How to write a business plan /

A business plan is important for entrepreneurs because it serves as a blueprint for a business; helps secure venture capital or additional funding to expand a business; and can be used as a yardstick to assess performance. McKeever, who has written articles on entrepreneurship and conducted business planning workshops, covers the essential elements of business plans in 12 readable chapters. He explains the reasons for writing a business plan and provides self-evaluation exercises that can serve as a reality check on the feasibility of starting a business. Other chapters focus on choosing the right business using breakeven analysis; preparing financial statements, including cash-flow/profit-and-loss forecasts; developing a capital spending plan; formulating marketing and personnel plans; and soliciting outside financing. McKeever also offers a glimpse of possible problems business owners may encounter along the way, as well as exit strategies when a business is on the wrong track. This updated edition includes new resources for small businesses along with appendixes of sample business plans in service and manufacturing companies. This book is enhanced with self-help tools such as financial spreadsheets, sample business letters, and downloadable business legal forms, which are available at a companion website. An affordable reference work for all libraries. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers; students at all levels; practitioners. P. Judy Li University of Tennessee in Knoxville