Business Plans for Dummies by Paul Tiffany, Steven D. Peterson (2004, Paperback)

Thankfully, Business Plans For Dummies, 2^nd Edition guides wannabe entrepreneurs in the right direction. Updated and revised for today's businesses, this friendly guide covers every step of business plan creation, from doing the initial market research, to crunching the numbers, to preparing for the competition, including:

• Pinpointing company goals and objectives
• Creating a clear, simple mission statement
• Identifying customers and understanding their needs
• Differentiating your business from the competition
• Understanding budgeting and finances

Professor of Management Paul Tiffany and successful executive Steven Peterson offer the latest tips and advice to help you launch your venture with confidence. With quick, easy, and sensible solutions for all your planning dilemmas — no matter how complex your business plan is — this handy guide covers it all:

• Why the business plan is vital
• Charting a proper course for the business
• Understanding markets and business environments
• Knowing customers and competition
• Forecasting and budgeting
• Thinking strategically
• Managing change and business growth
• Putting the business plan into action
• What you should never put in your business plan

Millions of Americans dream of starting their own businesses, but they often don't realize that the most important step in the process is the first step: getting the business plan right. A bad business plan can cripple a good business idea. Business Plans For Dummies, 2^nd Edition, presents all the straightforward advice and technical know-how entrepreneurs need to get it right the first time.