Does anyone know how to write a good...

[scrofford]

IM Business plan? Is it just like writing one for a brick and mortar business? What are the steps?

Thanks!

[TheWealthSquad]

Steve

Are you writing as a working document or for some other reason? Most business plans that I have seen in the off line world are written for bankers and investors. They usually end up with a second much smaller document for actual operations.

Both can be important but they have different parts included in them.

[scrofford]

I am writing as a working document. I want to focus more on my business and I think having a written plan would be a great help.

[mmcqueen]

Steve,

Go to YouTube and do a search on business plans. You should be able to get some info there.

Good luck,

Michael

[ramone_johnny]

Steve, this is a very smart move, and I applaud your efforts. Im interested in others sharing in on this thread as I believe having a business plan is most definitely a way of moving forward.

Out of interest, is this for borrowing purposes Steve or purely as a means of direction?


FYI...

Simple business plan outline.

1. Executive Summary: Write this last. It’s just a page or two of highlights.
2. Company Description: Legal establishment, history, start-up plans, etc.
3. Product or Service: Describe what you’re selling. Focus on customer benefits.
4. Market Analysis: You need to know your market, customer needs, where they are, how to reach them, etc.
5. Strategy and Implementation: Be specific. Include management responsibilities with dates and budgets. Make sure you can monitor results.
6. Web Plan Summary: For e-commerce, include discussion of website, development costs, operations, sales and marketing strategies.
7. Management Team: Describe the organization and the key management team members.
8. Financial Analysis: Make sure to include at the very least your projected Profit and Loss and Cash Flow tables.

[scrofford]

Originally Posted by ramone_johnny

Steve, this is a very smart move, and I applaud your efforts. Im interested in others sharing in on this thread as I believe having a business plan is most definitely a way of moving forward.

Out of interest, is this for borrowing purposes Steve or purely as a means of direction?


FYI...

Simple business plan outline.

1. Executive Summary: Write this last. It’s just a page or two of highlights.
2. Company Description: Legal establishment, history, start-up plans, etc.
3. Product or Service: Describe what you’re selling. Focus on customer benefits.
4. Market Analysis: You need to know your market, customer needs, where they are, how to reach them, etc.
5. Strategy and Implementation: Be specific. Include management responsibilities with dates and budgets. Make sure you can monitor results.
6. Web Plan Summary: For e-commerce, include discussion of website, development costs, operations, sales and marketing strategies.
7. Management Team: Describe the organization and the key management team members.
8. Financial Analysis: Make sure to include at the very least your projected Profit and Loss and Cash Flow tables.

Thank you! It is purely as a means of direction. I just need to become more focused and follow a plan. So it is the same for online as offline?

[ramone_johnny]

Im certainly not an expert on this subject Steve, but funnily enough have been investing *some* time towards this as part of my most recent product creation. Ive just completed a 12 page chapter on the importance of business plans Weird!

One thing that became apparent was the standards that are applied to business plans. From what I found, business plans follow that same framework as posted above-- regardless of industry. (Dont quote me on that though)

Perhaps seek the advice of a business advisor -- and be sure to share it with us when you have established something useful

I would be interested in having one myself.

[scrofford]

Originally Posted by ramone_johnny

Im certainly not an expert on this subject Steve, but funnily enough have been investing *some* time towards this as part of my most recent product creation. Ive just completed a 12 page chapter on the importance of business plans Weird!

One thing that became apparent was the standards that are applied to business plans. From what I found, business plans follow that same framework as posted above-- regardless of industry. (Dont quote me on that though)

Perhaps seek the advice of a business advisor -- and be sure to share it with us when you have established something useful

I would be interested in having one myself.

That is weird! But cool! I will do my research and find out more. Thanks for the advice!

[TheWealthSquad]

If it is a working document, I don't think they would be any different for online or offline.

I follow a pretty simple system to create mine.

Vision
Core Principles
Define business model (I diagram it but I am pretty visual)
Define your perfect customer - What is your market (Market analysis)
What is the value that your product/service brings to your customer?
How are you different than other products/service? (USP)
How do I get customers?
How do I monetize them? How do I make my money? Profit?
Analysis - which steps are working and which ones need tweaked. Test new ones and repeat. Each decision should be judged by two questions
1) Is it getting me closer to my vision
2) Does it meet my core principles?

Depending on your background, each of these steps will be different. Since you are developing it for you, use things that make sense to you.

Here is another viewpoint as well
http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.c...-waste-of-time