Business Plan Guides

How to write a business plan for you, not the bank
Most people who start their own business either can’t get funding or don’t need it. If that’s you, then you still need a business plan – but you need a business plan for you and not for the bank. [October 28, 2009] [In Business Plan Guides]

A beginners' guide to delivering a winning pitch
How to deliver a perfect business pitch, from hooking your audience, delivering enthusiastically and with credibility, to working out in advance what questions your audience is likely to ask. [July 13, 2009] [In Business Plan Tips]

Pitching - how to position yourself against your competitors
It’s all very well having a competitive edge, but are your prospective clients aware? A key question when you are pitching for business is ‘how do you show your audience how you compare to your competitors?’. This often creates a dilemma for pitching teams. [July 6, 2009] [In Business Plan Tips]

Turn your business into one that doesn't need you
Some businesses collapse because the owner has burned out or lost the passion and drive needed to carry on. Fortunately there is a way out other than closing or selling the business. And that’s to change your business so it no longer needs you, the business owner. [March 23, 2009] [In Business Plan Tips]

How to navigate your way through the recession
Navigating your way through a recession means being obsessed with the bottom line. And if you anticipate problems, it means talking to your lenders at an early stage. [January 16, 2009] [In Business Plan Tips]

Simple rules to follow when creating a business plan
For the uninitiated, creating a business plan can be a daunting task. But this document really is not that scary. Just follow a few simple rules and you can create a professional business plan that will have investors knocking down your door. [December 11, 2008] [In Business Plan Tips]

How to stay ahead during times of economic instability
In the past few weeks we have witnessed a period of unprecedented economic turbulence and instability. This article outlines some courses of action that may help to reduce the sense of helplessness many businesses are currently experiencing. [October 21, 2008] [In Business Plan Tips]

How to prepare your business to cope without you
As the founder of your business and the person who is the driving force, you are probably the key factor behind its success. It is worth spending some time putting in place a plan for your business to cope in your unplanned absence. [May 15, 2008] [In Business Plan Tips]

An Inconvenient Truth – lessons in pitching for entrepreneurs
A number of lessons in Al Gore's climate change documentary for those of us interested in the field of business planning and specifically, the pitching of business plans. [April 14, 2008] [In Business Plan Tips]

Guide to business continuity for one man bands
How would you earn money if something happened to you or your business? Here is our guide to getting a simple business continuity plan together for one man bands and micro sized businesses. [March 10, 2008] [In Business Plan Tips]

Guide to successful business planning
There is a lot to be gained from business planning but many businesses will search for a million reasons to avoid it. However large or small your business is, planning for the future is critical to its success. [March 3, 2008] [In Business Plan Tips]

Guide to writing a winning business proposal
A well-written and attractively presented business proposal is a crucial sales tool, which can make the difference between a winning proposal and losing venture. [January 7, 2008] [In Business Plan Tips]

Securing Business Funding - The Dragons' Perspective
Some of the key mistakes being made by contestants on BBC's Dragons' Den and general tips for future entrepreneurs pitching to investors. [December 20, 2007] [In Business Plan Tips]

Business Planning - Plan your exit strategy before you start
It’s sensible to put your exit strategy in your business plan and review it annually. That way you can ensure the business is on track to achieve what you really need from it. [November 29, 2007] [In Business Plan Tips]

Why you need a cash flow forecast and how to do one
A cash flow forecast is a simple tool that will allow you to spot an obvious gap in your finances before it happens, allowing you to take steps to minimise the effects, such as take out a short-term loan. [October 9, 2007] [In Business Plan Tips]

The warning signs your business plan is unrealistic
When you ask people who have been in business for a few years to look back at their original plan and compare it to what they’re doing now, most will laugh. Here are 5 warning signs your business plan is unrealistic [September 12, 2007] [In Business Plan Tips]

Business Plan Resources - Online Tools
There are numerous tools and sources of information online that allow you to research and plan virtually any business idea. A list of our favourite business plan resources [September 10, 2007] [In Business Plan Tips]

Business Plans – Plan to survive a business catastrophe
Here are seven simple steps to a writing a simple but powerful disaster recovery plan [September 6, 2007] [In Business Plan Tips]

Business plans – Using a mentor or coach to grow
Typically mentors are people with experience in your industry, or at least of building up a business. Your mentor will work as a sounding board offering advice when it’s needed. An overview of the mentoring process. [September 3, 2007] [In Business Plan Tips]

Reviewing how your business is performing
It's easy to focus on the day-to-day running of your business. But once your business is established, it's time to start planning again. Here are some guidelines on how you can measure how your business is performing and plan improvements. [August 3, 2007] [In Business Plan Tips]

A concise guide to business plan preparation
When writing a business plan, it is essential that you succinctly provide the right type of information to enable your would-be lender to make an informed decision with ease. [June 22, 2007] [In Business Plan Tips]

How to write an effective marketing plan
A marketing plan is a core component of any business plan. It relates specifically to the marketing of a particular product or service. Here's how to write an effective marketing plan. [May 21, 2007] [In Business Plan Tips]

How to deliver a winning business plan pitch
After a business plan has been written, the next stage often involves pitching the plan to prospective investors. Here are 10 tips to maximise your chances of success when pitching to investors. [May 15, 2007] [In Business Plan Tips]

How to produce a competitive analysis
A good competitive analysis varies according to what industry you're in and your specific marketing plan and situation. Here's a guide to how to produce a competitive analysis for your business. [April 19, 2007] [In Business Plan Tips]

How to plan Business Growth - Top Tips
In her latest article for Bytestart readers, Helen Cracknell from Business Link, looks at the first steps to take when planning growth. [April 2, 2007] [In Business Plan Tips]

Why do I need a Business Plan?
Business planning is not just for start-ups; it is an essential element of running any successful business, particularly given the growing uncertainty we face and the unyielding shifts in consumer behaviour. [March 1, 2007] [In Business Plan Tips]

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