The following document is a sample of a finished business plan. In your final plan, you have the opportunity to elaborate on those ideas in your outline that you feel are most integral to your business. In composing your business plan, you can follow your outline as loosely or closely as you choose.

Not everyone who starts and runs a business begins with a business plan, but it certainly helps to have one. If you are seeking funding from a venture capitalist, you will certainly need a comprehensive business plan that is well thought out and demonstrates sound business reasoning.

The best way to show bankers, venture capitalists, and angel investors that you are worthy of financial support is to show them a great business plan. Make sure that your plan is clear, focused and realistic.

A common problem people encounter when writing their business plan is finding information about their business industry and competitive companies. Fortunately, in recent years the Internet has made information gathering simple and easy, but sometimes the best information is found much closer to home, with real people, in real time.

Business planning is about results. For every business plan, you need to make the contents of your plan match your purpose. Don't accept a standard outline just because it's there.

A business plan is not a one-time document, at least it shouldn't be. Most businesses put together a business plan during their start-up phase to organize, attract partners and employees, and to try and get a loan or financial investment. This is a great use of a business plan, however far too often once the company has started up the plan isn't touched again.

Often you may hear about what a business plan consists of. While including the necessary items is very important, you also want to make sure you don't commit any of the following common business plan mistakes.

Find free sample business plans and sample marketing plans, plus free interactive business planning tools.

Business plan outline based on Anatomy of a Business Plan and Automate Your Business Plan, by Linda Pinson

Download a PowerPoint presentation for a Business Plan. Requires PowerPoint 97 or later.

Business plans and planning information from Venture Associates.

Advice for small business planning including business contract examples and software at inc.com.

This easy-to-use tool will enable even the most inexperienced marketer to create and implement practical marketing plans for small and medium size businesses.

Powerful collaboration tools which enable you to work efficiently and effectively with your team to create an impressive plan.

Everything you need to write a business plan or strategy. Includes business planning templates, downloads, reviews, help, advice and more for your small business planning.

A free interactive workshop to help you create the best possible business plan for your small business. Learn about competition, direct competitors, and indirect competitors. Read about pricing strategy, advertising and marketing.

Small Business - Business Planning free articles Reference Library from best free articles on the web directory. The Best Internet Source For Finding Free Articles.

Strategic Planning free articles Reference Library from best free articles on the web directory. The Best Internet Source For Finding Free Articles.

Business Planning information such as the business plan essentials and business planning tips. Explore the components of a business plan like the executive summary, competion, management team, financials (break-even analysis), market share analysis, and others.

Sample business plan. From covers, to the executive summary use this sample as an effective guide.

Business planning, marketing planning, and business strategy information, advice, and software. Features online interactive business consulting, sample small business plans and outlines.

Learn the secrets to preparing a business plan that will get the attention of investors and banks. BusinessTown shows you how to create a business plan and develop winning strategies for your business. Contains terrific resources on writing a business plan.

Everything you need to know about creating and using a business plan for small business planning.

With detailed outlines and examples from thriving companies, new business owners are counseled to identify the strategic purpose for their plan, to determine the kind of plan they want to write, and to put their best ideas on paper.

STARTING A BUSINESS - Business Plan Outline. A comprehensive business plan template for use in writing a business plan.

If you have ever considered or even dreamed of going into business for yourself, you've already engaged in some degree of business planning. Most likely your planning was intertwined with your thoughts about the personal issues that accompany a decision to start your own business.