Flawless Launch Podcast

Thom Stimpel is the Founder & Managing Director of Proactive Business Improvements, llc – a global business advisory group formed in 2002. As a transformational leader, with more than 35 years of multi-product, multi-market, multi-national experience, he is recognized for his unique ability to convert “strategic concepts” into “operational realities”. As a writer, speaker, trainer, podcaster and business advisor, Thom has a passion for helping small businesses thrive!

Flawless Launch EP 014: Moving Forward – The Conclusion 05/26/2021

Flawless Launch EP 014: Moving Forward – The Conclusion You’ve arrived at the final program in our series. We’ll end our journey by talking about two more vital planning steps to take at least annually, conducting a SWOT Analysis and implementing Risk-Based Thinking. These activities are described in detail and a format for a Risk Matrix is reviewed – available from the Planning Documents in the Flawless Launch website. We’ll also preview the best and most affordable ways to reaching out for help and advice, and becoming a member of organizations that are designed to help businesses thrive. /episode/index/show/launchguild/id/19151162

Flawless Launch EP 013: Implementation Planning 05/19/2021

Flawless Launch EP 013: Implementation Planning In today’s program we review the many topics we’ve examined over the past 12 weeks, then begin planning the implementation of the business plan. For those who have listened to each program in the proper sequence, the next steps will be encouraging and motivating. For those who have skipped topics, you’ll find a very strongly worded caution that you should pay attention to! /episode/index/show/launchguild/id/19151141

Flawless Launch EP 012: Cash Flow Part 2 05/13/2021

Flawless Launch EP 012: Cash Flow Part 2 In this episode we’ll conclude our discussion on Budgets and Cash Flow. You will have been introduced to Zero-Based Budgeting, you know how to create the Initiatives required for planning, you know how to project a simple revenue stream, and you’ll learn how to transfer the spending in each Initiative into the budget format and balance the cash flow based on revenue projections and cash on hand. /episode/index/show/launchguild/id/19094072

Flawless Launch EP 011: Cash Flow Part 1 05/05/2021

Flawless Launch EP 011: Cash Flow Part 1 In Part 11 of our series we’ll discuss the essentials of cash flow planning and we’ll begin to take your ZBB Initiatives and spread the costs you’ve identified across your budget format in the proper categories and timelines. You can feel as confident as possible with these costs, as long as you’ve applied the logic and process that ZBB affords you. And next week, when we begin to blend all this data with your revenue forecast, you’ll begin to see why I say, “You’ll be in complete control of your enterprise!” /episode/index/show/launchguild/id/18988922

Flawless Launch EP 010: Budgeting Part 2 05/04/2021

Flawless Launch EP 010: Budgeting Part 2 Today we continue discussing Budgets and demonstrate how your ZBB Initiatives are prioritized and illustrated in the final pre-planning stage. Next week, after a brief discussion about cash flow, we’ll transfer all this preplanning to a final budget format, then discuss using your Initiatives as KPIs and decision guides throughout the year. /episode/index/show/launchguild/id/18975740

Flawless Launch EP 009: Budgeting Part 1 04/29/2021

Flawless Launch EP 009: Budgeting Part 1 In this episode we begin introducing a fascinating and powerful budget process known as Zero-Based Budgeting. This process accomplishes a great deal more than simply providing critical financial planning. The process results in a business owner having a far more comprehensive understanding of their business and complete control of their enterprise, including prioritized action items and greatly simplified decision making capability. /episode/index/show/launchguild/id/18912587

Flawless Launch EP 008: Raising Funds 04/21/2021

Flawless Launch EP 008: Raising Funds If you are like most start-ups, you will need to raise money to get started, or to fund growth before too long. In this episode we finish discussing important elements of your strategic business plan, then shift the discussion to fund raising. There are important are factors to know about the sources and timing for fund raising, and the additional planning needed to make any source feel confident in your ability to succeed – and thus repay their investment. /episode/index/show/launchguild/id/18810293

Flawless Launch EP 007: Your Strategic Business Plan 04/06/2021

Flawless Launch EP 007: Your Strategic Business Plan Today we begin building your “Strategic” business plan, utilizing all the creative ideas you’ve developed thus far in defining your WHY, and Mission and Vision – and your unique business identity - to develop a compelling business name. Plus, we discuss legal forms of business and start outlining every aspect of how your business will operate. Each element feeds the plan that will create your budget and start-up plans in the coming weeks. /episode/index/show/launchguild/id/18628055

Flawless Launch EP 006: Building a Foundation 03/30/2021

Flawless Launch EP 006: Building a Foundation If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. Period. This episode discusses the fundamental elements of planning that must be done in the early phases of a business, the lack of which inevitably leads to failure. However, it’s not just dooms-day sooth-saying, it contains unique strategies that help the entrepreneur better position a business to thrill customers and achieve a greater following … it provides a template for defining ideal customers and leveraging their ideas to test products and markets … and it wraps all these efforts into a cohesive strategy that is fun to produce and easy to maintain going forward. “Voice of the Customer”, a Unique Business Identity, and a Unique Sales Proposition all combine with earlier discussions to begin forming a powerful foundation. /episode/index/show/launchguild/id/18543989

Flawless Launch EP 005: Buy vs Start & Create vs Manage 03/29/2021

Flawless Launch EP 005: Buy vs Start & Create vs Manage The challenges and issues involved with Buying a business are different than those involved in Starting a business. The skills needed to navigate those challenges are also different, and individuals are more or less adept at solving those differences based on their personal style and strengths. The same holds true for the various challenges faced in Creating and business versus Managing a business. By understanding and acknowledging your strengths, skills and preferences, you can better determine what type of business is likely to provide you with the most satisfaction, as well as the best opportunity to succeed. A brief discussion of the unique challenges involved in inheriting a business is also included. /episode/index/show/launchguild/id/18515750

Flawless Launch EP 004: Mission, Vision and WHY 03/24/2021

Flawless Launch EP 004: Mission, Vision and WHY The most important things you could ever do in beginning a business with as much strength and focus as possible, is to take the time to investigate and properly define your WHY, your Mission and your Vision. On this 4th program we discuss each of these topics in detail and explain why these are so vital in your early business development and planning. With these three focal points well defined, you’re on a great path … with these skimmed over, you’re losing ground already. A thorough understanding and belief in these elements is essential. /episode/index/show/launchguild/id/18276014

Flawless Launch EP 003: Three Reasons to Start a Business 03/11/2021

Flawless Launch EP 003: Three Reasons to Start a Business There are many reasons for starting a business. Some are very good reasons, and some are very poor! Many of the businesses that disappear within a few years may be able to trace their failure back to the reason they started the business. This program investigates and discusses why some reasons to start a business are very strong and aid the business, as well as why other reasons are poor decisions and what the likely impact will be. These insights will help aspiring entrepreneurs determine whether their reason for starting a business is likely to help their start-up, or hinder any progress in the future. /episode/index/show/launchguild/id/18206336

Flawless Launch EP 002: Your New Job Description 03/05/2021

Flawless Launch EP 002: Your New Job Description In the last episode you were introduced to the world of entrepreneurship - its risks and its opportunities. As we progress with “Flawless Launch” you will be introduced to topics, that take you through the minefield of becoming an entrepreneur. Each program will build upon the last, and each is designed to be consumed in the order presented. In this second episode, we’ll begin your journey by discussing “Your New Job Description” /episode/index/show/launchguild/id/18096329

Flawless Launch EP 001: Introduction 02/25/2021

Flawless Launch EP 001: Introduction This is the inaugural episode of a brand new Podcast entitled Flawless Launch. In this episode you’ll learn about the purpose the program, the scope and content, and the frequency and style of the program. Flawless Launch is a weekly, 20-minute, educational podcast based on the book The Entrepreneurial Mindset. The ideal audience includes those who are considering buying or starting their first business, as well as novice entrepreneurs – those with less than 2 to 5 years of experience as a business owner. This first program introduces the dual purpose of the podcast. First, to highlight the extreme risk involved in launching a business and to help individuals self-assess their ability to succeed as an entrepreneur, and second, to provide a roadmap for those who move forward, discussing the kind of intelligent and thorough actions to be taken to significantly boost opportunities to succeed. /episode/index/show/launchguild/id/18094091

Flawless Launch Podcast

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