return to homepage

How to Plan a Business Successfully!

If you are reading this, you probably are looking for support on how to plan a business successfully.  For the moment, maybe you've got nothing more than the glimmer of a good idea or you have started a business and it’s time for you to write a plan. Whatever the case, you are anxious and perhaps slightly nervous at the thought of planning a business.

How do you plan a business? Where do you start?

Every business begins with a great idea and a good solid business plan. Your business plan defines your destination and also the course that you’ll pursue. It specifics the assets and resources needed, the expertise, it anticipates potential risks, competition etc. Your business is based on a great idea and putting the plan together puts that idea to the test.  Will your business idea be the best choice? Are your expectations realistic? Is your business model the right one? Is it going to appeal to clients? Would you make a profit? Have you got a backup plan in place if things turn badly?

Right, too many questions to consider, however imagine how the effort you commit to plan a business  pays off  many times over.

Here are the advantages of developing a business plan

       It will guide you to develop a specific statement of your company mission and vision.

        It will facilitate the process of identifying your set of values and principles that will help you drive your business through tough times.

       It will develop an outline of your business model, or the way you intend to generate     income and stay  in business.

      It will help you to objectively assess your marketplace, together with opportunities and risks

        It will specify your targets – your potential clientele as well as what they need, what they want and  their spending habits.

       It will provide a rundown of your main competitors in the field plus your approaches for dealing with all of them.

       It will provide a genuine analysis of your company’s pros and cons together with an action plan with  a  schedule of meeting your goals and objectives

The Structure of your Business Plan – Your guide to help you plan a business effectively!

There are many different types of business plans out there. They all depend on the type of business and organizations which make them. Their length ranges from 2-3 pages to 50 -100 pages. Several plans begin with executive summaries, while others jump straight into in depth explanations of goods and services. A number of plans consist of page after page of budgetary forecasts, while others include simply expected expenses, estimated business earnings etc. Regardless how different they are, all business plans share more or less the same framework with the same elements.

Business Plan elements - The foundation of  how to plan a business!

The following elements are typical in the majority of business plans:

Table of contents: This is a guide to the main parts in your business plan and it is mainly beneficial if your plan surpasses ten pages.

Synopsis/Executive Summary: This part is a breakdown of the crucial elements in your business plan. This is where the most important information is provided straight-up in a crystal clear, concise and appealing language. Many readers look no further than the executive summary, so you need to impress them from the start.

Business overview: This section talks about your business and its nature.  It could incorporate your company’s mission and also vision statements along with descriptions of your principles and values, your products or services, features and characteristics that make your small business unique and exclusive. It also shows specifically what business prospects you're planning to obtain.

 Business environment: This part consists of a good assessment of your marketplace and also the forces  in your industry; an in-depth review of your primary and probable opponents; along with a close up review of your clients,  specifically who they are, what they desire, and in what way they purchase goods or services.

 Business description: In this particular section, incorporate details about your leading team, your business, your brand-new or exclusive technological innovation, your product or service as well as professional services, your business functions, and your marketing prospective. Concentrate on areas where you have serious strengths over your competitors.

Company approach: Here’s in which you outline your guide towards the long term future. It combines the information regarding your company environment and your company’s assets and then shows an approach designed for moving forward. Included in this is your analysis of the possibilities, risks, and concerns that your business encounters together with the techniques you're planning to prevent hurdles and take full advantage of options available.

Marketing plan: This section is to explain the way you plan to achieve prospects, generate revenue, and establish a faithful customer base. Since clients and sales are crucial to your company’s prosperity, this part is really a key element of your business plan.

Budgetary assessment: This section features a comprehensive overview of moneys and pennies, including the condition of your existing financial situation and everything you anticipate your financial status to be like in the future. It usually includes financial statements, including earnings statement, your balance sheet, and a cash-flow statement.

Activity plan: On this component, you outline the guidelines associated with applying your business plan, along with the line of activities and the way they align with your objectives and goals.

Quick Tips on How to Plan a Business Successfully:

- Business planning is an going process! Always riview your plan and change or add relevat information, activities etc. as you go along.  

 - Define benchmarks - monitor and re-visit them continously.

Visit us soon for more information on how to plan a business!!


Return from How to Plan a Business to Business Management Skills


Home
Outstanding Leaders consider themselves a work in progress
 Dr Franklin C. Ashby 

lead and learn

Free Monthly  Newsletter

Subscribe to our free  e-newsletter and get new monthly articles and other management tools.


Management Skills Resource

Email

Name

Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Management Skills Resource.













Quote of the Month

Minds are like parachutes. They only function when they are open. Thomas Dewar

Management Terms

Decentralization -
pushing power and decision making downward.

MBO - Management by Objectives.








      


[?] Subscribe To
This Site

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Add to Newsgator
Subscribe with Bloglines


Enjoy This Site?
Then why not use the button below, to add us to your favorite bookmarking service?

Template Design
Copyright© 2008-2011 Management Skills Advisor. All rights reserved.