The One Page Business Plan: Start with a Vision, Build a Company! [Paperback]

Jim Horan (Author), James T. Horan (Author), Rebecca S. Shaw (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1998

This book will show you how to write your own One Page Business Plan for start-ups, small to mid-sized companies, corporate divisions, and non- profits.

It doesn't have to take agonizing meetings, pounds of documents, or endless spreadsheets to produce a meaningful business plan. A single page can contain all of the essential elements you need to successfully present your ideas to management, banks, the SBA, venture capitalists, and boards of directors.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The One Page Business Plan is an easy-to-use process that helps you capture your vision and translate it into concrete results. Jim has truly streamlined a tiresome, complicated chore. With a return to simple values, simple truths, planning can be fun and creative. A little chicken soup for busy minds and tired souls!" -- Tim Clauss, Co-Author of Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work

"The One Page Business Plan is an out and out winner. Period. It makes great sense to me as a so-called 'business thinker". But the acid test was applying it to a start-up I co-founded. We spent several days drafting our one pager -- and have been editing it ever since. It is a powerful, living document, the very nature of which has led us to important new insights. One Page Business Plan = the proverbial better mousetrap!" -- Tom Peters, Author, Thriving on Chaos and Co-Author of In Search of Excellence

"In his valuable, The One Page Business Plan Jim Horan not only removes the mystique from business plans, but also leads you by the hand through crafting the best plan possible: clear, focused, understandable and concise. I consider the book to be a significant contribution to business literature." -- Jay Conrad Levinson, Author, Guerrilla Marketing series of books

"Writing a business plan is something every business guru advises but few actually do. Jim Horan's book helps the reluctant change good intentions into a plan." -- Paul and Sarah Edwards, The Self Employment Experts, Authors of Working from Home, Getting Business to Come to You and Secrets of Self Employment

From the Publisher

The One Page Business Plan takes a difficult process and makes it easy. Using the user friendly worksheets, exercises, and powerful examples, you will be able to quickly write: A vision statement, graphically describing your business; a mission statement that reflects your passion and the reason the business will exist; objectives that specifically describe what must be accomplished to be successful; strategies that will make the business successful over time; and plans that clearly state what actions must be completed and when!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: One Page Business Plan Company; 1 edition (May 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891315072
• ISBN-13: 978-1891315077
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #699,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #82 in Books > Business & Investing > Small Business & Entrepreneurship > Business Plans

More About the Author

Jim Horan is an experienced Fortune 500 executive, small business expert, consultant, and speaker. Over the past 16 years, through workshops, seminars, coaching and mentoring programs, he has helped tens of thousands of entrepreneurs, business owners and corporate executives achieve significant breakthroughs in their businesses.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

219 of 224 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I hadn't purchased this book because I thought it was a joke, August 4, 2000

By 

Phil Scanlan (Fremont, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The One Page Business Plan: Start with a Vision, Build a Company! (Paperback)

I had seen this book around but hadn't purchased because I didn't think a one-page business plan, even if possible, could be of any practical use.

I have been involved in several successful startups and have done a fair bit of business planning. I had even won prestigious awards for it. Currently I am involved in another startup, Worldlingo.com, an internet startup focused on language translation.

So what changed my mind - why did I purchase it?

I saw the author speak and he made a lot of sense, so I thought I had better get his book and check it out once and for all. If half of what he said was right - this one page business plan was going to be a big help.

It so happened I had a long 14 hour flight in front of me and took the book along to read. Its friendly style, graphics, and plain good sense (frankly the book is more like a kids coloring book then a traditional business planning book) enticed me to do the exercises as I went (which I never usually do). Answering the questions for my business and me.

Not only had I finished the book by the end of the flight, but I also had time to type up the final product on my laptop. I guess having already done a full blown traditional business plan for the business helped.

I have to say I was feeling pretty pleased with what I had produced. I felt more focused and had a much clearer picture of what the most important things were that needed to be achieved next.

But the most thrilling part was when I tabled it our staff meeting - they loved it. They could clearly see where we were heading, what we had to achieve, and it gave them a clear framework in which they could make the many decisions they have to make everyday.

The language translation business has been around for centuries, but the opportunities for it on the internet are changing and evolving very fast. This one page business plan is easy and quick to update, and the staff can quickly understand any refinements to our goals.

But actions speak louder than words, since I have purchased another 10 copies to give away to my product managers (so they can do a plan for their products) and the CEOs of other businesses I am involved in.

I think the one page business plan is a great management tool that will have a very positive effect on our business. I am already seeing the benefits.

I guess the joke was on me.

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful stuff - all on 1 page!, May 11, 2004

By 

David Newman "Professional Services Marketing... (www.doitmarketing.com) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The One Page Business Plan: Start with a Vision, Build a Company! (Paperback)

Any business document should be effectively conveyed on a single piece of paper. Even a business plan? YES indeed.

Winston Churchill was asked how long he would need to prepare a speech. Churchill asked how long he had to speak. He was told 2 hours. "I can do that immediately." When asked about a 10-minute speech, he replied, "In that case, I should need a fortnight to prepare."

That's the idea behind The One Page Business Plan. If you can put the time, effort, and concentration in (which the book clearly and simply guides you through) to 1 page, you've got a killer document that can serve as your touchstone within your group, your department, division, and whole company.

Another thing - lots of people think this book is only for entrepreneurs. Not so. It's perhaps most valuable inside corporations, where it can be used to quickly get everyone on the same page (literally!)

Great book, great concept. Plus you can reuse the format for all kinds of plans - for a project, for a new brand, for a spinoff, even for finding a new job!!

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, Simple, Simple!, March 26, 2000

By 

Maria Marsala (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The One Page Business Plan: Start with a Vision, Build a Company! (Paperback)

Your Business Vision, Mission Statement, Objectives, Markerting Strategies, and Plans... OH MY! Can you think of anything more overwhelming to a potential or new business owner than the thought of putting all that down on paper? Jim Horan has created an easy to understand and enjoyable --- yes, I said enjoyable ---book that will assist you as you create that solid foundation for your business. Once you have completed "The One Page Business Plan" you have in your hand, the basis of your brochure or web page or networking and marketing plan. What more can a New Business Owner ask for!