| Picture this.... | | | | their specific needs? Consider the different |
| You have a great idea for a new product or service. | | | | demographics of your target audience. |
| You know nothing like what you have to offer exists in | | | | 2) How exactly are you going to fulfill those specific |
| the marketplace and in your mind you're going to take | | | | needs with your products and/or services? |
| over the world! | | | | Include market and customer segmentation in your plan |
| To add more fuel to your enthusiasm to make things | | | | of attack and clearly define how you plan to cater to |
| happen you have just lost your job at the company | | | | each segment. |
| you spent the last 10+ years serving. | | | | 3) Human resources - you will be a wearer of many |
| This is the answer to your problems, your lost | | | | hats as a small business owners but regardless of |
| paycheck, loss of pride, and spouse's sky-high stress | | | | whether you leverage your time by taking on |
| level! | | | | employees, consider whose help and advice you will |
| You've committed to a NEW path in life and you're | | | | call on to ensure your business benefits from expert |
| excited about the new life you're going to create. | | | | knowledge and skills in areas that you still have to |
| You've committed to being an ENTREPRENEUR. | | | | master. |
| You rush to the bank to where they offer small | | | | 4) Make sales and expense projections which are |
| business loans and face your first hurdle:the loans | | | | based on research which include specific numbers, not |
| section has a stack of leaflets designed to inform | | | | overlooking cash flow, and create best and |
| would-be entrepreneurs and at the top of them all one | | | | worst-case scenarios and when and how you will |
| looms large... a leaflet entitled "Business Plans For Small | | | | respond to results with... |
| Business" - You leave the bank without applying, | | | | 5) ...Alternate marketing strategies and/or product |
| slightly shaken because in your excitement you | | | | service enhancements that you will be able to |
| overlooked a key component that you will need to get | | | | implement to boost your business on an ongoing |
| your business up and running. | | | | business based on analysis as follows: |
| No matter, you say, I'm determined to redesign a new | | | | 6) Demonstrate when and how you will analyze your |
| life for myself so I'll do whatever it takes, red tape and | | | | business on a weekly and monthly basis, and how you |
| all. Business plans for small business are the deal | | | | will reassess and modify current strategies, products |
| maker or deal breaker for loans but regardless of | | | | and/or services as necessary. |
| whether or not you require a loan, a solid business plan | | | | 7) Articulate a clear focus for your business, commit |
| will probably be the difference between your success | | | | yourself to fulfilling initial goals and forecasts without |
| or failure. | | | | allowing yourself to be distracted from your vision and |
| In the Internet marketing industry that I'm involved with | | | | purpose. |
| startup costs being as low as they are, and with such | | | | Business plans for small business can be fun and |
| huge profit potential, it's an all-too-common problem | | | | inspiring to do when they are done right. Making a |
| that people start without a proper business plan... but | | | | business plan is a very powerful process and more |
| having a clear plan of what you want to achieve and | | | | importantly will give you a huge amount of confidence |
| exactly how you're going to get there will help to | | | | because:a) you have planned your success by |
| ensure you become profitable quickly and remain in | | | | considering all the factors that go into creating a |
| business. | | | | profitable businessb) you have a clear plan of action to |
| Here are some essential points to consider in writing | | | | follow. |
| an effective business plan: | | | | Best of luck in your future success as an |
| 1) Who exactly is your target audience and what are | | | | entrepreneur! |