Are you making a small business plan and getting stuck on the writing or the financial modeling component? Are you using a software program and finding it difficult to get all of the inputs to function correctly? Are you working from SCORE templates or library books on business and finding it difficult to pinpoint the market research you need to get the business plan where it needs to be? These are common dilemmas for first-time business plan writers. Making a small business plan requires careful market research, well thought-out writing, a compelling description of your service and how you will market it, and a detailed set of financial pro forma projections that tell banks and investors everything they need to know about your venture. It's not an easy exercise, but don't let the business plan stand in the way of your small business' success.
Here are some things to remember that can help with your plan:
(1) There are free resources online, including the U.S. Census Bureau's website, that can give you working data on population, buying patterns, and industry scope
(2) Financial spreadsheets from business planning software can be exported to Excel and checked for errors by an expert
(3) There are resources available to entrepreneurs through regional business development offices
(4) You can always position yourself for success by networking with other business people and sharing your plan draft with colleagues
For many people, these resources off a great start. But professional business planning help is often the best bet, and the value of having one-on-one consulting time with someone trained in business plan writing and modeling cannot be understated. A few companies currently offer this sort of service, but the most longstanding firm with the best track record is MasterPlans. With almost a decade of experience and nearly 8,000 separate engagement fulfilled, MasterPlans.com is the go-to company for small business plans and major documents alike. Call one of our consultants to talk about your project today – our toll-free line is 877-453-2011.
