Written business plans are unlike other types of business presentations.
Contrary to popular opinion, they are very different than oral
presentations, or even online business plans. Each type of business
plan accomplishes certain things along the way.
So what does the written version accomplish?
Most importantly, it demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively
in written form. This is no small accomplishment. Slews of
would be entrepreneurs can't write their way out of a Wheaties box.
Sloppy sentence structure and messy organization are so common that it is
almost expected. Finding an entrepreneur who really can communicate
in writing is a major accomplishment.
This isn't such a big deal if you are looking for $10,000 to expand your
flea market business.
But it is a very Big Deal when you are looking for $10 million to start a
new business.
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So pretend that you are looking for the $10 million. How would you
present your business then? A bit of dash perhaps? Maybe solid
information? Maybe a style that does justice to your business.
Look at the business plan you wrote last year. If this weren't your
business, how likely would you be to read it? Honestly.
Well, investors feel that way about every single business plan that comes
across their desk. The ones that capture their imagination, and
investments, are the ones that command attention.
Use written business plans to sell you and your business. You are not
just introducing your business. You are selling it. You are
selling its past and its future to investors and lenders who can truly
determine that future.
Rather than taking an outline and filling in the blanks, do a bit more to
demonstrate your ability.
C.J. Ralph,
