Understanding the purpose and benefits of a business plan

Do you regularly think to yourself, "I must sit down and write a business plan?" Or have you started to write plans in the past but never seemed to have the time to finish them?

If you fall into one or more of these categories, you're in very good company. Most businesses (other than those that are "forced" to produce a plan to apply for bank finance), don't have the motivation, resources, time or knowledge to write a really effective plan.

Led by Mark Painter of plana, this session helps you understand the purpose and benefits of a business plan and help you to start writing a practical and effective plan today.

Topics covered in this session

• The benefits of a practical business plan

• How to approach effective business planning

• The format of the plana "4 Step Business Plan"

About the speaker

Mark has enjoyed a diverse range of roles in a career spanning nearly 40 years, in fields such as banking, travel, financial services, business advice and higher education.

He has also experienced the challenges of starting and running his own businesses and has always championed the power and benefits of business planning.

Relevant resources

• How to write a business plan: Advice and templates

• Start-up business plan template

• Lunch and Learn: How to write a business plan, and why you need one

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