FT Essential Guide to Writing a Business Plan

1

Essential preparation

“The only thing we know about the future is that it will be different.”

Peter Drucker

In this chapter

• Result
  • An established business
  • A start-up business
• Need
• Preparation
  • Research
  • Organisation

Let’s start with the output: what should a good business plan look like? We’ll get that firmly planted in the brain before we delve into detail. Then we’ll consider in more depth what the plan is for and for whom it is written. Finally, we’ll look at what you need to prepare prior to kicking off on your winning business plan, in terms of research undertaken and organisation put into effect.

Result

Where do we need to get to? What is the end result of this process? What does a good, winning plan look like and how would that ...