Business Plans For Dummies

Your one-stop guide to creating a winning business plan fromscratch Whether you're starting a new business or growing an establishedone, you'll need a solid business plan to get you where you want togo. Revised for today's rocky economic climate, this edition of theUK's bestselling business plan guide gives you what you need to mapout your business strategy and stay on course - including acomplete sample plan that you can easily adapt for yourbusiness! * Chart your course - assess the current state of yourbusiness and where you'd like to take it, and establish clear,achievable objectives * Get to know your customers - learn the latest techniquesfor getting a better idea of who your customers are and what theywant * Scope out the competition - find out who your competitorsare and what it'll take to get your share of the market pie (andtheirs) * Sort out your finances - construct a value chain, examineyour cash flow and calculate a sensible budget * Enter the Dragons' Den - convince bankers, investors,venture capitalists and other funding sources your business is agood investment * Read the tea leaves - learn to decipher changing cultural,political and technological trends and to alter your strategies asneeded Open the book and find: * Tips on developing a sure-fire business strategy * How to set realistic objectives * Forecasting and budgeting strategies * Keys to writing a motivational mission statement * How to decipher the latest consumer trends * Advice on building your brand and brand loyalty * Tips for seeing and seizing opportunities before thecompetition * Ways to adapt your plan to economic change Learn to: * Prepare a watertight business strategy * Assess the marketplace * Devise a sensible forecast and budget