If you need a business plan but don't know how to pull it all together...
"Breakthrough Business Planning"
Business Planning Action Group
New Groups Forming Now-
Apply Today.
A business plan is an entrepreneur's most important business document. A plan will serve as the road map that will guide you as you chart the course for your business, articulate your goals, and measure your performance. As the saying goes, "fail to plan, plan to fail."
Most of the new business owners that I have spoken to don't think that they have the knowledge or the time to write their own plan. Instead, they turn to consultants to write their plan for them. Too often, these ghost-written plans are long on theory and analysis and dreadfully short on the practical, actionable steps needed to create a successful business.
Or worse yet, they don't write a plan at all.
I created the Business Plan Action Groups to help anyone with a business idea, regardless of previous experience, to create a plan that effectively expresses the passion and commitment needed to create a successful business. You'll be a part of a supportive group of people who are walking in the same shoes you are- a group that will provide you with feedback, inspiration, and the structure you need to put your business ideas on paper for the first time.
When you join this action group, this is what you can expect:
- You will understand who your potential customers are, what their needs are, who your competitors are and what they are doing to keep your customers from doing business with you.
- You will have a strategy on how to reach your customers- a marketing and sales strategy that will provide direction and help stop you from wasting valuable time and money.
- You will understand the financial aspects of your business- why cash flow is the single most important measurement of your business' health, how to construct cash flow and profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and break-even analysis.
- You will gain valuable experience in presenting your business ideas and receive immediate feedback and suggestions- before you talk to investors, bankers, and customers.
- And most importantly, you will learn the planning skills that you will use over and over again as you grow and manage your business. These are the essential skills that every successful business person uses- whether you plan to run a small solo business or create the next billion dollar mega company- you must have these skills.
Can I really do this?
Absolutely! The only reason that you can't do it now is that you've never done it before. I know that these are skills that can be easily learned- in fact you must learn them if you want to run a successful business.
A consultant can give you a business plan document- but a document cannot teach you business planning anymore than a bicycle manual can teach you to ride a bike. The only way to learn is to start pedaling!
How does the Action Group work?
These groups build on my experience in helping other clients- just like you- build their own business plans. I've created plans for all types of businesses- the industry really doesn't matter. The process and the principles of planning are the same for any business. I will provide you with the outlines, resources, and guidance that you will need to get started. After you've learned the basics you will apply them to write your own plan- step-by-step, section-by-section. Along the way I will share with you the time-saving secrets that I have learned. The group will provide you with the encouragement and feedback to keep you moving forward.
This group will support, inspire, and prod you all the way though the planning process!
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You don't have to do it by yourself!
This program works because you won't be writing your plan on your own. You will have your very own support group (and possibly a focus group of potential customers!)- other Action Group members who will give you feedback on your ideas and help you to clarify your own thinking. |
Program Format
This is an intensive 6-week program. The first four weeks will be spent learning the planning skills and writing your plan. The fifth week will be spent fine-tuning your plan, and in the final session you will have the opportunity to present your plan as you would to a potential investor and receive additional input and direction.
Each week our group will get together for 60-90 minutes via a telephone conference-call bridge line that is accessible from anywhere in the world. Our group size is limited to a maximum of 8 participants so that we can have a lot of interaction and everyone can be assured of personal attention.
You will have homework every week. You will be expected to share your progress each week with the rest of the group. In return, you can expect feedback, ideas, and support to help you keep moving forward. Also, each week, I will present new concepts and provide the direction and resources that you will need to complete the homework between sessions.
Groups are forming now for sessions beginning in February 2006.
Monday mornings at 10am Eastern
Monday evenings at 8pm Eastern
Wednesday evenings at 8pm Eastern
The program fee for the six sessions and all course materials is $249.
What gets covered and what will I receive?
The only thing that you will need to get started is a reasonably good idea for what you want your business to be. I will provide you with all of the worksheets, financial spreadsheet templates, and instructions that you will need to develop your plan. (while not required, I will recommend related software and books that you may find helpful).
Our content is divided into four major areas:
- Your background and your product/service: What are you selling? How does it compare to your competition? What skills do you have to make your business succeed? What additional resources do you need and how do you find the help?
- Market analysis: Who are your customers and why do they need your products/services? Who are your competitors and what can you learn from them? What might your market look like a year from now, 5 years from now?
- How will you sell your products/services? What is your value proposition and competitive edge? What is your pricing strategy? How will you market and promote your business?
- The financials: What will it cost to get started and when will you break-even? Do you need additional money and what are the best sources for you to consider? What are the key financial projections and statements and how do you build and manage them?
As you can see, we cover all of the important aspects of your business. This is critical information and it may seem difficult to do. It does require time and effort to answer these questions and you should only consider joining the group if you are committed to investing your energy into completing your plan. Remember, you won't be doing this alone- you will have me and the group helping you every step of the way!
Is this group right for you?
Business Planning Action Groups are not for everyone. This is absolutely a case of what you'll get out being directly based on the effort you put in. I am confident that this is the best way for you to get a superior business plan- better than hiring a consultant to do it for you and better than you doing it alone.
This group is for you if:
- You want to create a road map for your business. You recognize that planning not only increases your chance for success but also decreases your risk for failure. Flying by the seat of your pants is not the way to build and run a business.
- You need to show others that you are serious about your business. Investors and bankers are not interested in hobbies. A business plan shows them that you have given a lot of thought to your business and that you have what it takes to follow through on your ideas.
- You understand that the process of planning is as important, if not more important, than the plan document. Having a plan handed to you will not help you as much as learning the skills of planning. Evaluating your market, scoping your competition, creating financial projections, and crafting sales and marketing plans are all essential business skills.
- Planning is a discipline that you will use every day in your business. Putting the plan on a bookshelf will not help your business. The ability to experiment, learn, and adapt to change are the lessons that solid business planning teaches you.
Is this program guaranteed?
Yes, with some important conditions. This program will help you to take action and learn the essential business skills that are required to create a cohesive, sound, and actionable business plan. You will have assignments to complete every week- if you complete the work then you will get the results that I've outlined here. If you do the work and put forth an honest effort and are not satisfied, you can ask for a refund. If you don't follow-through and complete the homework then this program will not give you the results that you are looking for.
Apply for the Business Plan Action Group today.
Because space is limited to small groups, and because these groups are not for everyone, I ask that you apply for a spot by completing the following short form. I will get back to you right away to discuss your application in greater detail and to make sure that the group is right for you. The information that you submit to me will only be used to apply for the Action Groups- you will not be added to any marketing or communication lists.
To apply for the Business Plan Action Group, please complete the entire form:
I look forward to speaking with you!
Dave Orsborn
dave@bplanguru.com