By: Don McDaniel VP - Discovery Bay Group L.L.C.
No doubt that last couple of years have been a big economic challenge for all businesses. The one thing for sure to remember about the economic downturn is that you, as a small business owner, will get no bailouts if you get into trouble. Although the economy is a little better we still have some challenging times ahead in the future. My guess is that we will be digging out for the next couple of years minimum. So What should we do to protect our portion of the marketplace. Here are some basic ideas that I know you already are acquainted with but maybe need to reconsider:
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We like the work that comes out of Score. You should go take a look at their site as they have some good tips for you to consider. The website link is at the bottom of this article.
By Christine Banning, SCORE VP Corporate Relations
- Create a brand. Spend a little money to create a professional logo, business card and stationery. Present a professional image.
- Ramp up Online. Make creating a Web site a top priority. A Web site is today’s calling card. You really shouldn’t do without one. Give people a place to go to learn about your business.
- Make Your First Sale. This is key. Get that first sale even if it’s friends or family at a discounted rate. This counts as getting started, so go for it.
- Promote Testimonials. Get testimonials from your first sales. Start building credibility for your business from day one.
- Build Buzz. Be creative. Look for a special promotion, big event, email campaign or something out of the norm for your business to get people talking about you, your product or service.
Brought to you by SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business.”
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The following is the next article in a series that we will be posting to help you bridge the gap between the current down economy and when things get back on the up swing again.
By: Johnathan Blum
My fellow small-business owners, we may be battered, we may be bruised, we may be scared out of our minds. But at least we are still in the game.
And the good news is, the technological revolution in small-business tools came just at the nick of time with readily available digital tools we can use — right now, this week — to get control of the crazy situation and keep our businesses, well, in business.
Here are three steps you can take today:
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Writing a business plan can be an overwhelming task. These feelings often translate into immobilization or confusion as to how to start the business plan. Starting a business plan begins with the first step:
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The Answer
There are many errors made by inexperienced business plan writers or business owners who fail to see why their plan was not accepted. But on the other side of the table, the following mistakes are common:
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Filed Under (Business Plans) by admin on 22-08-2008
By: Darrell Zahorsky - Darrell Zahorsky is small business expert, author, speaker and Web editor who’s work has been recognized in Harvard Business Working Knowledge, Fortune Innovation Blog, and other media. He is the author of an upcoming book on Starting a Small Business, published by Adams Media. Additionally, he works on assignment for Research In Motion, the makers of the popular BlackBerry smartphone.
Writing a business plan can be an overwhelming task. These feelings often translate into immobilization or confusion as to how to start the business plan.
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Author: Washington Small Business Development Center
Here is a great Q &A on business plans I’m posting from the Washington Small Business Development Center. I’ll post their internet address in the linking section on this site. Please take a look as there are some very valuable tips and resources you might be able to use regardless of the state your from. You will find some insights and solutions that you might be able to take advantage of. If your in Washington State there is also a list of resource centers that you can find in your area.
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by Tim Berry
President, Palo Alto Software
http://www.timberry.com
About the author:
Founder and President of Palo Alto Software and a renowned planning expert. He is listed in the index of “Fire in the Valley”, by Swaine and Freiberger, the history of the personal computer industry.
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Business planning is about results. You need to make the contents of your plan match your purpose. Don’t accept a standard outline just because it’s there.
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Using the Business Plan
A business plan is a tool with three basic purposes: communication, management, and planning. As a communication tool, it is used to attract investment capital, secure loans, convince workers to hire on, and assist in attracting strategic business partners. The development of a comprehensive business plan shows whether or not a business has the potential to make a profit. It requires a realistic look at almost every phase of business and allows you to show that you have worked out all the problems and decided on potential alternatives before actually launching your business.
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