Business Plans For Dummies

Chart your course – assess the current state of your business and where you'd like to take it, and establish clear, achievable objectives

Get to know your customers – learn the latest techniques for getting a better idea of who your customers are and what they want

Scope out the competition – find out who your competitors are and what it'll take to get your share of the market pie (and theirs)

Sort out your finances – construct a value chain, examine your cash flow and calculate a sensible budget

Enter the Dragons' Den – convince bankers, investors, venture capitalists and other funding sources your business is a good investment

Read the tea leaves – learn to decipher changing cultural, political and technological trends and to alter your strategies as needed

Open the book and find:

Tips on developing a sure-fire business strategy

How to set realistic objectives

Forecasting and budgeting strategies

Keys to writing a motivational mission statement

How to decipher the latest consumer trends

Advice on building your brand and brand loyalty

Tips for seeing and seizing opportunities before the competition

Ways to adapt your plan to economic change

Learn to:

Prepare a watertight business strategy

Assess the marketplace