TERRAN ASSOCIATES

The Future Through Understanding

•  How to Write a Business Plan or Business Case  •

• If you've written a dozen or more successful business plans then you're qualified to use a business plan software package.  If you have not, using the quick and easy package deprives you of the learning experience.
  
  Write down (actually "pour it out") as much information about your business idea as you can, using the business outlines.  This is the learning process; putting it down, editing, rewriting, editing again, over and over until it's a part of you.  You will soon be aware of what you DO know and what you DO NOT know.  You are now informed as to what you have to study to improve your knowledge and eventually your "understanding" of the business process.
  
  95% of all businesses fail within the first couple of years because the owner/proprietor does not understand business and does not take time to upgrade their knowledge and to improve their attitude and understanding.   Write your business plan using your favorite word processing package.
• The business plan outline forces you to write about the various aspects of the business.  You have to research the specifics of your business relating to the market, the product and the economics.  You begin to understand yourself and how you relate to the business and the business processes.  You prepare yourself to succeed!
  
  This simple exercise of producing your business plan becomes a process of personal development and at the same time you create a blueprint for your business.  What you learn here will support you in the future as the business changes, expands and grows.   You will learn more and get a better understanding if you write it yourself.
• There are 14 sections to the business plan.  Copy the Business plan outline and each of the sections into a "Word" document (or other word processing package) as outlined in the section, "Getting Started".
  
  You will have a business plan outline with the instructions included with each section that you can edit and modify to meet your requirements.
  
  You can also use the same process to develop a business case.  I've used this business case approach in large account sales to complete 3 major sales worth over a total of $50 million.   Use business plan outlines, like "Getting Started", to simplify the work
• Your browser should allow you to copy text from a page and copy it into a "Word" (or similar) document.  This is the cleanest way to obtain the business plan outline.
  
  "Getting Started" outlines 2 other methods:
  1. printing the pages (too much work as it requires you to type the pages into a word processing document)
  2. displaying and copying the source code and using a program to remove the HTML code (more work and specialized tools required).   Feel free to copy and paste the text into your work page.
• Once the outline (skeleton) of the business plan is ready the "fleshing out" process begins.  First, fill in what you know, set completion dates for each section and put down any questions that come to mind as you work through the document.  Write [type] the questions directly into the outline in the appropriate section.  Then when you get the answers they will go in that section too.   Review the business plan, make notes and write down your questions.
• Ready or Not, you may want to get in touch to see if you're on the right track.  Send us an email or give us a call, that first contact is free and may be just what you need to boost your spirits and continue developing your business plan.
  
  For entrepreneurs starting a small business or a small business looking for help the first contact is free.  Subsequent consulting fees start at $40 US.  Consulting for larger businesses and contract work starts at $150 US/hour.  Contract terms and pricing for these larger jobs are negotiable.   When you're ready, send us an email or call 705-327-0266.
• A name and telephone number will get the process started, but the usual - name, address, telephone number and the type of business you're going into are required to start working on the details.  Discussion is required, but most working communication can be accomplished via email.  It's up to you as to which methods are best for you to learn so the mix of calls and emails is your decision.   We need a contact name, number and a time to call you.
• The initial phone call is obviously for introductions and getting acquainted.  But, it is also used to setup contact information, files and in most cases, bring me up to date on the product and/or services of your business proposal.  I will use that information for cursory research of the product/service in the general market and for your specific location, if appropriate.   A phone call sets us up.  Most Q & A and communication is via email.

•  We Will Help You Succeed!  •

• Yes!  It may seem like a simple statement, but that's all it takes -- one small step and you're on a new journey.  This business decision is the beginning of an education in business, finance, products, marketing and sales.  The mind is going to be challenged, the spirit will have to be willing and the body better be in shape to support the effort you are going to have to put forth.   You've made your first business decision -- You're going into business!.
• Two major factors in the success of a business is understanding the business and yourself.  I can speak from experience that making money (an indicator of a successful business) cannot sustain the business by itself.  Two businesses that asked for help [one at over $100,000 a year and the other close to $700,000 a year in sales] eventually failed because the proprietors would not take the advice to work on themselves.  Business success crumbled because the key figures in the business could not support that success -- they weren't ready.   Now you must work on two things, the business and YOU.
• The conditioning of the spirit, mind and body is not really a "secret", it is known by all successful people.  A strong spirit, mind and body helps you fail your way to success.  Successful people fail, especially in the early stages of their careers, but they view failure as just another step on the way to success.  Conditioning makes every aspect of their being strong and durable; they brush off adversity and continue their journey.   The "Secret" of success is Mental, Physical and Spiritual preparation.
• Improve youself (i.e. self improvement) is really just an expression... It really means to use the experience of those who are successful to gain knowledge and understanding about yourself and other people.  This is the real key to being personally successful, which in turn allows you to run a successful business.   Improve yourself, to be better qualified to run your business.
• These successful people have created hundreds of books, tapes, CDs and DVDs in order to pass their knowledge, experiences and understanding on to you and to others who are willing to invest in themselves.  Some of your investment capital, and, in the future, a portion of the business profits should be invested in training and education of yourself and others you employ in your business.  People with knowledge and understanding simply run a better business.   Use the links under "Self Improvement" to access these resources.
• "Invest in yourself", it can't be repeated often enough.  I've invested thousands and continue to do so - it's the best thing to do.  Even when disaster strikes, having the knowledge about yourself and your business lessens the impact and eases the recovery.  I guarantee it.   Spend some startup funds on you.  Invest in Yourself!

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