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"Business Plans" do make a big
difference
Some
of the most frequently asked questions at the Small Business Development
Center (SBDC) are concerned with business plans. Are they
really needed; are they easy to write; can I do the research needed
during the evenings? The answer to all of these questions
is an absolute YES and business plans are needed for both start-up
businesses and existing organizations. Most businesses, either
new or established, know that obtaining financing, whether from
Uncle John or the local banker, is going to be contingent upon developing
a plan to communicate intentions.
Actually, there are many other reasons to develop a business plan
besides obtaining financing. The planning process requires
you to objectively analyze your operation from top to bottom.
Such an analysis should bring to light opportunities for business
growth, and areas of concern for your business. Many business
owners get so caught up in day-to-day operations, they don't take
the time to plan and implement changes in their business that could
improve the bottom line.
If
you think you can't afford to take the time for planning, ask yourself
these questions:
Is
my business operated differently than it was when it was started?
Have
I taken advantage of changes in my industry?
Does
my competition mimic me for advertising, new products, etc., or
do I mimic them?
If
you answered 'no' to any of those questions, you need to sit down
and do some planning. If you don't have a block of time to
schedule for business planning (few people do), I would make the
following recommendations to get you started:
Schedule
time each week to work on your plan. Perhaps take 30 minutes
to an hour before or after work or during your lunch hour to concentrate
on the plan. Tell your employees you can't be interrupted,
or schedule time away from the office.
Identify
the functional areas of your business, (sales, accounting, service,
etc.) you wish to analyze.
One
by one, analyze each area of your business. Ask yourself:
- How
did this process evolve?
- What
are our strengths?
- How
can they be expanded?
- What
are our weaknesses?
- How
can they be remedied?
- What
are the opportunities for expansion?
- What
needs to be done to make this happen?
After
you complete your analysis, make a list of the things that need
to happen to improve strengths, remedy weaknesses, and create expansion.
If you would like information about planning, contact the Small
Business Development Center at (936) 294-3737. Our assistance
is confidential and free of charge. ¡Se
Habla Español!
Robert A. Barragan is the Director of the Sam Houston State University
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) (College of Business Administration),
located at 2424 Sam Houston Avenue, Building A, Huntsville, Texas.
He will be at the Coldspring/San Jacinto County Chamber of Commerce
on the third Tuesday of each month. The Chamber
office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
To make an appointment, or for more information, please call the
Coldspring Chamber at (936) 653-2184.
Mr.
Barragan will be at the Shepherd Economic Development (EDC) office
on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The office
hours of the Shepherd EDC are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday. To make an appointment, or for more
information, please call the Shepherd Economic Development office
at (936) 628-1271.
The
SBDC serves Walker, Leon, Madison, Trinity, Houston, San Jacinto,
and portions of Liberty and Montgomery Counties.
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