Learn to:

• Design a successful business plan
• Budget for expenses and predict sales
• Understand the opportunities for your business
• Turn your business plan into a reality

Plan for business success with this concise guide

If you're starting your first business or looking to brush up your entrepreneurial skills, Business Planning Essentials For Dummies gives you the key information you need to succeed -- from deciding what your business is really all about to building a long-term vision of where your company will go, and much more!

• Get your feet wet -- identify your strengths and let your plan take flight
• Separate yourself from the pack -- understand your competition and establish your competitive advantage
• Show me the money -- create a start-up budget, calculate costs and plan for expenses
• All about marketing -- define your target market, set sales goals and get a handle on customer service
• Put your plan on paper -- plug in the financials and set milestones for every step of the way

Open the book and find:

• How to analyse competitor and industry trends
• Advice on setting business goals
• Help with understanding taxes and loans
• Ways to figure out prices and forecast sales
• Guidance on different financial reports
• Questions to ask before signing off on your plan
• Links to downloadable online resources