Business Planning Made Simple

If you don’t update your written business plan frequently, you are missing opportunities to increase company performance. Planning is a discovery process. If you don’t have a current business plan write one today. It does not have to be an elaborate document to be of benefit. It is okay to keep it simple.
The key elements:
1. Persuasive Business Summary (250 words or less)
2. Brief description of the company's history
3. Company objectives (measurable)
4. A description of the company's products and services - existing and planned
5. Market(s) (where the business competes including new markets management plans to enter)
6. An explanation of how and why the business will become more successful and maintain a competitive advantage - include a list of things to be done, who will be responsible for getting it done, and when they will be done
7. Growth projections for the company and the markets
8. Description of the key management team and their primary goals
9. Source and Application of Cash (A description of funding requirements, including a time-line and how the funds will be used)
10. Timetable for updating the plan
How To form: http://www.scorechapelhill.org/BplanSumQuestions.htm
Other business aids: http://www.scorechapelhill.org/firstpage.htm