Writing Business Plan
Writing Business Plan
Writing a business plan can be pretty tedious. There's the cover, the table of contents, some 20-25 pages of content and the back cover. The innards are typically long paragraphs punctuated with bold font sprinkled hither and yon.
And it's all a big bore.
There's a reason for this. The "how to Write business plans" books are classics. That means they are old. They were all written pre-internet. And that's an important consideration in capturing and holding an audience.
The writing style of the internet has changed the way people think. And the way they read.
For instance, glance through this web site, or most any other successful web site, and you will see some real differences in style and layout, such as:
1. Short Paragraphs. Computer monitors don't have the tight resolution of a printed page, so our eyes get tired. To help us focus, good writers use shorter paragraphs.
2. Bulleted Lists. But sometimes there is still a great deal to be communicated, so bulleted lists have become quite popular (or indented lists).
3. Block Indents. Block indents give visual variety, so your eyes don't get so tired and I can hold your attention a bit longer.
4. Left Align. In the old days, nearly all paragraphs were indented five spaces. No more.
5. Judicious Use of Color. A bit of color is nice. Splashes of color all over is yucky.
6. Style that Reflects the Topic. Your business plan layout, like your web site, is going to pick up on the style of your business. A presentation for stylish clothes for teenage girls will look a lot different than one for biotech research. Other than that, your business plan layout is pretty much up to you. Make sure that all the pertinent parts are there, but put them in any order that makes sense for your business.
7. The Tiny Font Stuff. And when you've got a glump of stuff that really needs to be included, but it is in tiny print and long paragraphs, put it as an attachment, either in hard copy form or on a disk, or both. That way, the information is still there for those who want it, but you wont' lose your reader before you get started.
8. How to Use Your Logo. Incorporating your logo is important too. I very small logo in a corner of the page, or on the first page of each section is fine. A big, intrusive logo splashed over every page is not fine.
As straightforward as this advice seems, I am continually astounded by how poorly written most business plan area. Many follow the rather dorky outline of business plan software. Most haven't a clue how to include a chart or an image.
My "Bad Example": I have one business plan that I got a couple of years ago that I hold onto as a "bad example". The business was actually pretty good. It was for an online business incorporating a particular ethnic style of art. The owner was from that ethnic group, so it was a nice fit. But the business plan was 100+ pages of tight, tight paragraphs. And not a single solitary image of the art. Not one. I just couldn't believe it.
Just as an entrepreneur can't plunk down three pages and shout, "Here I am! Drop your money in the bucket!", neither can he expect a serious lender or investor to overlook a lousy business plan. This business plan represents you and your company.
Make it professional.
Make it real.
Make it reflect your energy and your style.
The money will follow.
About the Author:
MaryAnn Shank, founder of
Business Plan Master
has helped literally thousands of entrepreneurs raise funding for their businesses, large and small. Her advice is grounded in two decades of experience, and carries a dash of irreverence.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Writing a Business Plan - 8 Ways to Catch the New Wave
Writing a Business Plan
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Writing a Convincing Business Plan (Paperback) $12.52 The third edition of this handbook for writing business plans is aimed at managers and executives of small-to-medium sized businesses who need a precise and streamlined reference for analyzing sales forecasts, estimating operating expenses and learning... |
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Business Plan Project: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Business Plan $5.49 Business Plan Project provides detailed instructions on how to write a comprehensive business plan for new ventures. The intended market segments are MBA-level college students entrepreneurs consultants and college instructors or corporate trainers. Business Plan Project can be used in over 10 college-level courses. Business Plan Project is designed to meet important needs of each segment; (1) the business plan serves as a means for college students to learn about the major functions of business and how they are interrelated (2) entrepreneurs need a business plan to provide direction in the organization and launch of a new business and secure initial capital from funding sources (3) consultants need a user-friendly business plan format to assist clients that have limited or no business experience and (4) instructors and trainers need a turn-key text with supplements that require no lecture and little prep-time to teach student how to write a business plan. Business Plan Project is a real-world hands-on step-by-step guide where students or entrepreneurs develop business plans for new ventures. The experience begins with brainstorming and deciding on a new business that meets the unique needs in the marketplace. It ends with writing a comprehensive business plan and conducting a PowerPoint presentation of the plan. Further realism is achieved through the use of a continuing case; AVID SPORT INC. a start-up company that plans to launch a high performance running shoe called Propell. All concepts in the text are explained using AVID as an example. The instructor's manual includes outcomes for the learning experience assessment methods lesson plans teaching ideas test bank financial statement worksheets and forms to grade the written plan and oral presentation of the plan. Since all information that students need to develop professional business plans is in the text lectures handouts and other learning aids are optional. The instructor's role can be that of a consultant to students. |
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