3 GETTING STARTED

Perhaps the hardest part of any business planning process is getting started. Compiling the data, shaping it into an articulate story, and producing the finished product can be daunting tasks. That being the case, it is best to use a stepwise approach to business planning. First, write a 25-word statement of your current vision. This provides a roadmap for you and others to follow as you start the planning process. Once the team agrees on the vision, expand it into a short summary of five to six pages. This expanded summary provides details and gives you momentum to start attacking major sections of the plan.

Although all of the sections interact and influence every other section, it is often easiest for entrepreneurs to write ...

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