Help in developing a Business Plan

[RyanCassidy]

I've been developing a Business plan for a matter of months now, and I don't think its upto scratch. My Business is based around 'Financial Management'; could you give me some advice on generating a business plan based around this subject?

Thanks,
Ryan Cassidy, 15.

[rogercbryan]

Ryan,

My website RCBryan.com - RCBryan.com Provides Business Consulting Services for the Small Business Entrepreneur is geared completely towards helping people set-up their business. I actually just published my first eBook you can download it for free here Free Business Plan Outline

It's completely free and has over 100 pages of content to help you get your plan done right.

[RyanCassidy]

Thanks alot dude. Seems brilliant!

[SocEntrepreneur]

I'd strongly recommend holding off on a big business plan (particularly if you're having a lot of trouble with it) until you've got a few sales going. As you've probably heard, all that planning tends to go out the window once you learn a bit more about the market. I'm a strong believer in rapid iteration in the early stages of a company, and you can write a business plan once it's time to raise serious money.

[ChrisBenjamin]

Business Plan reviews - get C-level management feedback before presenting to investors: Rogue CFO BusinessPlanReviews

I can help give you feedback on whats missing, what can be better, what is good, etc.

[barbaragabogrecan]

Nice information. The importance of planning should never be overlooked. For a business to be successful and profitable, the owners and the managing directors must have a clear understanding of the firm's customers, strengths and competition. They must also have the foresight to plan for future expansion. Bear in mind that a business plan should be the end result of a careful and extensive research and development project which must be completed before any serious writing of a plan should be started. Under no circumstances should you start writing a plan before all the key issues have been crystallized and addressed. Thanks for sharing with us.

[vafire]

What would work for you and what has worked for me in the past with management in development in fortune 500 companies is to research by soft sales. Put some feelers out there, Talk to some of your potential customers and let them know what you will be providing in the near future and ask what they would like to see implemented as well. Have a good old sit down and really get a feel of what your potential customers want to make their life/job easier when dealing with finance management. Ask what they like and don't like about the way they currently do things and at the same time let them know you will be utilizing their recommendations to further development pre-launch. When doing this, it will help you in development while giving you some real solid feedback (FREE) it will also give you some great ideas from your future customers to mold your idea around.

While doing this you are also making a "Soft Sale" as i call it. Your customer knows there is someone working on a solution to their problem and it didn't cost them a thing. Once your ready to launch your great idea, Call all of them back with solutions to their problems. Going it the other route will involve many updates and releases when dealing with software. These methods have always worked for me (sales in the 95-98% range) and allow you to have a better understanding of whats in demand when developing your idea while getting sales lined up.

Hope this helped!
Vafire
Founder & CEO CDS and CDS Entertainment

[Emma Ames]

Hi RyanCassidy,

It's good that you have started at a young age trying to test the waters already. But since any type of planning takes a lot of effort, I suggest you first clearly define what you are trying to achieve, before you start putting more details about your business plan. Keeping in mind your goal will help you focus on the right stuff instead of wasting time and energy on the things that are unnecessary. As in the planning process a lot of things arise, by setting and focusing on your central aim, it will help you lessen the distractions that may and will come your way.

But that's just one of the many things that you are supposed to do. Just do a lot of research while keeping your goals, thus your limitations, always in mind.

Best of luck,
Emma Ames

[allee]

Try using a business plan software. It makes it a whole lot easier and most have templates for the type of business you desire.

Moving Forward
www.agoralist.org

[entrepreneurialCoach]

Ryan

I have recently finished a book which includes an easy to follow business plan on one page of paper. Your plan should not only include financial information but more importantly, how specifically you will grow your business and make Money!

Ken Esrig
Entrepreneur Coach