Tips
Your Master Plan
What’s the most important thing you can do to ensure that your new business is successful? Make a business plan! Proper planning and the implementation of these plans are key when it comes to the success of a new business.
One of the most important things you can do is to go through the process of researching and writing your own business plan. While some people outsource this task, it’s not a good idea to do so when you're starting your first business. It's YOUR business, remember? Be part of every single step so that you stay familiar with your goals and see your progress.
According to small business marketing expert Randall Olson, co-owner of Mobile Technical Institute and MTI Business Solutions, “Business planning software is a terrific tool for anyone who is getting ready to start a new business. When I was getting ready to open my business, I found that I was spending more time trying to figure out how to format my business plan than on the content. Once I purchased an inexpensive business plan program, I was able to concentrate on really planning my business instead of on figuring out what to put where.”
I have found, to the contrary, that it can be very helpful to have a professional business plan writer ask questions and lead the business owner through a process of logical thinking and inquiry. If the professional bplan writer is very good, she will notice and point out when thinking could be expanded or when areas of focus are being avoided or overlooked.