The Definitive Business Plan: The fast-track to intelligent business planning for executives and entrepreneurs, Second Edition

Chapter 4. Know yourself

<feature>

• Taking stock

• Start with the basics

• The central objective

• Are you visionary?

• How did you arrive here?

• Some numbers to please the bankers

• Building up value

• The all-important management team

• Business organization

• Business infrastructure

• Products and services

• Core competencies

• The next step

</feature>

	“To know one’s self is to know others.”
	--Chinese proverb

Now that the plan is really underway, it is time to take a close look at your business. This chapter takes you through the process of documenting the current ‘internal’ status. This is an easy and fairly mechanical exercise. However, it is not unimportant. It helps both you and your readers understand your activities – and, critically, your competencies. It also helps lay ...