Need a Business Plan? Here's Help

Question: My job looks shaky and I've always wanted to start my own business. I have it outlined, but I need a formal plan to raise money and writing it seems scary. Where can I get help?

Answer: Business plans can be intimidating, but don't sweat it. There's loads of step-by-step help available, including sample plans. Most new businesses would benefit from having a plan, whether they aim to raise money or not. But don't get too carried away. Some entrepreneurs spend so much time planning, they never get to "doing." And for a radical view, check out David Gumpert's new book Burn Your Business Plan! which argues that many startups don't need a formal plan at all.

Business Plan Pro, is a top biz plan software package from Palo Alto Software (www.paloalto.com) that'll make writing your plan a snap. Includes 400 sample plans for different industries. Answer yes or no to questions and the EasyPlan Wizard selects the best outline, reports, charts and tables. Links to Web resources provide help with funding, research and plan distribution. There's even a library of templates to turn your plan into a computer presentation. Business Plan Pro ($99.95) is available in major office and computer retail outlets or direct from Palo Alto Software. Call (888) PLAN-PRO. Web discounters such as www.asenashop.com sell it for as little as $73.

Bplans.com (www.bplans.com) is Palo Alto's business plan site and a great place to find free online tools and tips for building your plan. Offers everything you need to define your business, compare industry ratios, set schedules, create personnel and find funding. There's even a $25,000 business plan competition. Entry deadline May 30, 2003. See site for details.

BizPlanBuilder from JIAN (www.jian.com) helps you build a foundation for your biz with an intuitive, well thought out plan. Gives you three levels of financial models to establish feasibility and dozens of tools to manage and support your continuing success. Cost: $99. Call (800) 346-5426.

Ultimate Business Planner is software from Fargo, ND-based Atlas Business Solutions (www.abs-usa.com). When the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reviewed Ultimate Business Planner, it was so impressed that it requested 1,000 copies. Download for $99 or order CD for $129. Call (800) 874-8801; e-mail sales@abs-usa.com.

The SBA offers info on creating a start-up business plan at its Web site (www.sba.gov). It can be downloaded and is available in large-text and Spanish versions. Click Business Plans in the Starting Your Business box. Not fancy, but free.

Entrepreneur.com, from Entrepreneur magazine, and Inc.com, from Inc. magazine, both offer detailed biz plan help you can access for free. At Entreprener.com look under Start-ups, then select Business Plans in the left column. At Inc.com, look for the Inc. Guide to Writing a Business plan on the home page.

CCH Business Owner's Toolkit (www.toolkit.cch.com), has a good section on business plans for beginners. Access is free.

Super tight budget? At Planware.org you'll find shareware and free software for writing a business plan, and also for financial projections, cash flow forecasting and market planning. E-mail this Dublin, Ireland-based outfit at info@planware.org

BizPlanIt (www.bizplanit.com), in Scottsdale, Ariz., is a standout business plan consulting firm that also offers free resources for do-it-yourselfers. Great tips, tools and advice from experts who've prepared hundreds of plans. Offers a free e-mail newsletter with business plan advice, book and software recommendations and business plan links. Call (480) 970.6161; e-mail: biz@bizplanit.com

Smart Online (www.smartonline.com) offers a range of fee-based solutions to get your business up and running, including business plans and evaluations. Call (800) 791-1000

Burn Your Business Plan!: What Investors Really Want from Entrepreneurs by David Gumpert (Lauson Publishing) is a new book with an alternative view that may be worth a look. Cost is $19.95 at Amazon.com