Coach Owned Club Preparation

3. Do your research

Organizations pay a lot of money to professional consultants to find out what people really want. You can do this yourself by researching and visiting existing businesses and swim clubs. Use the internet for research and get out and talk to people, especially coaches who have succeeded in starting their own businesses. This real-world information will save you time, money and frustration. Also:

Research recent articles written about swim clubs, especially coach owned ventures.
Investigate the marketplace and report the latest trends and best strategies.
Find new resources, outstanding ideas and new contacts that will help you grow.
Contact your local Small Business Administration (SBA) office, Chamber of Commerce or your nearest SCORE chapter www.score.org/ SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and to the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide.

4. Write everything down

Use a log book or daily planner and track all meeting dates, attendees and discussions. This will be a great resource and reference later on. A sample of things you want to record:

Insurance issues. Have you discovered things for which insurance is either too costly or unavailable? Do you need to revise your planning?
Legal and financial discussions. What have you learned about types of corporate or business structures you are considering? What legal advice have you received on starting and protecting your business?
Record any setbacks or challenges you discover and create action steps to deal with these challenges.
Record new opportunities you discover.

5. Develop a one-page script

Use a log book or daily planner and track all meeting dates, attendees and discussions. This will be a great resource and reference later on. A sample of things you want to record:

Insurance issues. Have you discovered things for which insurance is either too costly or unavailable? Do you need to revise your planning?
Legal and financial discussions. What have you learned about types of corporate or business structures you are considering? What legal advice have you received on starting and protecting your business?
Record any setbacks or challenges you discover and create action steps to deal with these challenges.
Record new opportunities you discover.

6. Plan to improve your plan

Don’t let your judgment be clouded by passion. Gather your supporters and talk through issues. They can provide honest and objective feedback on how to improve your methods. It's important to obtain feedback early in your planning process. Open by reading your one-pager and then ask for honest feedback:

How can I improve my idea?
Is my vision appropriate?
During the session, keep an open mind and don't defend yourself. Write down every idea. Afterward, analyze the ideas, and keep and implement those that are most useful. Hold additional meetings as necessary.

coach owned club

Step 1: Preparation

1. Your Vision

2. Share Your Vision

3. Do your research

4. Write everything down

5. Develop a one-page script

6. Plan to improve your plan