Why do you need a business plan? 

 A business plan defines your strategic, tactical and financial plans, including the costs of doing business, and realistic cash flow. 

It should be updated when any aspect of your business changes.  Today's economy presents a new environment for almost everyone. 

If you have not developed or updated you business plan, 
now is the time to do it! 

A business plan is roadmap for your business. You would not start a trip without knowing where you are headed, how you will travel, and how long it will take to get there.  You need to know if there are intermediate stops or layovers, and how much the trip will cost. You might have to stop and earn money along the way.  You may need to borrow money to buy your tickets, or will you just sell the car and hitch-hike when the gas money runs out?  

Do you really know what will it take to maintain your new, current or expanding business next year?  Does and will the revenue cover expenses?  What are your contingency plans for unexpected supplier or customer setbacks? 

(1) You need a business plan for your own use, and it needs to be reviewed and updated each year. It should describe . . 

• What you do  
  Describe your products and/or services, custom or generic, support or defect remedy.

• How you do it  
  Do you make it, do it, or buy and sell?  How do work with customers, suppliers, employees and/or contractors?  Who does what and when?  What could you do to cut costs or time to deliver?  

• How you make money 
  What do you pay for and when? How do you get paid, and when? 

• What if something goes wrong?  What  if you or one of your key employees or partners is ill or injured?  What if one of your suppliers goes out of business? What if one of your customers no longer buys from you? What if your credit lines become un available or one of you customers cannot pay for work that has already been done? 

(2) You will need a formal business plan when you are looking for a loan or investors. They want the answers to these same questions, and they will also want business analysis and real numbers to back up your assumptions.  They will want to know why they should invest in you and your business!

Creating and maintaining a business plan takes time and effort.  I will  assist you in the development, review and updating of your business plan.  I can  manage the entire project or simply provide research, analysis, copywriting, editing, and/or  final review.