I'm always skeptical spending too much time on a business plan, especially if you are self-funding your venture. (I can see the reasons behind putting extra work into it if you're looking for capital)

I'd suggest speaking to people you know in business about it - you might find out that you don't need to spend too much time on it. Likewise, you might get advice but what to include, exclude or focus on.

It depends, for a "pretty" plan then fine. Pretty can be helpful, but for any sophisticated user they are much more interested in content.

90% of business planning is about you marshalling your ideas, not producing something that looks nice. By own business plan (which I do refer and amend periodically, even through I have been in business nearly 10 years) is on a single sheet of A4 and has half a dozen bullet points. But then again that is for internal use within the business. Horse and courses

Shameless plug there is a (paid for) PDF on my website about business planning. This isn't about writing a business plan, but the actual act of planning which people seem to get a lot out of:

http://www.jamesesmith.co.uk/ebooksplan.htm

Regards,
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James Smith
Chartered Accountant
www.jamesesmith.co.uk

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Your indispensable guide to Small Business Bookkeeping, Self-Assessment & VAT

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=download+business+plan+template
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Need a company formation with registered office and mail forwarding? Tel: 0208 981 5976 | http://www.registeredaddress.co.uk

I would say it depends why you need the plan. I struggled for ages to write my own business plan by myself. I needed to raise some funding and in the end I used an online service who wrote the plan for me. I had to provide all the info of course but it was a relief to hand it over to someone who really knows what they are doing. It was worth it in the end as I could concentrate on other things and it got me the funding. But if you just want a business plan for yourself then I would use the bank's free version.

If you are looking to get funding from a bank, check if they have any advice packs or templates that they offer, after all they will think their own way of doing is the best so using any info they provide is bound to go down well
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Richard How FIAP MAPM
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Don't get too caught up in the business plan as this will most probably change over time and how you actual run the business over the course of when you actual start will most probably differ from your original business plan. Some people use a plan as more of a guide.

There are plenty decent free guides on the internet on how to write a business plan but it is really up to yoiurself as to see value in paying for one. If you are going to pay for one you should check that the person has done a good job and that it is tailored towards your business.
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(Accounting Help)
www.accounting-help.co.uk

Let's not waste any more time on this as I suspect that it was spam.

The OP hasn't been back since asking his question on 28th January but shortly after someone else registered to post a glowing testimonial to a business plan site complete with hyperlink.

I deleted the response thus thwarting the attempt at spam
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Ian

Talking of Spam - Kate you may notice most of your posts today have disappeared. Please do NOT post if all you are doing is writing a quick on liner (which is often inaccurate or misleading) and dropping your signature.

Its very obvious.
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James Smith
Chartered Accountant
www.jamesesmith.co.uk

---------------------------
Your indispensable guide to Small Business Bookkeeping, Self-Assessment & VAT