I think business owners need a plan.  Of  course I write them for a living, so some people will say  I am simply approaching every project with the same hammer.  I don’t agree.   While plan outlines may differ, the process of thinking about your business is fairly straightforward.

In a recent post,  Seth Godin shared what he believes to be the appropriate outline for a busiess plan. It contains only five sections:

• Truth – What is happening in the market
• Assertions – What you think you offer
• Alternatives – Possible outcomes
• People – Who will make it happen
• Money – How much will you need, how much will you make

While not as complex as other models I have seen, I think it hits the highlights.

What about you?  What are the critical elements of your business plan?

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Want a more detailed outline?  Check out our free small business plan outline, and simple eCourse.