Table of Contents

Writing a business plan can be time consuming and tedious.  In this series, you’ll move past the blank page by concentrating on simple aspects of your business plan that will help you to get something written on paper.  Stay focused and concise in your research and the process will move rapidly for you.

HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN >> Each section contains key Action Items located within the downloadable Action Guide >> Click to Download Action Guide.

1.0       Introduction: Business Planning Basics

1.1          What is a business plan?

1.2         The two types of business plans, and which is right for you

1.3         Formatting your business plan

1.4         Why you should keep it short

2.0      Getting Started: Taking the First Step

2.1         Stop thinking about it and just do it already

2.2         Baby steps: getting something down on paper

2.3         Don’t let the numbers scare you

2.4         Other ways to gain forward momentum

3.0      Business Planning: Nuts, Bolts, and Challenges

3.1         What is a market analysis and how do you do it?

3.2         Analyzing the competition

3.3         Creating a pricing strategy

3.4         Why your management team is so important

4.0       Avoiding Roadblocks, Or Things They Don’t Teach In Business School

4.1          Market Analysis Challenges

4.2          Financial Challenges

4.3          Management Summary Challenges

4.4          Executive Summary Challenges

5.0       The Dos and the Don’ts of Business Planning

5.1           Things you shouldn’t include in your business plan

5.2           Things you should include in your business plan

6.0       Finishing Your Business Plan: What’s Next?

6.1           Why your business plan’s never really done

6.2           Reality Check: is your business idea plausible?

6.3           What comes next?