Manager's Special:

Writing a Business Plan? You're Not on Your Own - There Is Help!
by Robert Warlow

Are you struggling to write a business plan or even find the motivation to be pick up a pen to even start? Many business people who must write a business plan, whether for internal planning or for their Bank Manager, fall at the first hurdle, and don't produce a plan because they haven't the faintest clue where to start.

There is no excuse for this to happen. If you have never put a business plan together, you don't have to struggle on your own because there is plenty of support out there to help you write a blockbuster of a plan.

Here are some of the places or people you can seek assistance from.

Your Team

Don't ignore the people who know as much about the business as you do - your staff. Enlist their help and use all the knowledge they possess. It's usual to find that, in some cases, they have a more in-depth knowledge about specific areas of the business than you!

Bring together the key people in your business and explain to them what you are planning to do, and that you need their help in compiling a business plan. Allocate specific parts of the plan to the people who have the right skills: sales and marketing to your sales and marketing people; production issues to your production team, etc. Tell them that you need a complete overview of their contribution to the business; how their department works; how they interact with the rest of the business; their strengths and weaknesses.

In order that the process doesn't drag on too long, give them a specific deadline by which their contribution has to be returned.

Don't overlook the power of co-opting your staff in helping to complete your plan. There is no better way to achieve "buy-in" to your vision and strategy than getting your team involved.

Accountants

If you can afford it, you can ask for help from an accountant. He will have seen many plans and can provide some practical advice, particularly where profit and loss and cash flow forecasts are concerned. If you don't feel comfortable with figures or you don't have an accountant within your business, then it would be wise to seek help in compiling these figures; after all, the bank is going to make some very important decisions based on these forecasts, so they have to be as accurate as possible.

However, don't underestimate the benefits of doing the forecasts yourself. This exercise will give you a very good understanding of how your business works from a financial perspective; you'll realize the importance of managing cash properly and the effect a rapidly increasing or decreasing turnover can have. In addition, because you did the figures yourself, it will give you the motivation to monitor your performance on a regular basis.

Once you have finished the forecasts, you can still ask your accountant to review them to ensure that you're not totally mad! He can give you a formal ‘stamp of approval’ to include in your business plan, so listen to what he has to say.

If you don't have an accountant, speak to other business people and get a recommendation from them as to whom to use. A recommendation can save you many hours of phone calls and interviews.

The Bank

You may think that the bank would not wish to spend time talking through your idea, but don’t forget that they are on the lookout for good business, so it’s in their interest to get in early before any other bank does. If you are already one of their business customers, they should be happy to review your initial plans. The bank's aim is to build a relationship with you, so they will be pleased to provide their thoughts on any expansion plans. The same applies if you are a customer who maintains an ordinary personal account and is looking to start up in business for the first time.

Getting the bank involved early on means you can pick their brains and get their early views, before you make any irreversible decisions. You may think that this is a bit odd but being pointed in the right direction may save you time later. For example, by seeking their early thoughts, you may get the impression that the Bank is not keen on your idea so this could give you the clue that you may be better off placing your request with another bank.

If this is your first time in business, or the first plan you are writing, asking someone to go through the key issues with you will provide a number of tips and advice, which aren't necessarily included in any bank booklets or brochures. The advantage of this approach is it won't cost you a penny and you are establishing an immediate relationship with the person who will be reviewing your plan.

Business Colleagues, Local Chambers of Commerce or Chambers of Trade

These are organizations comprising of local business people who get together on a regular basis to share ideas and experiences, hold seminars and trade fairs. You may think that people already in business, especially in the same line as you, would not want to help someone else start up in business or expand in case it damages their own firm. However, this is far from the case.

All entrepreneurs know what it's like during the early days in business or the problems trying to grow an existing one. They will be more than willing to share their experiences and give some general advice. You'll be surprised at how generous some business people can be.

Books

There are numerous books on how to prepare Business Plans. Each of them has something different to add, so buy a few and pick up some of the key points.

Take a visit to your local library. As well as books on how to put a plan together, they may have information relating to your line of business, which could be useful in gathering background facts to bring your plan to life.

With these sources of advice there really is no excuse for you not getting down to writing that long overdue business plan!

Robert Warlow

© Small Business Success

More information on dealing with banks can be obtained from Rob’s latest e-book ‘The Secrets of Getting Your Bank Manager to Say Yes!’ at http://www.smallbusinessloansecrets.com.  Small Business Success is a resource dedicated to helping small business owners be more successful. If you are looking for a regular flow of ideas and tips then subscribe to Small Business Success a free newsletter, which provides you with quick tips, ideas and articles.

For more information visit http://www.smallbusinesssuccess.biz

Editor note:
TCIA members can find examples and templates of business plans on line at www.tcia.org.  Log in and click the link to the business management guide. Then click Four Part Business Plan Guide.

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