A conversation about planning with Richard Chaing

Richard discussed the importance of having three plans: Business Plan, Marketing Plan and Financial Plan. Read this for the basics of a plan.

We discussed the idea of having concrete goals in uncomfortable settings and the benefits of a  micro goal.

Don’t ask people what they do.  I have referenced this article in the past but it bear repeating.  27 questions to ask instead of What do You Do?

The Art of War is the one book that Richard believes everyone needs to read.  This website contains side-by-side translation and commentary, cross references, and PDF and text downloads of the full book.

Richard spoke of charting a course and mapping out getting from point A to point B.  This made me think about mind mapping, a tool which I employ regularly.  There are lots of technological solutions around mind mapping or you can use paper and pens or markers.  Here is a basic overview.

Richard is a big believer in writing down his plans and goals.  There are lots of articles about the benefits of doing so.  Here is one.

I recommended Atomic Habits by James Clear to Richard.

Expensive notebooks and pens – Richard was trying too hard to be neat so he goes with cheap notebooks. Expensive tools dissuade him.  Here is an interesting list of the “best notebooks”.  Note the wide range in prices.

Richard talked about his non-profit foundation for young entrepreneurs ages 7-17.

Richard can be found at www.Suffolkexecutiveoffices.com

or email him at [email protected]