How to write a business plan for you, not the bank or investors
Many people who start their own businesses don’t need funding. If that’s you, then you still need a business plan—but you need a business plan for you and not for the bank.
Top 10 business planning tips for start-ups + template downloads
Even if you're cynical about the usefulness of business plans, writing one will force you to consider aspects of your business you might have overlooked.
Why you need a cash flow forecast, how to produce one + downloadable templates
One of the most useful pieces of advice that established entrepreneurs give to people starting their own businesses is, ' Cash is king.’ It doesn’t matter what business you’re in…
5 warning signs your business plan is unrealistic
Few businesses end up exactly how they were planned. Even if they do, the path is rarely as planned. How to avoid unrealistic goals in your business plan.
12-step Business Plan guide for start-ups and small firms
Our comprehensive 2500-word guide on writing a business plan serves as an outline for anyone who is thinking of starting a small business or improving an existing one. The sections…
Market research – what do you need to find out about your customers?
If your business is to thrive, you really need to develop a deep understanding of your customers. To help you to do this, we've asked Robin Booth to explain the steps you need to take.
Beginner’s guide to financial reports for small business owners
Financial reports are standardised measures of a business’s financial health. They are necessary for publicly traded companies, but this does not mean they are only useful for large organisations. If…
10 do’s and don’ts of writing a business plan
When it comes to writing a business plan, one single golden rule dwarfs all others – your business plan must address each of the key concerns of your potential backer.…
The 60 minute marketing plan for small and start-up businesses
Start a new Word document or grab a bit of paper, and put aside the next hour as we go through Bytestart’s 60 minute marketing plan for SMEs.
Short and long term financial planning for small businesses
Planning ahead is important. It helps you understand where you want to go and how you'll get there. However, financial planning can be a bit of a mystery for many…