The world has changed (duh!) The consumer is in charge. And your cell phone is probably obsolete. Browse through these 2006 Inventions of the Year and you'll see clearly what some of our priorities have become -- online voyeurism, safety and security, and the well-being of our planet.

What does this have to do with planning? Understanding trends is critical to figuring our where YOUR business needs to go.

"There are three stages to every business..." says Jay Goltz of the Goltz Group. ""The start-up phase, the throw-up phase, and the grow-up phase."

Understanding what you want your company to ultimately be -- and how you want to live -- are critical to business planning.

"Prep Before You Plan!" declares Mark R.LePage, AIA and Partner in architectural design firm Fivecat Studio.

Fivecat Studio used a process similar to the one they use to design houses when they sat down to draft their business plan. This approach is great way to make sure your "roof doesn't leak" or that you don't get stalled by "zoning issues." Click here to read Mark's entire blog about their process.

Have any insights or trends you'd like to share with theONswitch? Please feel free to e-mail them to us or comment at theONblog.

The JFK Airport design was inspired by a grapefruit. Here are details, plus other little-known stories about inventors' insprirations.

Albert Einstein once said, "The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” But he didn't live in the Internet era. R ead about the new speed of life and how to deal with it.
Please feel free to comment (and add links to your site).

Great floorPLANs can be found at Metro92. theONswitch and Pilla Marketing Communcations partnered on this new website for an awesome live/work space in Yonkers.

Are you PLANning to wear a bikini this season (or anything other than a muumuu?) Then follow some of the fitness tips found on Larysa's new website. (And treat yourself to some "Gym Bling" while you're there.)

theONswitch has just published two new "10 VOLTS" quick-read guides for business owners -- The Guide to Guru-dom and Platinum PR. A limited number are available free to clients and prospects. Please ask.

One Day University is coming soon to a "campus" near you. You don't even have to take the SATs or worry about your GPA.

And while you're planning things related to your head, remember to visit theONswitch client Advanced Dentistry of Westchester on Wednesday, January 31 from 5 to 8PM for a FREE oral cancer check using the new VELscope technology. It only takes a few minutes and can save your life.

Plan to be nice in 2007, but be wary of some childcare workers. Second Shift has two great upcoming Westchester events for members ($50 membership fee + attendance fee). On February 6, Robin Koval, co-author of "The Power of Nice" shares her business philosophy. And, on February 13, Lisa Belkin of the New York Times elaborates on her recent cover story about a disturbed ex- babysitter. For details and to join, contact Second Shift President, Mara Weissmann.

Nancy A. Shenker of theONswitch simply loves to talk. And in 2007, she'll be doing just that at NYU, the American Camp Association Tri-State Conference, and The New York Enterprise Report "Results Driven Marketing" event.

Planning give you a headache? Here's a simple overview of strategic planning and why it's important.

And relieve that planning headache by "unplugging," with tips from many stressed-out business owners.

By the way, the cool watch is from EOS, whose watch collection includes styles with programmable LED panels and multiple time zones. What better way to manage your time in 2007?

The people in your business life are essential to achieving your goals. February's 30-Second Current will be all about "Critical Connections."