Successful Business Plan

Entrepreneur, author, and nationally syndicated columnist Rhonda Abrams is widely recognized as one of the leading experts on entrepreneurship and small business. Rhonda's column for USA Today, "Small Business Strategies," the most widely distributed column on small business and entrepreneurship in the United States, reaches tens of millions of readers each week. She has written more than a dozen other books on entrepreneurship and her books have sold more than a million copies. Sign up for her monthly newsletter at planningshop.com.

• About the Author About the ContributorsAcknowledgmentsForewordForeword to the Fourth EditionHow to Use This BookIntroductionSection I Starting the ProcessChapter 1 The Successful Business 1Chapter 2 Getting Your Plan Started 13Chapter 3 Making Your Plan Compelling 35Section II Business Plan ComponentsChapter 4 The Executive Summary 47Chapter 5 Company Description 59Chapter 6 Industry Analysis & Trends 73Chapter 7 Target Market 87Chapter 8 Competition 103Chapter 9 Strategic Position & Risk Assessment 119Chapter 10 Marketing Plan & Sales Strategy 133Chapter 11 Operations 155Chapter 12 Technology Plan 181Chapter 13 Management & Organization 189Chapter 14 Community Involvement & Social Responsibility 211Chapter 15 Development, Milestones, & Exit Plan 221Chapter 16 The Financials 237Chapter 17 The Plan's Appendix 283Section III Putting the Plan to WorkChapter 18 Preparing, Presenting, & Sending Out Your Plan 289Chapter 19 Looking for Money 299Chapter 20 Using Your Plan for Classes & Competitions 315Chapter 21 Internal Planning for Existing Businesses & Corporations 327Chapter 22 Time Saving Tips 337Section IV Special ConsiderationsChapter 23 Considerations for Internet, "e-businesses" 343Chapter 24 Considerations for Retailers 363Chapter 25 Considerations for Manufacturers 369Chapter 26 Considerations for Service Businesses 375Chapter 27 Business Planning in a Weak (or Strong) Economy 381Section V ReferenceOutline of a Business Plan 391Business Terms Glossary 395Funding Sources 399Research Sources 404Entrepreneurs' Sources 411Index 415Income Statement, Annual 276Cash-Flow Projection 278Balance Sheet 280Sources & Uses of Funds 281Assumption Sheet 282