November 29th, 2011 
admin
Things are going pretty well, you say? Sales are up. The employees are happy. There is even a little cash left over for that special project you are anxious to start. Why start messing with a good thing? “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Right? Wrong! Many managers believe that business plans are used for only one purpose: To raise capital. While it is true that business plans are written more for this purpose than any other, it is by no means the only purpose. An often overlooked and significant benefit of a business plan is not necessarily the Plan documentation, but rather, the process itself and its impact on the management team. A business plan requires the managers to take an objective, critical look at their business. The process can change how a business is perceived, open eyes to new opportunities or focus attention on those operations that are not
The planning process involves setting organizational goals that are then translated into departmental goals that are then translated into goals for the smallest logical part of the business, (e.g. each individual sales representative in the case of a sales department). The textbook definition of the smallest logical part of a business is a “Strategic Business Unit.” If you’re not concerned about impressing people, call it a Profit Center.
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