Business,Plans,Revealed,How,Wr business, insurance Business Plans Revealed - How to Write Your Plan and Why

Small offices have unique needs, and thatincludes document shredding. Designed with the smaller business inmind, the Dahle 20314 is a cross-cut shredder that offers Level 3security and brings you into compliance with federal regulations. The As we all know to live in this world we have to perform some activity by which we can earn money. There are many activities by which we can earn money and meet the standards to live in this society. And from one of them is franchise.  Franc

A business plan is your vision of where you want your business to go and how you’re goingto get there. It’s a road map and, like a map, it helps to document the route on paper, ratherthan simply commit it to memory. A coherent, written plan is as important to your success as aset of blueprints is to a home developer. Without it, building becomes a chore.As indispensable as it is, unless you’re using it to secure capital or financing, it needn’t beoverly complex and exhausting. So let’s make it easy. We’ll cover some basic guidelines,enough to help you create one you can use.Here are six sections you should write into your business plan.COMPANY PROFILEThis is the first section you’ll write because it drives the remainder of your plan. What is yourcompany’s mission? What are you trying to do? This section describes why you’re inbusiness. If this section reads "I’m in business to make money", you’re in trouble. Anycompany can say that. Instead, the profile section should describe how you’re going to meetthe needs of businesses or consumers in such a way that you can make money. You makemoney by1.meeting the needs of customers2. at a price they’re willing to pay3. at a cost at which you can make a profitMARKET ANALYSISA critical component, this section should demonstrate your knowledge of the market ingeneral. It involves thinking about what you can do better than others in the same business,and honestly acknowledging what can they do better than you. Look at your competitors,compare them with your company. What you’re looking for is what Xerox called a USP, a"Unique Selling Proposition" and what I call a JND, a "Just Noticeable Difference" that makesyou unique or different.How is your industry doing? Is it growing? Shrinking? Are there barriers to entry that willkeep others from offering the same product (service)? Are the big boys moving into yourterritory?Also consider: Is your competition local, regional, national or global? Consider external factors over which you have little or no control, such as the economy orchanging laws or regulations.MARKETING PLANThis section outlines your sales strategies. You’ve got something to offer. Here you describehow you’re going to let people know about it. Advertising? Press releases? Direct mail? Wordof mouth? Flyers? A blimp?Take whatever is unique about your business (your JND) and make it the hero. Use it todevelop a positioning statement, such as "I will be the cheapest source of this product", or "Iwill add more value to the customer relationship than my competitors", or "I’ll deliver it fasterthan my competitors". Consider how you’re going to obtain new customers and how you’re going to keep the onesyou get. What are your goals for new business development? How many customers do youwant? How many can you handle?This section also encompasses new product (or service) development. What will youintroduce during the coming year? When and for how much? FINANCIAL PLANThis section addresses your short-term and long-term financial goals. It might be the least funbut the most important section of your business plan. You don’t have to be an Excel genius todo it. Here you determine your company’s start-up cost (if new) or overhead costs (if it is anexisting enterprise). You look at pricing and potential for profitability. Your budget also is contained within this section. What are your fixed and variable expenses?List the various expenses and estimate how much you’re going to need each month. Howmuch can you afford for advertising? You also outline equipment purchases, like a new PC orprinter, a Zip drive or a new telephone. EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe last part you’ll write, the first section to appear, it sums up the overall intent of the plan.Write it as if you are going to show it to others to explain your vision.There, we kept it simple. If you need a more complex, detailed plan, here are some resources:Here you’ll find a business plan templatehttp://www.moneyhunter.comThis site has sample plans and some advicehttp://www.morebusiness.comHere are two software packages to help you create a credible plan.BizPlan Builder Interactive ($90, www.jian.com) offers a template to make a fill-in-the-blankplan.Business Plan Pro 3.0 ($90, www.paloalto.com) uses a wizard like the tax or financial softwareyou’ve seen.As you write your plan, think beyond what you’re doing today to what you expect to do (ormay be forced to do) tomorrow. Railroads failed because they thought they were in therailroad business instead of the transportation business. And remember the six Ps: Properprior planning prevents poor performance.