Business Plans for Dummies

Unlike most business plan guides that focus on producing an impressive document, this book actually helped me plan to run a company. It anticipates and explains virtually every potential pitfall for a company-builder. The book transforms the business planning process into something that you can and should use every day. It touches all aspects of analyzing your business and deciding where to go next. I highly recommend it.

Bypass the complete book of business plans and go right to this book. Not only did it assist me (tremendously!) in the writing of my plan, but I enjoyed it from both the perspective of useful information and it's concise yet comprehensive content. This book attempts to do what so many "how to" books fail to do... it tells you how to do what you're looking to do in a straightforward and matter-of fact way. There's not a lot of philosophizing in this book (yawn!) like you might find in others but rather an abundance of useful, timely and real world information. Writing a plan? Read this book!

When we had the germ of an idea for a new company, I explored many sources for business plans including many computer CD progams. By comparison, others books generated more confusion than lucidity. Using Dummies as a template, we developed a great business plan that reflected exactly our challenges, prospects, and a road map for getting THERE. Save yourself time and money. Stick with this Dummies guide. R. Kingston

I provide consulting help on business and strategic planning for clients in the US and Brazil. I came across this book originally in its Portuguese version. Now, I'm recommending it to all my clients in both countries. It makes my job of explaining what is a business plan much easier and introduces business people to the ideas and, more importantly, the attitude you need to undertake planning. I recommend it highly.

There are lots of books out there about business planning. But this one is special. It is clear and simple to understand. At the same time, it takes its readers and the subject very seriously. It's full of case studies and entertaining examples of businesses that have succeeded--and sometimes failed--because of strategic planning choices. I learned everything I needed to know to start planning a small business out of my house. Highly recommended.