How to Write a Business Plan in Ten Steps

Book excerpt: As a doctoral candidate, professional business consultant, and business plan writer, I am often asked by aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs alike, "What is the first step for starting a business or expanding business operations?". When I first started out as a business consultant, I would explain to my client their place in the entrepreneurial process. I then support this analysis with proven academic and practicing business theory, along with recommending specific steps to take.After going through this process time and time again with entrepreneurs, it dawned on me that the first step I ALWAYS recommend is writing a business plan.Unfortunately, most entrepreneurs do not know how to write a professionally polished and structured business plan. Hell, most business owners don't know how to write any type of business plan at all. From this issue, I decided to write this book focused on a ten-step process to writing a well-structured business plan. The business plan writing steps include all aspects of the business plan writing process, beginning with developing the executive summary through constructing a professional and polished funding request. In each step, I introduce you to a different business plan section. I then explain in layman's terms what the section means, offer a business plan sample, and analyze the sample to help you understand the component. The objective of this detailed process is to ensure full understanding of each section and segment, with the goal of you being able to write a professional business plan for yourself, by yourself! IF you still need help writing your business plan, at the end of the book, I ALSO supply you with a professionally written sample business plan AND a business plan template for you to use.In the end, I am supremely confident that this book, with the numerous tools and tips for business plan writing, will help you develop your coveted business plan in a timely fashion.