How to Write a Business Plan: (Creating Success series)

Anyone involved in business will, at some point, have to prepare a business plan, whether it is to raise finance, sell a business or develop a specific project. While people are unlikely to invest solely in a beautiful document, they are very unlikely to support something that is scrappy, untidy and badly written. Starting with the premise that there's only ever one chance to make a good impression, How to Write a Business Plan covers all the issues involved in producing a plan - from profiling competitors and forecasting market development, to the importance of providing clear and concise financial information. Presented in a highly accessible format, How to Write a Business Plan also includes a full glossary, case histories and a detailed section on the related issue of how a company can best use internal business plans.

Table of Contents:
introduction 1 1. the structure of the plan 15 using appendices 18 2. summary 20 3. the business background 24 the business 24; what is the product or service? 25; the markets 25; supply 26; how did you get here? 27 4. the market 29 overview 29; market structure 30; competitors 31; customers 32; distribution 32; trends 35; competitive advantage 36; market segmentation 37; differentiation 38; pricing 39; barriers to entry 39; new technologies 40; mixed strategies 41 5. operations 42 differences 43; processes 43; control 44; experience 45; supply 46; systems 46; location and environment 47; regulatory control 48 6. management 49 the essential difference 53; what skills are required? 54; organisation structure 55; demonstrating control 56 7. the proposal 61 explain 61; the proposition 61; why will you succeed? 63; ask for what you want! 64; what have you invested? 65; closing the deal 66; the exit 67 8. the forecast 68 the sales forecast 68; costs 70; the five-year forecast 70; reviewing the plan 72; sensitivity 73; key assumptions 75; explain important points 78 9. financial information 80 profit and loss account 81; cash forecast 84; sensitivity 85; funding 86; reconciling and checking 87; timing 87; balance sheet 89; some important terms 91 10. risks 93 11. legal issues and confidentiality 96 confidentiality 96 12. selling your business 100 explain why are selling 101; emphasise the great opportunities for the business 101; don't waste time illustrating that sudden upturn in business expected imminently 101; do you include a forecast 102; who is the buyer? 103; holding back information 103 13. the internal business plan 105 how to use plans to help run organisations 105; planning is not budgeting!! 110; non-traditional plans 112; the corporate vision: soft data and hard data 113; creating strategy 116; conduct action-oriented planning 118; where are you starting from? 121; involving staff - building the team 125; tips for producing and using the internal plan 126; the dead hand of corporate politics 130; using business plans for bidding 134 appendices 138 1. the confidentiality letter 138

About the Author :
brian finch has worked as director of business development for several large uk-quoted companies, and is the finance director of a bookstore chain for which he was a co-founder. as an independent consultant, he has considerable experience of preparing and delivering effective business plans, as well as advising others on their preparation of winning material. he is the author of business plans, 30 minutes to write a business plan and 30 minutes to negotiate a better deal, all published by kogan page.

Review :
"tells you everything you need to know...this thought-provoking book leaves no stone unturned, covering absolutely everything...overall this is an excellent business tool, offering valuable guidance and advice for the daunting venture of going it alone." accounting technician "hard to see how this guide could be bettered." director "finch guides the reader from the basics." lighting and sound magazine "advice...on the vital ingredients that will make your business plan a success." travel weekly