Business Resources: A Follow Up to 5 Reasons to Have a Business Plan

January 19, 2011 Business No Comments

Editors note: in his post last week, photographer Drake Fleege provided some convincing reasons why we should all have a business plan and this week he provides some great resources to help you with yours.

Have you ever started on a trip only to have the wrong map, or your GPS constantly proclaims “recalculating”? That’s about what it is like writing your first business plan, having no idea where to start. As you attempt to put the words into a logical, meaningful document, your mind keeps reciting ‘recalculating’.

Following on the heels of “Five Reasons to have a Business Plan”, it was suggested that a second post include templates and links to business planning sites. From that suggestion came the birth of this list.

An editorial disclaimer: This list is by no means complete of all possible sources. Inclusion does not imply endorsement over sites that are not listed. Where I have personally utilized the sites or information, I’ve so noted.

Software

Mind Mapper – http://mindmapper.com/mind/mind.asp

I have used Mind Mapper software for a number of years and start all my planning sessions with this tool. Rather than listing ideas on a sheet of paper, Mind Mapper software allows these thoughts to be assembled visually in any number of graphical ways, showing relationships and connectivity, yielding a ‘brain friendly map’ (quoting the web site description). It is very intuitive and easy-to-use, exactly what you want when ideas are flowing quickly to the keyboard.

Internet Resources

Chase Bank – Creating a Business Plan

https://www.chase.com/index.jsp?pg_name=ccpmapp/smallbusiness/payments_payroll/page/bb_business_plan#out

This site has provided me with an outline template for structural ideas. You may find some sections don’t apply, or you may add sections to fill gaps that appear to be missing.

Small Business Administration – Writing a Business Plan

http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/starting-managing-business/starting-business/writing-business-plan

Still not convinced there is a need for a business plan? This page provides additional discussion as to the benefits of having a plan, essential elements of a business plan, and links for templates to develop your business plans. This is a great resource for initially starting your plan as well as periodic review.

Small Business Administration – Business template

http://web.sba.gov/busplantemplate/BizPlanStart.cfm

This is an interactive site, providing a step-by-step approach for creating a business plan using their web site template. Additional instruction is provided at each step to assist in focusing your input. I have not used this template, though have reviewed the information and found it useful.

SCORE – templates

http://www.score.org/template_gallery.html

This page by SCORE has many templates for use in business planning. There is a separate template for a start-up versus an existing business. Both documents are packed full with ideas and instruction. I’ve not used this site in the past, though will going forward.

These are just a few of the many resources available for use in developing the business plan. The result is a fluid document that once completed should be kept close by for frequent review. As the road changes, so does the route. The business plan is the map that helps navigate the detours.