Question:
Please, anyone can tell me how to
write
a business
plan? Where I should start? What
kind of issues I should emphasize
more? Where I can get information
about writing business
plan?
Answer:
I am smack in the middle of getting
an art import business
off the ground. I am also
a student and have been using this
semester's class to research and
write
my business
plan.
There is piles of information available
at the public library and also at
the business
library of any college.
The resource I value the most is
a successful business
person who is willing to read my
plan and then ask those tough questions.
The books give direction and examples.
A successful business person
(not in the same field you are trying
to enter) will ask questions you
haven't thought of or have
assumed an answer to. Don't
be afraid to try to find a mentor.
Start with your library. There are
books there. Also, there is a lot
of - software that walks you through
such as Biz Plan Builder by Jian.
Finally, - call the SBA S.C.O.R.E.
or their small business
Development centers. - You'll get
all the help you need, at no cost.
Good Luck. Check too and see if
your city has anything like a small
business
resource center. Many areas support
such centers. They are good sources
of information.
Contact your
local Small Business
Administration office or, if available,
your local Small Business
Development Center. For help
*right now*, what follows is a list
of questions we give to new business
owners. If you can answer
them, in depth, you are well on
your way to having a usable business
plan:
1. Describe your business
in the future when it is successful:
sales volume, net earnings, types
of customers, employees, geography
covered, products and facilities.
2. Evaluate your unique qualifications
to successfully run this specific
business.
3. What is your immediate, and future,
competitive advantage?
4. Profile the characteristics of
12 prospective customers whom you
have interviewed and observed.
5. What will efficiently catch the
buying attention of your prospective
customer?
6. What are the key design features
of your promotional copy?
7. What does a break-even ysis tell
you your cost per unit should be?
(This unit could be hours for a
service business.)
8. Beyond service and price, what
unique conveniences will distinguish
your business?
9. Construct an 18-month cash budget.
10. If you need additional resources
or capital, what is your "pitch"?