Business Planning
"Without a plan, the people perish."
-Habakuk
Knowledge and planning are the keys to success in starting and growing a
small business. Why? Because according to research conducted by Dun &
Bradstreet, 90% of all small business failures can be traced to poor
management resulting from lack of knowledge or planning.
This is one of the reasons I created this business coaching web site. In my
years as an instructor for Dale Carnegie Training Worldwide, as a host for
the CBS Radio Show, "The Small Business Hour," and as an executive business
coach, advisor and consultant to many business owners, I have seen that
failure is directly related to a lack of knowledge and planning. I have
cringed as entrepreneurs and small business owners have tried in vain to
reinvent the wheel rather than rely on proven, tested methods that work.
If you are really serious about succeeding in a business... If you want to
avoid the common traps and mistakes... it is absolutely necessary that you
acquire the right knowledge and develop a realistic plan to achieve your
goals.
This area is a place where you can actually get step-by-step instructions on
how to get the needed knowledge and do the critical planning that is
necessary for success. The following are resources that can be valuable in
the business planning process:
Detailed instructions on how to write a business plan
Small Business Administration documentation regarding business plans
BRS - Very
sophisticated, customized programs available for a nominal fee considering
what they offer. These are good alternatives because they offer a suite of
solutions. Some are even tailored to specific industries. Included in the
selection of planning programs are: Business Insight, Plan Write Software,
Pricing Planning, Sales Planning, Planning for High-Tech Businesses. These
programs show coach you through writing a professional business plan that
includes complete financials. Any entrepreneur, pro or novice can use the
samples, templates, examples, marketing, free small business help, and
Internet plans for writing a plan or creating business strategy.
Palo Alto Software - Business Plan Pro 2003 leads you through every step
of the planning process. I like this software because the plan you create
can be about the final document for your banker or investor. In addition, it
is also practical in that it can be used to help you better understand and
grow your business. There is an easy too use help area with instructions,
400+ Sample Plans, matches the format that banks, lenders, and VCs are
looking for and even includes schedules to compare industry ratios, set
schedules, create personnel and mini-marketing plans, and find funding.
Business Plans -
Developers of the award winning "Automate Your Business Plan" software.
Guides you step-by-step through creating credible and defensible customized
business plans.
Recommended Books on Business Planning
What the CEO Wants You To Know by Ram Charan
Automate Your Business Plan by Linda Pinsen
The One Page Business Plan: Start With a Vision, Build a Company! -- by
James T., Jr. Horan
Small Time Operator : How to Start Your Own Business, Keep Your Books, Pay
Your Taxes, and Stay Out of Trouble (Small Time Operator, 25th Ed) -- by
Bernard B. Kamoroff