Translating an inspired idea into a robust business plan
Guide to Business Planning
The Economist "Guide to Business Planning", authored by Graham Friend and Stefan Zehle, the Directors of Coleago Consulting, was first published in 2004. The updated 2nd edition of the successful book was published in 2008.
To get any new business idea off the ground or develop and better manage an existing business you must have a plan - and if you need to raise finance to fund the business or get the approval of senior management, it must be a convincing plan. The Economist Guide to Business Planning is suitable for small businesses and large companies alike and covers every aspect of preparing and using a business plan. The guide contains comprehensive coverage of business planning and analysis techniques.
tools for analysing the market, customers, competitors, and the business environment
techniques for examining and choosing between alternative strategic options
how to analyse and mitigate risk
and explains:
how to identify the business's financing needs and select the appropriate type of finance
how to use the book's business plan document template to write your own plan.
Covering all Aspects of Business Planning
This book is designed for those with an inspired idea who wish to translate it into a successful new business or incorporate it in an existing business and those who wish to adopt a planned approach to managing and developing an existing business. Any investor or those in an existing business with responsibility for approving new initiatives will invariably insist upon seeing a business plan before they approve any investment. The business plan also provides the blueprint for successfully creating and running the new venture. This book describes a business planning process that will support the preparation of a compelling business plan and the creation and development of a successful business. Following an introduction, it has chapters on:
The business plan
The business planning process
Strategic planning
Analysing the environment
Analysing the firm
Industry and competitor analysis
Product and portfolio analysis
SWOT analysis
Generating strategic options
Market analysis and strategy
Market forecasting
The operational plan
Model the business
Accounting principles
Completing the financial statements
Reviewing the financial statements
Evaluating strategic options
Funding issues
Risk analysis
Presenting the business plan and obtaining approval
