Would you take off on a road trip to a new destination without a map or good directions? Probably not. Yet, sometimes business owners go full speed ahead without even having a destination in mind, much less a map on how to get there. That’s why so many businesses never make it. In today’s competitive marketplace, 3/4 of all new businesses fail within two to three years. Whether you’re launching a new business or working to strengthen or expand an established one, a business plan is your road map to success.Business Plans For Dummies, 2nd Edition helps you keep your businesses on track and reach your goals. Written by Paul Tiffany, PhD, professor at UC Berkley Haas Business School and the Wharton School of Business and Steven Peterson, PhD, Professor at UC Berkeley Haas Business School and CEO of Strategic Play, it helps youRealistically determine where your business is and where you want to goCreate a detailed business plan and put it into action instead of in a drawerUse the plan to secure financingPrepare for opportunities avoid common pitfallsIn short, Business Plans for Dummies helps you determine where you want your business to go and create a map for getting there. You’ll discover how to:Identify and approach potential financial backers, including venture capital firms, angels, bankers, and othersClarify and crystallize your company’s mission, vision, and valuesAnalyze your industry and your competitionIdentify your customers, including their needs, habits, purchase triggers, and decision-making processesObjectively analyze your company’s strengths and weaknessesAnalyze your financial situation in order to do realistic forecasts and budgetsRecognize trends and anticipate changes, both in the overall economy and in your industryPlan for growth, considering the product life cycle, new products, or new marketsStructure your organization and nurture leadershipComplete with diverse techniques and approaches plus a sample business plan, Business Plans For Dummies gives you detailed how-to for designing a dynamic, business plan that will keep you on course in spite of the inevitable curves and detours in today’s marketplace. It’s a plantastic resource for business owners and entrepreneurs. Read Less