Today we have a guest blogger joining us. Susan Reid, one of our Green Career Central experts, recently launched her book: Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success. The Green Career Central Blog is happy to be a stop on Susan's virtual book tour.
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Are you a green company? Then you know you ought to have one. You’ve heard how important they are to your business success. You’ve also been told how complex, time consuming, and, quite frankly, not very much fun they are to do.
What am I talking about? Business plans.
What Is A Business Plan and Why Do I Need One?
The most important reason to do a business plan is to clarify your thinking about your business. Whether you are just starting up and a party of one or a company of hundreds, you need to be clear about where you are taking your business, what you are focusing on, and how you plan to get there.
A good business plan defines your business, identifies your goals, and serves as the lodestar for your business. Its basic components include a vision statement, mission statement, objectives, strategies, and action plans. A business plan helps you allocate resources properly, make sound business decisions, and is necessary if you are seeking outside money sources to fund your startup or business expansion.
“Yeah but, it’s hard to know where the green economy is going, so what’s the point of writing one?” you begin. “I don’t really need one now. I’ll get around to doing a business plan once I see if my green idea is actually going to fly,” you rationalize, “Besides, they’re so darn complicated, and expensive!”
Business plans are a pain in the neck to do, and most people would rather have a root canal than write a business plan. That is, until now.
The One Page Business Plan
The One Page Business plan is the easiest, quickest, least stressful way I know to write a business plan. It’s a five-step, one page process that can be completed in just three weeks. It’s perfect for non-profits, small businesses, and large companies. Gone are the months of agonizing meetings, thousands of dollars in consultation fees, and reams of wasted paper producing documents, spreadsheets, and flowcharts.
Here, in the One Page Business Plan, is everything you need to collect your green business thoughts and put them into a concise, relevant plan. A plan that connects your passion to a definable, achievable outcome. And it’s perfect for the green community because it’s eco-friendly, time conscious, and success oriented.
So, what’s a nice green company like you doing without a business plan? What is your favorite excuse for not doing one? Perhaps you’ve already done a business plan. If so, what was that experience like? Does an easy, quick, one-page plan appeal to you?
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About: Dr. Susan L. Reid is a business coach and consultant for entrepreneurial women starting up businesses. She is the author of "Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success." Her website is Alkamae.com. In addition, Susan is one of our experts on Green Career Central.
If you'd like to learn more from Susan, join us for our interview with Susan Reid on February 26th.
If you'd like to read other articles by Susan or read the interviews she's had on her virtual book tour, check out her tour schedule.
Carol, thank you for hosting me on my Virtual Book Tour. It is especially nice to come and be a part of your blogging community because I am both passionate about green, and am so jazzed about your new business.
Posted by: Susan L Reid of | February 13, 2008 at 04:55 AM
Thank you Susan! It's a pleasure to have your insights a permanent part of the Green Career Central Blog!
Posted by: Carol McClelland of Green Career Central | February 13, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Susan,
Many people with "alternative" careers (like me) are afraid of the term "business plan." It just sounds intimidating. Thanks for pointing out that there is a way to do it that needn't be overwhelming!
Posted by: Mary Ellen Whitaker, voiceover actor and writer | February 14, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Indeed, Mary Ellen. In the past, writing a business plan was intimidating. That's one of the reasons many smaller businesses didn't do it. Thanks to the One Page Business Plan, it no longer is that way. Yipee!
Posted by: Susan L Reid of | February 14, 2008 at 12:16 PM