Business Plan Guide [Paperback]

Ernst & Young (Author), Eric S. Siegel (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471510068 | ISBN-13: 978-0471510062 | Publication Date: December 13, 1989

A complete, comprehensive, clearly written guide to putting together and presenting a business plan, featuring a complete sample plan drawn from real life. The book takes the reader, step by step, through the components of a plan, with examples from the sample plan integrated throughout. Answers the question 'Why do a plan?', and provides information on how the plan will be used by bankers, venture capitalists, etc. and how to present the plan to each group. Includes references to, and examples from, plans from the service sector as well as manufacturing. Drawing on Arthur Young's extensive experience in this area, treatment is authoritative and objective without being overly technical.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

In today's competitive business environment, a well thought out business plan is more important than ever before. Not only can it assist you in raising the money needed to start or expand a business—by attracting the interest of potential investors—but it can also help you keep tabs on your progress once the business is up and running.

Completely revised and updated to reflect today's dynamic business environment, The Ernst & Young Business Plan Guide, Third Edition leads you carefully through every aspect involved in researching, writing, and presenting a winning business plan. Illustrating each step of this process with realistic examples, this book goes far beyond simply discussing what a business plan is. It explains why certain information is required, how it may best be presented, and what you should be aware of as both a preparer and reviewer of such a proposal.

Divided into three comprehensive parts, The Ernst & Young Business Plan Guide, Third Edition outlines the essential elements of this discipline in a straightforward and accessible manner. Whether you're considering starting, expanding, or acquiring a business, the information found within these pages will enhance your chances of success.

• Advice on how to write and develop business plans

• A realistic sample plan

• All new sections on funding and financing methodswith provisions for restructuring and bankruptcy

• Tips for tailoring plans to the decision makers

About the Author

Brian R. Ford is Ernst & Young's gaming industry specialist, serving as a coordinating partner on both audit and special engagement projects throughout the industry. He also serves the retail and distribution industries and has specialized in growth companies for many years. 

Jay M. Bornstein is a tax partner at Ernst & Young and has specialized in emerging businesses for many years.

Patrick T. Pruitt is a partner in Ernst & Young specializing in strategic growth markets, where he has worked extensively with clients accessing the capital markets. 

Ernst & Young LLP is one of the nation's leading professional services firms, providing tax, assurance, and advisory business services to thousands of individuals as well as domestic and global business.

Product Details

• Paperback: 198 pages
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc (December 13, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471510068
• ISBN-13: 978-0471510062
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,682,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good explanations, but ...., August 30, 1999

By 

Roland Buresund - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ernst & Young Business Plan Guide (Paperback)

This book explains the business plan in sufficient detail to let you understand what is needed to create a business plan. If you're not proficient already in writing business plans, you'll need a Ernst & Young consultant to have any use of the book. Of course, then you'll probably get the book for free ater having paid their fees. In short, nice to read but absolutely not the first bookon the subject to recommend to anyone.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well delivered information neatly and compactly written, June 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ernst & Young Business Plan Guide (Paperback)

I think this book does of a great job of succintly outlining the dos and donts of business plan writing. I also think that the example plan is most instructional. The only thing it could do better is to put in a sample business plan that is based on a services model, rather than a products model. It also could touch on the Internet as a special information resource.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is my bible, December 20, 2000

By 

Paul Fichter "paulseaone" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ernst & Young Business Plan Guide (Paperback)

This book says it all very concisely, no fluff. I've written three business plans with it. Read a chapter in the book, write a chapter of the plan. The examples are very good. I just hit $1MM in sales on my third try - I give this book a lot of credit for helping me get organized.