If you look around on the web you’ll find any number of examples of templates for business plans. Some of the best I’ve found are available in this database of business plans – especially professional if you’re looking to raise money for your business.

There’s a small cost involved, but if that helps you get you the money you need, then it’s more than worth it. If you’re serious about launching a successful business then I recommend you check them out.

But, if you’re looking to just get your business going and are not looking for serious investment as I’ve said before … you still need a business plan.

But for these purposes it doesn’t need to be glossy, lengthy or complicated.

So what is the best content for you to make sure you set off on the right track?

Let’s start this with a question: what do you want your business to achieve for you?

Some possible answers could be:

-    to build the business into an asset that you can sell at a future date
-    to provide a side-line income while you continue in your job
-    to take over as your main income
-    to give you the freedom to choose how you spend your time
-    to free you from feeling trapped in a job you don’t enjoy
-    … the list goes on.

The first – and most important – question for you to really get your head round is this one. Believe me, if your business becomes successful (in your terms) it will be surprisingly easy to forget your first reason and motivation for setting it up in the first place!

So get clear! What do you want your business to achieve for you?

Now … before starting to write your plan, work out what are the main things you need to do in order to achieve that objective.

Sounds easy … and it could be! But it’ll be even easier to forget this when your business is moving along at some pace.

So … go and work out what are the main things you need to do to make this business reach its objectives. It could be …

-    build a customer base of X number;
-    generate Y number of business leads
-    be able to produce my product for Z cost so I can sell it at a good profit

You know what? This stage of the business is so exciting! Why? Because you are not restricted by “reality” or your competitors! You are only restricted by your imagination (and then your determination). This is the time to really let your mind free and create the blueprint that you “know” will get your business to achieve what you want.

As I put more articles here we’ll build up the overall structure of the practical business plan outline for you. For the time being, I urge you to answer the two questions outlined in this article:

What do you want your business to achieve for you?
What are the main things you need (the business) to do to achieve that objective?

Get thinking … and start planning! The future’s all there for you!

Again, if you want to have a look at investing in something to give you the best start, have a look at these business plans – there’s likely one already tailored to your type of business.

All the best, and good fortune!

(For an example of a business plan that suits your business have a look here – it just works!)

This is the question I get asked most often as I help new (and established!) businesses prepare for growth – so I thought it would be helpful to give an overview of what works.

The first point – made in my previous article – is that the plan needs to be simple and effective. Complexity does not win prizes here! Sure, it can make you feel “professional” to produce a plan with charts, graphs and graphics. But those are not going to make you any more likely to succeed.

The purpose of the plan is to make you successful.

So … what is the first thing that is getting in your way? What do you need to overcome at this stage?

Of course, that answer will entirely depend on your experience and your purpose. So here’s an important question to kick off your plan:

What do you want your business plan outline to achieve?

In other words, if it’s a “worthwhile” plan, how will it help you?

For some, it will help persuade someone to put money into the business – a lender, an investor, grants or any number of other alternatives.

(By the way, if you’d like to find out how many ways there are of raising money for your business, just comment below and I’ll get that information to you – there are more than you may imagine!)

For others the plan will be useful if it helps them identify what their main competitive strengths are (e.g. product quality, marketing messages, price points) – a good business plan outline will encourage you to think about things outside your control as well as what’s planned inside the business.

Others will find their business plan outline helps them to get really clear on their strategy for growing the business – what steps are critical in its growth, and what they need to do as a result.

Your business plan outline needs to help you overcome your most pressing challenge.

So, your first question – before putting pen to paper – is to think about what you want to achieve with your business … and then work out what you think is going to get in your way. What will you find difficult? What’s important to overcome?

Start your business plan outline with the intention of answering that question and you’ll be well on your way.

Now you and I both realise that there’s a lot more to the content of the plan, so this article is just to start your thinking process (no need to rush – it’s the quality of thinking that counts here). I’ll post more ideas and guidance here soon.

In the meantime, for an example of a good business plan that’s right for your business it’s worth having a look here.