Mentor Me Diagnostic
1
Planning
2
Systems
3
Products
4
Technology
5
Money
6
Sales and Marketing
7
People
8
You
1. Planning
1. Do you have an up to date and documented Business Plan?
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No plan, not sure where to start
I have started to make some notes but didn't get far
I have the elements of a plan but need to pull it all together
I have a documented plan but it needs work/needs updating
I have a business plan I keep up to date and reference often
2. How much time would you spend each year planning your business?
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No time
A little bit at the start of the year
Sporadically throughout the year when I can find the time
I try to book time in, but not as much as I'd like
I do regularly take time out to dream, plan, review my business
3. Is your Vision for your business documented and clear?
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I am unclear on my vision
I've clarified my vision previously, but it needs updating
I have a clear vision but it's not documented
I have a clear, documented vision
My vision is clear, documented and it is driving me and my business
4. Outline your Vision for your business here (if you are unclear, perhaps just make a few dot points about the general direction your Vision may take):
5. Describe how you feel about taking time to do business-planning activities:
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I find it a chore - not sure what I am doing
I avoid it when I can
I am ambivalent about it
I am warming to it - getting clearer about the process
I love planning my business and feel confident doing it
6. What level of priority do you give to having a business plan?
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Low - not sure it's needed
Not essential
Necessary to satisfy the bank manager but not a useful document in my business
Useful and important to my business
Essential
7. Why did you start your business?
2. Systems
8. How would you rate your overall business performance?
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Going backwards
Struggling - just making ends meet
Ticking along - head above water
Gaining momentum - improving
Firing on all cylinders - going great!
9. How would you rate the challenges you face in your business?
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Massive - feels insurmountable
A number of challenges competing for attention - split focus
We are coping with the challenges
We've overcome a number and are focused on a few key challenges
No major challenges right now
10. What is the Number 1 challenge in your business right now?
11. How would you rate your current systems and processes?
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Non-existent
One or two key systems documented
Some systems and processes documented and used for training
We have a systems and procedures process for capturing, updating and training important systems
We've nailed it - enjoying efficiencies from fully systemised business
12. Are processes in your business always done the same way, or does each team member (or yourself, if a solo business) do it their own/a different way each time?
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Rarely, if ever, is a process done the same way each time
Some processes are repeated but we are often re-inventing the wheel
We try to capitalise on re-purposing work and processes already invented but not always
We have a clear set of processes for most important tasks, which we follow
We are always looking at ways to streamline, leverage and capitalise on processes already in place as well as implementing new processes efficiently
13. Has the financial performance of your business changed over time?
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Gone backwards
Stagnated
Erratic - peaks and troughs
Some moderate growth
Continuous and sizeable growth
3. Products
14. How would you rate your customer service?
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Really needs work
Below par
Average
Above Average
Exceptional
15. Do you get many complaints or negative feedback from customers about your product/service?
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Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Hardly ever
Never
16. Are your products and services clearly defined, packaged and priced?
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No, often making it up as we go
We've started working on this - it's an area to improve in
Yes, for our core products/services only
Yes, for most of our services
Yes, for all of our services
17. How would you rate the breadth of your products and services in terms of meeting market needs?
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Too broad - all things to all people
Too narrow - we are missing opportunities
We are meeting market needs with our offers
We are meeting market needs and can see areas of opportunity we want to move into
Just right mix of focus and breadth
18. How do your products and services compare with your competitors?
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Not well - we need to make improvements
We are often playing catch-up with our competitors
We are middle of the market
We are above average
We are market leaders/top tier/customer's first choice
4. Technology
19. How would you rate the overall suitability/performance of technology in your business?
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Non existent/not coping at all
Outdated
Doing an OK job
Helping us grow, saving time, provide better customer service
Totally revolutionising our business and its performance
20. Do you have adequate and effective software in place for key areas of your business such as a CRM (customer database), Accounting, Website CMS (content management system), Marketing (eg marketing automation tools)?
*
Non existent
Not really and those we do have area outdated
We have some of these but not all
We are making good progress in most of these areas
We have all these areas covered
21. Do you have adequate and effective hardware in place for key areas of your business eg computing, server, and production tools?
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Non existent
Not really and those we do have are outdated
We have some of these but not all
We are making good progress in most of these areas
We have all these areas covered
22. How would you rate your communications platforms eg telephone, internet, VOIP, conferencing (video and voice)?
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Not coping at all
Outdated
Doing an OK job
Helping us grow, saving time, provide better customer service
Totally revolutionising our business and its performance
23. How would you rate your technology systems and support (ie regular backups, good support people who can help you when you have issues etc)?
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Need help!
Sporadic
Regular backup of essential data, needs improvement in other areas
Good processes in place and competent support
Regular and reliable technology systems and processes and a fast, reliable and well-trained support team
5. Money
24. Are you making a taxable profit?
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Large Losses
Small Losses
Break Even
Small Profit
Large Profit
25. Are your accounts up to date?
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No, really behind
A few months behind
Core data up to date but behind on the details
Mostly up to date
All up to date and totally sorted
26. How would you classify your cashflow?
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Not sure, I don't track it
Highly erratic/lumpy, causes headaches, often need to stretch payment terms
Managing to keep things ticking along most months
Reliable and predictable and enough to cover expenditures
Ample cashflow to pay all current expenditures with plenty in reserve
27. How well can you pay your Creditors/Suppliers?
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I struggle to pay them on time, often need extended payment terms
I am usually paying bills late
I sometimes struggle to pay on time
Usually pay on time
Always pay on time
28. How well do your Debtors/Customers pay you?
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I am always chasing my customers for payment
They mostly pay me within 90 days but I have to chase some of them
They mostly pay me within 60-90 days but I have to chase some of them
They pay regularly within 30 days and occasionally I have to follow them up
My customers pay me within my payment terms and I never have to chase them
6. Sales and Marketing
29. Do you have a documented Marketing Plan?
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No plan, not sure where to start
I have started to make some notes but didn't get far
I have the elements of a plan but need to pull it all together
I have a documented plan but it needs work/needs updating
I have a Marketing Plan I keep up to date and reference often
30. How effective would you rate your marketing overall?
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Non-existent
Poor results - wasting my money
Average results - hit and miss
Getting better - we are winning more business
Great - very effective at winning new business
31. How big is the market for your product?
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Small - very few customers who are hard to find
Small - very few customers who are accessible
Emerging market - looking for early adopters
Established market with a good number of customers
Booming market with lots of customers
32. Do you have clearly defined target markets for your products/services?
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No, I don't know where to start
I have started to make some notes but didn't get far
I have some data and analysis of our clients and potential clients, but need to pull it all together
I have documented my target markets but it needs work/needs updating
I have documented and clearly defined my target markets and focus my marketing energy on those groups
33. How active is your marketing?
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Nothing
Some sporadic marketing when we are low on sales, but nothing planned or strategic
I do one or two marketing activities a year but I find my focus is split and I can't do as much as I'd like
I have a regular marketing schedule
I have a regular marketing schedule across a number of channels, targeted to my key markets and strategised for maximum results
7. People
If you are a small business without paid employees, or a solo operator, remember here that your team does not have to constitute paid employees or partners only. It can also include contractors and key suppliers. So, try to extend your thinking on these questions to include those vital members of your team who may not be on your direct payroll, but do have a direct impact on your ability to deliver your products and services.
34. Do you have enough support in your business?
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No, feeling totally overwhelmed
No, I need more support in a number of areas
I have some support but not enough in all areas of need
I have a good team around me
I have a great team who supports me to achieve my business goals
35. List here the areas in which you need more support:
36. Have you given your team clear job descriptions, KPIs and regular reviews?
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No, I haven't done any of that
I have basic job descriptions but that's about all
I do some of those things, some of the time
We generally give written job descriptions and annual reviews
We have a detailed induction program which provides team members with KPIs, Job Descriptions etc. and we review regularly.
37. What level of staff turnover do you have?
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High - people are always leaving
Moderate - we tend to lose good people after a short time
Our staffing levels remain quite stable
Low - we have a good mix of long term team members
People love working with us and we are able to keep our best team members for the long term
38. How would you describe the level of training you offer to your team?
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None
Very little
Ad hoc
Regular training offered
Comprehensive and regular training offered
39. How successful would you say your recruitment processes usually are?
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We find it very difficult to find the right people
Not great - often hard to find the right people
Average, although it can be hit and miss
We often find the right people
We always find the right people in a short period of time
8. You
40. How would you rate your current level of passion for your business?
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Low - not inspired
On decline - need more inspiration
Stagnated
Moderate
High - so excited about where we're going
41. How would you rate your leadership skills, on a scale of 1-5, 1 being 'poor', 5 being 'excellent'?
*
Please enter a number from
1
to
5
.
42. What worries you about your business? What keeps you awake at night?
43. What drives you personally?
44. Do you have a clear personal mission?
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No, I am lacking clarity
No, but I do have some ideas
Yes, but I feel it's time to make some changes
Yes, and I would like it to be even clearer
Yes and it drives me daily
45. How well does your current work/life balance reflect your desired outcome?
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Not at all - need help
Needs to change
Getting there
Quite happy with the balance
Really happy - going great
46. Are you getting the level of personal and professional development you need to lead your business right now?
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Not at all
Some, but nowhere near enough
Enough to get by
Doing well, but would like more
Yes!
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