The Business Plan
A good place to begin developing your new enterprise is with a business plan. A business plan is an organic written document that explains where a company is going, how it will get there and what it will look like when it arrives. It grows and develops with your business, accommodating new markets, strategies, and situations*. The same business plan can be used, at a minimum, for the following purposes:
- Set the goals and objectives for the company;s performance Provide a basis for evaluating and controlling the company's performance. Communicate to managers, directors, lenders, and investors.
- Perhaps most importantly, going through the process of producing a business plan for your new venture requires thinking through all the details that could prove to be crucial in the success or failure of your business. It serves as a reminder of what you've set out to do as well as a guide to study any deviations you make along the way.
Futhur Information
- Small Business Administration - Business Plan Basics
- Bplans.com: Business Planning Resources, Software, And Information
- American Express: Business Planning Guide
- Quicken Financial: Do I Need a Business Plan?
- Entreworld: Business Plan Section
- Deloitte And Touche: Writing An Effective Business Plan
- Business Planning Institute: Mistakes To Avoid When Writing A Business Plan
- Bizprimer: Business Planning Tools
