Small Business & Entrepreneurial Resources: Business Planning

A business plan is a formal statement that describes how a new business will achieve its goals. It is one of the first steps in starting a business. 

Web Resources

• BPlans.com
• Businessplans.org
• Small Business Association's Business planning resources -- lots of resources including a step-by-step guide to writing a business plan
• SBDCNet Business Plans -- plans by industry
• SCORE Business Plan templates -- Find business planning, finance, sales, marketing, and management templates & guides then get advice from a SCORE mentor for one-on-one assistance along the way.

Articles (A-State login may be required)

• "How to Write a Great Business Plan" by William A. Sahlman in Harvard Business Review
• "Here's the Plan" by C.J. Prince in Entrepreneur
• "How can I write a winning business plan with ever-changing financial information?" by Kathleen O'Connor in Money
• "Second Draft of a Business Plan: What Should It Contain?" by Shelley Morrisette and Louise Hattfield in Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies
• "Will Your Plan Win a Prize?" by Jennifer Merritt in BusinessWeek