Whether you''re launching a new business or working to strengthen or expand an established one, a business plan is your road map to success 

Would you take off on a road trip to a new destination without a map or good directions? Probably not. Yet sometimes business owners go full speed ahead without objectives, a mission, or even a destination in mind, much less a map showing them how to get there. That''s why so many businesses have difficulty making it - and unfortunately, several don''t - in today''s competitive marketplace.  

Business Plans For Dummies helps you start a new business with clear goals and a path forward to reach those goals. If you already have a business, this no-nonsense and comprehensive guide can help you realistically determine where your business is and where you want to take it. You''ll learn to: 

• Create a detailed business plan  
• Put that plan into action (instead of in a drawer) 
• Use the plan to secure financing 
• Prepare for opportunities  
• Avoid common pitfalls 

In short, Business Plans For Dummies helps you create a map to help you take your business where you want it to go. You''ll discover how to: 

• Identify and approach potential financial backers, including venture capital firms, angels, bankers, and others 
• Clarify and crystallize your company''s mission, vision, and values 
• Analyze your industry and your competition 
• Identify your customers, including their needs, habits, purchase triggers, and decision-making processes 
• Objectively analyze your company''s strengths and weaknesses 
• Analyze your financial situation to create realistic forecasts and budgets 
• Recognize trends and anticipate changes, both in the overall economy and in your industry 
• Plan for growth, based on new markets, your product''s life cycle, or the creation of new products 
• Structure your organization 
• Nurture leadership