A business plan – is it worth the effort? One of the first questions anyone who starts a new business will hear is “Do you have a business plan?” If you ask business owners a couple of years after they started the business, when did they last look at the business plan, and if they did how close was the reality to the plan the answers you will most probably hear are “never” and “net very”, respectively. Having written and read dozens of business plans over the years I have found 3 reasons for this: 1. Business plans are usually written when there are big dreams but no business yet, and therefore there is very little information about the business and the market so they can’t be accurate. 2. They include 3–5-year forecasts. Even a business that is running for a long time cannot really forecast for such a long time, let alone a business that doesn’t even exist yet. 3. There is no execution element whatsoever. The plan says what the founders hope will happen, but it doesn’t say how to achieve it. So, a lot of time and effort (and sometimes money) is spent in writing plans that provide very little. The question is WHY? The main reason is that people don’t know any better. Business plans have been established as a must, and few people stop and ask if this is the right solution. Funnily enough, when I talk to experienced entrepreneurs, executives and business mentors, they all agree with me about their irrelevance, but this still goes on. I don’t claim that business plans have no merit. Writing them requires whoever wants to start a business to sit down and go through a thorough thought process so they can establish a proper case for setting it up. The main difficulty is to maintain objectivity. Unfortunately, I am yet to see anyone starting to write a business plan and saying after a while “Nah, this is never going to work”. Entrepreneurs are optimists by nature and will just write a plan that justifies whatever they set out to do… But even those that do a proper job and start a business may find that after a while it doesn’t work or stuck in a rut. And for lack of a better idea, they go back to writing a new business plan only to find that the new plan doesn’t work any better than the old one. There is an alternative, but this post is about highlighting the fallibility of business plans. Interested in learning more about how to get it right? DM me. #businessplans #entrepreneurs #sme #growth #strategy
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Visibility Expert, Speaker, Author, Business and Marketing Consultant - Helping businesses create groundbreaking results through visibility & brand marketing. Helping individuals build thought leadership and authority.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐚 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 ✨ Did you know that before starting a business you have to plan and outline an effective strategy? I know Writing a business plan can be overwhelming and stressful for even the most seasoned entrepreneur. However, you don't have to do it alone. 🎇 For aspiring entrepreneurs, a business plan answers essential questions such as the best business model, the business’s future path, and how the company will reach its goals. Formal business plans serve several purposes. Click the link below and learn more about the importance of a business plan. #womeninbusiness #womenthrivemagazine#womenthrivesummit#sucessbeliefs #womenempowerment
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"Do I really need a business plan, it seems a bit overkill for me?" I hear this a lot - a real lot, and I'm not surprised because I thought the same thing when I started out in business. Starting your own business can be a whirlwind of ideas, tasks, and goals. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget one crucial element—a business plan. Even if you’re a solo entrepreneur, having a clear roadmap is essential for success. Here’s why: 1. Provides Clarity and Focus 🎯 A business plan helps you define your business objectives, target audience, and unique value proposition. It gives you a clear path to follow, ensuring you stay focused on what truly matters. ✅ Example: Imagine trying to navigate a new city without a map or satnav. A business plan acts as your guide, helping you avoid detours and stay on the right track. 2. Helps You Stay Organised 📅 Running a business involves juggling many tasks. A business plan breaks down your goals into actionable steps, making it easier to manage your time and resources effectively so that you are far more likely to get things done and achieve the results you're looking for. ✅ Example: With a business plan, you can set milestones and deadlines, ensuring you tackle important tasks systematically instead of getting overwhelmed. Taking one step at a time is what will help you move forward towards your goals and your business plan will help with this. 3. Enhances Decision-Making 🧠 When faced with tough decisions, your business plan serves as a reference point. It helps you evaluate choices based on your long-term goals and strategies. ✅ Example: Should you invest in new software or focus on marketing? Your business plan can guide you in making informed decisions that align with your overall vision and/or short/medium term goals. But I get it, you're thinking of a 35+ page document that you've got to spend a week completing that will just be put in a drawer or in a file on your desktop and never be looked at again, right? That's what I thought too, so I came up with a simple one-pager. This one-page business plan is simple, straightforward, and designed to help you kickstart your entrepreneurial journey. Whether you’re just starting out or need a refresher, this tool is perfect for solo entrepreneurs looking to bring structure to their business dreams. Ready to get started? We’ve got you covered! 📄 Download our FREE One-Page Business Plan Today 📄 👉 Get your free one-page business plan here! https://lnkd.in/eEfx7y5i 👈 Start your business on the right foot with clarity, organisation, and confidence. Download your free plan today and watch your vision come to life! 🌟 hashtag #BusinessPlan hashtag #Entrepreneurship hashtag #SoloEntrepreneur hashtag #SmallBusiness hashtag #StartupSuccess hashtag #DownloadFree
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13 Books 📚 to Read If You Want to Start Your Own Business by AmReading 👇 1. PURPLE COW: TRANSFORM YOUR BUSINESS BY BEING REMARKABLE BY SETH GODIN 2. I DON’T WORK FRIDAYS: PROVEN STRATEGIES TO SCALE YOUR BUSINESS AND NOT BE A SLAVE TO IT BY Martin Norbury AND DANIEL PRIESTLEY (FOREWORD) 3. THE POWER OF BROKE BY DAYMOND JOHN AND DANIEL PAISNER 4. THE YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR’S GUIDE TO STARTING AND RUNNING A BUSINESS BY STEVE MARIOTTI 5. THE $100 STARTUP BY CHRIS GUILLEBEAU 6. START WITH WHY BY SIMON SINEK 7. THE LEAN STARTUP BY ERIC RIES 8. THE ENTREPRENEURIAL INSTINCT: HOW EVERYONE HAS THE INNATE ABILITY TO START A SUCCESSFUL SMALL BUSINESS BY MONICA MEHTA 9. THINK AND GROW RICH BY NAPOLEON HILL 10. 101 INTERNET BUSINESSES YOU CAN START FROM HOME BY SUSAN AND KARA SWEENEY 11. STARTING A BUSINESS ALL-IN-ONE FOR DUMMIES BY CONSUMER DUMMIES 12. DO COOL SH*T BY MIKI AGRAWAL 13. THE 10X RULE BY GRANT CARDONE Thanks for the inclusion – full list and review here>> https://lnkd.in/ejaD_4WG #amreading #books #businessbooks #mondaymotivation #readinglists #bookshelf #bookstagram #businessadvice #businessowners #bookrecommendations #entrepreneurs #reading #authors #summerreading #holidayreading
13 Books to Read If You Want to Start Your Own Business - AmReading
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While not every business may need a formal business plan, having a clear roadmap for your business is still important. In short, a business plan is a valuable tool for any entrepreneur looking to build a successful business. #businessplan #entrepreneurship
Do You Really Need To Write A Business Plan?
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How To Start Writing A Business Plan That Works! For the entrepreneur, knowing how to start writing a business plan can be as exhilarating as it is overwhelming. The business plan is a foundational document and the blueprint of your business and is critical for securing funding, setting clear goals, and communicating your vision to the world. Let’s explore the significance of a business plan, the essential elements it should include, and strategies to forge a plan that resonates with stakeholders and steers your business toward success. Whether you are about to launch your first business or need to revitalize an existing business strategy, a business plan provides the foundation that supports your entrepreneurial journey. #businessplan https://lnkd.in/ghAW6v42
How To Start Writing A Business Plan That Works
forbes.com
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Entrepreneur Magazine provides 5 tips to ensure "you create a winning business plan and achieve lasting success." https://lnkd.in/g7HMrhD8
5 Things You Must Know and Do Before Writing a Business Plan | Entrepreneur
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Common Sense-No BS-High Performance-Transformation Coach for Building Your Fair Share of Business, Success, Profits, Abundance and Turning Your Vision into Reality. Helped Thousands Generate Billions
Are You Starting or Trying to Turn a Failing Small Business Around So It Doesn’t Become a Failure Rate Statistic? Will You? What Do You think? Will Your Business Be One of 20.8% of private sector businesses in the U.S. that fail within the first year. Or one 48.4% that faltered after five years,. Or one of the 65.1% of businesses that failed After 10 years? Of the new businesses that start annually, over one-fifth close in their first year. By the fifth year, the rate of business failure hits nearly 50 percent. Certain startups, however, tend to have a 90% failure rate and somehow, this statistic became the norm. Whether you’re a seasoned small business owner or an entrepreneur just starting out, these statistics can be a little scary. The point is that you shouldn’t let failure rate kill your entrepreneurial spirit. Instead, try to understand the 19 major reasons why small businesses fail. If you understand the mistakes of others, you can avoid following in their footsteps. Are Any of These Top 22 Reasons Causing Your Small Businesses Failure? 22. Subpar marketing, 21. Inflexibility 20. Overambition. 19. No business plan or poor planning 18. Neglecting the importance of a unique value proposition (UVP) 17. Ineffective branding and positioning 16. Overlooking legal and compliance issues 15. Failure to adapt to technology and innovation 14. Failure to understand customer behavior today 13. Not prioritizing customer experience and satisfaction 12. Ineffective online presence and digital marketing 11. Inventory mismanagement 10. Financial mismanagement and lack of budgeting 9. Poor employee management and training 8. Unsustainable growth 7. Lack of sales 6. Inadequate network and community engagement 5. Trying to do it all 4. Underestimating administrative tasks 3. Refusal to pivot 2. Lack of data 1. Poor management Operating a successful business is not something you can leave up to chance or luck. It takes a clearly defined business plan, strategic operations and sound financial management from startup and throughout the life of your business. These 22 reasons should give you a solid understanding of how to turn around a failing small business and help create a plan so your company doesn’t become a failure rate statistic. While you might not be able to avoid every single reason listed above, it’s important to be aware and think preemptively about what you can do to tackle each of them, and come out winning. Are You Properly Planning Your Road to Business Success? If you want to Prevent or Avoid Failure and Get Started FREE, Contact us. Let’s chat! Live Long and Prosperously, Reitenbach-Kissinger Sydney and Michael Text: 650-515-7545 Email: mjkkissinger@yahoo.com Review: MKS Master Key Testimonials: https://lnkd.in/gMS7XUg8 Review: MKS Master Key Coaching: mksmasterkeycoaching.com Review: How to Avoid Failure: https://lnkd.in/gq2cZFuh
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🚀 Ready to turn your business dreams into reality in 2024? SCORE Mentors recommends building a strong foundation with a well-crafted business plan. 🧠 Learn the key sections: 🔑 Executive Summary 🔑 Business Details 🔑 Financial Forecast 🔑 Supporting Data Don't navigate this journey alone! Connect with a SCORE Mentor for free guidance and support. Learn more: https://loom.ly/RwYJixo #BusinessPlanning #SCOREMentors #Entrepreneurship
How to Start Planning Now for Your Own Business in 2024
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I love fun facts. Here is my fun fact of the day; according to the Oklahoma Secretary of State, 362,364 small businesses in Oklahoma represent 99.4% of all private enterprises. For business buyers, there is a HUGE elephant in the room – THAT NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT, BUT ME. Currently, I have listed 8 businesses for sale, 5 under contract at the time of this post. However, potential buyers face a significant challenge when approaching the business brokerage scene without a clear vision – the elusive nature of finding their dream business. The Buyer's Dilemma Numbers Game: With over 362,000 small businesses in Oklahoma, the 8 listings at Bockus Consulting represent a mere 0.000002% of the available opportunities. This numerical contrast highlights the challenge of catering to buyers without a clear vision. The vast diversity in industries, locations, and skill sets across the business landscape makes the likelihood of stumbling upon a buyer's dream business akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Buyers call and their first question – everyone asks, "What do you have for sale?" That is fine – but that is the wrong question. The Importance of Specificity: When potential buyers approach Bockus Consulting without a specific industry preference, geographical constraint, or defined skill set, the process of finding a suitable business becomes akin to searching for a proverbial needle in a haystack of needles. Tailoring Expectations: I always encourage buyers to narrow down their preferences helps streamline the search process and increases the likelihood of finding a business that aligns with their aspirations and capabilities. The Solution: For buyers aiming to enter the entrepreneurial arena, the path to success begins with identifying specific industries of interest, preferred geographic locations, and relevant skills that can significantly enhance the efficiency of the business brokerage process. We have solutions to find, target, and contact specific companies and industries within the pool of 362,000 off-market businesses. Bockus Consulting Business Brokerage strives to connect aspiring entrepreneurs with their dream ventures. However, the challenge arises when buyers enter the market with undefined parameters. By recognizing the importance of specificity and tailoring expectations, potential business owners can navigate the landscape more effectively, increasing their chances of finding the perfect business opportunity. What you don't know can be costly – we help eradicate uncertainty. You don't have to suffer alone. We can help. To talk to me about buying, selling, business valuations, and marketing services in Oklahoma – click the calendar link below for a quick chat: https://lnkd.in/gcnXPKa #buyabusiness #privateequity #venturecapital
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The beginning of starting a business is an exciting opportunity for many individuals who are seeking a life of entrepreneurship. One of the most important steps in making sure you have all the tools you need for success starts with a well-thought-out business plan. This article from Forbes provides tips for creating a business plan that will identify your vision for the future. https://lnkd.in/dSt3RW8j
Why A Thoughtful Business Plan Is Essential For Success
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Co-CEO of BDR Group and Director at Synoia Technologies | Technical Specialist | Supply Chain Expert
5moStart with an idea, don't get overwhelmed by a business plan