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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

Simple out line of what should be in a basic business plan (according to the Small Business Administration)
 

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.

Good basic planning program from 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.
 

Great sample business plan - This is the most complete sample I have seen. It should work for pretty much any business but it may spin your brain if you try to complete the entire thing in one sitting!

Recommended Books on Business Planning

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