Business Plans For Dummies

By Steven D. Peterson, Paul Tiffany, Steven J. Peterson, et al.

Book Overview

For some people, a business plan is a map to success that they're required to put together to raise money for a startup company. At best, it's a formality; at worst, it's a sizable pain in the neck. But a business plan doesn't exist just to garner financial support; it's also a powerful tool - one that's bound to make your company a better place to work and your business a more successful operation. Business Plans For Dummies can guide your business in the right direction no matter who you are or how your job description reads, whether you're part of a large corporation or a one-person show. If you've struggled through the planning process before - or if you're brand new to plotting out goals and objectives - this expert reference will show you how to Create a right-on mission statement Pinpoint the needs of your customers Scope out the competition Simplify all the financial stuff Stay on top of trends Foster a winning atmosphere for your staff Packing the greatest value into a business plan calls for a look back at where your company's been and how it's changed over the years, a look forward to where and how you'll compete in the marketplace, and a look around at what you want to show and tell the world about your enterprise. This down-to-earth guide steps you through every milestone in business planning, including Determining where you want to go with your business Checking out the business environment: customers and competition Assessing your capabilities and resources Getting into strategic thinking mode Facing the facts about product life cycles Motivating and appreciating the people who make it all happen in-house Riding marketplace tides isn't the sport of amateurs these days; only 25% of new businesses survive beyond their first three years of operation. This invaluable resource gives you a no-nonsense approach to staying afloat, rising above the risks, and enjoying the rewards as you take care of business.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1568848684
• ISBN13: 9781568848686
• Release Date: May 1997
• Publisher: For Dummies
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.2" x 0.8" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

Planning, not just plans

Unlike most business plan guides that focus on producing an impressive document, this book actually helped me plan to run a company. It anticipates and explains virtually every potential pitfall for a company-builder. The book transforms the business planning process into something that you can and should use every day. It touches all aspects of analyzing your business and deciding where to go next. I highly recommend it.

The best book available for writing your plan

Bypass the complete book of business plans and go right to this book. Not only did it assist me (tremendously!) in the writing of my plan, but I enjoyed it from both the perspective of useful information and it's concise yet comprehensive content. This book attempts to do what so many "how to" books fail to do... it tells you how to do what you're looking to do in a straightforward and matter-of fact way. There's not a lot of philosophizing in this book (yawn!) like you might find in others but rather an abundance of useful, timely and real world information. Writing a plan? Read this book!

The only source you need

When we had the germ of an idea for a new company, I explored many sources for business plans including many computer CD progams. By comparison, others books generated more confusion than lucidity. Using Dummies as a template, we developed a great business plan that reflected exactly our challenges, prospects, and a road map for getting THERE. Save yourself time and money. Stick with this Dummies guide. R. Kingston

Excellent resource for strategy and planning

I provide consulting help on business and strategic planning for clients in the US and Brazil. I came across this book originally in its Portuguese version. Now, I'm recommending it to all my clients in both countries. It makes my job of explaining what is a business plan much easier and introduces business people to the ideas and, more importantly, the attitude you need to undertake planning. I recommend it highly.

The best book on business planning I've ever read.

There are lots of books out there about business planning. But this one is special. It is clear and simple to understand. At the same time, it takes its readers and the subject very seriously. It's full of case studies and entertaining examples of businesses that have succeeded--and sometimes failed--because of strategic planning choices. I learned everything I needed to know to start planning a small business out of my house. Highly recommended.