Doing a business plan is important because it significantly increases your chances for survival and prosperity by focusing your attention on areas in which some people get lost.
· Realism It is easy to become excessively optimistic about a new idea. Planning helps to prevent you from viewing the future in ways that the facts do not support.
· Need for outside advice Planning enables you to recognize problems that call for outside sources of information and assistance.
· Recognizing change the nature of markets and customers changes. Planning cannot predict change, but it helps you to recognize it and to refine your business strategy accordingly.
· Balancing growth Solo businesses can grow too fast for their capital base or too slowly to maintain cash flow. Planning helps you to achieve smooth growth and to avoid unexpected crises.
· Results orientation A business plan enables you to monitor your results against a set of goals or performance standards.
· Obtaining finance If someone puts money into your business, they want to know what to expect. A business plan not only enables you to plan your capital needs in advance, it also provides the information that a lender needs to evaluate your application for finance.