Question:
am looking at putting together a business plan to raise capital for a young -and upcoming company.  Are there any good software products that can make this -entire task as smooth as possible? Check out the the first looks section of the current issue of PC Magazine. A product which is reviewed there is given good marks as one of the better programs to hit the market so far.

Answer:
Are there any good books that provide guidance in terms of "Target -Marketing"  your business plan(s) contents to specific targets. I can't suggest any particular software programs, but there is one book that I would suggest. It is called "Business Plans That Win $$$" I provides a total breakdown of a business plan and includes several chapters on your "Target Marketing."
There is a company I know of that markets a package to develop business plans.  With quotes from the brochure .. The package "Drafting a Successful Business" is a Quattro Pro spreadsheet that includes 11 modules addressing "every area of business" and an "Entrepreneur Self-Assessment" section.

I am told that this package is in use at various educational institutions that give courses in Small Business and/or Entrepreneurship.

Contact them for pricing and other information at:

ENTEX Business Development Systems Inc. 2nd Floor, 3300 2nd Avenue West, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada, S6V 5E9

All the pointers to business plan software packages are great, but the plan is more involved than what goes into the plan.  The process of thinking through the alternatives is a major component of the planning process.  The tools may help you realize what you need to think about, but the thinking is what is important.

I have seen the results of several of the programs mentioned, and they are usually identifiable immediately.  That is O. K. if the plan is solid, but I see too many plans that emphasize the financials and minimize the marketing and contingency planning.  You can do the plan on a white board and the financials on a business calculator if you know what you are trying to accomplish, the tools are simply there to guide you through the process.