Used by more than 1.5 million business owners since its original publication, the new edition of this classic how-to guide provides any entrepreneur the tools to create a well-constructed business plan. All steps are included—from initial considerations to envisioning the organizational structure to creating a growth-powering marketing plan and building for the future with airtight financial documents. The book offers proven, step-by step advice for developing and packaging the components of the plan and keeping them up to date, including cover sheets, table of contents, executive summary, organization and marketing plans, and financial and supporting documents. Five real-life business plans and blank forms and worksheets provide readers with additional user-friendly guidelines for the creation of the plans. The revisions included in the new edition include updated chapters on writing a marketing plan and financing resources as well as a new, complete example of a business plan for a nonprofit organization.

Linda Pinson is the developer and publisher of the bestselling business plan software program, Automate Your Business Plan. She was selected by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to write its government business plan publication and has been honored as Education Advocate of the Year and SBA Regional Women in Business Advocate of the Year. She also served as a delegate and tax issue chair at the White House Conference on Small Business. She is the author of numerous entrepreneurial books, including Keeping the Books and Steps to Small Business Start-Up. She lives in Tustin, California.