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To Give Your Business the Best Chance of Success: Write a Business Plan

A business plan is an important strategic tool every entrepreneur should have in their arsenal. A good business plan not only helps you (the entrepreneur) focus on the specific steps necessary to make your business idea succeed, but a business plan also helps you achieve (and measure) both short-term and long-term objectives.

Take for example building a house as compared to starting a business.

If you wanted to build a house, you wouldn’t walk over to an empty lot and just start nailing boards together. Starting a business without a business plan is just as risky.

Yet, unlike a house, a business isn’t built to be static.

We often make the mistake of thinking of a business plan as a single static document that you write when you’re first starting the business and then set aside; something to check off the to-do list and be done with.

But in actuality, the business plan is so much more valuable than you might know! As the business changes over time and develops, you may want or need to have multiple business plans depending on the direction the business is taking.

During the growth or expansion phase of a business, a well-written and completed business plan is critical for forecasting revenues or raising additional capital.

And, if you decide to sell or close your business, a professional business plan can be a plus as it will transfer strategies and timelines to new ownership or provide direction for dissolution of the company.

Writing a business plan is time consuming, but it’s essential if you want to have a successful business that’s going to survive past the three-year mark.

The process of writing a business plan really can help you to objectively clarify where your business is going. Writing a business plan also will help ensure that you pay attention to the broad operational and financial objectives of your business. The process ultimately will assist you in making a smoother business startup transition with fewer unforeseen problems.

The exercises of budgeting and market planning will help you define your target market, your unique selling proposition, optimum pricing strategies, and outline how you intend to sell and deliver your products to customers. In addition, your budget for implementation will assist in determining your startup and operating capital requirements.

Whether you’re starting a small business or exploring ways to expand an existing one, your business plan is the number 1 most important tool to help guide you in your decisions. Let it be your roadmap to success.

For more information on writing a business plan, download this Business Plan Template from SCORE.

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—Isa Clark

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WE GOT APPROVED FOR OUR NEW RESTAURANT!!! I can’t thank you enough for your guidance, mentorship, expertise, and motivation. We greatly appreciate your efforts towards the growth of Fruit Street Kitchen!

—Mo’Nique Crowley, Fruit Street Kitchen

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—Brent Wedding, Business Banking Relationship Manager, PNC Bank

I do appreciate your help with all my heart and am not particularly sure how to express the gratitude that dwells in my heart right now. Thank you and may you be blessed always!

—Isa Clark, Clark Special Kitchen

Can’t thank you enough for being at my presentation this morning. I’m so thankful for absolutely everything you have done for me and The Donut Cart thus far. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!

—Amber Gille, Realtor, The Donut Cart

Thank you so much; I knew when I met you, you were like an angel. I appreciate you so much and I won’t let you down. Your hard work in what you are doing in the community is appreciated.

—Jamie Bigby, Entrepreneur

I just wanted to say thank you for sharing so much information. I look forward to being able to be involved in this great networking experience. I really will call on your assistance for help with this Business Plan.

—Joanna Partee, Silver Fox Assistant, LLC

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South Haven Region Business Hub - A partnership between the City of South Haven, the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce, and Lake Michigan College. Powered by the South Haven Community Foundation.