The most common phrase I always hear from C-suite executives is: “we don’t have the budget for that!” To which I say: “well, what’s your plan to change that?” And I usually get an answer along the lines of planning to increase revenues and cut costs. So I ask a second question, “how’s that been working for you so far?”

Business leaders are frustrated, because the classic “increase revenues/cut costs” thinking that we’ve all been taught simply isn’t effective after the first boost.

With no other clear alternatives, the often stay stuck and can’t see a way out.

There is a solution for this – create a proactive profit plan instead of relying on a reactive P&L, which more often turns profit into the after-the-fact leftovers of missed revenue expectations and higher than average costs. Savvy entrepreneurs would never start a business without a Business Plan. Experienced executives would never run their business without a Strategic Plan. So why do they think so many leaders try to grow their business without a Profit Plan? Beats me.

There are lots of different elements, that need to come together to reach the economic goals you have been striving for – but, with the right kind of proactive Profit Plan you’ll sell more of the right products and services… to more of your ideal customers… at prices that reflect the true value of what you do… and by eliminating the big costs of sludge in your business that shouldn’t be there in the first place!

Don’t believe me? Then believe this CFO’s experience:

“I recall your seminar as though it was just yesterday. You asked us all to plot our “Return on People” on the chart. Unfortunately at that stage our profit was in the negative… actually negative $9,955 per employee…From your presentation, we reset our goals and we implemented the plan you outlined. For our year ended December 31, 2014, I am pleased to inform you that we achieved $26,671 of profit per employee. This was also the highest profitability level in the organization’s history.”

In my #1 Best Seller, Profit in Plain Sight: The Proven Leadership Path to Passion, Profit and Growth, I give you the 5-step roadmap that will shatter your profit speed limits and deliver take-it-to-the-bank results. I give you the step-by-step actions that you can take to change your numbers from the negatives to the positives, or the positives to the even higher positives. reach higher levels of profitability than you ever thought possible – safely, sustainably,and with integrity. I promise you that it’s doable, and I promise you can get there in less time per week than you’re spending on email per day.

Just like anything else, all you need is determination, commitment and a straightforward roadmap that goes beyond anything you’ve tried in the past – then the sky is your limit. Investing less than $25 in Profit in Plain Sight is one of the best moves you’ll make all year. If you need help to implement well, I will be with you every step of the way.