What is a business plan? It is your statement in words and numbers of what you want to do and what you need to do get there. It is your overall strategic plan. It is also a summary of your mission, mandate, market, and method. It is your basic reference document in telling your customers, suppliers, bankers and partners about your track record, your tactics and your targets.

Running a business without a business plan is like driving down a country road on a moonless night without lights and a spare tire. Without it you can plan to fail. If you are seeking financial assistance it is a must.

If you don't know how to prepare one, there are a number of good books on the market that will guide you step-by-step. The Business Advisory Centre contains several resources for business plan preparation including online guides and several other publications. The Business Consultant can also assist you in areas that you are having problems with.

Business Plans
OnLine Assistance

Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre - Interactive Business Planner.
For those who do not want to buy business-planning software, this site allows you to create a business plan using your web browser. Note - the system deletes your file after 60 days if it hasn't been updated during that time, so if you use it, make sure you print yourself a paper copy just to be safe.
http://www.cbsc.org/ibp/home_en.cfm

Business Resource Software Inc. - Business Planning Resources Centre.
You'll find numerous links to other websites that talk about various aspects of business plans.
http://www.businessplans.org/plan.asp

CCH Business Owner's Toolkit - Planning Your Business.
This site not only describes why you should write a business plan, but also then follows it up with a detailed description of what goes into a business plan. This is an excellent source for business plan assistance.
http://www.toolkit.cch.com/text/P02_0001.asp

Canada - Ontario Business Service Centre - Online Small Business Workshop.
Not a business plan site, but rather a business planning workshop. This link gets you thinking about all aspects of business, from start-up ideas to basic regulations for getting started in business.
http://www.cbsc.org/osbw/workshop.html

Canada Bankers association - Getting Started in Small Business.
Business plans from a banker's perspective. Lots of useful definitions of financial terms used in business plans and when looking for bank loans.
http://www.cba.ca/en/viewPub.asp?fl=6&sl=23&docid=40&pg=1

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