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
no-contract cleaning service Mundelein ..A significant advantage of some business ideas is that the... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains, former Great Plains Dynamics is excellent fit... Read More
We have been spending many hours surveying the market for... Read More
A survey released by the American Institute of Certified Public... Read More
One of the quintessential parts to any business is your... Read More
Writing a business plan to help you direct and manage... Read More
The current state of the available technology at the disposal... Read More
Does your overall business strategy include the recruitment of college... Read More
With a heightened awareness of opportunity, ideas can often be... Read More
While writing an article recently on effective ways to bridge... Read More
1. Attempt Succession Planning Without Other Strategic Plans. Succession plans... Read More
Private equity firms have raised so much capital over the... Read More
How important is a vision statement to your company or... Read More
People often ask "What makes a good business plan? Or,... Read More
No matter what product or service you provide you will... Read More
If you are looking for a partner, funding, angle investor... Read More
When developing the competition section of your business plan, companies... Read More
Growth through acquisition should not be considered an option reserved... Read More
Can you imagine going on a road trip without knowing... Read More
Every decade we seem to come up with a buzz-word... Read More
Business planning is widely acknowledged as one of the keys... Read More
Imagine spending the same amount of money on marketing and... Read More
The boom of the dot-com era in 1999 brought the... Read More
The new check cashing instant clearing will take some time... Read More
If you own a mobile car wash business or auto... Read More
maid service near Glenview .."Begin with the end in mind," says Stephen Covey in... Read More
A survey released by the American Institute of Certified Public... Read More
One of the most important initiatives in the domain of... Read More
Last week we talked about a few of the ways... Read More
"Rubbish!" shouted the large, aggressive man in the red-striped shirt... Read More
A focus group is a group of employees or current... Read More
Can you imagine going on a road trip without knowing... Read More
( * - the word 'product' can be substituted to... Read More
If you are a successful franchise of a large franchise... Read More
A significant advantage of some business ideas is that the... Read More
It's easy to lose sight of what needs to be... Read More
So you've decided to write your own business plan because... Read More
If you are in the parking business and own or... Read More
With a heightened awareness of opportunity, ideas can often be... Read More
Many very successful business owners may never have had a... Read More
Six Sigma is becoming a proven approach for businesses and... Read More
Writing a business plan is no easy task, sure you... Read More
How you finance the expansion of your business is important.... Read More
The boom of the dot-com era in 1999 brought the... Read More
If you've ever listened to Warren Buffett talk about investing,... Read More
A strategic alliance is when two or more businesses join... Read More
Writing a business plan is an essential part of the... Read More
Human beings are rational agents. Rationality endorses one to take... Read More
Twice a year, Bill Gates goes to a remote island... Read More
I've either been involved with or held a process-related role... Read More
Strategic Planning |