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Is Now the Right Time to Become An Entrepreneur?
A number of economic changes are magnifying the role of small business and creating the impetus for entrepreneurship.
In the past, many people perceived small business owners as shopkeepers – the mom ‘n pop shops. Today, with a status boost,...
Know These Five Audiences to Write a Top Selling Book
Know These Five Audiences to Write a Top Selling Book Judy Cullins ©2003 All Rights Reserved.
To create a salable book you need to know your preferred audience or audiences before you write your book. This essential "hot-selling point" helps you...
Reach Web Site Goals by Understanding the Customer Decision Making Process (Part 1 of 2)
An important question to answer when creating or revising a Web site is "What are the goals of this site?" because the answer will drive your site design and marketing decisions. A good way to choose the correct goals is to think in terms of the...
Sell 100,000 eBooks by letting it be read for free?
Did you know that if just one person goes into a library and asks for your eBook and if it is listed in the librarians’ catalogs, then the library will buy a copy of your eBook in order to lend out.
And did you know that it only takes just...
Want to Work from Home? Ever Given a Thought to Telecommuting?
There are many mistaken definitions of what telecommuting means. The very name gives the impression of someone answering work telephone calls from home or typing furiously away at their computers.
Traditionally, telecommuting meant that an...
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Seven Preparations for Writing a Business Plan
Writing a business plan is a daunting task. If you do not know that by now, you will discover that soon after you have read your first set of instructions for writing a plan. While each of these preparations will require much of your time and efforts, they will help to make the writing of your business plan easier.
Writing your own plan is best because you probably have superior knowledge of your product, your target market and your own capabilities. Eventually, when you are required to defend your plan, you will be better informed of its contents and its rationale. If you engage someone else to write your business plan, you will still have to supply much of the following information anyway.
1. Enter an outline in your wordprocessor. You can copy excerpts from books, online searches or pamphlets from government agencies. Finding appropriate content for your venture could take quite a bit of time. It's a good start for overcoming inertia, it provides places to record information as it is gathered and your outline can become your planning and control file.
2. Begin collecting contact details for all your references: data sources, business plan writing instructions, resource persons, online sites, libraries, bookstores, etc. The more -- the better. Exercise caution if you think your idea is hot for a local and limited market. Reveal your concept and your research only to a trusted few. Someone with similar attributes and skills with access to more money could beat you to an exclusive market share. In my business classes there was always, at least, one student accepting my offer to submit the weekly submissions in a plain kraft envelope.
3. Establish formats and content for appendices such as floor plans, schedules and product details that could be time consuming to gather into an appropriate presentation.
4. Gather industry data. Lenders and investors have access to
financial ratios. Ratios are difficult or costly to obtain for some types of businesses. Sample financial statements are more easily found. So, find several that have revenues and expenditures similar to your venture and calculate averages for your own ratios. Gathering extensive marketing information on your potential competitors and for your target market requires a lot of preparatory work. Your readers will expect your data to be cross-referenced and full explanations for any abnormal ranges. If your research requires you to have Standard Industrial Codes (SIC) get them at http://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/sicsearch.html or http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html.
5. Perform "what-if" experiments on spreadsheets to find the best presentations of tables and charts for cashflow projections, break-even estimates, product life cycle, market segmentation, implementation schedules, training programs and all the other ingredients ensuring the success of your venture. Accuracy and readability improve with each reiteration or rewrite.
6. Begin your networking by joining and attending appropriate associations and trade fairs. Ask about or just listen to the many problems being shared. Arrange meetings with as many people you know who are familiar with businesses similar to your venture.
7. Meet with a lender or investor for advice. Try to determine their expectations for your venture and for the content of your plan. Ask for any booklets and their networking suggestions. Do the same with experienced borrowers.
You will appreciate the benefits from your due diligence on these preparations. May the writing of your business plan be less daunting. I wish I could tell you it will be a "piece of cake."
About the Author
Gerry added practical wisdom to his college and univeristy courses by owning and operating small businesses. That wisdom is now online at http://www.UncleMaxSays.com
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