Riskbuster

RiskBuster is a composite of segments from Business Plan or BUST! (my first book), with a few new articles added where it made sense to do so. Those who have read Business Plan or BUST! will recognize the Business Plannerrs"s Primer and the Business Plannerrs"s RoadMaptrade;. This book has been shortened to create a briefer, more user-friendly resource for taking a business concept from the idea to opening day. The Business Planner's Primer is a number of articles pertinent to anyone considering starting a business, and a great reference for those already in business and positioning to grow. The Business Planner's RoadMaptrade; is a logical step-by-step business planning process that makes it possible for anyone to research a business idea, determine feasibility, and write a business plan. I wrote this book because after reading many books on the topic of business planning, I was unable to find a single book that made it possible for average folks to navigate the process and create a meaningful business plan. RiskBuster enables ordinary entrepreneurs to start or grow any business, anywhere.

Dan Boudreau is a business planning coach specializing in small business development and financial forecasting. His services span the areas of research, planning and training. With 20 years of experience in the consulting field, Dan has developed and facilitated workshops on the topics of entrepreneurship, business planning, market research, forecasting, proposal development, and train the trainer.

Dan has owned and operated small businesses since 1980, ranging from single owner home-based enterprises to more than 180 employees. He is acknowledged and appreciated by his peers and clients for his excellent communication skills and his ability to bring entrepreneurial ideas to fruition, which ensure that his clients receive services of the highest quality.

Dan is passionate about coaching others into the complex world of business. He uses business planning as a learning process to empower entrepreneurs to start or grow small businesses and to create financial stability and the lifestyle they want.

Dedication	p. vii
Acknowledgments	p. ix
Introduction	p. xvii
How to Get the Most from This Book	p. xix
The Business Planner's Primer	p. 1
Opportunities Abound	p. 2
The Business of You	p. 3
Taming Your Financial Life	p. 4
Why Develop a Business Plan?	p. 5
Conquer the Fear of Writing	p. 6
Develop Your Basic Technical Skills	p. 7
Hitch a Ride on the Shoulders of Giants	p. 9
Prepare to Burn the Midnight Oil	p. 11
Giving Birth to Your Business	p. 12
Myths About Owning a Business	p. 14
Tackle Your Deal Breakers	p. 16
Buy, Build or Franchise	p. 18
Name Your Business	p. 21
Use the Internet to Research	p. 23
Credit and Financing Options	p. 31
Have You Hugged Your Gatekeeper Today?	p. 34
Tips for Writing Your Business Plan	p. 36
Make Your Business Plan Easy to Read	p. 40
Dan's Top Business Planning Tricks	p. 43
Get Equipped for Business Planning	p. 45
Welcome to the RoadMap™	p. 45
Prepare to Embark	p. 49
Chart Your Path	p. 52
Organize Your Work Space	p. 53
Establish Your Timelines	p. 55
Create Your Action Plan	p. 56
Wade Into Your Industry	p. 57
Start a Research Scrapbook or Journal	p. 58
Write Your Business Vision	p. 59
Set Out to Prove Your Business Case	p. 60
Embrace Market Research	p. 63
Set Up Your List of Appendices	p. 65
Brainstorm Products and Services	p. 66
Prioritize Your Products and Services	p. 67
Discover Your Assumptions	p. 71
Set Market Research Goals	p. 75
Write Market Research Questions	p. 79
Prove Your Assumptions	p. 82
List Key Points about Your Industry	p. 84
Segment Your Market	p. 91
Write a Draft Description of Your Customers	p. 92
Assess What You Are Learning	p. 93
Research Competitors	p. 95
Prioritize and Target Customers	p. 99
Clarify Primary Research Questions	p. 101
Gather Primary Research	p. 102
Create Your Survey Questionnaire	p. 104
Survey Your Customers	p. 108
Compile Survey Information	p. 109
Revise Description of Customers	p. 110
Make a Go/No-Go Decision	p. 111
Build Your Business Concept Section	p. 115
Describe Your Business	p. 116
List Your Products and Services	p. 122
Describe Your Industry	p. 127
Write Your Biography	p. 130
Develop Your Strategic Plan and Goals	p. 132
Map Your Marketing Section	p. 135
Describe Your Market Area	p. 136
Describe Your Location	p. 137
Describe Your Customers	p. 138
Analyze Your Competitors and Differentiate	p. 141
Describe How You Will Sell	p. 145
Clarify Servicing and Guarantees	p. 147
Craft Your Business Image	p. 148
Develop Advertising and Promotion	p. 149
Present Prices and Pricing Strategy	p. 152
Develop a Marketing Action Plan	p. 157
Organize Your Operations Section	p. 161
Describe Your Operation	p. 162
List Equipment and Methods	p. 164
Source Materials and Supplies	p. 166
Identify and Control Your Risks	p. 168
Describe Your Management Team	p. 174
Select Your Professionals	p. 176
Determine Labor Requirements	p. 179
Develop Your Operational Action Plan	p. 182
Forecast Your Financial Section	p. 185
Forecast Your Sales	p. 187
Explain Your Projections	p. 191
Estimate Your Market Share	p. 194
Present Your Cost of Goods Sold	p. 196
Summarize Labor Projections	p. 198
Develop Your Cash Flow Forecast	p. 199
Identify Your Operating Expenses	p. 204
Develop Your Projected Income Statement	p. 206
Determine Your Break-Even	p. 211
Build a Pro Forma Balance Sheet	p. 213
Identify Your Start-Up Expenses	p. 216
Clarify Sources and Uses of Funds	p. 219
Assemble Your Appendices	p. 221
Build a Resumé	p. 224
Determine Personal Net Worth	p. 230
Include Certificates and Accreditation	p. 231
Provide Historical Financials	p. 232
Create Organizational Charts	p. 233
Get the Approval of Your Board	p. 234
Build Your List of References	p. 235
Include Letters of Reference Step	p. 236
Include Letters of Intent	p. 238
Include Signed Contracts and Offers	p. 240
Create a Partnership Agreement	p. 241
Include Lease Agreement(s)	p. 244
Include Insurance Documents	p. 245
Develop Your Price List	p. 246
Gather and Include Price Quotes	p. 247
Get Written Estimates	p. 248
Provide the Right Survey Info	p. 249
Create a Map of Your Market Area	p. 250
Include Environmental Information	p. 251
Gather Free Publicity	p. 252
Create Promotional Materials	p. 253
Add Product Literature	p. 257
Add Technical Information	p. 258
Explain Any Confusing Terms	p. 259
Craft Your Final Presentation	p. 261
Create Your Title Page	p. 262
Write Your Executive Summary	p. 263
Develop Your Table of Contents	p. 269
Write Confidentiality and Copyright	p. 270
Evaluate Your Business Plan	p. 271
Have Others Critique Your Plan	p. 273
Revise and Rewrite Your Business Plan	p. 274
Complete Your Application for Financing	p. 275
Write Your Cover Letter	p. 277
Present Your Business Plan	p. 280
Suggested Reading	p. 285
Index	p. 289
Dan Boudreau Biography	p. 313
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

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