While some entrepreneurs think it’s unnecessary to write a business plan—especially if outside financing is not needed—I highly disagree. The disciplined process of business planning helps owners and managers foresee both opportunities and problems before they arise. MORE
As a full-time editor and academic mentor at an academic writing service, I have read hundreds of business plans over the years. To help students and startups, I have compiled a list of reasons business plans are rejected or given a low grade. Bad business ideas. MORE
Most technical entrepreneurs I know demand the discipline of a product specification or plan, and then assume that their great product will drive a great business. In reality, you need both, to clarify for yourself and team that you have a viable business solution. MORE
Many experts recommend introducing your business plan with definitions of the problem that your business solves and the solution your business offers. Every business sale is related to a problem. See Also: What Is a Business Plan? MORE
Writing a business plan can seem intimidating. You’re committing your great idea to paper and fleshing out the details of how you’re actually going to start and grow your business. A one-page pitch is a simple overview of your business. MORE
If you want people to invest in your idea, then my best advice is first write a business plan, and keep it simple. Don't confuse your business plan with a doctoral thesis or the back of a napkin. Keep the wording and formatting straightforward, and keep the plan short. MORE
We all want the best for our babies—and our business plans! Nearly all businesses, whether they are small or large, are comprised of intellectual property (IP) and trade secrets, which can serve as the foundation for commercial success. MORE
Berkeley Haas Business School is a leader in entrepreneurship education. It has replaced how to write a business plan with hands-on Lean Startup methods. Berkeley in 2010 to run the Lester Center for Entrepreneurship in the Haas School of Business we were teaching entrepreneurship the same way as when I was a student back in 1995. The final deliverable for that class was a 30-page business plan. We had multiple business plan competitions. MORE
Positioning is the essence of marketing strategy, and some would say of all business strategy. It’s about how your business is different from the others. It’s about what your business does for people that other businesses don’t do. See Also: Business Planning Guide. MORE
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. Explain the business model. MORE
What’s the value of a business plan? How do you build decisions and action into your business plan? What makes a business plan more than just strategy and wishful thinking? See Also How to Develop Your Business Strategy. MORE
Most people think of the business plan as a one-time event, something used to accomplish a specific goal—getting funded, usually. How you format your plan will depend on what your needs are. Describe your business in one sentence (what do you do, and who do you do it for?). MORE
Dan Shapiro has an excellent post up titled What to do when an investor asks you for your business plan. In the section where we discuss business plans, we say: “We haven’t read a business plan in over 20 years. However, realize that some VCs care a lot about seeing a business plan, regardless of the current view by many people that a business plan is an obsolete document.&#. Business Plan business plan fundraising MORE
In this article, I’ll give a quick overview of the best practices for validating your business idea in use today. See Also: Our Best Resources to Help You Find a Business Idea. Idea validation and Lean Planning. See Also: The History of Lean Planning. MORE
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. MORE
If you want people to invest in your idea, then my best advice is first write a business plan, and keep it simple. Don''t confuse your business plan with a doctoral thesis or the back of a napkin. Keep the wording and formatting straightforward, and keep the plan short. MORE
If you can’t see the video click here Filed under: Business Model versus Business Plan , Customer Development. Business Model versus Business Plan Customer Development MORE
No matter how new your business, you do have competition. What if I don’t think my business has any competition? Never suggest to an investor that you don’t have competition—not in your formal plan, not in your pitch, and not in any summary. Every good business has competition. MORE
This article ( Business Plans Are An Historical Artifact ) first appeared last week in the Wall Street Journal The Accelerators Column , which I’m contributing to on a regular basis. . In 1987 when I started my first company (Feld Technologies), I wrote a business plan for a course at MIT that I was in called 15.375: New Enterprises. I went on to create a company, with my partner Dave Jilk, that bore very little resemblance to that business plan. MORE
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. In general, a standard business plan includes three parts of the sales and marketing section. MORE
Company history in a business plan? Yes, it’s a good addition to some business plans, but not all. For this article, I want to look at how to decide whether or not you include company history, and if you do, what to include and where to put it in the plan. MORE
If you sold your last startup for $800 million, you probably already know how to build a business, and even conservative investors won’t worry about the quality of your next business plan. Most investors tend to think of startups without a plan as expensive hobbies. MORE
A lean business plan does what every business owner and aspiring startup needs to manage strategy, tactics, execution, and essential business numbers. It’s a set of ideas that started about 70 years ago, revolving around PDCA: plan-do-check-adjust. MORE
As a startup mentor and investor, I am approached regularly by aspiring entrepreneurs who assert that business plans are a waste of time. They cite sources like the BusinessWeek story, “ Real Entrepreneurs Don’t Write Business Plans ” and this Forbes article. MORE
True story: As my software business began to grow, as we went from two employees to five, then 10, I discovered how hard real management is with startups and small business that grow organically. See Also An Overview of Lean Business Planning. MORE
On a regular basis, I am approached by entrepreneurs who assert that business plans are a waste of time. They cite sources like a recent BusinessWeek story, “ Real Entrepreneurs Don’t Write Business Plans ” and this NY Times article. MORE
Writing a business plan is hard work, so I get lots of pushback from prospective new venture founders that it’s just a waste of their valuable time in this rapidly changing environment. They all claim to have the plan in their head, and writing it down will only slow down their success. MORE
Your business plan should accomplish certain goals: raise money, guide your team, and set strategies for growth. The format of your business plan will help you achieve these goals, so it’s important to think about the plan’s structure as you build it. MORE
Every year, I spend a lot of time reading and judging business plans for business plan competitions. I have read some great plans and some not-so-great plans, but that is how it always turns out in any business plan competition. MORE
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. MORE
Should you spend some time developing a plan for your business, or just dive in and start, figuring things out as you go? There has been plenty of debate on this topic, but no one has pulled together the scientific evidence to determine if planning is worthwhile—until now. MORE
You’ve reviewed what a business plan is , and why you need one to start and grow your business. It’s time to dig into the process of actually writing a business plan. First, a few must-follow rules for writing a business plan. > Financial Plan. MORE
If you’ve been putting off writing your business plan, you are not alone. Writing a business plan can seem like a daunting task and an easy one to avoid. An easy way to start is with a one-page business plan. There’s really not any difference between a “one page business plan” and a good executive summary. This will force you to trim needless words and communicate your business idea clearly and with minimal clutter. MORE
A business plan is a very important business tool to have as an entrepreneur. When you write your business plan, avoid making these 7 common mistakes. This article 7 Mistakes To Avoid When Writing A Business Plan appeared first in YFS Magazine. MORE
Unsure what kind of business plan you need? And also, what real business owners want—lean business plans for better management. In this article, we’re going to help you figure out which plan is the one for you. All businesses start with a lean plan. MORE
If you are one of the new age of entrepreneurs who hates the thought of doing a business plan as a first step in starting your new venture you will love this message. In that context, it could be a social enterprise, or even a hobby, and a business plan may not be beneficial. MORE
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. Explain the business model. MORE
So, you’ve been asked to write a business plan. Today, I’m going to walk you through an easier way to get your business plan started, through developing a winning strategy. But first, let’s talk about why you’re writing a business plan. MORE
Starting and running a nonprofit is an exhilarating experience, but it also requires thoughtful planning and execution to be successful. Nonprofit organizations share many overlapping needs with traditional for-profit ventures, including the need for a good business plan. MORE
Often, a business plan introduces a new technology that requires some explaining. On one hand, as a reader of business plans for investors, I see way too many business plans that ask a reader to wade neck-deep through technology to get to the business. MORE
Most people think that writing a business plan has to be hard. In fact, it’s possible to write your initial business plan in less than an hour. See Also What Type of Business Plan Do I Need? A new kind of business planning. MORE
It’s a common refrain these days, voiced by “experts” and busy entrepreneurs: business plans and business planning are pointless. There’s clearly no point in planning… On the surface, it’s easy to agree. Business Planning MORE
If you’re serious about opening a restaurant, you’ll have to draft up a formal and accurate business plan to pitch to banks, investors, and even potential employees. I won’t lie—writing a formal business plan isn’t exactly a breeze. See Also: Business Planning Guide. MORE
Business Plan Related Topics 
Startup Professionals Musings
AUGUST 5, 2017
Writing a business plan is hard work, so I get lots of pushback from prospective new venture founders that it’s just a waste of their valuable time in this rapidly changing environment. They all claim to have the plan in their head, and writing it down will only slow down their success.
Startup Professionals Musings
JANUARY 31, 2015
If you sold your last startup for $800 million, you probably already know how to build a business, and even conservative investors won’t worry about the quality of your next business plan. Most investors tend to think of startups without a plan as expensive hobbies.
Up and Running
AUGUST 16, 2017
As a full-time editor and academic mentor at an academic writing service, I have read hundreds of business plans over the years. To help students and startups, I have compiled a list of reasons business plans are rejected or given a low grade. Bad business ideas.
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.
YFS Magazine
FEBRUARY 21, 2017
A business plan is a very important business tool to have as an entrepreneur. When you write your business plan, avoid making these 7 common mistakes. This article 7 Mistakes To Avoid When Writing A Business Plan appeared first in YFS Magazine.
Up and Running
SEPTEMBER 15, 2016
Most people think of the business plan as a one-time event, something used to accomplish a specific goal—getting funded, usually. How you format your plan will depend on what your needs are. Describe your business in one sentence (what do you do, and who do you do it for?).
Up and Running
APRIL 30, 2015
Most people think that writing a business plan has to be hard. In fact, it’s possible to write your initial business plan in less than an hour. See Also What Type of Business Plan Do I Need? A new kind of business planning.
Up and Running
OCTOBER 22, 2014
So, you’ve been asked to write a business plan. Today, I’m going to walk you through an easier way to get your business plan started, through developing a winning strategy. But first, let’s talk about why you’re writing a business plan.
Feld Thoughts
DECEMBER 4, 2012
This article ( Business Plans Are An Historical Artifact ) first appeared last week in the Wall Street Journal The Accelerators Column , which I’m contributing to on a regular basis. . In 1987 when I started my first company (Feld Technologies), I wrote a business plan for a course at MIT that I was in called 15.375: New Enterprises. I went on to create a company, with my partner Dave Jilk, that bore very little resemblance to that business plan.
Up and Running
MARCH 9, 2015
Should you spend some time developing a plan for your business, or just dive in and start, figuring things out as you go? There has been plenty of debate on this topic, but no one has pulled together the scientific evidence to determine if planning is worthwhile—until now.
Up and Running
MAY 1, 2014
You’ve reviewed what a business plan is , and why you need one to start and grow your business. It’s time to dig into the process of actually writing a business plan. First, a few must-follow rules for writing a business plan. > Financial Plan.
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. It’s a set of ideas that started about 70 years ago, revolving around PDCA: plan-do-check-adjust.
Up and Running
APRIL 27, 2016
Writing a business plan can seem intimidating. You’re committing your great idea to paper and fleshing out the details of how you’re actually going to start and grow your business. A one-page pitch is a simple overview of your business.
Startup Professionals Musings
NOVEMBER 7, 2014
As a startup mentor and investor, I am approached regularly by aspiring entrepreneurs who assert that business plans are a waste of time. They cite sources like the BusinessWeek story, “ Real Entrepreneurs Don’t Write Business Plans ” and this Forbes article.
Up and Running
JULY 3, 2015
True story: As my software business began to grow, as we went from two employees to five, then 10, I discovered how hard real management is with startups and small business that grow organically. See Also An Overview of Lean Business Planning.
Up and Running
MARCH 26, 2015
Unsure what kind of business plan you need? And also, what real business owners want—lean business plans for better management. In this article, we’re going to help you figure out which plan is the one for you. All businesses start with a lean plan.
Startup Professionals Musings
MAY 8, 2016
Most technical entrepreneurs I know demand the discipline of a product specification or plan, and then assume that their great product will drive a great business. In reality, you need both, to clarify for yourself and team that you have a viable business solution.
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.
Up and Running
MAY 3, 2016
Your business plan should accomplish certain goals: raise money, guide your team, and set strategies for growth. The format of your business plan will help you achieve these goals, so it’s important to think about the plan’s structure as you build it.
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. Explain the business model.
Up and Running
JUNE 8, 2012
It’s a common refrain these days, voiced by “experts” and busy entrepreneurs: business plans and business planning are pointless. There’s clearly no point in planning… On the surface, it’s easy to agree. Business Planning
Up and Running
JULY 8, 2014
Starting and running a nonprofit is an exhilarating experience, but it also requires thoughtful planning and execution to be successful. Nonprofit organizations share many overlapping needs with traditional for-profit ventures, including the need for a good business plan.
Startup Professionals Musings
OCTOBER 18, 2012
If you want people to invest in your idea, then my best advice is first write a business plan, and keep it simple. Don't confuse your business plan with a doctoral thesis or the back of a napkin. Keep the wording and formatting straightforward, and keep the plan short.
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. Explain the business model.
Up and Running
JUNE 28, 2016
No matter how new your business, you do have competition. What if I don’t think my business has any competition? Never suggest to an investor that you don’t have competition—not in your formal plan, not in your pitch, and not in any summary. Every good business has competition.
Steve Blank
MARCH 3, 2015
Berkeley Haas Business School is a leader in entrepreneurship education. It has replaced how to write a business plan with hands-on Lean Startup methods. Berkeley in 2010 to run the Lester Center for Entrepreneurship in the Haas School of Business we were teaching entrepreneurship the same way as when I was a student back in 1995. The final deliverable for that class was a 30-page business plan. We had multiple business plan competitions.
Up and Running
NOVEMBER 19, 2015
We all want the best for our babies—and our business plans! Nearly all businesses, whether they are small or large, are comprised of intellectual property (IP) and trade secrets, which can serve as the foundation for commercial success.
Startup Professionals Musings
NOVEMBER 26, 2013
If you want people to invest in your idea, then my best advice is first write a business plan, and keep it simple. Don''t confuse your business plan with a doctoral thesis or the back of a napkin. Keep the wording and formatting straightforward, and keep the plan short.
Up and Running
JUNE 7, 2016
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. In general, a standard business plan includes three parts of the sales and marketing section.
Up and Running
OCTOBER 29, 2015
While some entrepreneurs think it’s unnecessary to write a business plan—especially if outside financing is not needed—I highly disagree. The disciplined process of business planning helps owners and managers foresee both opportunities and problems before they arise.
Up and Running
JULY 12, 2016
Company history in a business plan? Yes, it’s a good addition to some business plans, but not all. For this article, I want to look at how to decide whether or not you include company history, and if you do, what to include and where to put it in the plan.
Up and Running
JULY 6, 2016
Often, a business plan introduces a new technology that requires some explaining. On one hand, as a reader of business plans for investors, I see way too many business plans that ask a reader to wade neck-deep through technology to get to the business.
Up and Running
OCTOBER 3, 2011
Every year, I spend a lot of time reading and judging business plans for business plan competitions. I have read some great plans and some not-so-great plans, but that is how it always turns out in any business plan competition.
Up and Running
MARCH 14, 2017
In this article, I’ll give a quick overview of the best practices for validating your business idea in use today. See Also: Our Best Resources to Help You Find a Business Idea. Idea validation and Lean Planning. See Also: The History of Lean Planning.
Up and Running
JULY 19, 2016
Positioning is the essence of marketing strategy, and some would say of all business strategy. It’s about how your business is different from the others. It’s about what your business does for people that other businesses don’t do. See Also: Business Planning Guide.
Up and Running
MAY 7, 2015
What’s the value of a business plan? How do you build decisions and action into your business plan? What makes a business plan more than just strategy and wishful thinking? See Also How to Develop Your Business Strategy.
Startup Professionals Musings
JUNE 14, 2013
On a regular basis, I am approached by entrepreneurs who assert that business plans are a waste of time. They cite sources like a recent BusinessWeek story, “ Real Entrepreneurs Don’t Write Business Plans ” and this NY Times article.
Up and Running
JUNE 21, 2012
If you’ve been putting off writing your business plan, you are not alone. Writing a business plan can seem like a daunting task and an easy one to avoid. An easy way to start is with a one-page business plan. There’s really not any difference between a “one page business plan” and a good executive summary. This will force you to trim needless words and communicate your business idea clearly and with minimal clutter.
Up and Running
MAY 10, 2016
Many experts recommend introducing your business plan with definitions of the problem that your business solves and the solution your business offers. Every business sale is related to a problem. See Also: What Is a Business Plan?
Ask The VC
SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
Dan Shapiro has an excellent post up titled What to do when an investor asks you for your business plan. In the section where we discuss business plans, we say: “We haven’t read a business plan in over 20 years. However, realize that some VCs care a lot about seeing a business plan, regardless of the current view by many people that a business plan is an obsolete document.&#. Business Plan business plan fundraising
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