The Best-Laid Business Plans

Careful planning is is the key to successful business development and growth for every company, new or old. If you're launching new products and services, taking on more people, relocating to bigger offices, buying a business or selling one, you'll do it better if you plan it. With sound practical advice, case studies and exercises, this book will help you through the planning process and ensure that your plans are indeed the best-laid business plans.
-- An invaluable guide to help you plan for any business contingency
-- Practical advice on creating a successful business plan
-- Short, easy-to-digest sections and useful case studies.

Foreword

vii

Sir Richard Branson

Preface

viii

Introduction

1

(2)

How to use this book

3

(3)

Planning - who needs it?

6

(10)

Why you need a business plan and the benefits it will bring your business. Recognising that you need a business plan that is unique to your business situation

In search of the perfect business plan

16

(14)

The 10 steps in business planning, a general outline of what goes in the plan, and a few thoughts before you start. Who you should send it to and how you should present it

Hey you! - What do you want?

30

(12)

Setting personal and SMART business objectives. The Executive Summary - the snappy pages that sell your business plan

What is it you do - and how well do you do it?

42

(16)

Reviewing the current situation, describing your business, current mission and objectives. Your management, key employees and organisation

Let's look at some numbers

58

(27)

Visiting the numbers for a first, second . . . however many times it takes to get them right. The key forecasts: Profit and Loss, Cash flow. Balance sheet, Break-even, Key ratios

But where will the money come from?

85

(21)

Explaining why and when you need the money. Short-and long-term funding, loans and equity

What about some market research?

106

(22)

Finding out what you need to know about customers and competitors. Preparing a meaningful sales forecast

What's so special about your business?

128

(25)

Competitive business strategy, environmental scanning (PEST), assessing the options (SWOT) and contingency planning. Creating a marketing strategy including the four Ps (product, price, promotion and place)

How are you going to deliver?

153

(15)

Your current and any new products or services. How you make your product or provide your service. Key sources of supply

What about the people?

168

(12)

Identifying who you will need, recruiting them and keeping them. Insurance - protecting your business

Making it all happen

180

(13)

Communicating and delivering your plan. Controlling your business so it keeps on track

A final thought

193

(3)

Your business plan checklist to make sure you have included everything. And finally, a thought about your next business plan

Appendices Financial projection sheets. Sources of help

196

(16)

Index

212

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

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The Best-Laid Business Plans

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials