I have to mow the lawns again.
For the past five or six years, my daughters have helped me do it. Originally, my eldest daughter did it for a bit of extra pocket money, until she figured out that tutoring was much more lucrative and less tiring. At which point my middle daughter took over and she has been doing it for the past three years. She has now joined the RAAF (OMG I’m so proud of her) and is presently living on base in Wagga Wagga so she’s no longer able to help. The youngest one looks at me like I’ve just asked her if she’d like a snot sandwich when I suggest that she might want to have a go.
So I’m back to doing the lawns by myself.
The thing is, as much as I whinge about it, I actually quite like doing the lawns. It’s one of those activities that you know you need to do, and that when you’re finished you feel an immense sense of satisfaction as you can see the fruits of your labour. It takes about 1.5 – 2 hrs to do the whole job (it’s a big block), but I’ve discovered that if I split it into four separate activities (whipper snippering out the front; whipper snippering out the back; mowing out the front; mowing out the back) then it makes it feel like less effort and you have a sense of how far in the process you are as you complete each task. And it’s good exercise so there’s that too.
Business planning is a lot like mowing lawns.
It’s something that people feel they need to do, but probably want to put off. Sometimes you HAVE to do it, and you know that if you leave it to the last minute it’s going to be a bit of a mess. But once you’ve done it, it’s immensely satisfying and you feel a renewed sense of purpose and have a clear sense of direction for your business, and the world is a slightly better place.
But if you try to do it all in one hit it’s exhausting, and you’ll end up botching bits of it and it can all be a bit overwhelming.
My lawn has a few fiddly bits like some trees with edging around them, and the bit where the beehive is, and the little section with the pavers in it out the back. They’re a bit tricky to navigate if you don’t know what you’re doing, and it takes a bit of time to develop a technique that works.
Film and Television businesses have some tricky bits too. When you’re doing a business plan for a film or television business, you need to approach a few sections a little bit differently than how you would with a “normal” business. And that can be a bit daunting if you’re trying to use generic tools that aren’t specifically for the type of business you run. Dry cleaners don’t need to worry about Slate Management. And barber shops don’t have to consider QAPE or EMDG.
I’ve been writing business plans for creative businesses for over 20 years now, and film and television business in particular, for about 12 years. So I have a reasonably good grasp of what needs to be in a plan and how to approach building one, as well as how to break it down into more manageable “bite-sized” chunks.
Which is what we’ve done.
We’ve created an 8-week program for film and television business owners so they can build a business plan.
Each week, you’ll jump on a 1-hour zoom session in the early evening with me or one of my business partners who will talk you through the section of your plan that you’ll be working on that week, explain the concepts and tools you’ll need to use, and answer any questions you might have. Then you’ll be given a bunch of tasks to complete that week so you’ll have built that piece of your plan. At the end of the eight weeks you’ll have built yourself a full strategic plan in way that makes sense for you and your business.
So if you’ve been wanting (or needing) to write yourself a strategic plan for your film and television business but didn’t have the time / inclination / tools / knowledge / resources / patience, you now have no excuse. Sorry. But this way, you will enjoy the process and you’ll have a deep sense of satisfaction when you’re finished.
There’s nothing quite like the smell of a freshly cut business plan.
Boring details below.
FAQs:
Who is the course for?
This course is ideal for professionals and entrepreneurs in the film and television industry who are looking to define or refine their business strategy, enhance their sustainability, and develop a clear understanding of their future direction.
What is the course format?
The course consists of 8 one-hour weekly sessions conducted via zoom, with additional self-paced homework and exercises to be completed each week, making it accessible for busy professionals.
What will I get from this course?
By the end of the course, each business will have developed for themselves a comprehensive business plan that serves as a strategic roadmap for their future success in the Australian film and television industry.
Who will run the sessions?
The sessions will be run by 113 Partners – Australia’s most trusted advisors in Australia's dynamic creative landscape.
What is the cost of the course?
The 8 week course costs $750 + GST per business
How do I enrol?
Enrolment is simple. Visit our website www.113partners.com/business-planning and follow the registration instructions. There are 3 x courses running on different days of the week, so you can pick a date that works best for you. Please note that seats are limited to 15 companies per course. We’ll reach out to you shortly after enrolment to finalise details.
Don't miss this opportunity to chart your course to success in the competitive world of film and television production. Join us for this transformative 8-week journey and emerge with a strategic roadmap that will set your business on the path to prosperity.