At BizWorks, two of the main things we require our potential
new residential members do are to write a business plan and do three year cash
flow projections. There has been a huge
debate recently in the incubator world about requiring business plans. Our belief is that taking on a small business
requires a great deal of time for our staff, our committee and our volunteer
mentors.
When we look at a potential
new member we want to make sure that member knows where they are going with that
business and actually has some business savvy.
We look at things like how well they write, if they understand how to put
together measurable goals, if they understand how their cash flow projections
relate to the business plan and if they understand how the cash flow
projections work.
These types of questions help us understand if a person will
make a good business owner. It helps put them on the track to success. Without a plan, how do you know where you are
going and if you got there? If people make
no plans for their small business, how will they proceed with each step a
business should take to become successful?
The other thing a business plan process does for us is show us who can
stick to deadlines and who ignores the deadlines we set. Once we begin working with a person, if they
consistently miss deadlines, it tells us a great deal about how they will work
with us if they become a member. Usually
we don’t get very far along in the process with these types of business
owners.
So, before you take the plunge in starting your business,
acquire some education on business planning, there are many courses offered
around the area to teach you how to write a business plan. Invest some time there before investing in
your business.
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