So you've decided to write your own business plan because you know the value that the experience will give you. With the books and software that are out there today you can probably sit down and complete the plan in a day or so, right? Plug in the numbers, add the notes, write the whole narrative (story), print it and get it out to the banks or investors.
If you can complete a plan in a day or so you are either an expert, that has already done all of the research, or you are heading for big trouble, because you have not done enough research. If you are like most people you have a job, a family and commitments that take up a lot of time. It would be impossible to write a business plan that quickly, even if you know your stuff. You have probably heard the old adage, 'Rome wasn't built in a day' well, neither was a good business plan.
To create a top quality business plan you need to research each and every aspect as diligently as possible. Take your time and think of everything, don't leave anything to chance.
That sounds like a lot of work and a long drawn out process. How will you remember or even think of everything? How can you keep track of what you have to research? If you have to set your plan aside for a while, how will you remember where you left off? You may get tired, bored and even careless in your efforts because like most people you probably have Attention Deficit Disorder when it comes to doing this type of work.
The answer is to do your plan in steps. A good guide book or business plan software will ask you to complete work as you go, one step at a time. You read a section, do some research on the items(s) in the section and enter the information that you discovered. This way you are focused on each item as you go and never become overwhelmed. You will also be able to remember where you were when you have to set the plan aside for a few days, without having to re-read a novel. The process may still seem long but if you concentrate on doing your plan in steps it will be done before you know it.
This series of articles has been written in steps because most people don't have the time to sit down and read a novel. You can even do your financial projections in steps, which is where I recommend that you start. Doing the projections will help you analyse the feasibility of your project before you spend a ton of time writing a complete plan that may or may not work for you.
Look for the next article on Writing A Successful Business Plan - Part 3 - 'The Feasibility' of the Becoming Wise - Wild & Free series.
About The Author
Written by Rod Francis - President of Advantage Venture
Systems Inc. creators of the Venture Planning System(tm)
Pro business plan software @ www.vpspro.com
Suite 207, #1-1081 Central Ave. N.,
Swift Current, SK Canada S9H 4Z1
Check for more articles on writing a business plan at: www.vpspro.com
green cleaning service Glencoe ..All investors greatly desire and are motivated by a clear... Read More
Please take a moment before you read any further and... Read More
I recently took an organizational behavior class where my professor... Read More
Want to become more strategic? Add these traits to your... Read More
If you own the mid-size business and actively work in... Read More
( * - the word 'product' can be substituted to... Read More
These may sound like no brainers, but you'd be surprised.... Read More
A survey released by the American Institute of Certified Public... Read More
One of the key challenges for any business is to... Read More
Why cut costs now? Efforts are multiplying to cut costs... Read More
Is your business growing as fast and effectively as it... Read More
Many movies have been made about the tragic story of... Read More
Creativity is one of the greatest tools for success in... Read More
More than $117 billion passed hands from Internet shoppers to... Read More
1. Attempt Succession Planning Without Other Strategic Plans. Succession plans... Read More
"Most great plans aren't. They are just nice, high-level ideas."That's... Read More
Strategic planning and consulting is the strategy roadmap to manage... Read More
Although North Americans were the dominant population on the Internet,... Read More
Whether you are seeking capital for your company or are... Read More
Remember reading "Alice in Wonderland?"She asks the Cheshire Cat, "which... Read More
Note to Rite Aid and CVS: It's not about the... Read More
Experts estimate that 90 percent of Australian businesses are overspending... Read More
By cranking up others development to meet your business needs,... Read More
Making money doesn't make your reputation... your reputation makes you... Read More
Running a business, whether it be an offline multi-billion dollar... Read More
house cleaning company Bannockburn ..Most companies that are worthy of raising venture capital have... Read More
The format of a Business Plan is something that has... Read More
Every new business owner knows that a business plan is... Read More
Last week we talked about a few of the ways... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains, former Great Plains Dynamics is excellent fit... Read More
The foundation of any business transaction is the promise of... Read More
Strategic planning and consulting is the strategy roadmap to manage... Read More
Is there really anything as a problem? Does chaos or... Read More
Creativity is one of the greatest tools for success in... Read More
As a franchisor it is imperative that you seek, find... Read More
Are you frustrated by the lack of growth in your... Read More
Does your overall business strategy include the recruitment of college... Read More
We all know that nothing runs without a plan, and... Read More
Q: A key investor in my business has suggested that... Read More
American Eagle Outfitters and Wet Seal Stores have issued statements... Read More
"Rubbish!" shouted the large, aggressive man in the red-striped shirt... Read More
Much of what we heard in the mass media about... Read More
Mobile auto detailing equipment becomes very inexpensive around March each... Read More
With a heightened awareness of opportunity, ideas can often be... Read More
Ask a small business owner about their strategic plan and... Read More
As fast as you can say business disaster, your business... Read More
There are no "rules of thumb" in the pursuit of... Read More
As a business owner, you've likely created a hurricane plan... Read More
Let us look at a few of the big distribution... Read More
The boom of the dot-com era in 1999 brought the... Read More
Strategic Planning |