Business Plans Handbook: A Compilation of Actual Business Plans Developed by Small Businesses Throughout North America (Business Plans Handbook)

Business Plans Handbook is a collection of actual business plans compiled by entrepreneurs seeking funding for small businesses throughout North America. For those looking for examples of how to approach, structure and compose their own business plans, the Handbook presents 24 sample plans taken from businesses in the manufacturing, retail and service industries — only the company names and addresses have been changed.

Typical business plans include type of business; statement of purpose; executive summary; business/industry description; market; product and production; management/personnel; and financial specifics. This edition also contains a business plan template and two fictional business plans — all of which can aid users in developing business plans of their own. Also featured is a listing of organizations, agencies, and consultants; a glossary of small business terms; and an updated bibliography.

The lack of good, real-life examples of business plans was the motivation for this book. The business plan is the first document that the individual wishing to start or expand a business must do in order to convince potential investors that the venture is worth financing. This book provides 33 business plans arranged in 25 industry groupings. Industries covered include traditional ones, such as aerospace supplier, car wash, and elder care. There are also a few high-tech companies, such as online consulting and virtual reality. Each is an actual business plan for a company that has succeeded, although names, products, etc., have been changed to protect confidentiality. A typical plan includes statement of purpose, business and industry trends, identification of the market (demographics, demand, competition), marketing strategy (pricing, promotion, growth potential), product and production (process, patents, trademarks, suppliers, equipment needs), personnel (required training, salaries, benefits), and financials (sources of funding, capital-equipment lists, balance sheet, income projections). All of the businesses except two are retail or service companies. A nonprofit venture is also profiled. Each plan differs in length and detail. For instance, the plan for an import shop is six pages, while the one for a retail tobacco and news business runs to 50 pages.

The strength of Business Plans Handbook is that it gives real-life examples of business plans; its weakness is that it gives no instructions on the research process involved in writing one. It does provide a state-by-state listing of Small Business Development Centers throughout the U.S., which would prove helpful in the researching and resource phase. Also included is a 150-item bibliography on business planning.

This new source is a worthwhile purchase for public and academic libraries. To increase its usefulness, though, it should be cataloged to reside in the circulating collection near the how-to books on business plans.