With a preliminary menu in hand, a prospective operator can target a location that will be convenient and appropriate for their desired clientele. Once a site or facility is selected, sales volumes can be projected based on number of seats, menu pricing and competitive business analysis. With projected sales volumes, how much an operator can spend to acquire, remodel or build a facility is determined. Leases and/or purchase agreements can now be negotiated.

With a clear menu, competitive analysis, sales forecast and development budget, financing can realistically be sought. A business plan can be derived which, if taken to potential investors will demonstrate what type of return they can anticipate on their investment.

Any restaurant business plan must begin with a menu. A proposed menu provides basics for many questions that must be answered during restaurant development process. It creates an image of restaurant, identifies targeted clientele, and defines proposed restaurant's competition. A preliminary menu allows a sound basis for business budgeting, tests potential profitability, and dictates development dollars required for a facility. Most importantly, beginning business planning process with a menu maintains focus of ownership on importance of food and impact it has on success of restaurant.

Written by Monte Zwang of Steele Development Corporation, a consulting firm specializing in business development and financial strategies. You can reach Steele Development by calling 206.878.9666 or online at www.Steeledevelopment.com.

How often you enter information on your computer How valuable information is How much information you store

In summary:

Who should perform backups?

Everyone who stores valuable data and documents on their computers should perform backups.

What does it mean to backup information?

Normally, not every piece of information is backed up. Programs on your computer can easily be replaced. Programs such as Microsoft Office or Print Shop can be repurchased, if necessary and reinstalled. Your concern will be documents produced and data that is generated by these programs.

When should you perform backups?

You should perform backups often. It will depend on type of data and frequency you enter data. Backups in any case should be performed consistently and often.

Where should you store backups?

You can use a number of mediums:

CD’s Zip Drives External Hard Drives Floppy Drives Off Site Storage

One thing to remember is not to keep your backed up data in same place as original data. They can both be destroyed at same time if they are together. Off-site storage is your best bet. That can be in a sister office, a safety deposit box or you can take data home with you.

There are now companies that perform what is called E-Vaulting. The information on your computer is literally moved automatically to an off site server.

Weigh all your options when choosing how you will back up you valuable information. There is no time like present to get started. Insure your valued data. Back