For a startup, it’s not enough to have concept for a company or an idea of what the next big product will be.
You need a business plan.
The Internet is ripe with different viewpoints on what should go into a business plan. The plan itself should be customized to fit your business and you, the business owner. A business plan is not just a tool to help you get a loan, although it’s almost always a requirement for any lending institution or financer.
The essence of the idea that will drive your business’s success should be contained amongst the executive summary, business model description, charts, graphs and analytics, executive team intro and anything else that the gurus say should be included in a sound business plan.
In short, you should write the business plan for yourself.
A business plan gives you a practical roadmap for the life of your business. It forces you to think about the future, including how your business will grow, how you’ll deal with competition and how you’ll deal with lulls in business.
As a communication tool, it helps you to express your ideas and goals with employees, vendors, customers and mentors. This can be vital to your success because it gives them a practical outline of how you intend to achieve success in business.
Entrepreneur.com has a page with a ton of information about business plan basics, including samples and how-to’s, perfect for someone just starting out in business.
Of course there are other issues you should look into before starting any business. We make it our mission to make starting a business as easy as possible. If you need information on incorporating your business, visit our website.