How to write a business plan

Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Table of Contents
Setting the Stage
	What Kind of Plan Do You Need?
	Meet Antoinette
	Getting Started
	And a Few More Words
1: Benefits of Writing a Business Plan
	What Is a Business Plan?
	Why Write a Business Plan?
	Issues Beyond the Plan
2: Do You Really Want to Own a Business?
	Introduction
	Self-Evaluation Exercises
	How to Use the Self-Evaluation Lists
	Reality Check: Banker’s Analysis
3: Choosing the Right Business
	Introduction
	Know Your Business
	Be Sure You Like Your Business
	Describe Your Business
	Taste, Trends, and Technology: How Will the Future Affect Your Business?
	Break-Even Analysis: Will Your Business Make Money?
	What You Have Accomplished
4: Potential Sources of Money to Start or Expand Your Small Business
	Introduction
	Ways to Raise Money
	Common Money Sources to Start or Expand a Business
	Now That You’ve Proven Yourself, How About Expanding?
	If No One Will Finance Your Business, Try Again
	Secondary Sources of Financing for Start-Ups or Expansions
	Conclusion
5: Your Résumé and Financial Statement
	Introduction
	Draft Your Business Accomplishment Résumé
	Draft Your Personal Financial Statement
6: Your Profit and Loss Forecast
	Introduction
	What Is a Profit and Loss Forecast?
	Determine Your Average Cost of Sales
	Complete Your Profit and Loss Forecast
	Review Your Profit and Loss Forecast
7: Your Cash Flow Loss Forecast and Capital Spending Plan
	Introduction
	Prepare Your Capital Spending Plan
	Prepare Your Cash Flow Forecast
	Required Investment for Your Business
	Check for Trouble
9: Editing and Finalizing Your Business Plan
	Introduction
	Decide How to Organize Your Plan
	Write Final Portions of Your Plan
	Create the Appendix
	Create Title Page and Table of Contents
	Complete Your Final Edit
	Consider Using a Business Consultant
10: Selling Your Business Plan
	How to Ask for the Money You Need
	How to Approach Different Backers
	What to Do When Someone Says “Yes”
	Plan in Advance for Legal Details
11: After You Open—Keeping on the Path to Success
	Introduction
	Watch Out for Problem Areas
	Getting Out of Business
12: Good Resources for Small Businesses
	Introduction
	Business Consultants
	Books
	Pamphlets
	Magazines—Continuing Small Business Help
	Computers and Business
	Online Business Resources
	Formal Education
A: Business Plan for a Small Service Business
B: Business Plan for a Manufacturing Business
C: Business Plan for Project Development
D: How to Use the Interactive Forms
	Editing RTFs
	Files on the Book’s Companion Page
Index