Captains Log

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Captn Tup

When you fail to plan you plan to fail.

Many of us don’t bother with creating a business plan because we think that we know our own businesses and just want to get on with it. Some of us are pressured into writing one to secure a loan or partnership etc.

Those of you who actually have written a business plan just for you, you have every reason to feel chuffed right now. But do you regularly broach it? How useful has it been or is?

A business plan is basically a list of business goals. Typically it will also include details of how and when these goals are supposed to be achieved, what obstacles might crop up and how to navigate through those obstacles. It is also best to include certain background information - for example, what your business is about, who your clients are, who your potential clients might be, your financial information, who your competition is and how you see their strengths and weaknesses

If you don’t know how to write a standard business plan and want to give it a go, there are a hold full of sites with templates you can download to help you out. The Australian Government has a fairly comprehensible list of approaches to creating a business plan.

Once you have your plan don’t file it away or stick it on the wall to be forgotten. The trick is to make our business plan part of our everyday lives

How do we keep our goals fresh, alive and workable continually?

What I’m going to suggest takes time, but I urge you to give it a go as it will set you up for the entire year

1. Break down goals into bite sized pieces

- Goals need to be broken into monthly and even weekly mini goals. You need to articulate how they are going to be achieved and when

- At times it can be difficult to be accurate on how long things are going to take, but see this as a starting point to success

2. Feed your goals into your working life regularly

- Set up your diary or auto-reminders with your goals, whole and broken down, in accordance with your timeline

- Commit to regular weekly/monthly meetings with other like minded and committed people , include key staff, to maintain accountability

- Every Monday morning update that chunk of your plan thats relevant to your week, use reminders around the office like desktop image, Mobile phone memos & notice board

3. Make it fun, friendly and inspiring

Think about what you enjoy. Use homour and encourage others involved to do the same. Add jokes, cartoons, funny alarm sounds to your equipment.

- A fellow I know has a Chinese dinner gong and rings it every time he confirms a sale. Perhaps have a ridiculous (safe) dare as an achievement prize or underachiever prize

- Test and measure to make sure you are on track and give yourself and deserving others recognition and reward for reaching milestones

Remember that goals will change and should change as new business opportunities arise. When this happens adjusting your original business plan document refocuses you a bit like an auto pilot, then reset all your reminders

The success of any of these ideas is action. and knowing what is going to work best for you. Maybe you have some different or new innovative ideas on creating a business plan that can be shared with the rest of us. If so please let us know by sharing in comments

Captn Tup

Worlds Edge
Not quite the edge of the world but we are down under so you need to be careful that you don’t fall off. I promised that I’d chat a bit more about Sydney Harbour so on we go. There are a myriad of Charterers operating on the Harbour from small sailing craft up to large luxury cruisers, The beauty of Sydney is that the climate is such that you can safely operate all year round. The way the harbour winds in and out with all the many bays, small and larger beaches, the many moorings, safe anchorages and facilities abound all around the harbour.

The thing about Sydney is that it is half way between the rest of the world and the rest of Australia. Meaning the rest of the world is al a go and the rest of Australia is very laid back, so you get a laid back environment with a bit of raz a ma taz to excite your day. The Harbour is such that it takes such a short time to be almost isolated in an anchorage to being in the heart of the city able to go to a show. Well worth a week or at least 3-4 days discovery.

Captn Tup

Mixed Marriage

We went to Sydney to marry off our #1 Son to a beautiful young girl who originated from Sydney. Although traditional and unusual for us, it was a very quiet and close family affair with several close friends and everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves. We are very proud to be considered members of Lena’s extended family. Our #1 Daughter flew in from the UK to join in the celebrations and of course give approval of her brothers choice of mate. Naturally we are reveling in having our baby girl home for a few weeks, she just happen to be her Dads favorite Daughter ( and only Daughter ).

Whilst in Sydney we took the opportunity to visit some of the sights. You can easily see why Sydney is a focal point for tourists particularly when you look out over Sydney Harbour. I have included a photo of a large car transporting vessel squeezing itself under the coat hanger, the similarities and the differences reminded me of our two young ones joining hands in marriage to create their new life. Sydney Harbour is stunning and it is always busy with all kinds of water craft. I have been lucky enough to sail on the Sydney Harbour in the middle of summer and I tell you that it one hell of a busy place I reckon there would be more recreational boaters using these waters than in all the other Australian capitals combined, and I live in Melbourne with the magnificent Port Phillip and Westernport Bays at our disposal. Melbourne’s Bays are definitely bigger and better just not as popular, maybe it is all in the marketing.

I think I will chat a bit more about the possibilities of recreational boating on Sydney Harbour in my next posting. If this pleases you please send me a word or two explaining what you would like to know.

Captn Tup

Does it matter if it is the end of the day or the start of the day? No not really when you are out at sea, just don’t miss either of them. I’ve been very lucky throughout my life having lived on a farm then having travelled across my magnificent land, Australia. The sights & scenery are absolutely without question the best in the world, particularly the sunrises & sunsets in the red centre, in the west, in the north, in the south or the east all over each area being unique in it’s self.

Nothing in my opinion beats the sunrises and sunsets we witness at sea. It doesn’t matter whether you are on watch or off watch you must make the effort to get out on deck and absorb the setting sun and the rising sun, it’s absolute magic. I have included a short video of the setting sun off the east coast of Tasmania, the video doesn’t do it justice however it is a sweet taste to either remember by or to whet your appetite. I hope you enjoy it I certainly did and may you get out there and enjoy many more of the real thing.

Captn Tup