Business Plans For Dummies®, 2nd Edition

Chapter 19. Top Ten Business-Planning Never-Evers

In This Chapter

• Reviewing what to watch out for

• Fixing things that are broken

This chapter lists a few of those 'I can't believe I did that' planning miscues that are all too easy to make. We list the top ten here so that you have a better chance of not making these mistakes yourself. But if you happen to make them anyway, at least you'll know that you're not alone.

Failing to Plan in the First Place

We're probably preaching to the converted here, because you're already reading this book. But neglecting to plan is a business sin so grave that it's always worth a short sermon. Planning isn't easy. After all, there are no right or wrong answers, and nothing's guaranteed. But the planning process is bound to leave your company better prepared to face an uncertain future.

Although a business plan may not solve all your problems, it can help. Planning makes you a better manager and makes your business, no matter how large or small it is, more competitive and more likely to succeed in the long haul.

Shrugging Off Values and Vision

There's nothing more invigorating than jumping right into the thick of things. You're itching to line up your products and services, seize the opportunities that are right in front of you, and face down your competitors one by one. This situation is the business version of a roller-coaster ride, and we won't deny that it's exciting: ups, downs, hairpin corners. But roller coasters end up right back where they start – ...