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  Introduction

  Creating a business plan is a powerful tool for enabling key executives and owners to guide the business through the many challenges it faces and help it succeed not only today, but also in the uncertain future.

  This publication is meant to serve as a guide to those who understand the need to create a business plan but may never have created one before. In these pages, the core components and outline of a plan will be presented in a straightforward and easy to follow style. This will allow the person, or group, creating the plan to establish a template from which to create their own individual presentation that will be effective and help form the core strategies of their company, as well as attract the capital necessary to take the organization to the next level.
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  Need for a Plan

  Every organization needs a well thought out and documented business plan in order to create strategies for the future and attract capital, as well as provide a template for daily operations. Unfortunately, the vast majority of organizations, particularly small companies, have written very little about their operations, objectives or strategic goals.

  In most cases, the catalyst to create a plan occurs in conjunction with the need to raise capital, complete a merger or acquisition, or establish a joint venture. Investors, creditors and partners want to know that the capital they invest in, or lend to, an organization, is going to be protected, and that the investment return they expect has a reasonable chance of occurring.

  The difficulty is that the organization seeking capital may have an urgent and time sensitive need and often must scramble to formalize and document operating procedures and strategies. This leaves very little time for a thorough process of review and revision. Clearly, the earlier in the life of an organization that a plan is created the better. Nevertheless, even if the time frame is tight, creating a plan is always of value. The old adage rings true for every organization: Failure to plan is a plan to fail.

  For those organizations with the foresight to create a business plan even before the need for capital forces a document, there are a variety of benefits.

  First, a plan creates a guideline for day to day operations that all key managers and staff can follow. A well written plan minimizes discrepancies with operating philosophies and provides clarity for all those who must carry out the daily tasks.
• About the Author
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  Peter Mintz, is the founder and President of Fleetwood Research, an independent investment research, analysis and business support organization that specializes in small growing companies. Fleetwood, founded in 1998, supports small businesses, and investors in these companies, by providing information, consulting support, and the production of reports that will help them make wise strategic and investment decisions.

  Peter Mintz has over 30 years of business experience of which a quarter of a century has been focused in the area of finance. He currently is a member of the faculty at Monroe’s King Graduate School of Business and provides consulting and coaching support to small business owners through The Alternative Board. Mr. Mintz holds an MBA in finance from Baruch’s Zicklin School of Business, and a BA from The University of Rochester.

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