Writing a Business Plan

Whether you're writing a business plan for the first time or the fifth time, it doesn't have to be hard. In fact, if you write a lean plan or a one-page pitch…
More
·
62 Pins
 4y
Collection by
Writing a business plan can help you seek investment funding or secure a bank loan, as well as create a roadmap or strategic plan for your company or nonprofit.  Whatever your reasons are—writing a business plan is proven to help you grow your business faster.  In this video, you'll learn about each section of a business plan and what it should include. Financial Business Plan, Free Business Plan, Business Plan Template Free, Action Plan Template, Sample Business Plan, Writing A Business Plan, Business Planning, Starting A Business, Business Funding
How to Write a Business Plan Video | Bplans.com
Writing a business plan can help you seek investment funding or secure a bank loan, as well as create a roadmap or strategic plan for your company or nonprofit. Whatever your reasons are—writing a business plan is proven to help you grow your business faster. In this video, you'll learn about each section of a business plan and what it should include.
Not interested in writing a business plan? Do a sales forecast instead.   With regular review, a sales forecast will prove an invaluable tool to help you manage and grow your business easily.   Don't Want to Plan? Just Do a Sales Forecast http://articles.bplans.com/dont-want-to-plan-just-do-a-sales-forecast/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=Don%27t%20Want%20to%20Plan%3F%20Just%20Do%20a%20Sales%20Forecast Business Intelligence, Online Education, Online Learning, Global Education, Digital Learning, Elementary Education, Aula Virtual Moodle, Data Science, Computer Science
How to Create a Sales Forecast the Right Way - Bplans
Not interested in writing a business plan? Do a sales forecast instead. With regular review, a sales forecast will prove an invaluable tool to help you manage and grow your business easily. Don't Want to Plan? Just Do a Sales Forecast http://articles.bplans.com/dont-want-to-plan-just-do-a-sales-forecast/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=Don%27t%20Want%20to%20Plan%3F%20Just%20Do%20a%20Sales%20Forecast
The traditional business planning process may be broken, but planning is essential.  Our complete updated guide to Lean Planning explains why the iterative, flexible process of Lean Planning benefits both new and established businesses.   You'll also get a step-by-step walk-through of how to create a Lean Plan for your business, complete with examples.   Introducing Lean Planning: How to Plan Less and Grow Faster http://articles.bplans.com/introducing-lean-planning-how-to-plan-less-and-grow-fast Business Plan Design, Grow Business, Planer, Table Top View, Tired Of Work, Infographic Design Inspiration
Fundamentals of Lean Planning Explained - Bplans
The traditional business planning process may be broken, but planning is essential. Our complete updated guide to Lean Planning explains why the iterative, flexible process of Lean Planning benefits both new and established businesses. You'll also get a step-by-step walk-through of how to create a Lean Plan for your business, complete with examples. Introducing Lean Planning: How to Plan Less and Grow Faster http://articles.bplans.com/introducing-lean-planning-how-to-plan-less-and-grow-fast
While vital, conducting market research can feel like a huge undertaking.   So, here are our favorite resources to help make the process easier—and less intimidating!  Market Research: A Curated List of Our Best Resources http://articles.bplans.com/market-research-a-curated-list-of-our-best-resources/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=Market%20Research%3A%20A%20Curated%20List%20of%20Our%20Best%20Resources Social Media Marketing Campaign, Content Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Online Marketing, Affiliate Marketing, Marketing Trends, Twitter Marketing, Marketing Tools, Business Marketing
21 Best Market Research Resources for Small Businesses - Bplans
While vital, conducting market research can feel like a huge undertaking. So, here are our favorite resources to help make the process easier—and less intimidating! Market Research: A Curated List of Our Best Resources http://articles.bplans.com/market-research-a-curated-list-of-our-best-resources/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=Market%20Research%3A%20A%20Curated%20List%20of%20Our%20Best%20Resources
You're ready to ditch your office job and become your own boss.   But how do you start—and what if you don't have an idea or a plan? If that sounds familiar, this guide is for you.  Becoming Your Own Boss: A Bplans Guide http://articles.bplans.com/becoming-your-own-boss-a-bplans-guide/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=Becoming%20Your%20Own%20Boss%3A%20A%20Bplans%20Guide Business Tips, Business Articles, Business Owner, B Plan, Surveys For Money, Videos Tumblr
30 Compelling Reasons to Start a Business | Bplans
You're ready to ditch your office job and become your own boss. But how do you start—and what if you don't have an idea or a plan? If that sounds familiar, this guide is for you. Becoming Your Own Boss: A Bplans Guide http://articles.bplans.com/becoming-your-own-boss-a-bplans-guide/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=Becoming%20Your%20Own%20Boss%3A%20A%20Bplans%20Guide
In short, your business model is how your business will make money.   Defining your business model is the final step of the Lean Planning process, and here's how to do it easily.   Lean Planning Step 4: Build Your Business Model https://www.liveplan.com/blog/2016/10/lean-planning-step-4-build-your-business-model/ Building A Business, Business Plan Template, Writing Notebook
How to Build a Business Model - LivePlan
In short, your business model is how your business will make money. Defining your business model is the final step of the Lean Planning process, and here's how to do it easily. Lean Planning Step 4: Build Your Business Model https://www.liveplan.com/blog/2016/10/lean-planning-step-4-build-your-business-model/
Don't get overwhelmed by an unnecessarily long, complicated business plan. A Lean Plan is faster, flexible, and will remain relevant throughout the life of your business.   Here are our essential Lean Planning resources.   Lean Planning: A Curated List of Our Best Content http://articles.bplans.com/lean-planning-a-curated-list-of-our-best-content/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=Lean%20Planning%3A%20A%20Curated%20List%20of%20Our%20Best%20Content Business Plan Format, One Page Business Plan, Simple Business Plan, Business Strategy
Fundamentals of Lean Planning Explained - Bplans
Don't get overwhelmed by an unnecessarily long, complicated business plan. A Lean Plan is faster, flexible, and will remain relevant throughout the life of your business. Here are our essential Lean Planning resources. Lean Planning: A Curated List of Our Best Content http://articles.bplans.com/lean-planning-a-curated-list-of-our-best-content/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=Lean%20Planning%3A%20A%20Curated%20List%20of%20Our%20Best%20Content
Milestones are what you use to convert your business strategy and tactics into action. They're also an essential part of any Lean Plan.   Here's how to set (and adhere to) your milestones.   Lean Planning Step 3: Make Your Plan Real With Milestones https://www.liveplan.com/blog/2016/09/lean-planning-step-3-make-your-plan-real-with-milestones/ Sample Resume, Business Building
How to Use Milestones to Create a Roadmap for Your Business - LivePlan
Milestones are what you use to convert your business strategy and tactics into action. They're also an essential part of any Lean Plan. Here's how to set (and adhere to) your milestones. Lean Planning Step 3: Make Your Plan Real With Milestones https://www.liveplan.com/blog/2016/09/lean-planning-step-3-make-your-plan-real-with-milestones/
Business planning isn't just a one-time event, and it doesn't have to be overly complicated.   We've created a checklist to help make the process easier—no matter what kind of business plan you need.  How to Write a Business Plan: Use This Checklist to Keep Yourself on Task http://articles.bplans.com/how-to-write-a-business-plan-use-this-checklist-to-keep-yourself-on-task/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=How%20to%20Write%20a%20Business%20Plan%3A%20Use%2 Small Business Start Up, Create Yourself, Finding Yourself
How to Write a Business Plan: Guide + Examples - Bplans
Business planning isn't just a one-time event, and it doesn't have to be overly complicated. We've created a checklist to help make the process easier—no matter what kind of business plan you need. How to Write a Business Plan: Use This Checklist to Keep Yourself on Task http://articles.bplans.com/how-to-write-a-business-plan-use-this-checklist-to-keep-yourself-on-task/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=How%20to%20Write%20a%20Business%20Plan%3A%20Use%2
Your Lean Plan needs strategy, but even a great strategy is useless without tactics.   Tactics are the things that you actually do to make your business work. Tactics are your road map—and here's how to develop them.   Lean Planning Step 2: Develop Your Business Tactics https://www.liveplan.com/blog/2016/09/lean-planning-step-2-develop-your-business-tactics/ Planning Process
How Tactics Support your Business Strategy - LivePlan
Your Lean Plan needs strategy, but even a great strategy is useless without tactics. Tactics are the things that you actually do to make your business work. Tactics are your road map—and here's how to develop them. Lean Planning Step 2: Develop Your Business Tactics https://www.liveplan.com/blog/2016/09/lean-planning-step-2-develop-your-business-tactics/
With a completed SWOT analysis, you can develop a strategy to ensure your business's success.   Here are our favorite resources on creating a SWOT analysis, including examples, downloads, and interactive challenges.   SWOT Analysis: A Curated List of Everything You Need to Know http://articles.bplans.com/swot-analysis-a-curated-list-of-everything-you-need-to-know/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=SWOT%20Analysis%3A%20A%20Curated%20List%20of%20Everything% Swot Analysis Examples, Swot Analysis Template, Laundromat Business, Organizational Leadership, Reflective Practice, Leadership Lessons, Performance Reviews, Complex Systems
How to Do a SWOT Analysis for Better Planning - Bplans
With a completed SWOT analysis, you can develop a strategy to ensure your business's success. Here are our favorite resources on creating a SWOT analysis, including examples, downloads, and interactive challenges. SWOT Analysis: A Curated List of Everything You Need to Know http://articles.bplans.com/swot-analysis-a-curated-list-of-everything-you-need-to-know/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=SWOT%20Analysis%3A%20A%20Curated%20List%20of%20Everything%
Fail to develop a solid business strategy, and your new venture will likely not be successful.   Here's how to complete this first step of the Lean Planning process.   How to Develop Your Business Strategy https://www.liveplan.com/blog/2016/08/how-to-develop-your-business-strategy-2/ Building A Business Plan, Business Plan Software, Business Plan Outline, Creating A Business Plan, Event Planning Business
How to Build a Winning Business Strategy in 5 Steps - LivePlan
Fail to develop a solid business strategy, and your new venture will likely not be successful. Here's how to complete this first step of the Lean Planning process. How to Develop Your Business Strategy https://www.liveplan.com/blog/2016/08/how-to-develop-your-business-strategy-2/
Is your idea worth pursuing, or does it need to be refined and improved—or maybe forgotten about entirely?   Here's how to find out.   Going Beyond the Napkin: How Do You Know If Your Idea Is Any Good? http://articles.bplans.com/going-beyond-napkin-know-idea-good/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=Going%20Beyond%20the%20Napkin%3A%20How%20Do%20You%20Know%20If%20Your%20Idea%20Is%20Any%20Good%3F Need This
Going Beyond the Napkin: How Do You Know If Your Idea Is Any Good? | Bplans
Is your idea worth pursuing, or does it need to be refined and improved—or maybe forgotten about entirely? Here's how to find out. Going Beyond the Napkin: How Do You Know If Your Idea Is Any Good? http://articles.bplans.com/going-beyond-napkin-know-idea-good/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=Going%20Beyond%20the%20Napkin%3A%20How%20Do%20You%20Know%20If%20Your%20Idea%20Is%20Any%20Good%3F
With Lean Planning, business planning isn't just a one-time event—it's an efficient, ongoing process.   An Introduction to Lean Planning https://www.liveplan.com/blog/2014/11/an-introduction-to-lean-planning/ Lean, Introduction, Qoutes
What is Growth Planning & Why It's Essential in 2023
With Lean Planning, business planning isn't just a one-time event—it's an efficient, ongoing process. An Introduction to Lean Planning https://www.liveplan.com/blog/2014/11/an-introduction-to-lean-planning/
Company history in a business plan? It's a good addition to some business plans, but not all.   Whether or not you include your company's history in your business plan will depend on your business itself, and who you're writing the plan for.   How to Tell Your Company’s History in Your Business Plan http://articles.bplans.com/how-to-tell-your-companys-history-in-your-business-plan/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=How%20to%20Tell%20Your%20Company%27s%20H Ancient Alphabets, Ancient Scripts, Phoenician Alphabet
How to Write a Company Overview + Examples - Bplans
Company history in a business plan? It's a good addition to some business plans, but not all. Whether or not you include your company's history in your business plan will depend on your business itself, and who you're writing the plan for. How to Tell Your Company’s History in Your Business Plan http://articles.bplans.com/how-to-tell-your-companys-history-in-your-business-plan/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=How%20to%20Tell%20Your%20Company%27s%20H
No matter how new your business, you do have competition. If you say you don’t have competition, your audience is rolling its collective eyes and dismissing you as naive.   So, how do you evaluate your competition and present this information to your team and to outsiders?  How to Write the Competition Section of Your Business Plan http://articles.bplans.com/how-to-write-the-competition-section-of-your-business-plan/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=How%20to%20Write%20the%20Competition%20Section%20of%20Your%20Business%20Plan Political Spectrum, Competitive Analysis, People Talk
How to Write and conduct a Competitive Analysis - Bplans
No matter how new your business, you do have competition. If you say you don’t have competition, your audience is rolling its collective eyes and dismissing you as naive. So, how do you evaluate your competition and present this information to your team and to outsiders? How to Write the Competition Section of Your Business Plan http://articles.bplans.com/how-to-write-the-competition-section-of-your-business-plan/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=How%20to%20Write%20the%20Competition%20Section%20of%20Your%20Business%20Plan
Take the time to create a competitive matrix and you'll reap the rewards. It will help you figure out strategy, your positioning in the market, and it's a great, visual mainstay for pitch presenations—investors love it! Here's how to use it. Business Pitch, Business Goals, Pitch Presentation, Traditional Advertising
How to Write and conduct a Competitive Analysis - Bplans
Take the time to create a competitive matrix and you'll reap the rewards. It will help you figure out strategy, your positioning in the market, and it's a great, visual mainstay for pitch presenations—investors love it! Here's how to use it.
LivePlan's COO, Noah Parsons, will show you just how easy it is to create a realistic budget and forecast using industry benchmarks. https://www.liveplan.com/blog/2016/06/get-industry-benchmarks/ Budget Forecasting
How to Use Industry Benchmarks for Easier Budgeting and Forecasting
LivePlan's COO, Noah Parsons, will show you just how easy it is to create a realistic budget and forecast using industry benchmarks. https://www.liveplan.com/blog/2016/06/get-industry-benchmarks/
I’ve been quite vocal with my concern that farming your business plan out is usually a bad idea.  A business plan is not a one-time task—it’s an ongoing practice. The writing, formatting, and cosmetics of a business plan are nowhere near as important as its contents (though they’re still important); and its contents should change often. Real companies with real business plans review and revise them often. Business Plan Writer, Business Man, Paper Writing Service, Thing 1, Writing Services, Writing Skills, Having An Idea
10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Business Plan Writer - Bplans
I’ve been quite vocal with my concern that farming your business plan out is usually a bad idea. A business plan is not a one-time task—it’s an ongoing practice. The writing, formatting, and cosmetics of a business plan are nowhere near as important as its contents (though they’re still important); and its contents should change often. Real companies with real business plans review and revise them often.
In general, a standard business plan includes the market analysis, the marketing plan, and the sales plan. We'll guide you through these.  How to Write the Sales and Marketing Section of Your Business Plan http://articles.bplans.com/write-sales-marketing-section-business-plan/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=How%20to%20Write%20the%20Sales%20and%20Marketing%20Section%20of%20Your%20Business%20Plan Sales And Marketing, Marketing Plan, Offer And Acceptance, Economic Trends
How to Write a Sales and Marketing Plan - Bplans
In general, a standard business plan includes the market analysis, the marketing plan, and the sales plan. We'll guide you through these. How to Write the Sales and Marketing Section of Your Business Plan http://articles.bplans.com/write-sales-marketing-section-business-plan/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=Bplans&utm_content=How%20to%20Write%20the%20Sales%20and%20Marketing%20Section%20of%20Your%20Business%20Plan
In general, a standard business plan includes three parts of the sales and marketing section. Those are the market analysis, the marketing plan, and the sales plan. Keep it short and simple—just big enough to cover your actual business need.  Keep in mind that you don’t have to prove a market if you are developing a plan for internal use, but you do have to do that and a lot more explaining if your plan is going to be used to support an investment proposal or application for a business loan.
How to Write a Sales and Marketing Plan - Bplans
In general, a standard business plan includes three parts of the sales and marketing section. Those are the market analysis, the marketing plan, and the sales plan. Keep it short and simple—just big enough to cover your actual business need. Keep in mind that you don’t have to prove a market if you are developing a plan for internal use, but you do have to do that and a lot more explaining if your plan is going to be used to support an investment proposal or application for a business loan.
If you’re planning a new business, it’s always fun to dream about where you’re going to be in a few years.  But, to be successful, you’ve got to build a profitable business. That means making sure that you’re spending less than you’re making—unless you’ve got a big pile of money from investors. Even if you do have lots of cash on hand from investors, your goal is still to turn a profit eventually. All of this means creating and managing your expense budget. Plan A, How To Plan
A Fast and Easy Way to Build an Expense Budget - LivePlan
If you’re planning a new business, it’s always fun to dream about where you’re going to be in a few years. But, to be successful, you’ve got to build a profitable business. That means making sure that you’re spending less than you’re making—unless you’ve got a big pile of money from investors. Even if you do have lots of cash on hand from investors, your goal is still to turn a profit eventually. All of this means creating and managing your expense budget.
Milestones are dates, deadlines, tasks, and budgets. Being human, we tend to work toward milestones much better than just toward general goals. Startup Business Plan Template, Start Up Business, Success Business, Business Management
How to Use Milestones and Metrics in Your Plan - Bplans
Milestones are dates, deadlines, tasks, and budgets. Being human, we tend to work toward milestones much better than just toward general goals.
Many experts recommend introducing your business plan with definitions of the problem that your business solves and the solution your business offers.  That’s called “problem and solution,” and it’s quite common and quite useful—but it’s also too often an opportunity wasted.  Don’t just describe the problem and solution. Make people care. How To Introduce Yourself, Improve Yourself, Photography Words
How to Create a Problem and Solution Statement - Bplans
Many experts recommend introducing your business plan with definitions of the problem that your business solves and the solution your business offers. That’s called “problem and solution,” and it’s quite common and quite useful—but it’s also too often an opportunity wasted. Don’t just describe the problem and solution. Make people care.
Peter and Jonathan from Bplans.com explain an important step that companies need to take—and many of them fail at: the mission statement. Remember to subscribe to our Youtube channel as well. Business Law, Writing A Mission Statement, Mission Statement Examples
How to Write a Mission Statement - Bplans Explains Everything
Peter and Jonathan from Bplans.com explain an important step that companies need to take—and many of them fail at: the mission statement. Remember to subscribe to our Youtube channel as well.
We are excited to introduce our new video series, Bplans Explains Everything! Check out the first installment about what a business plan is, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more great video content.   So, what is a business plan? Great Videos
What is a Business Plan? - Bplans Explains Everything
We are excited to introduce our new video series, Bplans Explains Everything! Check out the first installment about what a business plan is, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more great video content. So, what is a business plan?
Take a big breath and relax. You’re as well equipped as everyone else to put together a credible sales forecast. Let’s dive right in and figure it out. http://bit.ly/1puttU8 Figure It Out, Revenue, Forecast
How to Do a Sales Forecast for Your Business the Right Way—2021 Guide
Take a big breath and relax. You’re as well equipped as everyone else to put together a credible sales forecast. Let’s dive right in and figure it out. http://bit.ly/1puttU8
If you haven’t yet built out your list of business books to read this year, congratulations! The waiting has paid off because we’ve done it for you. One of the best if you're writing a business plan is 'Lean Business Planning' by our founder, Tim Berry!  http://bit.ly/1JYVcVV Business Read, Business Books, Business Finance, Creating Wealth
14 Must-Read Books If You Want to Manage a Successful Business - LivePlan
If you haven’t yet built out your list of business books to read this year, congratulations! The waiting has paid off because we’ve done it for you. One of the best if you're writing a business plan is 'Lean Business Planning' by our founder, Tim Berry! http://bit.ly/1JYVcVV
Nearly all businesses, whether they are small or large, are comprised of intellectual property (IP) and trade secrets. How are you protecting yours? http://bit.ly/1X0Br5U Dressage, Penguin Awareness Day, Penguin Day, Gentoo Penguin, Plant Life Cycle, Ausgestopftes Tier, Mundo Animal, Sea World, Whales
How to Really Protect Your Business Idea | Bplans
Nearly all businesses, whether they are small or large, are comprised of intellectual property (IP) and trade secrets. How are you protecting yours? http://bit.ly/1X0Br5U
We created three professionally-designed investor pitch decks, and we’re giving them to you for free. Once you download the kit, you can choose the design that works best for you, and start customizing it to tell your own story. http://bit.ly/1FX3yeU Farm Business, Starting A Coffee Shop, Opening A Coffee Shop
Free Investor Pitch Deck Template—PowerPoint & Google Slides – Bplans
We created three professionally-designed investor pitch decks, and we’re giving them to you for free. Once you download the kit, you can choose the design that works best for you, and start customizing it to tell your own story. http://bit.ly/1FX3yeU