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 ..We have been spending many hours surveying the market for... Read More
The goal of almost every business owner is to generate... Read More
As a franchisor it is imperative that you seek, find... Read More
For many consumers and producers, MSP is an acronym for... Read More
You have heard that there is extra money on the... Read More
Writing a Business Plan these days is tough, venture capitalists... Read More
When you start your program to purchase your "ideal" company,... Read More
When developing the competition section of your business plan, companies... Read More
Six Sigma is becoming a proven approach for businesses and... Read More
I. INTRODUCTIONThe term resilience, which is of frequent use in... Read More
"Rubbish!" shouted the large, aggressive man in the red-striped shirt... Read More
Q: A key investor in my business has suggested that... Read More
ACTION PLANNING: Action Planning is a process to develop strategies... Read More
Much of what we heard in the mass media about... Read More
1. Attempt Succession Planning Without Other Strategic Plans. Succession plans... Read More
Human beings are rational agents. Rationality endorses one to take... Read More
If ever there were an industry where we want zero... Read More
If you are in the parking business and own or... Read More
This week I coached a wonderfully lovely woman I'll call... Read More
I'm not talking about posting the HBO schedule on your... Read More
A significant advantage of some business ideas is that the... Read More
More than $117 billion passed hands from Internet shoppers to... Read More
American Eagle Outfitters and Wet Seal Stores have issued statements... Read More
GETTING STARTED WITH SUCCESSION PLANNING: PART IA survey of 4,300... Read More
Many business start-up kits or consultants will tell you one... Read More
maid service near Glenview ..Growth through acquisition should not be considered an option reserved... Read More
These may sound like no brainers, but you'd be surprised.... Read More
Where would your business be without a proper plan? A... Read More
Twice a year, Bill Gates goes to a remote island... Read More
Imagine an office without a desk, or lights, a computer,... Read More
If you're a solo professional like I am, you know... Read More
"I don't need a business plan."Neither did Alice in Wonderland."Would... Read More
Here's a really simple way to make sure your plans... Read More
If you are a successful franchise of a large franchise... Read More
Does your overall business strategy include the recruitment of college... Read More
I am not a big fisherman, but I do enjoy... Read More
Many of Ohio's downtown areas are in need of upgrading... Read More
What do Mark Victor Hansen, Robert Allen, Anthony Robbins, Andrew... Read More
Note to Rite Aid and CVS: It's not about the... Read More
From time to time there seems to be a flurry... Read More
Is there a 'magical' way to exponentially grow your business?It's... Read More
Obviously, there will never be an actual water shortage since... Read More
Let us look at a few of the big distribution... Read More
One of the difficulties we face in our industrialized age... Read More
Business plan financial projections seem daunting because they are so... Read More
The first step in starting a restaurant is proper planning.... Read More
Please take a moment before you read any further and... Read More
"Bozo" ? A clown with a forlorn look, always finding... Read More
"Begin with the end in mind," says Stephen Covey in... Read More
With a heightened awareness of opportunity, ideas can often be... Read More
Strategic Planning |