Posts Tagged ‘Business Plan’
The Lean Business Plan for Small Business Owners
“What? No, I don’t have a business plan. I’m not a startup.” Too bad so many small business owners think that way. A good lean business plan for small business owners ought to be a great tool for running a business. Set strategy, tactics to match, major milestones, metrics, tasks, responsibilities, and essential business numbers.…
Read More11 Key Elements of a Good Business Plan
Somebody asked me what the key elements of a good business plan were, and I’m glad they did—it’s one of my favorite topics. It gives me a chance to review and revise another of the lists that I’ve done off and on for years (such as the one on common business plan mistakes). 1. Measure a…
Read MoreHow to Effectively Craft a Top-Notch Business Plan
Picture yourself in a place you’ve never been before. The charge on your smartphone goes dead. You don’t have a GPS or map with you, and you have no idea where to turn to ask for directions. Entrepreneurs starting their own businesses for the first time often experience this frightening, helpless feeling. Fortunately, there is…
Read MoreGoSmallBiz Earns PCMag Editors’ Choice Award
“GoSmallBiz from Tarkenton Companies, Inc. is a web-based, template-driven system that offers business planning tools and other resources for small businesses. It begins at $99 per year or $14.95 per month. It can also be purchased as part of a $39-per-month Tarkenton GoSmallBiz membership, which includes other services such as business consultations, a website builder,…
Read More10 Most Common Business Plan Mistakes, Updated for 2016
Over the weekend, a Quora user asked me to list common mistakes that people make when developing a business plan. I’ve done that post from time to time, and it seemed like a good time to do it again. Here’s my list of most common business plan mistakes for 2016: 1. Misunderstanding the business objective.…
Read MoreA Comprehensive Guide to Creating a Solid Business Plan
In order to create a successful company, you need a solid business plan. Some people try to skip this step and jump right into the nuts and bolts of starting a business. Others think that you only need a business plan if you’re applying for a loan. While that’s one valid reason to create a…
Read MoreFeasibility Empowers Business Plans
Having a business plan and sufficient capital are some of the first steps in being a fruitful entrepreneur; however, these things alone do not justify nor solidify success. Many aspiring immigrant investors first think that a significant investment in conjunction with properly completed forms should alone equal a stamp of approval. Unfortunately, that is not…
Read MoreAvoid These Top 5 Financial Problems in Your Small Business
Managing a small business isn’t easy, and the single largest contributor to business failure is financial mismanagement. Making smart financial decisions and being consistent can make a world of difference to your business success. 1. The Terrible Effects of a Vague Business Plan It’s important to work in your business to keep things running smoothly,…
Read More7 Keys to a Compelling Investor Executive Summary
Few investors these days have the time or patience to read a full business plan, so a better way to catch their eye is with a tightly written and well formatted two-page executive summary. As a model, think high-quality marketing collateral, with text and graphics in columns and sidebars, but focused on the value…
Read MoreLean Business Plan to Get What You Want from Your Business
