Business Plan Tools

Tweet

 Print

 Email

Related Posts

• Put Your Plan Into Action
• Top 10 Business Plan Resources
• How to Choose a Business Plan Consultant
• Should you Write a Business Plan?
• Must-Haves for your Business Plan

If done correctly, your business plan should give you a clear picture of how much money you actually need to get your company up and running, as well as the various resources required and when you should start making money. Don’t pay a so-called expert to put the plan together for you. There are resources out there that will guide you in developing your business plan at no cost.

‘Free’ business plan templates

Bplans

Google “free business plan” and you will be bombarded by thousands of websites offering sample business plans, but Bplans is endorsed by international business planning expert and Entrepreneur contributor, Tim Berry. He advises that a good business plan template can help you organise your thoughts and provide a guideline so that you’re not stuck looking at a blank page trying to figure out where to start. If you need more than a free template provides, you can look into buying a software solution, or you can register for free on the Bplans site and download the template. The site also offers a collection of how-to articles and access to an active forum where you can find answers to your business questions.

Get it from: www.bplans.com

Cost: Free

Become a business plan whiz

Business Plan Whiz

Business Plan Whiz offers various business plan packages but there are also free sample business plans available. You can find a plan or industry similar to yours and edit the information accordingly. The website also offers helpful how-to articles you can use to guide you in developing your business plan, and the most basic software can be purchased for R690.

Get it from: www.businessplanwhiz.co.za

Cost: Free – R690

‘Non-optional’ extra

Absa Business Essentials

To help you increase your chances of business survival, Absa offers its Small Business Customers a value-add service offering called Absa Business Essentials. For R185 per month, you will have access to various software including Business and Marketing Planning software worth R1 200 each. Other benefits include business skills, and software and IT skills courses and videos worth over R6 000.

Get it from: Absa (www.absa.co.za)

Cost: R185 per month

About the Author