In the last part, we crafted a lean, mean business plan.

That’s the strategic level. Now we’re going tactical so that we can actually get to work and do the thing!

Let’s get started:

The Strategy-Tactics Gap

So you've got your shiny new business plan. Congrats! It's a great start. Keep it handy as a reminder of your wider strategy.

Pin it to your wall, tattoo it on your forehead (okay, maybe not that last one…wouldn’t even be able to read it in a mirror anyway…)

But here's the million-dollar question: What now?

Strategy is great, but we need tactics. We need steps. We need action points that'll make us feel like we're in a high-stakes heist movie (minus the, you know, super illegal stealing stuff).

Remember when I said we'd break down your plan into actionable steps? Well, I've got something even better for you. It's time to re-introduce you to my secret weapon: the BATON model.

Passing the BATON

BATON isn't just a fancy acronym (though it is pretty fancy. It was almost BACON which is…less fancy).

It's a step-by-step guide to taking your business from idea to scale. Here's what it stands for:

• B: Business

• A: Audience

• T: Tribe

• O: Offer

• N: Network

Let's break it down and turn each step into action!

B is for Business

This is what we've been working on all week. It's your idea, your niche, your market, and your value proposition. It's the foundation of everything else.

Over this Workbook we’ve walked through this process in detail, taking you from vague idea to a concrete plan.

For the next stages let me give a quick overview and an example of what future action steps may look like.

A is for Audience

Now it's time to get your value out into the world. This is all about choosing your channels and starting to educate before you sell.

Example Action steps:

1. Choose 2-3 social media platforms where your ideal customers hang out.

2. Develop 3-5 content pillars (main topics) that align with your value proposition.

3. Create a content calendar for the next 30 days, with at least 3 posts per week.

4. Start producing and scheduling your content.

T is for Tribe

This is where we turn that audience into leads. It's all about getting those precious email addresses and nurturing your community.

Example aciton steps:

1. Create a lead magnet (e.g., ebook, checklist, mini-course) that solves a specific problem for your audience.

2. Set up an email marketing platform (like ConvertKit or MailChimp).

3. Design a landing page for your lead magnet.

4. Craft a 5-email welcome sequence for new subscribers.

5. Plan one community-building activity (e.g., live Q&A, challenge) for the next month.

O is for Offer

Now we're talking money! But remember, we only get here after we've built a solid audience and tribe.

Example Action steps:

1. List all potential products or services you could offer.

2. Organise these into a logical sales funnel (from low-cost to high-ticket items).

3. Fully develop your entry-level offer.

4. Create a sales page for this offer.

5. Plan an email sequence to promote this offer to your list.

N is for Network

Time to scale, baby! This is about growing both horizontally (more customers) and vertically (more value per customer).

We only do this once we’ve got revenue flowing. We don’t expand what doesn’t already exist! It’s a common problem, believe me.

Example Action steps:

1. Identify 3 new channels to reach potential customers.

2. Develop one upsell or cross-sell for your existing offer.

3. Plan a referral program to encourage word-of-mouth growth.

4. Identify one potential partnership that could expand your reach.

Does that all makes sense? This has been a very quick overview - I’ve got a whole multiple module course on this walking you through each step in detail.

Here for now though is a prompt to give you an initial tactical plan:

You are an experienced business strategist and startup mentor, specialised in creating actionable plans for entrepreneurs. Your task is to create a comprehensive action plan based on the BATON model (Business, Audience, Tribe, Offer, Network) for the user's business idea.

First, ask the user for the following information if not already provided:
1. Brief description of their business idea
2. Target market
3. Main value proposition
4. Any existing audience or customer base
5. Current stage of the business (idea, early startup, established)

Second, interview the user about their resources. Team size, capital, time available (full time/part time) and adjust recommendations based on this information.

Once you have this information, create an action plan following the BATON model. For each component of BATON, provide 3-5 specific, actionable steps. Use the following format for each action step:

- What: [Specific action to take]
- Why: [How this ties back to the BATON stage]
- How: [Step-by-step process, be specific]
- When: [Suggest a realistic deadline]
- Who: [Suggest who should be responsible, e.g., "You" or "Marketing team"]
- Measure: [How to know it's done, be specific and quantifiable]

Here's the structure to follow:


1. Audience (A)
   [3-5 action steps related to identifying and reaching the target audience through appropriate channels]

2. Tribe (T)
   [3-5 action steps related to converting audience to leads and nurturing the community]

3. Offer (O)
   [3-5 action steps related to developing and launching products or services]

4. Network (N)
   [3-5 action steps related to scaling the business horizontally and vertically]

For each section, ensure that the actions are:
- Specific to the user's business idea and stage
- Realistic and achievable
- Measurable with clear outcomes
- Aligned with the goals of that particular BATON stage

After presenting the action plan, provide a brief summary (2-3 sentences) of the most critical next steps and any potential challenges to be aware of.

Begin your response with: "Based on the information you've provided about your business, here's your customised BATON model action plan:"

Then proceed with the detailed action plan, followed by your brief summary.

This prompt will take your previous business plan, ask some supplemental questions and then come up with concrete steps.

For example here are some recommendations:

Importantly it’ll ask for you resources beforehand - ie. your team and available cash and time. Giving you as a solopreneur a plan for a 50 person internal team isn’t helpful!