Wow this looks cool & useful. Thanks for posting that, Baer. _____ From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net [mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Baer Tierkel Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 11:36 AM To: Eric Troseth Cc: hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net Subject: Re: [Hidden-tech] business plan writer needed I agree there's nothing like the process of writing a business plan to really make an entreprenuer address all aspects of the business they'll be driving. It's an important exercise. fyi, I ran across a startup that is focusing on providing a web service to help structure/manage/collaborate on business plans. I'm not that familiar with them, but it might be interesting to take a look. Their name is planHQ: http://www.planhq.com/ Regards, Baer On Sep 21, 2007, at 5:15 PM, Eric Troseth wrote: ** The author of this post was a Good Dobee. ** You too can help the group ** Fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area. ** If you did, we all thank you. Hi Izzy, I would largely echo the comments of Sheldon. The key is to find out the real need and goal. Possible needs and goals could be funding, attracting key employees or customers, direction, an operating plan, a strategic and tactical framework for the company, etc. The official business plan is merely a tool for addressing the real need. Plans not written by the owner are almost always close to worthless. The purpose of a business plan is not to present a neat, showcase package. Rather it is to express the owner's understanding of the business, its potential, its risks, and its competition. Better a roughhewn plan where each sentence and each number reflect conclusions the owner has earned through experience than a polished beauty with pages of spreadsheets that have little meaning to the owner. As a reader of a business plan, I want to know where each number came from and the assumptions behind it. I also want to know that the owner has a realistic assessment of her resources, risks, and competition. The best book on growing a business I know is Growing A Business by Paul Hawken. The chapter titled The Art of the Incremental gives a thoughtful, non-technical guide to writing an authentic and worthwhile business plan. If the immediate need is to drive revenues, I would call Sheldon. Best, Eric Troseth -----Original Message----- From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net [mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of izzy Sent: Friday, September 21, 2007 10:49 AM To: hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net Subject: [Hidden-tech] business plan writer needed ** The author of this post was a Good Dobee. ** You too can help the group ** Fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area. ** If you did, we all thank you. Good morning, A colleague is needing someone to write her business plan. This is a going business that is looking to grow. I will forward all replies to her. TIA HAGW (have a great weekend) Izzy --------------------------------------------------------------------- Izzy Gesell MSEd, CSP, Organizational Alchemist "Transforming thinking from commonplace to exceptional." 413-586-2634 (Voice), 413-585-0407 (Fax) email:izzy at izzyg.com, www.izzyg.com Author: "Playing Along: 37 Group Learning Activities Using Improv." Co-Author: "Humor Me: America's Best Humorists on the Power of Laughter" Contributor: " IAF Group Facilitators Handbook" _______________________________________________ Hidden-discuss mailing list - home page: http://www.hidden-tech.net Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net You are receiving this because you are on the Hidden-Tech Discussion list. If you would like to change your list preferences, Go to the Members page on the Hidden Tech Web site. http://www.hidden-tech.net/members _______________________________________________ Hidden-discuss mailing list - home page: http://www.hidden-tech.net Hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net You are receiving this because you are on the Hidden-Tech Discussion list. If you would like to change your list preferences, Go to the Members page on the Hidden Tech Web site. http://www.hidden-tech.net/members -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.hidden-tech.net/pipermail/hidden-discuss/attachments/20070925/965420ff/attachment-0005.html