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The Plan-As-You-Go Business Plan
The principal author of Business Plan Pro, the country’s bestselling business plan software, simplifies the business planning process and reveals how to create business plans that grow with the business. Providing adequate guidance for every situation and every stage of business, readers are trained to ignore the traditional, formal cookie-cutter plans that other business planning resources offer and to focus on tailoring a plan to their company; allowing them to literally plan as they go and to, ultimately, steer their business ahead while saving time. Clear-cut instructions help business owners quickly build the type of plan that works for them-one that helps them take total control of their business, improve profits, raise capital, operate a profitable enterprise, and stay ahead of the competition. Very comprehensive, yet easy-to-understand, this business tool offers more than just the nuts and bolts of writing a business plan-the author also provides invaluable insight through real-life examples illustrating key points and avoidable mistakes as well as cutting-edge information for the 21st century entrepreneur. This guide is designed to be a reliable tool for those entering into the world of starting and owning their own business.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2008
25 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 15, 2011
This book was worth a look for any business pro or upcoming entrepreneur.
Tim Berry makes a distinction between planning versus a plan. Planning is a vital activity that helps create expectation and purpose for the organization and steers it toward a successful horizon. A plan though in and of itself is always wrong since we are all human and we can't possibly account for every variable that will influence our future. But nonetheless plans are vital. That's the hard to swallow part of the book - plans are always wrong but vital. The metaphor that Berry uses regularly to explain this contradiction is that of dribbling a basketball. A basketball player is constantly dribbling a basketball who has to constantly consider the terrain and his defenders and his teammates are doing so that the team can score. I prefer the metaphor of driving a car in which the user constantly makes adjustments (moving the steering wheel) to keep the car on the road and moving toward a goal (the intended destination).
My favorite concept that is promulgated by Tim Berry is conveyed in the title. Your plan should only be what you need it to be. Start planning with where ever you are in the process of business development. As your business idea/project grows, then grow your plan accordingly to account for that growth. Start with marketing, sales, or product development, and as the business grows account for those other areas of your business in your plan.
Tim Berry's book also has a great introduction to basic business accounting and principles. For someone, like myself who doesn't have a background in this area it was worth going through. This book can easily be used as reference potential. A few tabs on the right pages and I'll be able to easily identify the needed information and jargon for running a business.
On a personal note, I've never been much of a planner. In my past, I've always tried to "wing it" doing my best but never taking the time to chart out a course for how things will flow or what will be achieved by this date. I've since changed this view and I am an advocate for appropriate planning, so this book resonated with me.
I'll definitely try implementing most of Tim Berry's principles regarding planning. I recommend this book to anyone who is potentially looking to start a business as well as folks already running a business themselves to consider more frequent planning sessions/events in their business.
Tim Berry makes a distinction between planning versus a plan. Planning is a vital activity that helps create expectation and purpose for the organization and steers it toward a successful horizon. A plan though in and of itself is always wrong since we are all human and we can't possibly account for every variable that will influence our future. But nonetheless plans are vital. That's the hard to swallow part of the book - plans are always wrong but vital. The metaphor that Berry uses regularly to explain this contradiction is that of dribbling a basketball. A basketball player is constantly dribbling a basketball who has to constantly consider the terrain and his defenders and his teammates are doing so that the team can score. I prefer the metaphor of driving a car in which the user constantly makes adjustments (moving the steering wheel) to keep the car on the road and moving toward a goal (the intended destination).
My favorite concept that is promulgated by Tim Berry is conveyed in the title. Your plan should only be what you need it to be. Start planning with where ever you are in the process of business development. As your business idea/project grows, then grow your plan accordingly to account for that growth. Start with marketing, sales, or product development, and as the business grows account for those other areas of your business in your plan.
Tim Berry's book also has a great introduction to basic business accounting and principles. For someone, like myself who doesn't have a background in this area it was worth going through. This book can easily be used as reference potential. A few tabs on the right pages and I'll be able to easily identify the needed information and jargon for running a business.
On a personal note, I've never been much of a planner. In my past, I've always tried to "wing it" doing my best but never taking the time to chart out a course for how things will flow or what will be achieved by this date. I've since changed this view and I am an advocate for appropriate planning, so this book resonated with me.
I'll definitely try implementing most of Tim Berry's principles regarding planning. I recommend this book to anyone who is potentially looking to start a business as well as folks already running a business themselves to consider more frequent planning sessions/events in their business.
June 4, 2018
It's an OK book based on Berry's blog posts, but it's not in depth at all. Most of what was discussed felt quite elementary, I didn't feel like I've learned anything.
July 7, 2018
Invaluable information! I have calendared my review meetings monthly. What a difference reflection makes 😊
November 21, 2010
Good not great. A collection of well written and insightful blog posts. I guess it would be inspiring for someone who is stuck at starting a business plan, but I would like a little more direction. His main point is that the key issue with business plans is the business PLANNING. And to do planning correctly it needs to be regularly reviewed and adjusted. Its a keeper, but will definitely need to be supplemented with some other books.
July 14, 2009
great and down to earth business advice for those addicted to planning (like myself)
October 28, 2014
Helpful for a newbie.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews