"A plan? I don't even have a pla." **

Interesting article posted to BusinessWeek.com today:

"Rethinking How Women Build Businesses"

It's a worthy read (for both women and men). One interesting part that stood out:

"...and when you talk about entrepreneurship there is [usually] one way to start a business: Start with a business plan and raise money. It's a very structured approach. We talk about just starting and proving the concept first.
Women often start their businesses without a plan. Women are good at bootstrapping and figuring it out as they go along. "

I find this particularly interesting because if you've spoken with me or have read other parts of this blog, you know that I'm a huge supporter of having a business plan. I'm hoping that no one who read this said to themselves "Oh goodie! I can rent some space, get some product to sell and Boom! I'll have a business!" That's not the point.

The point is (and I've said this before, too) that a full-blown 60-page color-glossy super professional business plan is not needed for everyone who plans to start a business.

Something written down is needed. Something. Anything. The purpose is to solidify for yourself what you're doing - what is your business? what are your goals for the next year? expenses for the next year? where will your find your primary customers? Answering a few key questions like that is all many people really need to get going.

So get going!

[** title is a reference to one of the first episodes ever of "Friends". Kudos to anyone who caught that. :) ]

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