You can never start too early!
This isn’t so much a technical post but more about how important it is to set goals and the amazing payoff there is in achieving them. For the first year or so running the business I was perfectly happy coasting through and picking up clients here and there and watching the revenue slowly increase. I did no active new business development. Pretty soon I realized that my numbers were kind of hovering and not really getting up to where I would need them to be to do this as a full time job. After reading a ton of books and business blogs, it was apparent that I needed a business plan and to set some goals within it. So in 2007 I decided to write down my business, and well as personal, goals in my business/life plan. I didn’t go the route of the traditional business plan but created more of a life plan with my business integrated into it. Once I set my goals I had something to strive for.
Setting Goals
As much as I was looking forward to traveling somewhere exotic again this winter it looks like I might have to take the season off. After some serious researching into Honduras and Peru I realized I had something more important that needed my attention. I am pleased to say that this fall I will be moving back to Central PA (where I originally started my company) and my traveling funds will be put on hold for other expendatures.
Since CWS has extended its client base here in the Lehigh Valley, I will still have to return to work with some pretty high profile clients. So my usual commute will still be necessary although I may find myself working in some different spaces. I already have a few lined up where there is free wifi, a quiet atmosphere, and they don’t mind if you spends hours there even if you only bought a $2.00 coffee. How about that for coworking?
My Movable Office Costa Rica Recap
After 2 months of catching up and new work I thought I would do a recap on my time in Costa Rica. In my 22 days I was able to learn more Spanish than I thought possible as well as line up new projects for when I returned. I noticed a small decline in our cash flow in January but only because I did not have access to our accounts receivable until I returned in mid February. I did a good job of lining up work before the trip so I was still actually able to bill more hours than usual (to make up for the office hours I missed because I was away). The great thing was that our business development was not hurt whatsoever by the 3 week trip. We generated as much new business in the time I was away as we had any other month of the year.
I thought I would give you a rundown of the expenses (outside of my typical company expenses) so you can see if working remotely might be a good fit for you some day.
Blogging about my experiences working from wherever I can find an Internet connection.
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