How to write a good business plan... and get investors

Many business owners need to plan their business growth strategies. Sometimes this is to get funding from other parties. But mostly it is to help them make better business decisions. And help them to decide how to 'invest' the limited resources they have.

This is a great article from the UK on how to take a practical approach to writing a business plan. One comment from the articles says:

"One of the common pitfalls I've come across is that people prepare a very wordy comprehensive business plan which goes up on a shelf somewhere and is never referred back to because it's far too complicated and not at all practical," he adds. "So consider whether maybe it needs to be something that's just a few pages, including the key points and the key measures that you’re going to be measuring your business against."

If you need to write a marketing plan I suggest you check out some of the many free planning templates available here.

If you need to prepare your business to attract private investors have a look at the seminars and assistance provided by Capital4Business who are based in Sydney, Australia.

These days the wordy, flowery, academic business documents of the 1980's have been replaced by smarter, sharper assessments of business opportunities.

Investors want to quickly understand:

• Do you know what you are doing?
• Is there a verifiable opportunity?
• How and when do they get their return?

As a business owner you must be focused on making smarter marketing and business decisions. Your business planning documents are to help you make those decisions, such as:

• How much should I be investing in marketing?
• Who will be the best customers?
  
• Which market segments will I get the best sales results from?
• Will I have enough finances to create the business structures I need?
• When is it time to introduce new services or products?

Dont waste your time on creating a planning document "just because". Make sure your plan is a real tool you can use to drive ongoing results in your business.