Small-business lending hit a 4 year high in November 2011, according to Thomson Reuter/Pay Net Index.  Listen as Dave describes a small but positive change for small businesses.  Read the complete article on the Wall Street Journal site.

2012 Business and Marketing Planning

It’s not too late to start simple but effective planning for this New Year.  Small-Business Marketing Expert Amanda Cullen and Small-Business Financial Expert Dave Weatherholt give practical tips on planning for 2012.  Be bold and set a sales goal that will make you smile.  Dave provides tools and advice on how to achieve that audacious goal.  Amanda gives you practical cost effective marketing tips that will move your company toward achieving that sales goal.

Here are some useful handouts from the show:

Financial Budgeting Tools

Sample Marketing Plan

Listen or download below:

It’s Not Too Late

Related posts:

1. 2012 Marketing Planning – It’s Not Too Late
2. The Do’s and Don’ts of Business Planning
3. Creating a Great Smile

Dave discusses the latest “Optimism Index” which was up 1.8 point in November, settling at a still weak 92.0, according to the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB).  Read the complete article.

The Journey of Publishing

Kelly Fisher– attorney, author and publisher– visits Dave on this program.  Listen as Kelly discusses how he came to write his new book A Clueless Man’s Guide to Relationships.  The story doesn’t end there.  The easy part was writing the book; creating a great end product and introducing it to the world takes more effort.  Kelly takes us through his journey.

Business Risk Management

Listen as Chris Poblieglo, insurance expert, talks about Fidelity Bonds.  Find out much, much more about this potential business risk and a solution.  Visit Business Insurance Associates’ website - a must link for business risk management information.

Listen or download below:

The Clueless Man

Related posts:

1. The Business of Risk Management
2. Creating a Great Smile
3. Simon & Seaforts Unwrapped

As the year comes to a close, business owner’s minds turn to… cash flow. Use my article and included downloads to manage your cash flow and keep it positive!

Read the article: Go With the Flow

Get the Downloads

Projected Statement of Cash Flow (Adobe PDF)

Monthly Cash Flow Status (Microsoft Excel)

Business Risk Management is sponsored by Business Insurance Associates, Inc.

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Related posts:

1. Go With the Flow
2. Mitigating the Risk of Employee Theft
3. The Business of Risk Management

The House approved a bill that would let companies sell equities online.  Senator Scott Brown (R., Mass.) introduced a similar measure.  Listen as Dave discusses the overwhelmingly positive potential of this legislation.  And read the complete article on the Wall Street Journal.

Cash Flow

If your business is on a calendar year, then you are approaching the end of this year.  Have you been tracking your performance numbers or are you afraid to look?  If you have spent most of this year looking for cash, then chances are that you have not been very profitable.  Listen as Dave discusses cash management tools that work.

Download these tools here:

Projected Statement of Cash Flow (Adobe PDF)

Monthly Cash Flow Status (Microsoft Excel)

Tech Talk

What if your point-of-sale system went down during peak sales on “Black Friday”?  How much would that cost your business?  Tim White, our technology guru, discusses the inevitable but avoidable business risk– backing up your IT system.  Visit Tim at www.akcb.com.

Listen or download below:

Go With the Flow

Related posts:

1. Go With the Flow… Cash Flow, That Is
2. Focus on DenaliTEK: Succeeding with a technology business
3. It’s Not Too Late

Even with 14 million people unemployed, 40% of small businesses complain about the dearth of qualified workers. Listen as Dave talks about a pressing problem for employers.  Read complete article at the Wall Street Journal.

Credit & Business Lending

Dave’s guest is Bill Cessnun, VP Commercial Loan Officer with Northrim Bank– a Alaskan community bank.  Listen as Bill talks about making a credit decision during the business lending process.  Bill provides great information to Dave and his listeners.

Go it Alone

Alice in Wonderland meets a Cheshire Cat at the beginning of her journey.  Listen as Geoff Burch explains how “measuring success” ties in to Alice’s journey. Intrigued? Listen to the show!

Listen or download below:

Through a Banker’s Eyes

Related posts:

1. Buying a Used Business
2. Consider a Credit Union
3. A Wild Ride

People used to working in an office stocked with technology may find that starting as a solo enterprise can be painful.  Listen as Dave discusses a useful reality of going it alone.  Or read complete article: “Spending Wisely on Technology.”

Alaskan Association of Authors

Authors Josie & Mark McKinney are the co-founders of the Alaskan Association of Authors.  Listen as they discuss the reasons for starting their company and the books they have written and published.

Listen or download below:

Written in Alaska

Related posts:

1. Alaska Tourism 2010
2. Do you need a server?
3. Cloud Computing

Do you want to market your business on Facebook but don’t know how?  Facebook, Inc. the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Federation of Independent Business will be able to help.  Listen as Dave summarizes the new Facebook partnership and how it will help your business.  Read complete article here.

Graphic Design & Technology

Listen as Adrienne Wilkerson, a graphic designer with Beacon Publishing & Design, and Dave talk about the gigantic shift technology had on the graphic design business.  Adrienne also shares her experience building a business– a topic dear to all business owners’ hearts.

Tech Talk

Listen as Tim White, Chief Technology Officer with ACB Solutions introduces his new program segment Tech Talk.”  Tim discusses his goal for the segment and talks about the “What Changed?” effect.

Listen or download below:

A Matter of Design

Related posts:

1. A Matter of Survival
2. October 2010 – Getting Down to Business® eNewsletter
3. Go With the Flow

Most often, the best marketing advice has little to do with tactics and more to do with strategy. In my article “Be Good, Businesses,” I delve in to the strategy of ethics– why they are important, and how they will make you profitable.

Read the article: Be Good, Businesses

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Related posts:

1. Word of Mouth Marketing
2. Facebook Marketing Tips
3. Marketing for Appearances

Listen to the highlights of the NFIB’s monthly Optimism Index.  This index dropped dramatically in August– find out why.  Or read complete article: “Small Business Confidence Takes Huge Hit.”

Simon & Seaforts: The Restaurant Business

After over 30 years in Anchorage, Simon & Seaforts is one of the city’s oldest and best restaurants. Listen as Robert Kilby gives us a behind the scenes look a successful restaurant.  This is a great show about a super business.

Business Risk Management

Do you know what a “surety bond” is used for?  Listen as business insurance expert Chris Pobielgo talks more about this important insurance product.  Chris is president of Business Insurance Associates.

Listen or download below:

Simon & Seaforts Unwrapped

Related posts:

1. Surety Bond Overview
2. Hospitality in Anchorage
3. The Clueless Man

Listen as guest host Christopher Pobieglo gives a brief recap of key economic indicators.  The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) will be holding three free webinars.  Find out more at their website - nfib.com.

He also discusses traffic safety and potential business risks from a “Risk Management” standpoint.

Make Credit Card Transactions Easy

Today’s special guest Sushil Wanigantunga, president of American Credit Card Systems, provides great insights into the management of debit and credit card transactions.  Listen to find out how to take credit and debit cards in your business.

Marketing Matters

Listen as marketing expert Amanda Cullen, president of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, discusses marketing on Facebook.  Amanda provides creative ideas to build a following.

Listen or download below:

Make Credit Card Transactions Easy

Related posts:

1. Consider a Credit Union
2. Creative Marketing Ideas for Small Business
3. Alaska Tourism Report

What first impression does your business create for potential customers? Your business’s exterior is crucial in shaping customer opinion. From my Business/News & Views article, Marketing for Appearances:

“Have you ever driven past a small business and thought it looked dingy, dilapidated or outdated? Have you ever been on a website that felt cumbersome to use, with the information you sought hard to find? Perhaps you think the business owners must not care anymore, or they don’t have the budget to fix things up. Even worse for the business, you might not think anything, but simply keep driving or surfing the web.”

Read the full article: Marketing for Appearances

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Related posts:

1. Cut Marketing Costs, Not Effectiveness
2. 5 Small Business Marketing Rules
3. Marketing isn’t war on your customers.

Dave Weatherholt starts off this Getting Down to Business with social-networking sites that link entrepreneurs to pools of money.  Security & Exchange Commission (SEC) considers allowing equity stakes on crowd-fund sites.  This could be a great source of funding for small businesses, says Dave.

Outcast Productions

Kimberley Gray and Elisa Hitchcock met 14 years ago working on murder mystery dinners and started Outcast Productions, LLC. Today, their part-time business with expanded services is thriving.  Listen and learn from their business story.

Go it Alone

Geoff Burch is in rare form on his “Go It Alone” segment.  Listen as Geoff gives business advice to Kimberley & Elisa with great wit and witticism guaranteed to make you laugh.

Listen or download below:

A Great Bunch of Characters

Related posts:

1. Creating a Great Smile
2. Great Wine with Your Cheese
3. Cloud Computing and Your Future

May’s Business/News & Views® brings some encouragement amidst continuing dour economic news – that the US is still a powerhouse. David Weatherholt keeps it upbeat as he details his recent experience with auditors, while marketing expert Amanda Cullen advises businesses with tips for creating that great first impression. In our tech section, learn 9 ideas for managing files and folders on your computer.

Read the newsletter: Business/News & Views®

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Related posts:

1. 9 Ideas for Managing Files and Folders
2. Business/ News & Views – June 2011
3. Business/News & Views – July 2011

What 1099 Reporting Rule Repeal Means to Small Business

The comprehensive health care reform bill (ObamaCare) expanded 1099 reporting to include all B2B transactions that exceed $600 per year.  Dave talks about the bullet small business owners dodged with the repeal of this provision.

The Cyber Market

Courtney Brooke Smith, Principal of Courtney Brooke Smith, MBA Consulting talks about your business’s Cyber Market.  Conversations taking place on social media networks can either build or erode your business.  Courtney discusses reasons why you need to understand your “Cyber Market.”

Listen or download below:

Social Media Unwrapped

Related posts:

1. Four Common Errors on Social Media Strategy
2. Event: Is Internet Marketing Right for your Business?
3. Simon & Seaforts Unwrapped

“Word of Mouth Marketing is the most powerful strategy for getting new customers,” I write in my most recent Business/News & Views article. Word of mouth, also known as referrals, is often neglected by marketers. But the most effective endorsement of your product will come from a prospective customer’s friends and family. Learn how your business can develop word of mouth marketing strategies.

Read the full article: Word of Mouth Marketing

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Related posts:

1. Marketing is easy when you’re awesome
2. Marketing for Appearances
3. Facebook Marketing Tips

To keep your business healthy, you need to do a business health checkup. In my article, I explained the 7 steps to a healthy business, starting out:

Take a deep breath, clear your head, relax, and then take stock of what you have.  How is your business performing now?  Have sales slowed?  Do you have enough cash?  Is your business ready to face a future where business growth is not the key to success?  What is the overall health of you and your business, both mentally and financially?

In 2008, the United States and the world economies went into a steep downward tailspin.  This economic downturn, despite earlier confusion, misstatements and missteps is very real and had a significant impact on your business.  This sudden shift changed what we considered “business normal”– signaling that the old way we operated as a business will not work in the future.

Read all 7 steps: 7 Steps to a Business Health Checkup

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Related posts:

1. Business/News & Views – March 2011
2. Protect Your Pockets in 5 Steps
3. Monumental Changes in Accounting

Sales and entrepreneurial expert Geoff Burch has his segment “Go it Alone” later in the show. And we’d all like to congratulate Geoff for being voted the Business Communicator of 2011 by the U.K.’s Speechwriter’s Guild!

Listen or download below:

The House of Barry Matteson

Related posts:

1. Living in Alaska
2. Cloud Computing and Your Future
3. The Way of the Dog with Geoff Burch

The sample marketing plan follows an outline that any business can use for their marketing plan, whether it’s for startup marketing or ongoing marketing. There are three basic steps:

1. Business Goals
2. Customers
3. Marketing Activities

Read the full article: Marketing Plans for Small Business

Related posts:

1. Marketing isn’t war on your customers.
2. Getting Customers to Call
3. 5 Reasons Marketing is Everything

Here are two of my tips from the article:

• Offer a gift card or other “free gift” to the first hundred callers.
• Ask a compelling question to which they can only learn the answer if they call.

For all the tips on getting customers to call your business, read the full article here: Getting Customers to Call

Related posts:

1. Marketing isn’t war on your customers.
2. How Not to Treat Your Customers
3. The Gift of Bread

Dave will take you behind the scenes of a professional sports team to learn what makes the sports industry tick. Learn about great teamwork and struggles, while discovering a few strategies for your own business as well. Details follow:

Date: 2/15/2011
Time: Noon – 1 P.M.
Reservations and questions: (907) 272-2401
Website: Anchorage Chamber
Place: Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
1016 West Sixth Avenue, Suite 303
Anchorage, AK 99501

Related posts:

1. A Wild Ride
2. Event: Is Internet Marketing Right for your Business?
3. Anchorage Tourism 2010

Café Del Mundo founder Perry Merkel, who has been roasting coffee since 1975, comes on the show to discuss the coffee business, how he got his start and the business environment in Alaska.

Listen or download below:

A Great Cup of Coffee

Related posts:

1. Dancing with Goats
2. Creating a Great Smile
3. The House of Barry Matteson

The December Business/News & Views® will help you bring your small business into the new year!

David Weatherholt brings us economic news with the exciting title, “It’s Pedal to the Metal Time” and the continuation of his peerless competitor series, “Be The Best V.” Amanda Cullen asks, “Is your pricing too low?” and answers that is probably is. She gives advice for how to maximize your price potential with value pricing.

This month brings a bonus Views article, “The Sales Process Defined,” and learn some tips to simplify your technology with “Don’t Lose Your Bookmarks.” All this in the December Business/News & Views®!

Read Now:  Business/News & Views® – December 2010

Related posts:

1. Business/News & Views – March 2010
2. Business/News & Views – December 2009
3. Business/News & Views – May 2010

Read full article: Cut Marketing Costs, Not Effectiveness

Related posts:

1. Built In Alaska
2. Marketing for Appearances
3. Marketing Plans for Small Business

David takes a look at some economic indicators for small businesses- showing, among other things, that small businesses are lowering their prices and feeling slightly more optimistic. It’s not resoundingly good news, but listen to the show for David’s full analysis.

Later in the show, our favorite Englishman, Geoff Burch, joins us with his segment “Go it Alone.” He has some great sales advice for entrepreneurs. Remember, Geoff has a new book out, Irresistible Persuasion.

Listen or download below:

Creating a Great Smile

Related posts:

1. Consider a Credit Union
2. A Great Bunch of Characters
3. Great Wine with Your Cheese

Read the full article: A Better Home Office

Related posts:

1. Business/News & Views – September 2010
2. Technology Tips
3. Business/News & Views – August 2010

Geoff Burch joins the show with tips on how to get a “yes” every time. As a sales guru, he knows an endless stream of “yes” answers are every salesperson’s dream.

Listen or download below:

Art for Sale

Related posts:

1. Art for Sale
2. Business for Sale
3. The House of Barry Matteson

Learn all about the sport of roller derby from Sarah Impalem and Hurtz Jenerator (aka Angela Ramirez and Jennifer Schober). You might be surprised to learn that even roller derby requires business acumen!

Listen or download below:

Roller Derby 101

No related posts.

August’s issue of  Business/News & Views® brings articles on marketing war, conflicting economic news, being a peerless competitor and some internet tips and tricks. Here’s a quick summary of each article:

Amanda Cullen asserts that “Marketing isn’t war on your customers,” and tells small businesses why using warlike metaphors could cut into their profits. She suggests more realistic alternatives and shows recent, real-life examples.

There’s “Good News & Bad News” on the economic recovery front. David Weatherholt analyzes the data and gives the economy a D+ grade for August. Read the article to find out why.

David weighs in again with his article “Be the Best II.” If you stand alone at the top of your market, your business will enjoy above average profits and regard.

Finally, “Protect Yourself with a Strong Password” gives you all the advice you need to keep your password-protected data safe.

Read now: Business/News & Views® – August 2010

Related posts:

1. Business/News & Views – August 2011
2. Business/News & Views – August 2009
3. August 2010 Economic News Summary

You’ve developed a strategy that informs where you want your company to go. You’ve involved your team in developing and planning for this strategy. Together, you’ve made sure this strategy communicates with customers in ways that are meaningful to them and ensures your company is easy to do business with. You’re probably feeling pretty satisfied with your progress. But your work has only just begun.

Read the full article: Implementation Means “Keep at It”

Related posts:

1. Long Term Business Planning
2. Business/News & Views – July 2010
3. Be the Best

David’s economic summary emphasizes the uncertainty businesses and consumers feel about the economic recovery. He describes this outlook with up-to-date analysis and data.

Finally, lighten things up a bit with “Four Common Errors on Social Media Strategy,” to help your business be smart about social media.

Read now: Business/News & Views® – July 2010

Related posts:

1. Business/News & Views – August 2010
2. Business/News & Views – November 2010
3. Four Common Errors on Social Media Strategy

David Weatherholt brings great economic news, as he says that Prosperity Returns. For businesses looking to find new markets, we have news of a free international and trade seminar sponsored by the SBA.

And lastly, don’t miss out on some helpful technology tips.

Read Now: May 2010 Business/News & Views®

Related posts:

1. Business/News & Views – December 2010
2. Business/News & Views – October 2010
3. Business/News & Views – August 2010

Later in the show, David brings in two special guests. Russell Ball, founder of ACB Solutions, talks about transitioning his business from Alaska Computer Brokers, a computer retail store, to ACB Solutions, a technology services provider. He and David talk about the evolving marketplace that necessitated this change and share valuable stories and advice for small business owners facing similar situations.

Amanda Cullen, president of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing for small business, elaborates on the importance of keeping your business strategy current with what your customers want. She advocates conducting qualitative research with your customers and gives helpful tips on how to do that.

Listen or download below:

A Matter of Survival

Related posts:

1. A Matter of Design
2. Nuts and Bolts of Business Planning
3. Computer Back-Ups: The Avoidable Business Risk, Part 2

Later in the show Dave is joined by Amanda Cullen founder of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, who specializes in small business marketing. Amanda gives her 5 rules for small business marketing and delivers a pop quiz to listeners, challenging them to put their business to the test. Here are the rules:

1. Be easy to do business with.
2. Communicate with your customers in ways that are meaningful to them.
3. Know where you want to go.
4. Involve your team.
5. Keep at it.

Listen or download below to take the test and see how your business stacks up!

Marketing and Taxes

Related posts:

1. 5 Small Business Marketing Rules
2. Creative Marketing Ideas for Small Business
3. Business/News & Views – February 2010

Take the test and read the full article here: 5 Small Business Marketing Rules

Related posts:

1. Marketing and Taxes
2. Marketing isn’t war on your customers.
3. 5 Reasons Marketing is Everything

All small business people manage issues that are beyond their areas of expertise. Interior designers need to manage finances. A CPA firm needs marketing. But how can you know you’re making the right decisions? You need a mentor who can help you “Learn How to Fish.”

Learn the benefits of business mentoring for you and read the full article here: Learn How to Fish

Related posts:

1. Business/News & Views – February 2010
2. Know Where You Want to Go
3. Marketing is easy when you’re awesome

Amanda Cullen, small business marketing consultant, joins the group to give startup businesses advice on marketing their fledgling businesses. Marketing for small businesses doesn’t have to involve a large budget, and most of the time, the most effective marketing is quite economical.

Listen or download below:

The Gift of Bread

Related posts:

1. Minimizing Business Risk
2. Built In Alaska
3. Marketing and Taxes

David Weatherholt knows the way of the entrepreneur is challenging, and sometimes lonely. His “Paradox of Leadership” article has ten concepts that can keep you going, even when times seem tough.

David tells us in his economic summary that this is a, “Slow Motion Recovery.” Read the article for more details.

Amanda Cullen presents her “5 Small Business Marketing Rules” in a new series on small business marketing. In this initial article, she challenges you to take the test and see how your marketing efforts stack up.

Our final article is sponsored by the CEO Club and encourages small business leaders to find mentors. A mentor will hold your business accountable, and help you “Learn How to Fish.”

Read Now: Business/News & Views® - February 2010

Related posts:

1. Business/News & Views – September 2010
2. Business/News & Views – August 2010
3. Business/News & Views – February 2011

Dave also talks about how your vendors can help with your financing. For many small businesses, borrowing has become increasingly difficult. Some have developed creative means of raising capital, and Dave has the details.

Listen or download below:

Buying a Used Business

Related posts:

1. Creative Marketing Ideas for Small Business
2. Small Business Advertising and Promotions
3. Americans in Business

Todd also discusses some of the business issues he faces: why he develops client relationships, what DenaliTEK does to keep clients and how they handle losing a client. All small business owners can learn from his candid assessment.

Dave and Geoff Burch, author and international guru, launched a new segment of “Getting Down to Business” called Going it Alone. In his trademark cheeky manner, Geoff encourages entrepreneurs to go out and make it alone. He says of employment, “Who was the first caveman who got another caveman to go out and kill a buffalo for him, then just give him a tiny piece of the buffalo as a wage? When did that start?”

Listen or download below:

Cloud Computing and Your Future

Related posts:

1. Cloud Computing
2. Clouds in Your Future
3. Focus on DenaliTEK: Succeeding with a technology business

It’s said that the brain cannot process a negative. We can prove this with a simple example: Under no circumstance should you think of a pink polar bear. Do not think of a pink polar bear.

Of course, you just thought of a pink polar bear.

At the peril of using negatives, I want to give small businesses advice on how not to treat their customers.

Read the full article: How Not to Treat Your Customers

Related posts:

1. Getting Customers to Call
2. Marketing isn’t war on your customers.
3. Business/News & Views – June 2009

Todd credits a great mission and vision statement with the successful growth of his company. Amanda Cullen, of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing for Small Business, joins the show and discusses how to create mission and visions statements that are effective for the organization along with how to use them as marketing tools.

Dave also gives a news update for small businesses, including tips for how to make your website great.

Listen or download below:

Focus on DenaliTEK

Related posts:

1. Cloud Computing and Your Future
2. Getting Value from Technology
3. Technology & the Realtor

Accountant Paul Foutz joins the conversation and makes projections for the Alaskan economy. He predicts what businesses can expect in the coming year. This episode of “Getting Down to Business” will be valuable to any small business owner.

Listen or download below:

The Winery

Related posts:

1. Discovering Latent Revenue
2. Franchises are Businesses, Too
3. Alaska State Government and Small Business

Read Now: Business/News & Views® - December 2009

Related posts:

1. Business/News & Views – December 2008
2. Business/News & Views – September 2009
3. Business/News& Views – October 2009

In this week’s “Getting Down to Business,” Dave talks with IT expert Mark Mathis of Arctic Information Technology about Cloud Computing. Mark helps us understand what Cloud Computing is, how long it has been around and how small businesses can use it to reduce their IT costs. This useful technology is familiar to many businesses through companies such as Carbonite and Go To Meeting.

Dave also talks with Amanda Cullen about 2009’s Black Friday. They talk about the history of Black Friday, how performance was this year and the changing attitudes of consumers. Amanda, of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, explains how these factors affect small business retailers.

Listen or download below:

Cloud Computing

Related posts:

1. Cloud Computing and Your Future
2. Do you need a server?
3. Clouds in Your Future

David also talks economic news, using his experience dealing with recessions to encourage businesses. Paul Foutz joins David later in the show to discuss the Alaskan economy and what’s ahead in the coming year.

Listen or download below:

Discovering Latent Revenue

Related posts:

1. Getting Down to Business
2. Business Plan: Breakeven Analysis
3. Selling Cold Drinks

Dan Sullivan shares his business background and the similarities between running a business and a municipal government.

Later in the show, Amanda Cullen, of Zoo in a Jungle Marketing, explains relationship marketing and how small businesses can develop strategies to build relationships with their customers. Strong customer relationships lead to stronger loyalty, more numerous customer referrals and higher profits.

Listen or download below:

Alaska Municipal Government, Small Business and Customer Relationships

Related posts:

1. Alaska State Government and Small Business
2. Value of a Customer
3. The Value of a New Customer

Most successful entrepreneurs are highly motivated, focused and full of intention. Having a thoughtful and professionally written business plan will tip the odds in your favor. There are fifteen “must haves” for a good business plan. Each one takes time and thoughtful reflection to be done well. The first is a qualified business-planning consultant. When you hire a fully qualified business-planning consultant much of the stress of wondering whether you are fully informed about your market, product and future earnings will be alleviated as you turn over that task to a professional.

The second “must have” for a business plan is an executive summary and business concept. The executive summary is a statement of purpose and general overview of your plan: concept, product/service, market, operations, management, your company and the industry. Your business concept includes your mission statement, your background, current status, and future plans.

When describing the industry your business calls home, it is important for you to look for the characteristics, the participants and the trends that make your business unique.

The product or service you provide is often the focal point of any business. What is needed is a simple
explanation of the product features, the customer benefits, the stages of development, and future products and/or services.

Next describe the facilities in where your business will be located. You will describe the business location, any special transportation routes or vehicles needed, what the labor pool or employees consists of, and the availabilities of utilities to meet your needs.

Marketing is a key component to business success. Analysis of target markets will bring many important insights. When you profile target customers to understand the total person and their motivation for wanting a product or service like yours, you begin to understand how you can best serve that customer’s needs. Looking at market share, trends, and growth potential is an important part of the process.

A large portion of a thorough marketing summary includes the competition analysis for your business. What is your competitor’s profile? How does your product or service compare with that of your competition? Do you occupy a particular market niche? Is it possible that you share a segment of the market with another company or business? Finally, what are your strengths and weaknesses in relation to those of your competition? When working on the marketing piece of your business plan, a good one will have market penetration goals. It will cover pricing and packaging of your product or service. In addition it will include advertising, public relations, and promotions.

When planning the business structure and organization of your business, the management and ownership of the business are crucial. What type of business structure will you work from? Will you be an LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, partnership, or sole proprietorship? The list goes on and is worthy of some investigation. Who will manage your company? Is there a board of directors? Who owns the business? Are you or your business a member of any supporting professional assistance programs? Answering these questions will give you a clear picture of how your business will run.

Financial data and projections of your company are critical for assessing the outcome of your business. What is the source of funding for a start-up? Does it come from an owner, partners, stockholders, loans, or venture capital?

What do you plan to do with the money that is allocated? What are your business’s needs for start-up costs? Does the money you plan to have from the beginning cover your plans for expansion of the business? Will there be new construction? It’s also important to think about what equipment you need to successfully begin running your business. Do you have a budget set aside for your needed marketing campaign? Do you have enough working capital to draw from for any of these scenarios? For projected or pro forma financial performance, do you have detailed assumptions, a pro forma balance sheet, a pro forma income statement, or measures of performance?

In the final section of your business plan you will include supporting documentation which will add support to your plan. There are four areas to this: company and product/service support material, legal support materials, market support materials, and business structure and organization. When providing the company and product/service support material, the product and equipment specifications sheets may be helpful. In addition, photos of product, equipment, or facilities can be included.

This article has provided a template for creating a great business plan. Now start evaluating your mission, purpose, values, and motivation for launching or expanding a business. Then begin writing. Once it is complete, your business will have a schedule and plan, strategy and road map to the future. This will enable the plan to grow and change with your business as it becomes more successful.

Related posts:

1. Traits of a Business Plan Superhero
2. Business Plan: Market Analysis
3. Nuts and Bolts of Business Planning

Also, David speaks with the deputy director of the SBA about the changes enacted last week by the SBA program. Finally, David introduces the show with a history of recessions, how government intervention has helped or hurt the economy and why we no longer call them “economic panics.”

All considered, this episode of “Getting Down to Business” is full of essential knowledge for small businesses.

Alaska State Government and Small Business

Related posts:

1. Municipal Government, Small Business and Customer Relationships
2. Business in Alaska IV
3. Pictures: Alaska State Handball Doubles Tournament

Guest Robert McDowell, Vice President of Information Worker Business Value for Microsoft, provides valuable advice for businesses looking to generate a better return on their technology investments. These IT investments include hardware, software and personnel. He discusses how Microsoft works with other vendors to create efficient business solutions.

Getting Value from Technology

Related posts:

1. Focus on DenaliTEK: Succeeding with a technology business
2. Go With the Flow
3. A Matter of Design

We write Business/News & Views® for your small business, so we are certain you will find the articles informative and useful.

Click here to read October 2009’s Business/News&Views®

Related posts:

1. Business/News & Views October 2008
2. Business/News & Views – October 2010
3. Business/News & Views – September 2009