Learning how to create a business plan is similar to learning how create a
sculpture.
It's putting it all together that
becomes the real challenge.
The Inspiration for a
Business Plan
Easily 90% of all business plans are so
dull and so poorly written that they give "business" a bad
name. Don't believe me? Read through some of the business
plans in Business
Plan Briefing. (If you haven't signed up yet, see below.)
Read one. Then another. Then a
dozen more.
Now you are beginning to know how a
venture capitalist or banker feels when he gets inundated with this drivel
day after day after day.
Creating a business plan with strength
and influence doesn't take a genius. It does take some planning, and
a bit of inspiration.
Where do you get that inspiration?
Look first at your own business
materials, especially if you've been in business for a while. You
should have begun to establish a "look" that is yours.
That will probably form the foundation of your business plan very
effectively.
If your business is new, take an
inspiration from others in your industry. Don't copy anyone else --
that won't do either of you any good. But get a feeling for the
kinds of styles used. Is a fancy Baroque style appropriate, or a
formal modern style? How about a swingy bright red?
If you are comfortable in your
"style", the writing seems to flow much easier.
How to
Create
a Business Plan in the Internet Era
It often feels like there are two
distinct styles to strong business plans: those created
pre-internet, and those created post-internet.
In the pre-internet world, those who knew
how to create a business plan created a 20-30 page tightly written
document.
The world has changed. Now, in the
post-internet era, creating a business plan requires a much stronger
presentation element. To stand out, we now create a business plan
with internet linking in mind, whether or not it is placed on the
internet.
To really make a strong impression now,
create the hard copy business plan, with a strong sense of style, of
course. Then put a copy of the hyperlinked text on a disk in the
front pocket of the business plan.
How to Create a Business Plan with Real Punch
How might you start out? See some great
opening lines here.
What kinds
of information is needed? Here's
a basic outline of a business plan for you.
Your
goal is to get a financing person interested. Don't worry about
presenting every single thing about the company. In fact, don't
present every single thing about the company. Leave the door open
for the banker to ask some questions. Create a dialog. If
your business plan actually creates that dialog, it has more than done
its job.
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