If you have been overwhelmed by the dry, tedious business plan models from the SBA, SCORE, or most other business advice resources, then this is the model for you! You can use it even if you have an established business. I've used it twice already (once per year) and plan to continue using it. I'm still a very small business, but I've increased my sales by over 100% annually the past two years.
I don't think The One Page Business Plan is a total solution to your business planning needs. It's primary weakness is "just the facts ma'am"--in that it doesn't necessarily require them and could lull some business owners into thinking that hard figures aren't necessary or that they don't have to understand or collect all their finances or other pertinent business data such as market demographics, tracking sales and expense, profit/loss statements. Ha!
However, if you take your time to answer all of Horan's carefully selected questions (and collect the relevant data), you should come to a much better understanding of your business, what it has done up to this point, and where you want it to go. I love that it forces "creative" types like me to take only our best "grand ideas" and sculpt them into defined, measurable goals. It also makes going back to SBA, SCORE, and other business resources much more worthwhile because now you'll know what you want to do with that information. I also love that it allows for flexible, adaptable planning, and planning within a timeframe that you choose (not the standard 1,3,5-year planning models).
Very good resource for new small business owners! But it's only the beginning!
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