Are Business Plans Important?
Lenders also read your business plan because they want to know if your business is viable to the community and if it will survive long term.
Lenders often do not give funds to aspiring business owners unless you can prove to them that you will use the funds they give strictly for the business and not in a wasteful manner.
Lenders Evaluate Your Business Partners Lenders are not just interested in how you would handle the business; they also want to to know how your partners and management team will operate the business during times when you are not at the business.
Your plan should list all of your business partners, their specific roles within the company and their qualifications for becoming your business partners.
Research is Necessary for Aspiring Entrepreneurs As a future business owner you should research whether your business can survive long term and if people in your city will want and need your products, and this is another reason why you need a business plan.
For example, if you live in an upscale neighborhood and a majority of the residents shop online, it may not be the best idea to open a mall in this neighborhood unless there is a strong demand for a mall by these residents that has been expressed recently.
Are There Times When I Don't Need A Business Plan? If you are starting a business without the help of lenders or investors, then a business plan would be a waste of time.
If you are opening an online vintage music store with only your savings and money from relatives and friends, then a business plan isn't necessary.
If you have a babysitting or tutoring service that you operate from home, you may not need extra funds from lenders.
Getting Assistance With Business Plans The local chapter of the Small Business Administration holds seminars during the year and at these seminars you'll hear advice on how to write a business plan.
There are also books you can read about business plans and you can talk with people in your professional organization on the topic.
Watch online videos about business plans and if you have relatives who work as lenders, they can give you suggestions.