business plan

10 Pervasive Business Plan Myths

By Tim Berry

In dealing with business plans and business planning for four decades, I’ve come to know well some very pervasive business plan myths that should be debunked. The business plan myths can create unnecessary hurdles for entrepreneurs and hinder their chances of success. Here are the 10 most common business plan myths that I run into... Read More »

good business plan cycle

How to Know a Good Business Plan

By Tim Berry

What’s a good business plan? A business plan is as good or bad as its results. The decisions it causes. Divide this into two parts: First, how can you tell a good business plan after the fact, after time, after the business has been running with it. Second, how can you tell a good business... Read More »

good business plan cycle

Do those summaries, sure. Use those frameworks. But don’t think they replace business planning.

By Tim Berry

There is some bad advice floating around in the startup world. Useful as the Lean Canvas is, and despite some well-intentioned suggestions of summaries, those are not business plans. They don’t deal with the drivers and components of cash flow. They don’t set milestones, metrics, and tracking. You can’t run a business with them. And... Read More »

Three Business Plan Critical Factors

By Tim Berry

What matters most for a business plan? When somebody asked on Quora what are the critical factors of a business plan, I came up with these three business plan critical factors: Effectiveness. Does it achieve its business goal? Form follows function; does it achieve its business goal? Measure a business plan by its results, and... Read More »

10 business plan myths

10 Business Plan Myths That Hurt Your Business

By Tim Berry

The need for good business planning is as strong as ever, and the potential benefits are as important as ever. Every business owner ought to have a business plan. But the best strategies for business planning are different than they used to be. And these 10 pervasive business plan myths get in the way, much... Read More »

Business Plan Events and Why They Matter

By Tim Berry

(Note: I posted this earlier this week on the SBA Industry Word blog. It’s reposted here for your convenience.) What do you think of when you hear the phrase “business plan?” Does that bring to mind a formal document that starts with a summary and includes modules describing your business’s products, market, strategy, team, and... Read More »

20 Reasons to Write a Business Plan

By Tim Berry

A list of 20 good reasons for business planning in all businesses, not just startups. Strategy, tactics, cash flow, and lots more Read More »

A Good Resolution: Schedule Regular Management Meetings

By Tim Berry

Each year, as you get ready to publish the next year's plan, schedule the plan review meetings. Use some regular meeting schedule such as the third or fourth Thursday of every month. All the managers committed to the plan will... Read More »