or plan, think about potential consequences or implications that could occur and be prepared. What will my competitors do when I launch this? If I get this big customer will I have the capacity to serve them? How long will it take me to train this new employee? Take some time every few months and really plan what you want your business to be in the next year or five years. Being proactive will keep your business on the right track!