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Blitz Ezine # 193 December 16, 2002
Writing a business plan - Newbie start guide

Note: This is an archived issue. Some links and/or content may be outdated

The Blitz-Promotions News Letter.
Issue no. 193, Dec. 16, 2002

************ In This Issue **************
Comments
Food for thought
Articles
The Classifieds
Next Issues
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Blitz Comments
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How's the Christmas shopping... I'm usually a Christmas Eve shopper but this year Lisa drug me out early, so most of it is done. I know a lot of folks get really stressed during this time of year. I enjoy it. I guess mainly because I'm a big kid at heart.... and plus I get to buy the toys that I want to play with. Next weeks issue will contain a nice gift for everyone, the next two issues will be 'fun' issues (not that building your business isn't fun).

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Food for thought
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Top 10 Affirmations to Success

10) "I will strive to understand myself and the motivations for my actions and goals as I bring my personality to my new business, knowing my habits and attitude become part of my venture."

9) "I will realize that success will only come through my efforts and hard work. I pledge to avoid the temptation of laziness, and to push my business to success and prosperity one day at a time."

8) "I will realize that being organized is the foundation to building a successful business. I will strive to avoid chaos and confusion."

7) "I will work to avoid taking action based on my moods and emotions, so as to create an atmosphere of stability in my business."

6) "I will strive to be honest in all my affairs, as I know that dishonesty and greed will color my ethics, diminish my self worth, and cloud my decision-making skills, leading to a failing business."

5) "I will no longer equate bigness with success. I will understand that growth and success are not necessarily the same. Obsession with growth can lead me into bankruptcy."

4) "I will not hesitate to ask prospects for their business. I will not wait, nor feel hesitant about selling my products or services. I will not fall prey to the common failing of not following up on my leads and contacts."

3) "I will view cash as my most important asset; I know I will fail if I run out of money. I know that not paying my telephone bill, my electric bill, my taxes, or my landlord can put me out of business."

2) "I will ask myself this question before committing my money, my time, and my future: If things don't work out, can I afford the risk? I will not confuse entrepreneurship with gambling."

1) "I will work to understand that quitting too soon is 'planning to fail.' I will stay with my business regardless of its problems, for as long as it is my choice."

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How to write a business plan - Part 3
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Using the same business plan as last week - let's continue.

If you missed out you can find last weeks info here -

http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz192.htm

Important - even if you aren't interested in writing a formal business plan, you'll still get plenty of ideas.

3.0 Products

A general overview of the products you'll be selling.

3.1 Product Description

This is a more detailed listing of your products, to include flavors and variations.

3.2 Competitive Comparison

Who is your competition, where are they located, how is your pricing related to the market?

3.3 Sales Literature

What kind of sales literature, marketing and advertising will you be doing?

3.4 Sourcing

Where will you be purchasing supplies, inventory, equipment?

3.5 Future Products

How will you expand your products. What are your ideas for new products and/or services?

4.0 Market Analysis Summary

Who is your target market, how much do you think you'll be making during your 1st year, 2nd year and 3rd year of operation? You can find a bit more about income projections using the link below.

http://www.businesstown.com/accounting/projections-statements.asp

http://www.inc.com/articles/write_biz_plan/24019.html
(also has some nice links for more info)

4.1 Market Segmentation

How does your target market breakdown - what are the sources for your information?

4.2 Target Market Segment Strategy

More details about your target markets income.

4.3 Industry Analysis

This section contains research on your industry. How long has it been around? Who are the top dogs? How and why is your business going to be different? Include your pricing research and again tell how your business is going to stand out from the crowd.

4.3.1 Industry Participants

Again who is your competition.

4.3.2 Competition and Buying Patterns

How, why, when do people buy your product or service and again the competition. By now you have figured out, that if you don't know everything about your competition then you definitely need to be finding out.

4.3.3 Main Competitors

Same deal - except here you list their strenghts and most importantly the weaknesses.

5.0 Strategy and Implementation Summary

The overall strategy for your business - where do you see it in 10, 15, 30 years from now.

5.1 Marketing Strategy

Brief summary of how you are going to market your business.

5.1.1 Positioning Statement

From what location(s) will you be selling your product or service.

5.1.2 Pricing Strategy

List the general prices of your products or services and how folks will pay you for them.

5.1.3 Promotion Strategy

List at least five ways you plan on promoting your business.

5.1.4 Marketing Programs

What kind of programs will you be involved in and what is the projected cost.

5.2 Sales Strategy

How will you sell your product.

5.2.1 Sales Forecast

Forecast your sales - for some info on how to do this check out the link below.

This link is huge so click here.

6.0 Management Summary

How will you manage your business - employees?

6.1 Organizational Structure

Structure - including management, employees, contracters etc.

6.2 Management Team

Who's on the management team?

6.3 Personnel Plan

Monthly Personnel costs and projections.

Financial Plan

Overall plan - what will contribute to success - what would make the plan fail.

7.1 Important Assumptions
General Assumptions

What are indicators for the general business health? What (if any) assumptions are you making concerning the projected income (loss)?

-- the rest are basically financial analysis. The links we listed above can help you here.

7.2 Key Financial Indicators
Benchmarks (Planned)
7.3 Break-even Analysis
7.4 Projected Profit and Loss Profit and Loss (Planned)
7.5 Projected Cash Flow
7.6 Projected Balance Sheet Balance Sheet (Planned)
7.7 Business Ratios Ratios (Planned)

Next week we'll be bringing Holiday greetings, gifts and more... so stay tuned.

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Newbie Guide Part 12
Finding the Look
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Since the holidays are almost upon us - we'll give you a break on building your site. The Newbie guide will return Jan. 6th.

http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz181.htm - Part 1
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz182.htm - Part 2
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz183.htm - Part 3
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz184.htm - Part 4
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz185.htm - Part 5
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz186.htm - Part 6
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz187.htm - Part 7
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz188.htm - Part 8
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz189.htm - Part 9
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz191.htm - Part 10
http://www.blitzpromotions.com/blitz192.htm - Part 11