Consider how you’re going to obtain new customers and how you’re going to keep ones you get. What are your goals for new business development? How many customers do you want? How many can you handle?

This section also encompasses new product (or service) development. What will you introduce during coming year? When and for how much?

FINANCIAL PLAN

This section addresses your short-term and long-term financial goals. It might be least fun but most important section of your business plan. You don’t have to be an Excel genius to do it. Here you determine your company’s start-up cost (if new) or overhead costs (if it is an existing enterprise). You look at pricing and potential for profitability.

Your budget also is contained within this section. What are your fixed and variable expenses? List various expenses and estimate how much you’re going to need each month. How much can you afford for advertising? You also outline equipment purchases, like a new PC or printer, a Zip drive or a new telephone.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The last part you’ll write, first section to appear, it sums up overall intent of plan. Write it as if you are going to show it to others to explain your vision.

There, we kept it simple. If you need a more complex, detailed plan, here are some resources:

Here you’ll find a business plan template

http://www.moneyhunter.com

This site has sample plans and some advice

http://www.morebusiness.com

Here are two software packages to help you create a credible plan.

BizPlan Builder Interactive ($90, www.jian.com) offers a template to make a fill-in-the-blank plan.

Business Plan Pro 3.0 ($90, www.paloalto.com) uses a wizard like tax or financial software you’ve seen.

As you write your plan, think beyond what you’re doing today to what you expect to do (or may be forced to do) tomorrow. Railroads failed because they thought they were in railroad business instead of transportation business. And remember six Ps: Proper prior planning prevents poor performance.

Every success story has evolved from a dream or idea, a plan and elbow grease to get it done.

The great success stories of our time didn’t sit back and let someone else do all of work.

Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Jeff Bezos, to name a few, all worked their tails off, and still do, to some degree.

The first thing you must do is quit looking for that get-rich-quick scheme, or program that’s going to pay you for doing nothing.

Find something that is real, legal, legitimate and offers people something of value! After all, you want something that you can be proud of associating your name with and something that will be around next week, next month and next year!

Write out a simple business plan of what you want to achieve in five years, two years and one year. Then, determine what you will do each and every day to get you there.

Finally, work like there is no tomorrow to achieve these goals.

I promise you that you will be able to look back and feel a sense of pride and success over fulfilling your goals!

So, next time you get one of those silly emails promising you moon on a silver platter, just hit delete and get back to your success plan!