winnie&bezza Posted February 7, 2017 Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 In the process of writing out a business plan after I printed off a template yesterday. What a ******* that thing is! Has anyone got any pointers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunman Posted February 7, 2017 Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 Business plan is a guess based on an estimate . About 10 years ago I was involved in a project that according to the business plan drawn up by a local enterprise organization ,I should have retired 5 years ago be driving a mid rage BMW and holidaying in the caribbean twice a year . My 13 year old Astra will just have to last a bit longer . Hope your project works better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyefor Posted February 7, 2017 Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 Who is it aimed at and for what purpose? Bank, Boss, customers, new clients? All are different? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winnie&bezza Posted February 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 Business plan is a guess based on an estimate . About 10 years ago I was involved in a project that according to the business plan drawn up by a local enterprise organization ,I should have retired 5 years ago be driving a mid rage BMW and holidaying in the caribbean twice a year . My 13 year old Astra will just have to last a bit longer . Hope your project works better. I know mate, it all sounds a load of *******. I'm just guessing in most of it. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winnie&bezza Posted February 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 Who is it aimed at and for what purpose? Bank, Boss, customers, new clients? All are different? Well I was speaking to a friend who has been self employed for over a year and he said it's completely necessary to do one. I might use it to take it to a bank but not sure yet. Why else apart from what you've stated in your post would I need one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyefor Posted February 7, 2017 Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 (edited) Sorry but (in my opinion) you're wasting your time. Banks only give you an umbrella when the sun is shining and will lend you around 60p - 70p for every pound you guarantee. They do not participate in your business and generally have no interest in what you do. I have been self employed for over 30 years. Never had (nor needed) a business plan other than my own plan (in my head) of what I can do and how I'm going to do it. Best thing I ever did - the best of which is choosing when I work, and spending lots of time with my kids as they grew up (and, no I haven't made squillions). Stick to what you're good at, refuse to do any work or business for friends or family, set your prices / commission and stick to it and most importantly trade honestly - read "Man in the Glass" poem here https://allpoetry.com/The-Man-in-the-Glass Most importantly enjoy it! Edited February 7, 2017 by Eyefor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyefor Posted February 7, 2017 Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 PS Best advice I ever had was - Never sell anything. Satisfy a need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFC Posted February 7, 2017 Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 Fail to plan, plan to fail. It doesn't have to be complicated, assuming you're not going to a bank or venture capitalist. Imagine you're taking a journey and you'll have a start point and a destination. Then you'll need to plan your route and how you are going to get there. Make an inventory of what you have to start off with. Work out how much you need to make in the first year to live on and then work out how much you need to turn over to generate the mount of income that you want. I.e you want to make £30k profit and you have a 30% profit margin then you'll need to turn over £100K to make the £30k. That will give you an idea of what you should end up with after the first year and you'll also have an idea of what profit you need to make on each job right from the start. one page of A4, or a fag packet, but have something to aim at in order to achieve what you want and stay focussed on that and how you want to do it. There'll be plenty of people who'll ask you to do all kind of jobs and, at the idea of just 'making money' you'll take on all of it for fear of missing out but you'll quickly become resentfull and end up working all hours for not much money and often making a loss. Even if it is 'just in your head' at least have an idea of what you want to achieve and jotting it down on a bit of paper can help, especially six months down the line. Are you where you wanted to be or are you ahead or behind? Then celebrate or adjust accordingly. Best wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateur Posted February 7, 2017 Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 This ^ Just tot up what business you have now and what business you can reasonably expect to get over the next 12 months, then deduct the costs of achieving it. Does the answer meet your expectations. If it does, just crack on and do it. If it doesn't, plan on how you can gain more business to fill the gap. A simple plan made today and acted upon is better than a plan that takes weeks to perfect. No actual ever goes exactly to plan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winnie&bezza Posted February 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 I think I'm going to do it for myself at least. Thank you all for input and advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted February 7, 2017 Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 I really hope you will be at the PW Charity shoot on the 3rd of June to thank all those people that have helped you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted February 7, 2017 Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 Business plan 1.find work 2.do work 3.get paid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winnie&bezza Posted February 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 I really hope you will be at the PW Charity shoot on the 3rd of June to thank all those people that have helped you! I know mate I really should. Hopefully I can get away from all the work I'm getting :-) cheers Business plan 1.find work 2.do work 3.get paid Quick, simple and effective. My sort of plan haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chady Posted February 7, 2017 Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 Point 3. Can be complicated at time do plan this carefully 🙄😕 Business plan 1.find work 2.do work 3.get paid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaxiDriver Posted February 8, 2017 Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 I think I'm going to do it for myself at least. Thank you all for input and advice. One thing I'd suggest having previously been self employed, then briefly employed now unemployed(through injury) Make sure you pay enough Class 1 NI contributions whilst Self Employed and not just the voluntary NI stamp otherwise if you find yourself injured/unable to carry on self employment or plain just can't make a living, you will not be eligle for any benefit such as JSA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winnie&bezza Posted February 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2017 One thing I'd suggest having previously been self employed, then briefly employed now unemployed(through injury) Make sure you pay enough Class 1 NI contributions whilst Self Employed and not just the voluntary NI stamp otherwise if you find yourself injured/unable to carry on self employment or plain just can't make a living, you will not be eligle for any benefit such as JSA Thanks for that mate. All these things that I haven't a clue about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.