Writing a business plan is often a crucial first step to getting a venture off the ground. Here are five mistakes that entrepreneurs frequently make when crafting their business plans, according to Akira Hirai, a California consultant, on Inc.com:

• Being all things to all people: You can't expect a business plan to appeal to every possible audience. Pick one business model, and focus on one industry or one problem. Don't spread yourself too thin. And don't be boring.
• Estimating market size with too much optimism: Although it may seem impressive if you project vast markets and huge potential for revenue, that can just seem gimmicky and indicate you don't know what you're doing.
• Presenting with confidence while ignoring competition: In an effort to portray confidence, too many business plans ignore the competition that a new business will face. Even if your concept is completely original, you should take into account any inertia in the marketplace or the competing alternatives available to your audience.
• Relying on industry jargon and repeating yourself too much: Avoid repeating a few catchphrases and simple ideas in ten different formulations. Also, remember that not everyone is familiar with your industry's lingo. Use simple, specific, and concrete phrases to describe your business.
• Being inconsistent: Eliminate contradictions. Don't let a financial chart deep within the report contradict a fact mentioned earlier. Make certain that every fact is accurate and readily verifiable.

Consultative selling is lauded as the best approach for today, with the salesperson and client working together, through an ongoing dialogue, to figure out the best approach. But on RainToday.com, sales consultant Jill Konrath says the consultative selling era is ending, as clients simply don't have time for it anymore. Instead, you need to become an assumptive seller.

The consultative seller typically begins prospecting with this kind of approach to a busy decision-maker: "I'm from Global Solutions. We specialize in state-of-the-art services to help companies like yours with all your solution needs. I'd like to set up a time to meet with you to find out how you are handling your needs in the area -- and share with you how Global might be able to help you out."

That initial call is likely to be rejected because it's too vague and asks for time the decision-maker doesn't have.

The assumptive seller does prior research and plunges right in with specifics that make the prospect truly interested: "I'm from Global Solutions. I know how the economy is having an impact on manufacturing companies like yours. We have found that way too many organizations are paying way too much for software licences. We've been able to trim expenses by up to 22.7 per cent in the first year. If you're like other CFOs, you're looking for dollars everywhere in your budget. Let's set up a time to see how we can cut your costs."

The difference: You need to make assumptions and demonstrate expertise right up front in order to earn the right (and the time) to be consultative.

If you're finding yourself listless or bored at work, the way to perk up is to take time to love your work, according to psychologist Judith Sills. Deliberately, consciously, and regularly remind yourself of what there is to love about your job.

Review the sweet spots of your day. "Whether your best moments are central to your job description (you manage a team, and management of any kind brings out your personal best) or peripheral to it (you organize the office softball team, including the T-shirt design), take the time to notice the moments of the day when you feel like your best self. Flash on that mental image in a clear and vivid way several times a day," she suggests in Psychology Today.

Team meetings are not a substitute for one-on-one conversations, counsels consultant Bruce Tulgan. Instead, they should be a prelude to one-on-one conversations, he notes on rainmakerthinking.com.

Team meetings are good for creating a feeling of togetherness; for communicating information to everyone at the same time; and for encouraging everyone to deal spontaneously with an open-ended question.

But he contends the best thing about a team meeting may be the little one-on-one huddles that almost always follow it because the team meeting makes it clear they are necessary. "That's not an accident. That's because one-on-one huddles are where all the action is," he stresses.

• No one is difficult for the sake of being difficult. Even when somebody seems out to get you, there is an underlying reason motivating them to act in that way. Take time to understand the person's intention -- what is triggering him to act in this manner and stopping him from co-operating with you. (Source: Celestine Chua on Dumb Little Man)
• Business in a nutshell from Henry Ford: "It ought to be the employer's ambition, as leader, to pay better wages than any similar line of business, and it ought to be the workman's ambition to make this possible." (Source: Industry Week)
• Conversation with a stranger always improves when you find out you share something in common, like having attended the same university. Research shows such coincidences can actually lead to greater sales: Participants being introduced to a fitness program who discovered they shared the same birthday as the trainer liked the program better and were more interested in buying a membership. Similarly, patients who learned that they were born in the same place as a dentist reported a more favourable attitude towards the dental care they received and a greater willingness to book their next appointment with that clinic. But faking a connection can lead to negative outcomes. (Source: ScienceDaily.com)
• Consider hiring a celebrity chef -- or someone with an excellent local reputation -- to whip up a meal for your next retreat, party, or luncheon. (Source: The Hump Day Humor-Gram)
• Even if you are an introvert, force yourself to network at conferences. "Ask a lot of questions and be a good listener and you'll do fine," advises leadership development expert Dan McCarthy. (Source: Greatleadershipbydan.com blog)

6. Q&A with 8020Info: Budgeting Better For 2010         Top

Question: After this year's recession, it's hard to estimate the potential bounce back and know how to budget for sales next year. Any suggestions?