Answer

Dear XXXXX,

A business plan is a very detailed way of setting up your business.

The best way to do one is to start out by writing out your vision for the plan.

A one to three paragraph statement of how you invision your business, such as the product and services you will provide, and the market that you will sell to, and how you will get your product to them. You would include the basis for charging them fees for your sevice or product.

Once you have done that, you will need to research each of the elemetns of a busienss plan as it related to your product or service, and the industry trends.

The basic elements of a business plan are:

1. Introduction
2. Business Description
3. Market Description
4. Descrition of business development and production
5. Sales and Marketing Plan
6. Management and Organizational Structure
7. Finacial documents (the projected revnues, earnings, and balance sheet)
8. Appendix. The appendix should include:

• SWOT analysis
• Accounting basis
• Spread sheets
• Back up data from the research for market potential

NOTE: once the business plan is done, you need to write an executive summary.

There are several good business plan software packages that are available to help you make an easy job of this.

Here is one web site that provides great guidance on building a business plan: http://www.action-links.com/businesspages/businessplan.htm

Microsoft office also provides a business plan for a start up business at the following web site: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/results.aspx?Scope=TC&Query=business+plan

You should also visit the SBA for a look at what they have to say about busienss plans and samples: http://www.sba.gov

AND you can take a short course with a organiation such as the women's venture fund in NYC to help build your business plan. There are similar organizations near you who can also provide the training. While these organizations are primarily for minorities and women, many will open their doors to paying customers, because they need to generate revenues to fund their programs. The women's venture fund in NYC takes any one who has a desire to learn.

http://www.womensventurefund.org

 

Expert:	Ed Johnson
Pos. Feedback:	99.2 %
Accepts:
Answered:	9/27/2006

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