Developed by the Market Development Council
February, 2000
Books | Web Sites
Creating and maintaining a solid business plan is crucial to any business, large or small. Many large companies have the luxury of employees who can dedicate their days to the creation and implementation of such a plan and monitor its success. Unfortunately, owners and principals of many small companies do not have access to such an expert and rely on their own abilities to manage every aspect of their company.
To assist NTA members in understanding the importance of putting a business plan into place, creating one specific to their company, implementing it into their own company's culture and using it to further their company's goals, the Market Development Council has developed a list of resources. This list contains the names of books and Web sites that are at everyone's fingertips. Not only can this assist companies in developing a plan, it can help those who are veterans in the business world refresh their knowledge and, perhaps, develop some new thoughts on this process.
As members of the Market Development Council, NTA staff, or NTA members find resources that would be useful in the goal of developing business plans, information will be added to this list. If you have utilized a resource of any kind that would be an asset to NTA members, please e-mail Suzanne Austgen, suzanne.austgen@ntastaff.com, with the information and it will be added to this list.
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Books
The following books cover business planning and many of these titles were obtained through searches on http://www.amazon.com/ and http://www.intertecmediabooks.com/ - a source for business-related books. Naturally, local bookstores or Internet book sites can be accessed and many books may be available at public or university libraries.
Your First Business Plan: A Simple Question and Answer Format Designed to Help You Write Your Own Plan (3rd Edition) by Joseph Covello and Brian J. Hazelgren - This best-selling guide eases the business planner into creating a winning plan. The book details the critical steps that will make or break a plan, from how to develop financial projections to how to evaluate profitable strategies to fine-tuning details to meet lender/investor standards. (Amazon.com Synopsis)
How to Create a Successful Business Plan: A Manager's Step-by-Step Guide by Al Coke - Business managers rarely plan to fail but all too often, they fail to plan. Planning is essential to the well-being and success of any company. This new guide presents an easy-to-understand method for creating a business plan that really works. Using the author's unique concept of "Back Planning" and his patented "Five-Page Business Plan," you will be able to draft a plan that is simple, concise, and user-friendly. The planning you do today is your key to succeeding in the future. (American Demographics books description - www.intertecmediabooks.com)
The Business Planning Guide: Creating a Plan for Success in Your Own Business (8th Edition) by David H. Bangs Jr. - Forbes named this book as its favorite, most useful small business book. In this new edition, small-business owners can increase their technical savvy on the business planning front, complete with information on using the Internet as a business planning tool. The book has a jargon-free approach to analyzing the industry, forecasting revenues and expenses, and evaluating plans with break-even and cash flow analysis. The book contains two complete sample business plans, updated references and resources, an expanded marketing section, a sample partnership agreement, checklists, worksheets and more. (Amazon.com Synopsis)
The Market Planning Guide: Creating Plans to Successfully Market Your Business, Products, or Services by David H. Bangs Jr. - With The Market Planning Guide, business owners can develop a comprehensive, ready-to-implement, written marketing plan. Using the same real-life, step-by-step method that has made his The Business Planning Guide so successful, Bangs walks readers through the entire process, from defining the company's goals to utilizing advertising and promotions. (Amazon.com Synopsis)
Strategic Planning for New & Emerging Businesses: A Consulting Approach by Charles R. Stoner, et al - This book gives owners of new and/or emerging businesses extensive knowledge of the steps of strategic planning. They learn how to assess the external environment, how to address competitive forces, how to identify internal strengths and weaknesses, and how to develop a strategic thrust for their emerging enterprises. (Amazon.com Synopsis)
The Ernst & Young Business Plan Guide by Eric S. Siegel, et al - Designed to assist the reader in creating a financial, organizational and operational blueprint for success. Developed for anyone starting a new business or expanding one already in existence, it contains step-by-step instructions for devising a solid business plan. With a sample business plan incorporated within the text, this edition will help explain why certain information is required, how it may best be presented and how to appeal to its financial and strategic viewers. (Amazon.com Synopsis)
Business Plans Handbook: A Compilation of Actual Business Plans Developed by Small Businesses Throughout North America by Kristin Kahrs and Karin E. Koek - The strength of this book is that it gives real-life examples of business plans; its weakness is that it gives no instructions on the research process involved in writing one. It does provide a state-by-state listing of Small Business Development Centers throughout the United States, which would prove helpful in the researching and resource phase. Also included is a 150-item bibliography on business planning. (Amazon.com Synopsis)
The McGraw-Hill Guide to Writing a High-Impact Business Plan: A Proven Blueprint for First-Time Entrepreneurs by James A. Arkebauer - This powerful guide shows how to create the new type of business plans that beat the odds in today's competitive, tight-money business climate. Packed with worksheets and checklists, it sets out the basics in clear order: highlights "high-impact" points not to be overlooked; shows how to incorporate graphics for persuasion and punch; and includes a directory of new and little-known money sources. Authored by an entrepreneur who has reviewed and/or written 5,000 business plans, this ultra-comprehensive book also contains a bonus: a reply card entitling buyers to a free diskette of sample business plans and financial spreadsheets. (Amazon.com Synopsis)
The Complete Book of Business Plans: Simple Steps to Writing a Powerful Business Plan (Small Business Sourcebooks) by Joseph A. Covello and Brian J. Hazelgren
The Small Business Money Guide: How to Get It, Use It, Keep It (Working Solo) by Terri Lonier and Lisa M. Aldisert top of page
Web Sites
In addition to the hundreds of books, available Web sites can also be very helpful.
http://home3.americanexpress.com/smallbusiness - A link on the right-hand side of the homepage titled "Create a Business Plan" will take you to an outline of how to get started on an effective business plan for small businesses. Some of the items discussed are introductory elements, business description, the market, development and production, sales and marketing, management and financials. The American Express Web site also has other tools for small-business owners that could prove valuable, including a free e-mail small business newsletter.
http://www.tsbj.com/- The Small Business Journal has a wealth of articles on everything from managing a small business, to employee issues, technology and marketing. It is a great overall resource for the small-business owner.
http://www.businessplans.org/ - A great resource for the small-business owner, this Web site has sample software and free trial downloads, lists of many other small-business planning resources as well as an opportunity to have your own company's business plan evaluated by a group of experts for free.
http://www.morebusiness.com/ - This Web site provides more small-business advice, including an online financial calculator and templates for business and marketing plans, press releases and more.
http://www.inc.com/ - Inc. magazine's Web site provides access to articles from current and past issues, case studies, research and an e-mailed newsletter top of page
