Future "Needs" Assessment Project

I have begun a new project that I hope will guide us through the next year or so with the catering company. I am calling it the Future "Needs" assessment Project. The idea behind this project is to brainstorm and list everything that we will need -- or think we will need -- to expand the business in the future and also explain what would cause us to need that item. We are not listing supplies like cups, steaming pitchers or new tampers. Here is a quick list of things that I brainstormed yesterday: Truck (to pull trailer) Office Computer QuickBooks Pro 2006 for Windows Larger Trailer 3 Group (220v) Espresso Machine 2 Grinders Generator (220v or 110v) Trailer Decals Auto Decals The idea would be to give a description of each on the list above and find out when and why we need them. It will be important to have deciding factors listed so that when the time comes, we know that the item is ready to be purchased or researched, It seems that we are taking a step that we really do not need to take yet but what I feel this will do for us is allow us to know and make better purchasing decisions in the future. I feel that we have been spending to much money on things and that we have not really been taking our time with larger purchases. With the completion of this project, we will know that when certain things are present, it is time to purchase the next thing on the list. This project is also a good way to budget. Prices will be attached to each item so that -- for example -- if we begin to turn down 3 events a week for a consistent 4 week period, it is time to purchase the new trailer and catering set up. We can look at our chart and know what type of money this will take and really plan ahead for it. This is a project that will probably take about a week or week and a half to complete. I will post my final list when I have it. ..be bold Tagged: cafe evoke, coffee catering, bozeman, montana, coffee, tea, espresso, business planning, budgeting