Let’s discuss the need for a business plan. The two major problems that many small business owners run into with business plans is that they will put one together for a back loan and then forget it, or never formalize one since they “know” what they are doing and keep a plan in their head. The first case indicates a misunderstanding of what the plan is about and in the second doesn’t understand how it should be used.

The business plan is an all-encompassing map that brings you from startup to success and then beyond. It lays out who you are and where you are going. It tells you how you plan to grow and what obstacles you may be expected to face. It tells you how much money you need and expect to make and when. It then adjusts to changes you may need to make. As we said before it includes you marketing plan as well as your financial plan, competitor information your mission statement and how you are going to operate.

Your plan is also a living document, not intended to be filed and forgotten. As your business expands so must your plan. How you deal with customers from your kitchen table is going to be different from operating a storefront or multiple locations. Adjustments to work flow and management charts will be constant. Financial information will be adjusted and SWOT will change.

JANUS Think is able to help you write the initial version as well as work with you to adjust as needed. Contact us for additional information.