Business Plans

A business plan is a written description of your business's future, a document that tells what you plan to do and how you plan to do it. If you jot down a paragraph on the back of an envelope describing your business strategy, you've written a plan, or at least the germ of a plan.

Business plans are inherently strategic. You start here, today, with certain resources and abilities. You want to get to a there, a point in the future (usually three to five years out) at which time your business will have a different set of resources and abilities as well as greater profitability and increased assets. Your plan shows how you will get from here to there.

You can visit our small business encyclopedia to learn more about business plans or our FormNet area to get the necessary forms to get started.
Before Writing Your Plan

    How Long Should Your Plan Be?
    When Should You Write It?
    Who Needs A Business Plan?
    Why Should You Write A Business Plan?

    Determine Your Goals and Objectives
    Outline Your Financing Needs
    Plan What You'll Do With Your Plan
    Don't Forget About Marketing

Writing Your Business Plan

    How To Write A Business Plan
    The Ingredients of a Marketing Plan

    Updating Your Business Plan
    Enhancing Your Business Plan