Sunday, January 29, 2012

The Value of a Business Plan from an Expert Standpoint


When I enrolled at Full Sail University last year, I couldn’t wait to embark upon the wealth of knowledge the program had to offer. Once the program began; I anticipated the context of the Business Plan Development course, however my anticipation did me no justice.  Nothing I envisioned, prepared me for the capacity in which this course was taught. To professor Koch’s credit, I had factored his insight into my planning, and I look forward to seeing it come onto fruition. 

Before BPD began, I thought the most important sections of a business plan were the Company Description, Financials, and Contingency plan.  However, a host of industry experts beg to differ; Dave Lavinsky founder of Growthink.com believes that the key components of a business plan are the executive Summary, Company Analysis, Industry Analysis, Analysis of Customers and Competition, and Marketing Plan. Mark Zwilling CEO and founder of Startup Professionals, Inc. believes that the most important part of a business plan is ones Executive Summary.

According to bpexpertviews.blogspot.com Zwilling says some investors will not look at a plan that does not contain the Executive Summary. If you really don’t know what your plans are, you cannot effectively convey them to potential partners and investors. As an investor, Nic mentions the parts of the business plan that he looks at when deciding whether to go for that first meeting:

      Summary of product
      Evidence of momentum
      Summary of Financials
      Evidence of Ambition
      Market Dynamics description
 
In my opinion an entrepreneur, and a stunt man are one in the same. Both are expert risk takers, and both are held accountable for their successes, or failures. With that being said; don’t assist a potential investor in telling you no: make sure you have covered every aspect of the plan. No one knows your plan like you, exhibit your passion, use your forethought, and trust yourself.  Good Luck!!! 

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