I've got a $5 million plan this year - but what will be the real cost?

My journey for expansion into the US market has been well documented, and will be released in a book early next year. It's been one of the most remarkable experiences of my life, and in every way has turned it upside down and at times side-ways.

I have had times where I am so excited that I cannot think of how life could possibly get better. Then other times where I have cried because it felt like it all was too hard. But mostly I have grown as an entrepreneur and boss in ways I never imagined possible. I have also grown as a person and am today more comfortable in my own skin then ever before.

When you have so many moving parts, and there is a hiccup in some area of your business or life, it jolts you. You have two choices; to pick yourself up and keep forging ahead, or fall over. I have never chosen to fall over, although I have tripped only to realise that it is a sign of a certain type of person, and who they are if they can quickly get back on their feet and keep moving.

I have a plan for next year that is well-documented and thoroughly researched. It includes launching three new areas of our business, accelerating growth in existing products and services, and opening up our intellectual property to other marketers and business owners around the world. 

In my plan, I have every single area taken into account. I doubt I have missed anything because I have put so much into ensuring that I thought of everything that needs to be done to increase our businesses exposure and footprint. But we will find out when I show the team and let them pick it to pieces.

The only thing that may hold us back is people, and that's an area I am not so good at, but I hope that my continued improvement in this area pays dividends.

The US market has become even more important to us with the value of the Australian dollar being so weak against the US dollar. I arrived here to expand the business when the Australian dollar was between $1.04 and $1.08, and I thought all my Christmased had come at once. Everything was cheap; labour, office space, accomodation, flights - you name it.

Now that this is no longer the case, it's crystal clear that I should be making sure that the US business continues to grow and hit key milestones, delivering to Marketing Eye a profitable, sustainable business that does not revolve around my own personal brand. 

$5 million in growth is largely to come from the US market, and to do that, we need to hire more than 15 people in key locations throughout the US over the next 12 months. This is exciting for a country with high unemployment and low wages, as we are able to give people real opportunities to be part of an exciting, innovative company that has a bright future.

But what is the real cost?

The cost in doing this is having the ability to stay focused, delivering best-of-breed marketing services that outperforms the expectations of our clients, all while keeping work, life balance. It almost seems impossible, but as I said, I have a plan and it involves people that perform and are rewarded accordingly. I am also mindful that there will be obstacles and things that get in the way, but if we all stay focused, we can achieve great things. 

Let's see how we go.