[aleish]

They say that "Those who fail to plan, plan to fail!" Please do tell how to create a good business plan.. do you have a guideline so that it is easy for me to create one. Thank you!

[PauloT]

if you actually FOLLOW a business plan you will fail.
so many things change from the time you create a "business plan" to actually doing business...

[paul2145r]

The business plan is different for every busy, so there is no one set way to write one. There are a few guidelines that you can follow, but my recommendation is that you find an example that pertains to whatever industry that you work in, and get some ideas off of it. PM me for suggestions, or a quote on having one written (if that's what you're looking for). Good luck, and happy hunting!

Paul

[kwontemtek]

Originally Posted by PauloT

if you actually FOLLOW a business plan you will fail.
so many things change from the time you create a "business plan" to actually doing business...

Typical...iv seen so many people start a business plan and leave it. UPDATE YOUR BUSINESS PLAN...DAILY|WEEKLY|AT MOST BI-WEEKLY...IF YOU DONT WHAT GOOD IS IT?

My business plan is layed out more like an Agenda/Blog. This is my method though and not everybody might like it. I do this so I can meet my long-term quota's, goals, and innovations/breakthroughs in technology.

[NeeJam]

http://www.bplans.org/

[JaytheCreative]

Actually, business plans, as great as they are, they simply serve the purpose to appeal to financial lenders (such as banks, financial firms, etc.) and investors (such as angel investors and venture capitalists).

Business plans aren't as popular or "crucial" as people think. I forget that article I read on business plans within major companies, but an extremely small amount of major companies actually had a business plan, let alone an extensive one. And much LESS of them reported following it. In that article, an executive said that his team didn't even remember where they left their business plan lol. I WISH I had that article! Man it was a good one.

Anywayz, business plans are required for banks and most investors, as well as a competent presentation.

But, you should check into local major business colleges/schools because often they host courses, seminars, and workshops open to the public on such business topics. I will be attending one at UWParkside (Univserity of Wisconsin - Parkside) in January to network and gain some knowledge.

I would also checkout the Small Business Administration website at www.sba.gov.

Here's a link that may help u: http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/index.html

[jpaynecr]

Originally Posted by PauloT

if you actually FOLLOW a business plan you will fail.
so many things change from the time you create a "business plan" to actually doing business...

That is not ture at all. There is a reason that banks and investors require good business plans, bucause they work. Most businesses go broke due to a lack of funding. There is a lack of funding because they failed on that part of the plan.

[JaytheCreative]

Good point jpaynecr. Very good point. But other variables happen as well, but financial is the major factor for loss of business sustainability.

But, it is not essential to follow a business plan exactly. Or at least, re-define or modify your business plan periodically (such as every 5 years) to adjust to the changes. In the beginning, business plans are safest, but in the long run, th business plan on paper itself is either forgotten or nothing like the original due to changes in the company and time (such as acquisitions, diversification of product/services, new accounting/financing style or practices, etc.).

Keep a strong financial head on your shoulders BP or no BP.

Also, keep in mind investors are not the same. Some are focus on different aspects of a proposal than the other. Angel investors, for example, may be less critical of the details of an outlined financial plan (other than projections and payment practices) and focusing more on the marketability and personality/mind of the proposer(s). Especially since angel investors have less control of finances and have a more flexible grace period for ROI. Venture capitalists and banks are the serious cats that you have to sell numbers to. (I say 'sell numbers' since thats what u're basically doing...saying this is how we plan to give u the best ROI we can offer, and here's all the hoopla analysis and charts and all those boring details that u think are pretty....eat it and love it).

But after u make the BP, if u do, and get the capital u ask for or is necessary u might as well throw it away because all of that has to be in the mind of u and ur team anywayz.

Just my opinion anywayz.

www.smallbusinessplanguide.com is a resource I just found on Google. Good luck!

[akula]

Originally Posted by aleish

They say that "Those who fail to plan, plan to fail!" Please do tell how to create a good business plan.. do you have a guideline so that it is easy for me to create one. Thank you!

here's an example of the only b-plan that counts for anything:

"My plan is to get a customer, and then get another customer through begging, borrowing, stealing and anything else I need to do, to get a customer"

That's all

Everything else is a formality dependant on the purpose of the plan

i.e. you might need a plan to get a L.O.I or something, but as far as internal managent goes - the only plan you need is the example I've given above

[akula]

Originally Posted by PauloT

if you actually FOLLOW a business plan you will fail.
so many things change from the time you create a "business plan" to actually doing business...

very good observation