Resources

The business plan is the heart of the entrepreneur’s skill set which is a summary of what the busienss intends to accomplish. The business plan is a road map for operating a business, a clear way of measuring progress, and for determining the amount of financing required and when it will be needed.

First impressions are important. A well-organized plan is essential for a lender or investor to assess a venture and to assess a team's ability to execute.

The table of contents for a business plan should usually contain the following sections:

1. Executive Summary
2. Business Description
3. Market Analysis
4. Industry Analysis
5. Competitive Analysis
6. The Management Team
7. Risks and Mitigation Strategies
8. Financial Projections

For information on the content of these sections or help getting started, please see the following sites:

http://www.inc.com/guides/ (Select “Writing a Business Plan”)
http://www.bplans.com/
http://home3.americanexpress.com/smallbusiness/Tool/biz_plan/