Effectively Completing the Operations Plan Section of Your Business Plan

Effectively Completing the Operations Plan Section of Your Business Plan

by: Dave Lavinsky

The Operations Plan is a critical component of any business plan as it presents the Company’s action plan for executing its vision. The Operations Plan must detail 1) the processes that are performed to serve customers every day (short-term processes) and 2) the overall business milestones that the company must attain to be successful (long-term processes). Everyday Processes (Short-Term Processes) Every company has processes to provide its customers with products and services. For instance, Wal Mart has a unique distribution system to effectively move products from its warehouses to its stores, and finally to its customers’ homes. Technology products manufacturers have processes to convert raw materials into finished products. And service-oriented businesses have processes to identify new areas of customer interest, to continually update service features, etc. The processes that a company uses to serve its customers are what transform a business plan from concept to reality. Anyone can have a concept. And more importantly, investors do not invest in concepts -- they invest in reality. Reality is proving that the management team can execute the concept better than anyone else, and the Operations Plan is where the plan proves this by detailing key operational processes. Business Milestones (Long-Term Processes) The second piece of the Operations Plan is proving that the team will execute the long-term company vision. This is best presented as a chart. On the left side, there should be a list of the key milestones that the Company must reach, and on the right, the target date for achieving them. Sample milestones include expected dates when: • New products and services will be introduced to the marketplace • Revenue milestones will be attained (e.g., date when sales will surpass million dollar mark) • Key partnerships will be executed • Key customer contracts will be secured • Key financial events will occur (future funding rounds, IPO, etc.) • Key employees will be hired Additional text should be used, where necessary, to support the projections laid out in the chart. The milestone projections presented in the Operations Plan must be consistent with the projections in the Financial Plan. In both areas, it is important to be aggressive but credible. Presenting a plan in which the company grows too quickly will show the naiveté of the management team, while presenting too conservative a growth plan will often fail to excite the potential investor who will require a high rate of return over a relatively short time period. - New products and services will be introduced to the marketplace - Revenue milestones will be attained (e.g., date when sales will surpass million dollar mark) - Key partnerships will be executed - Key customer contracts will be secured - Key financial events will occur (future funding rounds, IPO, etc.) - Key employees will be hired About the author: GT Business Plans has developed over 200 business plans for clients that have collectively raised over $750 million in financing, launched numerous new product and service lines and gained competitive advantage and market share. GT Business Plans is the sister site of GT Venture Capital Circulated by Article Emporium

Making Money With Mobil Phone, cell

Attention: Online Income Seeker, Discover The Most Effective Step-By-Step Money Making System In Existence...

http://08273h4avy1azgkdjgqby3x1uh.hop.clickbank.net/
(Just view it, noting more, ITS TRUE)

"Newly Discovered Cell Phone System Allows You To Tap Into The Fastest Growing Income Opportunity The Planet Has Ever Seen...
I've Already Made Over $328,707.47 In One Month Using This!

"In the next 8 Minutes I will show you undeniable proof that this system is real, legal and works for EVERYONE who uses it...

"Guaranteed to work even if you're "un-motivated"...
In fact, it's best if you only put in an hour or so per day!


From: Mack Michaels
Date: Friday, September 11
Location: Maverick Coaching Headquarters, 10:32am

Dear Friend,

I hope you have a strong stomach.

Because in the next 3 minutes you're going to see something that may really upset you, it might even piss you off a little...

It may even make you want to leave this page and never come back...

But I'll make you a promise right now - give me a few minutes of your time, hear me out...

I guarantee you'll be glad you did.

Because by the time you've read this page you'll understand the incredibly simple steps I've used to generate a minimum of $6,279 in extra income every single day.

Are you ready?
Making Money is Easy!

Actually, wait, it's beyond that. It's ridiculously easy. And I'll tell what I mean in just a second.

But, before we jump into all the details let me clue you in on how I came across this incredible money making system.

My name is Mack Michaels and you may or may not know my name already.

I've been a fairly successful online business owner as well as a private business coach for the last 8 years.

But, there's one thing I want to make crystal clear to you right now.

I am not one of these online marketing gurus preaching unproven marketing systems and joke business opportunities that are made up on-the-fly to sell to the next naive person who stumbles across my web site.

In fact, I bet you and I have more in common than you think...

10 years ago I was frustrated with my job and even more frustrated with how painful it felt to not be able to provide my family with the life that I knew they really deserved.

If You're Working A Job Right Now, I Can Tell You Without A Doubt That Your Job Is A Heck Of A Lot Harder Than Making Hundreds Per Day With This Course.

For months and months I worked my butt off, buying and trying every system and course on the market, hoping that they would hold the secrets to my success.

I was dead wrong.

It took years to figure it out, but when I finally stopped listening to the gurus and struck out on my own I finally started seeing success in my life.

After another year I started making a six-figure income as an affiliate marketer.

If you're not sure what affiliate marketing means, let me explain. You simply promote other peoples products for a commission. It's an incredible business.

Then I started producing and selling my own products in several markets online. And after a few more years I'd built a multi-million dollar business on the internet that ran itself on complete autopilot.

And now I've come to a place in my life where I truly want to see and help other people achieve the same success I've had in my life.

It's incredibly rewarding to see a person (like you) who's experiencing the same frustration I did years ago, and personally show you the path to true financial success.


http://08273h4avy1azgkdjgqby3x1uh.hop.clickbank.net/
(Just view it, noting more, ITS TRUE)

Incorporating Your Business Using Three Simple Steps

Incorporating Your Business Using Three Simple Steps

by: Abe Cherian

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as the byline is included and the article is included in it's entirety. I also ask that you activate any html links found in the article and in the byline. Please send a courtesy link or email where you publish to: support@multiplestreammktg.com ------------------------------- Incorporating Your Business Using Three Simple Steps By Abe Cherian Copyright ? 2005 Incorporating your business today is much easier than it was 10 or even 20 years ago. Here's three steps; securing your corporate name, filing the necessary documentation and paying the necessary filing fees. You can complete these steps yourself, use an incorporation service provider or have an attorney complete them for you. When incorporating, you must first ensure that your corporate name is available in the state in which you want to incorporate. Your corporate name must not be deceptively similar to a name that is already in use in that state. A name check must be performed in the state of incorporation. You must also prepare and file all the necessary documentation. the Articles of Incorporation, with the appropriate state agency in the state of incorporation. Additionally, you must pay all state filing fees, initial franchise taxes and any other initial fees. Each state charges a filing fee to form your corporation in that state. These state filing fees vary greatly by state. They range from under $100 to over $400. Do It Yourself. Use An Incorporation Service Provider Or Use An Attorney. If you decide to incorporate on your own, you need to be well versed in the laws of the state of incorporation. You will need to prepare and file your own documentation and undertake all communications with the necessary state agencies. If you use an incorporation service company, you submit the necessary information, and the company checks your name, prepares and files your documents and pays the initial state filing fees on your behalf. Incorporation service companies charge a nominal service fee on top of the state filing fees, and you can submit all the necessary information to them over the Internet. Attorneys will also undertake all of the necessary steps for you. If you use an attorney to incorporate, you can expect to pay their hourly fee on top of the state filing fees. How long this will take depends on the time the state requires to approve and return your completed Articles of Incorporation varies by state. On average, it takes 4-6 weeks to become incorporated. Most states will allow you to expedite the filing process for an additional charge. Expediting filings typically take about 1 week. Those charges also vary by state. After your corporation is formed, an organizational meeting of directors must be held. At this meeting bylaws are adopted, stock is issued and the incorporation process is completed. Minutes of the organizational meeting should be kept in a corporate record book. Incorporation is an important step in the life of a business, but unfortunately the true value of incorporating a business is often not seen until the business faces a negative situation such as a law suit or bankruptcy. A primary advantage of incorporation is the limited liability the corporate entity affords its shareholders "The Owners". Typically, shareholders are not liable for the debts and obligations of the corporation. Creditors will not come knocking at the door of a shareholder to pay debts of the corporation. In a partnership or sole proprietorship the owner's personal assets may be used to pay debts of the business. Other Advantages include ¡è A corporation's life is not dependent upon its members. A corporation possesses the feature of unlimited life. If an owner dies or wishes to sell their interest the corporation will continue to exist and do business. ¡è Retirement funds and qualified retirement plans "like 401k" may be set up more easily with a corporation. ¡è Ownership of a corporation is easily transferable. ¡è Capital can be raised more easily through the sale of stock. ¡è A corporation possesses centralized management. Corporations are not without disadvantages. The primary disadvantage to a corporation is double taxation. Profits of a corporation are taxed twice when the profits are distributed to shareholders as dividends. They are taxed first as income to the corporation, then as income to the shareholder. All reasonable business expenses such as salaries are deductions against corporate income and can minimize the double tax. Further, the double tax can be eliminated by making the S corporation election with the Internal Revenue Service. Other Disadvantages Include ¡è There is a certain level of complexity and expense of forming a corporation. ¡è Corporations have extensive record keeping requirements. ¡è Operating a corporation across state lines requires the corporation to qualify to do business in the other state. Both the Limited Liability Company "LLC" and "S" corporation also provide the limited liability to the owners/shareholders of the company, without the potential disadvantage of double taxation. While like corporations these two entities also have advantages and disadvantages, it is a good idea to learn about all three when deciding what form your business should take. About the author: Abe Cherian is the founder of Multiple Stream Media, a company that helps online businesses find new leads and more customers without spending a fortune. http://www.multiplestreammktg.com Circulated by Article Emporium

Incorporating Investor Feedback into Your Business Plan

Incorporating Investor Feedback into Your Business Plan

by: Dave Lavinsky

Investors, like the rest of us, have different tastes. One investor may love a concept and/or business plan while the next may hate both. It is important to understand this as business plans are working documents and are always undergoing iterations. Management teams must not rush to incorporate each potential investor’s comments. Instead, have several investors, partners and other business colleagues review the plan and provide feedback. Then incorporate common concerns and probe other comments to determine if they are valid. Always try to understand the rationale behind an investor’s comments. For instance, an investor may poke holes in a business plan if it doesn’t have enough funds to fully fund the opportunity. In this case, the investor’s criticism is solely for them to save face. However, if you are hearing the same feedback from multiple investors, it is probably valid. In such cases, be humble. Tell investors that you appreciate their feedback and modify your strategy and plan appropriately. You may then be able to re-approach these investors with great success. Many investors have significant operating and investing experience and can quickly and expertly find potential flaws in a business plan. Seek out investors who have such experience, and be open to their suggestions. Just don’t take one point of feedback and blindly follow their advice. It is also important to note that even the most successful and largest public companies have Boards that provide similar feedback and advice, so don’t take criticism and feedback as a sign that something is wrong with your venture. Rather, use it as a launching pad for an even stronger business. About the author: GT Business Plans has developed over 200 business plans for clients that have collectively raised over $750 million in financing, launched numerous new product and service lines and gained competitive advantage and market share. GT Business Plans is the sister site of GT Venture Capital Circulated by Article Emporium

In Business Planning, Competition is Good

In Business Planning, Competition is Good

by: Dave Lavinsky

When developing the competition section of your business plan, companies must define competition correctly, select the appropriate competitors to analyze, and explain its competitive advantages. To start, companies must align their definition of competition with investors. Investors define competition as any service or product that a customer can use to fulfill the same need(s) as the company fulfills. This includes firms that offer similar products, substitute products and other customer options (such as performing the service or building the product themselves). Under this broad definition, any business plan that claims there are no competitors greatly undermines the credibility of the management team. In identifying competitors, companies often find themselves in a difficult position. On one hand, they want to show that they are unique (even under the investors’ broad definition) and list no or few competitors. However, this has a negative connotation. If no or few companies are in a market space, it implies that there may not be a large enough customer need to support the company’s products and/or services. Business plans must detail direct and, when applicable, indirect competitors. Direct competitors are those that serve the same target market with similar products and services. Indirect competitors are those that serve the same target market with different products and services, or a different target market with similar products and services. After identifying competitors, the business plan must describe them. In doing so, the plan must also objectively analyze each competitor’s strengths and weaknesses and the key drivers of competitive differentiation in the marketplace. Perhaps most importantly, the competition section must describe the company’s competitive advantages over the other firms, and ideally how the company’s business model creates barriers to entry. “Barriers to entry” are reasons why customers will not leave once acquired. In summary, too many business plans want to show how unique their venture is and, as such, list no or few competitors. However, this often has a negative connotation. If no or few companies are in a market space, it implies that there may not be a large enough customer need to support the venture's products and/or services. In fact, when positioned properly, including successful and/or public companies in a competitive space can be a positive sign since it implies that the market size is big. It also gives investors the assurance that if management executes well, the venture has substantial profit and liquidity potential. About the author: GT Business Plans has developed over 200 business plans for clients that have collectively raised over $750 million in financing, launched numerous new product and service lines and gained competitive advantage and market share. GT Business Plans is the sister site of GT Venture Capital Circulated by Article Emporium