How to Write a Business Plan

Table of contents

- Downloading Forms and Other Materials (Page 9)
- Table of Contents (Page 10)
- Your Legal Companion (Page 14)
- Meet Antoinette (Page 16)
- Getting Started (Page 16)
- And a Few More Words (Page 17)
- 1. Benefits of Writing a Business Plan (Page 18)
- What Is a Business Plan? (Page 19)
- Why Write a Business Plan? (Page 19)
- Issues Beyond the Plan (Page 21)
- 2. Do You Really Want to Own a Business? (Page 24)
- Introduction (Page 25)
- Self-Evaluation Exercises (Page 26)
- How to Use the Self-Evaluation Lists (Page 30)
- Reality Check: Banker’s Analysis (Page 30)
- 3. Choosing the Right Business (Page 34)
- Introduction (Page 35)
- Know Your Business (Page 35)
- Be Sure You Like Your Business (Page 37)
- Describe Your Business (Page 37)
- Taste, Trends, and Technology: How Will the Future Affect Your Business? (Page 43)
- Break-Even Analysis: Will Your Business Make Money? (Page 47)
- What You Have Accomplished (Page 60)
- 4. Potential Sources of Money to Start or Expand Your Small Business (Page 62)
- Introduction (Page 64)
- Ways to Raise Money (Page 64)
- Common Money Sources to Start or Expand a Business (Page 72)
- Additional Money Sources for an Existing Business (Page 81)
- If No One Will Finance Your Business, Try Again (Page 83)
- Secondary Sources of Financing for Start-Ups or Expansions (Page 85)
- Conclusion (Page 88)
- 5. Your Resume and Financial Statement (Page 90)
- Introduction (Page 91)
- Draft Your Business Accomplishment Resume (Page 91)
- Draft Your Personal Financial Statement (Page 98)
- 6. Your Profit and Loss Forecast (Page 114)
- Introduction (Page 115)
- What Is a Profit and Loss Forecast? (Page 115)
- Determine Your Average Cost of Sales (Page 116)
- Complete Your Profit and Loss Forecast (Page 119)
- Review Your Profit and Loss Forecast (Page 132)
- 7. Your Cash Flow Forecast and Capital Spending Plan (Page 134)
- Introduction (Page 135)
- Prepare Your Capital Spending Plan (Page 136)
- Prepare Your Cash Flow Forecast (Page 138)
- Required Investment for Your Business (Page 148)
- Check for Trouble (Page 149)
- 8. Write Your Marketing and Personnel Plans (Page 152)
- Introduction (Page 153)
- Marketing Plan (Page 153)
- Personnel Plan (Page 165)
- 9. Editing and Finalizing Your Business Plan (Page 170)
- Introduction (Page 171)
- Decide How to Organize Your Plan (Page 171)
- Write Final Portions of Your Plan (Page 172)
- Create the Appendix (Page 178)
- Create Title Page and Table of Contents (Page 179)
- Complete Your Final Edit (Page 179)
- Consider Using a Business Consultant (Page 181)
- 10. Selling Your Business Plan (Page 184)
- How to Ask for the Money You Need (Page 185)
- How to Approach Different Backers (Page 187)
- What to Do When Someone Says “Yes” (Page 191)
- Plan in Advance for Legal Details (Page 192)
- 11. After You Open—Keeping on the Path to Success (Page 196)
- Introduction (Page 197)
- Watch Out for Problem Areas (Page 197)
- Getting Out of Business (Page 202)
- 12. Good Resources for Small Businesses (Page 206)
- Introduction (Page 207)
- Business Consultants (Page 207)
- Books (Page 209)
- Pamphlets (Page 216)
- Magazines—Continuing Small Business Help (Page 216)
- Computers and Business (Page 216)
- Online Business Resources (Page 219)
- Formal Education (Page 222)
- A. Business Plan for a Small Service Business (Page 224)
- B. Business Plan for a Manufacturing Business (Page 240)
- C. Business Plan for Project Development (Page 258)
- D. How to Use the CD-ROM (Page 268)
- Installing the Files Onto Your Computer (Page 269)
- Using the Business Plan Files (Page 270)
- Using the Spreadsheets (Page 271)
- Forms on the CD-ROM (Page 273)
- Download the Forms from the CD-ROM (Page -1)
- Related Products (Page 287)
- Web Resources (Page -1)