The Standout Business Plan: Make It Irresistible--and Get the Funds You Need for Your Startup or Growing Business - Softcover

Evans, Vaughan; Tracy, Brian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0814434118 ISBN 13: 9780814434116

Publisher: AMACOM, 2014

Synopsis

At the beginning of every successful business is a well-thought-out and exceptionally prepared business plan that was written with one audience in mind--investors. But too many budding entrepreneurs have written their business’s bible with a focus on details most important to managers or employees or even themselves, completely avoiding the questions most crucial to those who determine the fate of the business’s genesis . . . its potential backers.The Standout Business Plan is an immensely practical and readable guide that shows readers how to create a business plan that not only speaks directly to investors and lenders but also makes it easy for them to say yes. Featuring case studies and examples of both what to do and what not to do, this invaluable book reveals how to: · Include the vital information backers need, while leaving out extraneous filler that gets in the way · Address key factors such as market demand, competition, and strategy · Spell out the essence of your business proposition · Outline resources and financial forecasts · Assess risk from the backer's perspective · Evaluate and improve the plan to ensure its successYour business plan is too important to not get exactly right from the beginning. With the easy-to-follow guidance in The Standout Business Plan, now anyone can present a clear, concise, and convincing case that will win them the funding they need to succeed.

About this title

Book Description

Too many business plans focus on the details most important to the managers or business owners writing them. . . and fail to address the questions most crucial to potential backers. This immensely practical and eminently readable book shows readers how to create a business plan that speaks directly to investors and lenders and makes it easy for them to say yes.

Featuring case studies and examples of both what to do and what not to do, the book reveals how to:

● Include the vital information backers need, while leaving out extraneous filler that gets in the way

● Address key factors such as market demand, competition, and strategy

● Spell out the essence of your business proposition

● Outline resources and financial forecasts

● Assess risk from the backer's perspective

● Evaluate and improve the plan to ensure its success

With the easy-to-follow guidance in The Standout Business Plan, now anyone can present a clear, concise, and convincing case that will win them the funding they need to succeed.

Note: This book is designed for readers developing business plans for the U.S. and Canadian marketplaces.

From the Inside Flap

Entrepreneurs and business leaders love to tell stories—about their company’s founding, its vision and values, its awesome products and stellar services. They’re compelling narratives, but they lack the gravitas and objectivity needed to sway financial backers.

To land funding, you’ve got to extend beyond emo­tional appeal and think like a financier. You need to deliver solid evidence and a convincing argument that your business startup or expansion is a low-risk, high-reward proposition.

Step by step, The Standout Business Plan will help you craft a winning plan that attracts investors. Exceptionally clear and practical, this book explains how to:

· Gather key data and survey existing or prospec­tive customers

· Prepare an executive summary that paints a vivid picture of your business, your markets, and potential risks

· Structure your business plan in the most logical way (e.g., market analysis before marketing plans)

· Analyze market demand, competition, strategy, resources, financials, risks, and opportunities—and assemble them into a coherent, consis­tent, and credible whole

· Pay special attention to four kinds of risk, delivering a credible strategy for mitigating each

· Remove excessive detail, unsupported boasting, and vague claims. And much more!

Real-world examples, clear instructions, and a steady focus on what investors need to know will help transform even a flimsy or unremarkable document into a compelling, backable business plan.

About this edition

• Publisher: AMACOM
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0814434118
• ISBN 13: 9780814434116
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272