10 ideas that will make your next business plan soar.
A business plan is a critical document for any business. PERIOD
SCORE - the Senior Corps Of Retired Executives lists the lack of a business plan as one of the top three reasons a business fails. Any creditable book on owning or running a business ownership states its importance.
If you put a business plan together there are two types. The first is a business plan for a brand new business with second type for an existing business. To create the best business plan that you can, consider the following ten tips.
1. Complete all sectionsBusiness plans take a little time to create. Don't rush the process. Part of its value is making you take a thought in your head and convert it to a valuable and considered idea.
2. Focus on cash flow if the business plan is to support a loan applicationIf the business plan is to support a loan application to a bank, make sure the cash flow projections are solid and make sense. If financial planning is not one of your strengths, consider getting help from a professional so you get it right. Preferably work with someone that you will use on an ongoing basis in the business so they can provide continuous and consistent advice.
3. Include a Break-even analysis if the business plan is for a loan applicationA bank is in business to make money. The bank therefore want to see from you that you understand there will be income and costs but more importantly, how long it will be before you get to a break-even situation and whether you have the resources to get there, and just as importantly, what buffer you have if it takes longer than you think.
4. Financials need to be realisticPoints two and three above also concern your finance, but this one is just as important and that is, make sure your financial projections are realistic. If the reader of your business plan doesn't think your financial projections are realistic they will question the rest of the business plan, if they decide to take your business plan seriously.
5. Tell a story but don't hype the storyThis is not a marketing document for somebody to buy your product or service. It's a document to explain the what, how, when, where, why of both the present and future of the business.
6. Write the plan to the person who knows nothing about the businessA business is a living and breathing entity that essentially has two main components; people and money. The goal is to explain in simple terms to anyone who reads the business plan what the business is about and what it stands for and how the thoughtful and proper use of both capital and labor will be successful and what help is required to contribute to that success, if the business plan's purpose is to support a loan application. Remember, write the business plan according to the audience that will read it.
7. Keep the business plan business-like and professional. Not a place for humor or personality.If the business plan is to support a loan application, most lenders are looking to see the direction of the company, whether their capital investment will be used wisely and that the business is something they can believe in.
8. Make sure the details are accurate - don't exaggerateA business plan is a place to introduce and explain. Wherever possible, support opinions, thoughts or suppositions with facts and statistics; this is not the place for unrealistic exaggerations. Every business fits broadly into an SIC or NAICS. SIC stands for Standard Industrial Classification whereas NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System. Reports and information about these industries are available and provide readily available data about an industry and the direction it's going. Use this data in your reports to give credibility to the business plan. Your local library will help with getting access to this information.
9. Be concise, clear and simpleThis is a business document. The reader is not looking for a novel, they can get that from a bookstore.
10. Be careful with the use of technical jargonTechnical jargon can speak to the sophistication of the business plan but it can quickly alienate a reader who is not familiar with all the terms. Use technical jargon sparingly or provide a simple and clear definition, if it's important to use. Make sure the explanation is generally accepted; not the writer's pet project. If in doubt, have someone removed from the business read the business plan and offer constructive criticism.
If you would like a free business plan template, please visit my website and the samples page and choose either item 7 or 8.
10 ideas that will make your next business plan soar - To learn more about this author, visit Andrew Rogerson's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
 | |
 |
No article feedback found. |
| |
Leave Your Feedback |
 | |
| |||
Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
|||
David AchesonDavid Acheson is the founder of DCJA Consultancy. DCJA Consultancy is a management consultancy business specialising in B2B sales consultancy. They offer bespoke and packaged sales consultancy including Sales Optimisation Review, Interim Sales Management, Sales & Marketing Review, 1:1 Sales & Management Staff Analysis, Management Training, Solution Sales Training, Creation of New Pay Plan, KPI's, run Customer Feedback Campaigns, assist with Recruitment, Coaching, Appraisals and set up Strategic Marketing Campaigns. David spent his early career in accountancy and then moved into sales in 1982, working in Office Equipment, IT, Advertising, Training, Outsourcing and Consultancy. He has held many Senior Positions in SMBs and Global Organisations including Head of Sales Operations & Head of Business Development. His knowledge, skills and great experience of the Sales Industry has led to David making keynote speeches and running educational sessions to key businesses through organisations including The Chamber of Commerce and Business Link. - Visit David Acheson's Website |
|||
Jeff FosterWebBizIdeas.com is a Minneapolis website design company founded to help people start an internet business by providing them with website, business, and internet resources that help foster the growth of successful online businesses and develop innovative Internet business ideas. We specialize in internet consulting & internet marketing. - Visit Jeff Foster's Website |
|||
Kim CastleWith nearly two decades in the advertising and design business, with clients like Domino's Pizza, General Motors, Direct TV, Pedigree, Wolfgang Puck, Higher Octave Music, Hollywood Celebrity Products, Disney, and Paramount, as well as thousands of entrepreneurs around the world define, structure, communicate, and position their business for greater profits, BrandU(R) co-creators Kim Castle and W. Vito Montone discovered that entrepreneurs could experience the same power that big brands command for a fraction of the cost with the world's only process-based results-drive Integral approach to business creation. BrandU(R) is helping entrepreneurs grow with the power of extreme clarity from idea...to brand...to market(TM) and helping one million entrepreneurs become successful and whole so that they can make a difference in the world. Are you one of them? If you want to experience clarity all the way to the bank(TM), get started now at http://www.brandu.com. - Visit Kim Castle's Website |
|||
George LudwigGeorge Ludwig is a recognized authority on sales strategy and peak performance psychology. An international speaker, trainer, and corporate consultant, he helps clients like Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories, Northwestern Mutual, CIGNA, and numerous others improve sales force effectiveness and performance. Though it's George's strategies and processes that help corporations increase productivity and performance, it's his tremendous energy and dynamism that spark the transformation. Again and again, clients remark on his amazing ability to unleash human capacity and inspire men and women to break out of their comfort zones. The result is a whole new type of salesperson. His customized presentations teach achievers to make stunning advances in their lives. From helping salespeople realize cherished dreams to helping corporations exponentially accelerate revenue streams, George Ludwig leaves audiences and individuals empowered, emboldened, and clamoring for more. George is the best-selling author of Power Selling: Seven Strategies for Cracking the Sales Code and Wise Moves: 60 Quick Tips to Improve Your Position in Life & Business. - Visit George Ludwig's Website |
|||
David BarrDavid Barr is the President of Venture Opportunities, Inc. David has been a professional business broker/intermediary since 1980 focusing on General Business Brokerage and Mergers and Acquisitions representing client transaction value from $400,000 to $20,000,000. Mr. Barr has handled the sale of over four hundred and fifty companies. David earned a university degree from the State University of New York majoring in economics and business. David holds the Mergers and Acquisition Master Intermediary and the Certified Business Intermediary designations from the International Business Brokers Association. He is also a Senior Business Analyst and a Texas licensed Real Estate Agent. For more information about David and Venture Opportunities, visit www.bizdealmaker.com. - Visit David Barr's Website |
|||
Anne BarrAnne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website |
|||
Casey GollanCasey Gollan, Business Coaching & Mentoring Programs. Add $1 Million to $10 Million in the next 1 to 3 years. Since 1996 Casey has to added hundreds of millions of dollars to businesses. Watch a free video see client results Business Coaching website. - Visit Casey Gollan's Website |
|||
|
To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us. | |||
 | |
|  |
Subscribe to Andrew's articles
 | |
|
|  |
 | |
|
| |
 | |||||||
|
 | ||
 |
||
|
||
 |
||
|
| ||
 |
| Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details. |
|
|
 |
| Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media |
|
|
 |
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"
Click Here To Learn More |
|
|
|
|
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
|
|
|
 Integrity Guide Employee Engagment Solving Problems Goal Setting Your Annualized Bus Dev Plan |
|
 | ||
 |
Top 50 Blogs For Startups
Top Blogs To Watch In 2008 | |
 |
Top 50 Social Media Blogs
Top 50 Social Media Blogs | |
| ||
 | ||||
| ||||
|
| ||||
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||