Creating a Business Plan

Harvard Business Press Boston, Massachusetts
ISBN-13: 978-1-4221-6687-1

Creating a Business Plan

Pocket Mentor Series
The Pocket Mentor Series offers immediate solutions to common challenges managers face on the job every day. Each book in the series is packed with handy tools, self-tests, and real-life examples to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and hone critical skills. Whether you’re at your desk, in a meeting, or on the road, these portable guides enable you to tackle the daily demands of your work with greater speed, savvy, and effectiveness. Books in the series: Leading Teams Running Meetings Managing Time Managing Projects Coaching People Giving Feedback Leading People Negotiating Outcomes Writing for Business Giving Presentations Understanding Finance Dismissing an Employee Creating a Business Plan Managing Stress Delegating Work Shaping Your Career Persuading People Managing Crises Managing Up Becoming a New Manager Managing Difficult Interactions Hiring an Employee Making Decisions Managing Diversity Executing Innovation

Creating a Business Plan
Expert Solutions to Everyday Challenges

Harvard Business School Publishing Boston, Massachusetts

Copyright 2007 Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior permission of the publisher. Requests for permission should be directed to permissions@hbsp.harvard.edu, or mailed to Permissions, Harvard Business School Publishing, 60 Harvard Way, Boston, Massachusetts 02163.

Contents
Mentor’s Message: The Importance of a Well-Prepared Business Plan xi

Creating a Business Plan: The Basics
Getting Started 3