Up and Running

MAY 14, 2015

Business plans go by many names: Strategic plans, operational plans, internal plans, and many others. Lately, I’ve been focusing on lean business plans. There are also one-page business plans, although those are really more summaries. Business plans for startups.

Business Plan 60

Business Plan Lean Forecast Balance Sheet 60

Up and Running

OCTOBER 22, 2014

So, you’ve been asked to write a business plan. It’s likely that your mind is filling with images of long documents, bad memories of writing term papers, and worries about doing market research and creating financial forecasts. But first, let’s talk about why you’re writing a business plan. Take a deep breath.

Business Plan 130

Business Plan Elevator Pitch Forecast Partner 130

Up and Running

JULY 31, 2015

This week Peter and Jonathan talk to Tim Berry, founder of Palo Alto Software, about lean business planning, strategy, tactics, specifics (milestones), and the forecast. Free Download: The One Page Business Pitch Template. Strategy, Tactics, Specifics, and the Forecast – (11:45). Listen to episode 8 here.

Lean 60

Lean Business Plan Forecast Software Review 60

Up and Running

MARCH 26, 2015

Unsure what kind of business plan you need? We get this question a lot, mainly because there are so many different things labelled as business plans: strategic plans, annual plans, operational plans, feasibility plans, and, of course, what most people think of, business plans for startups seeking investment.

Business Plan 60

Business Plan Lean Forecast Balance Sheet 60

Up and Running

MAY 3, 2021

In this piece, we look at how you can start growing your SEO business, from business plans to lead generation. What is an SEO business? As the name suggests, an SEO business is a company or agency that performs SEO services for and on behalf of a brand. How to write an SEO business plan that outlines your goals.

SEO 147

SEO Vertical Metadata Forecast 147

Up and Running

NOVEMBER 12, 2020

Leveraging the power of ML or Machine Learning, AI can help channelize your marketing spending in proper directions leading to a higher return on investment (ROI). Plan for the future. Much like your sales and operational expenses, having a preliminary budget can help you forecast and set goals for the coming month, quarter, and year.

Artificial Inteligence 142

Artificial Inteligence Marketing Channel Campaign 142

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2021

Most aspiring entrepreneurs understand that you can’t build a business if you won’t commit to delivering a product or service, but many are hesitant or refuse to commit to any financial forecasts. Yet every business requires revenue and volumes, as certainly as it requires a product to sell. Forecast sales-volume expectations.

Forecast 369

Forecast Burn Rate Startup Widget 369

Up and Running

AUGUST 6, 2021

You’ve heard all the sales pitches and lofty claims before, and you’ve developed a snap reaction of disbelief. Older people cling to the notion of listening to their elders and getting advice through traditional channels. They’re accessible via more channels. The older you get, the more firmly you become set in your ways.

Small Business 149

Small Business Customer Social Media Channel 149

Up and Running

JANUARY 29, 2019

Though you may be tempted to immediately throw yourself into your new small business, don’t forget a crucial element: creating a business plan. Yes, the words “business plan” might trigger some dread about epic documents that take a ton of time to produce—but that’s not necessarily what a business plan needs to be.

Lean 64

Lean Business Plan Revenue Forecast 64

Up and Running

APRIL 20, 2016

The business plan for strategic growth is one of my favorites because it’s about core business decisions, steps, metrics, and making things happen. It matches my vision of business planning as ongoing management and steering a business. It’s not about explaining or defending a business for outsiders.

Business Plan 60

Business Plan Developer Metrics Matching 60

Up and Running

MAY 8, 2015

A lean business plan does what every business owner and aspiring startup needs to manage strategy, tactics, execution, and essential business numbers. A lean business plan steers the company toward its goals, and also to tracking and managing progress, expectations, and accountability. Why lean ?

Lean 60

Lean Business Plan Forecast Technical Review 60

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 9, 2012

Projecting the financials should be the last step of your business plan preparation, since it assumes you already know the opportunity size, customer buying habits, pricing, costs, and competition. Otherwise, sales, marketing, and operational costs will kill you. Next comes sales volume by channel.

Forecast 238

Forecast Burn Rate .Net Business Model 238

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 22, 2011

Projecting the financials should be the last step of your business plan preparation, since it assumes you already know the opportunity size, customer buying habits, pricing, costs, and competition. Otherwise, sales, marketing, and operational costs will kill you. Next comes sales volume by channel.

Forecast 230

Forecast Burn Rate Startup .Net 230

Up and Running

DECEMBER 5, 2017

If you’ve been procrastinating when it comes to putting together your business plan, there are a few easy ways to jumpstart the process. Second, skip everything else you’ve heard people talk about and jump right into your sales forecast. How many prospects can you reach in each channel?

Forecast 84

Forecast Sales Advertising Social Media 84

Up and Running

MARCH 24, 2021

Think of it as a baseline for what’s feasible and what your penetration rate needs to be for your business to be viable long-term. Keeping track of this measurement and noting any positive or negative changes can help inform your return on investment for any marketing or sales campaigns. Is there a pain point no one is addressing?

Software Review 146

Software Review Marketing Campaign Forecast 146

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

To create this first year in business checklist, I turned to our in-house experts here at Palo Alto Software: Sabrina Parsons, CEO; Noah Parsons, COO; Josh Cochrane, Vice President of Product Development; and Josh Fegles, Academic and Government Channel Sales Director, and founder of gluten-free cookie company Jude’s Foods.

Forecast 60

Forecast Software Review Lean Finance 60

Gust

JUNE 19, 2012

Last weekend I caught Mashable announcing that Ebook Sales Surpass Hardcover in the U.S. One of my earliest excursions into market research was working for a research firm doing a 1979 forecast on ATMs. 10 Things I Look for When Reading a Business Plan. Often this is part of a good forecast. Subscribe by email.

Startup 180

Startup Forecast Angel Investor Software 180

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 21, 2022

A while back in a blog article , I pointed out that none of these justify a startup business plan with little or no budget for marketing. All require planning, deliberate actions, and quality content and event creation which will likely absorb all the savings from reduced paid media campaigns. Long-term sales.

Marketing 319

Marketing Framework Social Media Metrics 319

Up and Running

MAY 12, 2020

Develop a Business Plan. It’s been proven that planning makes you more successful. Beyond writing a business plan to acquire funding (if that’s what you need), a business plan can help keep you on track to meet your milestones and goals. Determine what type of business plan is right for you .

Software Review 153

Software Review Exit Strategy Technical Review Business Plan 153

Up and Running

JUNE 25, 2020

It takes effective planning, strategy, and the willingness to get creative. If your sales have recently hit a plateau, check out these 10 proven methods to continue growing your business. You went through the process of identifying a target market when developing your business plan. Know your customers.

Small Business 180

Small Business Hosting Social Media Community 180

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 4, 2015

Most aspiring entrepreneurs understand that you can’t build a business if you won’t commit to delivering a product or service, but many are hesitant or refuse to commit to any financial forecasts. Yet every business requires revenue and volumes, as certainly as it requires a product to sell. Forecast sales-volume expectations.

Forecast 120

Forecast Entrepreneur Burn Rate Widget 120

Up and Running

MAY 23, 2016

Step 1: Start with a lean plan. Instead of sitting down to write a 40-page business plan, start with a one-page pitch. It’s the fastest way to get your idea onto paper, and it’s the very first step in the lean planning process, which is much easier and more iterative than traditional business planning methods.

Software Review 74

Software Review Software Delaware Forecast 74

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2012

People ask me if they really need ANY business plan, unless they are looking for an outside investor. In fact, a business plan is needed more by you than investors, as the blueprint for your company, team communication, and progress metrics. Marketing, sales, and partners. Financial forecast and metrics.

Business Plan 283

Business Plan Sweat Equity Exit Strategy Intellectual Property 283

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 13, 2011

People ask me if they really need ANY business plan, unless they are looking for an outside investor. In fact, a business plan is needed more by you than investors, as the blueprint for your company, team communication, and progress metrics. Marketing, sales, and partners. Financial forecast and metrics.

Business Plan 290

Business Plan Sweat Equity Exit Strategy Intellectual Property 290

Up and Running

JANUARY 15, 2018

Once you’ve decided that you’re ready to start a small web design firm, you’ll need to develop a host of skills to help you run a successful business, including time management, sales and promotional strategies, and client acquisition. Create a Lean Business Plan. Promote your services. Cultivating relationships.

Web 86

Web Design Software Review Elevator Pitch 86

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 25, 2010

In reality, you need to set these projections as goals for your own use, to convince employees as well as investors that you have a business which is challenging, but achievable. Otherwise, sales, marketing, and operational costs will kill you. Next comes sales volume by channel. This forecast is really their commitment.

Forecast 151

Forecast Startup Burn Rate .Net 151

Gust

MAY 29, 2012

It’s the end of May as I write this so I’ve just finished my annual April-May business plan marathon reading more than 100 business plans for my angel investment group and four different business plan contests. This seems like a good point to summarize here what I look for in a business plan. .

Business Plan 174

Business Plan Forecast Channel Cost 174

Steve Blank

NOVEMBER 1, 2010

With an out-of-this-world business plan. When it was spun out as a a separate company, Iridium’s 1990 business plan had assumptions about potential customers, their problems and the product needed to solve that problem. A Business Plan Frozen in Time. No Business Plan Survives First Contact With A Customer.

Business Plan 335

Business Plan Customer Business Model Customer Development 335

A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

JULY 12, 2010

Listening to first-time entrepreneurs talk about their competitive advantages is as predictably invalid as the local weatherman's 10-day forecast. You live in the era of the flat world where millions of people have access to technology, education, and a powerful sales, marketing, and communication platform (the Internet).

Intellectual Property 319

Intellectual Property Bootstrapping Software Review Open Source 319

Up and Running

MAY 30, 2012

It’s the end of May as I write this so I’ve just finished my annual April-May business plan marathon reading more than 100 business plans for my angel investment group and four different business plan contests. This seems like a good point to summarize here what I look for in a business plan.

Business Plan 145

Business Plan Forecast Channel Cost 145

Up and Running

JUNE 7, 2016

Think of sales as helping them configure, choose, and pay for what you offer that they want or need. You have to be flexible about a business plan, so take what you can from what we say here and make sure it applies to your business. Those are the market analysis, the marketing plan, and the sales plan.

Business Plan 60

Business Plan Sales Marketing Social Media 60

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 18, 2013

Otherwise, sales, marketing, and operational costs will kill you. Next comes sales volume by channel. This forecast is really their commitment. Holiday sales fluctuations eat cash. Sales surges means more inventory is required to cover the ups-and-downs.

Business Plan 215

Business Plan Venture Capital Demand Forecast 215

Gust

AUGUST 5, 2012

People ask me if they really need ANY business plan, unless they are looking for an outside investor. In fact, a business plan is needed more by you than investors, as the blueprint for your company, team communication, and progress metrics. Marketing, sales, and partners. Financial forecast and metrics.

Business Plan 182

Business Plan Sweat Equity Exit Strategy Intellectual Property 182

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 24, 2019

A while back in a blog article , I pointed out that none of these justify a startup business plan with little or no budget for marketing. All require planning, deliberate actions, and quality content and event creation which will likely absorb all the savings from reduced paid media campaigns. Long-term sales.

Media 238

Media Cost Framework Social Media 238

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2010

People ask me if they really need ANY business plan, unless they are looking for an outside investor. In fact, a business plan is needed more by you than investors, as the blueprint for your company, team communication, and progress metrics. Marketing, sales, and partners. Financial forecast and metrics.

Business Plan 186

Business Plan Exit Strategy Sweat Equity Intellectual Property 186

Up and Running

MAY 31, 2016

“But how can I write a business plan? ” He was one of my favorite students in the class I used to teach on starting a business. You don’t plan to pay your rent and other expenses? How you make money is at the heart of an artist’s business plan. I’m an artist.” I responded.

Business Plan 60

Business Plan Forecast Metrics Oregon 60

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2017

With these, if you can paint a positive picture for your new venture, I assure you that investors will sit up and take notice, and you will also know how to drive yourself and your team: Determine your gross margin on sales. This should ideally be a “bottoms-up” commitment from your sales team, not your own optimistic guess.

Burn Rate 144

Burn Rate Forecast Angel Investor Revenue 144