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 What’s
the difference between writing Business Plans and Business Planning?
Most Business Plan writers don’t see the difference and charge from one
plan to the next without seeing where they’re missing the mark. Let’s
see how we can change this.
Where Business Plans Go Wrong
Who do you write your business plan for? Can you see in your mind’s eye
who will read the document? Do you see their reaction to your costs?
Maybe you can't see them but you need to put yourself in their shoes at
some point, otherwise you're writing for yourself.
Business Plans and Business
Planning
The difference is this.
Business Plans are static. They are a moment in time. A
photograph of how you see your business developing. But it’s still
crystal gazing. We both know that.
Business Planning is dynamic. You're saying to the reader, this
is how I predict my business will develop but… if this happens then I’m
adjust the strategy in the following way. Or, if this person leaves my
team, I have these contingencies in place.
Why is this important?
Startups are giving funds for different reasons.
-
Your ability to cope with
the unexpected concerns the investors
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Your ability to reduce the
anxiety of the investors is linked to how you demonstrate
self-sufficiency. In other words how you’ll cope once the product
development hits choppy waters.
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Your ability to persuade
others after you’ve got the investment.
When you see it from this
angle the table of content for the business plan seems more flexible.
Instead of checking off all the key sections, such as Costs and
Timelines, weave into the narrative how you will build this product
should these things not go according to plan.
Because the readers are assuming they won’t.
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