Once you have completed your research and made your business decisions, its time to write out your business pan.

First, go to www.microsoft.com and download one of their free business plan templates. After opening it, delete any section you will not be using.

By keeping only the parts you will need, you cut down on the amount of work deeded.

How through you are at writing your business plan depends on whos going to see it? Will you be looking for a venture capital firm to invest in your business?

If so, then your plan will have to go deeper into details. If not then you can get by with a much simplified approach.

Use a professional writer to develop your business plan if you intend to seek financial assistance.

What goes into the plan? All of the information weve been collecting since we started our research.

Herere the sections I suggest you have in your business plan:

1. Title Page

Just provide your basic contact details and the name of your business.

2. Table of Contents

List just the first page of every section.

3. Executive Summary

This section is where you give a high level overview of your business concept and strategy.

4. Vision Statement

Your vision statement should give details on the following:
a. Competition
b. Description of Products and Services
c. Pricing

5. Operational Plan

Your operational plan describes how you plan to run your business. Include information on all of the following:
a. Management
b. Employees
c. Policies and Procedures

6. Marketing Plan

In the marketing plan section you will outline your overall market strategy and how it will help your business.

Outline, at least, the following:
a. Financial expenditures for marketing
b. Marketing Vehicles to be used

7. Startup and Capitalization Expenses

Detail all startup and operating cost for the first year of business.

8. Financial Plan

Describes the financial health of your new company and how you plan to maintain and grow your revenues.

You will have to complete your marketing plan to finish the business plan, because the marketing plan is a critical step.

Implementing an effective marketing plan is critical to the success of your business. Make sure you do not skip this step!

A business plan is nothing more than a method to ensure you cover as many areas as possible. Not every plan needs to be fifty pages long.

If a simple plan serves your needs then use a simple plan. Starting a business isnt rocket science; instead its mostly common sense.

Rick Parrott

Rick Parrott is a Microsoft Certified Professional, and a COMPTIA A+ and Network + Certified Professional with over ten years of Information Technology experience.

Working for several large American insurance corporations and the US Government has given him the opportunity to learn from the best.

Besides working in the Information Technology field, he has taught for vocational schools and the City of San Antonio Adult Literacy program as a network/computer instructor.

Prior to entering the computer field Rick Parrott managed businesses that grossed almost a million dollars a year.

Rick Parrott graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1994, the same year he left the US Air Force for the civilian sector.

During his Air Force service he worked on C-130 aircraft as a Hydraulic Mechanic and for seven years as an Air Traffic Controller.

Rick Parrott is currently married and lives in San Antonio Texas.