I recently attended a national entrepreneurship conference along with a number of other college instructors and well-known entrepreneurs. I found it interesting that two concurrent sessions offered conflicting points of view on business plans. One session featured a panel of successful entrepreneurs questioning the real world relevance of business plans. The other session focused on teaching students to quickly and correctly develop business plans.

I was intrigued by the panel discussion so that’s the session I attended. None of the entrepreneurs on the panel had ever written a business plan-at least to launch a business-yet they were all extremely successful. The revelation that they did not use written plans is not surprising, most entrepreneurs don’t. One reason given by the panel for forgoing a formal business plan is the natural tendency for entrepreneurs to cling to a business plan they wrote due to the investment in time and effort. The reality, they said, is that things change so much in the real world of business that the assumptions underpinning a business plan must often be altered or even abandoned to allow the business the flexibility necessary to survive. In addition, the entrepreneurs were adamant that a good plan will not make a bad idea work and a great idea probably will not be hampered by a poorly written plan-or no plan. Another concept discussed in the session was that what the entrepreneur is really selling to the venture capitalist or angel investor is the entrepreneur. One of the panelist remarked that, “If the investors believe in you, they will invest in your business.” The consensus from the panelists was that investors look for passion and vision in addition to the idea. They must be convinced that the entrepreneur is capable of persevering and making good decisions and adjustments to keep the business moving forward. Since there were college instructors in attendance, and most entrepreneurship programs require written plans, all entrepreneurs on the panel diplomatically agreed that requiring a business plan as part of a course or program of study was not a waste of time. They concurred that the process itself could offer valuable insight.

As a college entrepreneurship instructor I try to convey as realistically as I can the realities that entrepreneurs face. After attending this conference I realized that students may have difficulty reconciling the two seemingly conflicting points of view presented in the workshops. Certainly my students are aware of the statistics which suggest that most entrepreneurs enter a business without a written plan. To attempt to convince them otherwise would be disingenuous. If the panel was right why bother with a business plan at all? I believe that the answer can be found in the last nugget offered by the panel of entrepreneurs; it is the process that is most beneficial.

The planning process does not begin with the business plan. In fact, it is a mistake to write a plan too early. A feasibility analysis should be conducted prior to writing the plan so that the key assumptions underlying the plan are properly vetted. The research conducted as part of a feasibility analysis can also lead the entrepreneur to better understand their business. For example, if a focus group is used to better understand the target market, new insights can be gained which can lead to the development of a more competitive business model. The results of the feasibility study and the articulation of a compelling and competitive business model are the most critical components of a business plan. Coupled with a cash flow analysis these facts can be critical when procuring the necessary resources to launch a new enterprise.

Another point I like to make with my students is that the importance of a business plan depends on the type of business. A retail store with large capital requirement, inventory, payroll, etc. is completely different than a new venture in a technology driven industry that is rapidly changing and evolving. A business similar to Facebook, for example, has much less need for a formal business plan than the owner of a new sporting goods store.

In addition, the amount of borrowed capital required to launch a business will impact the need for a formal plan. Venture capitalist typically will want to review at least certain sections of a formal plan as part of their due diligence.

I believe that the entrepreneurs had a valid point regarding the tendency for business owners to become too attached to a formal plan. A critical time occurs when the business is launched and the entrepreneur begins receiving real feedback from customers. The decisions made at this juncture can make the difference between the success and failure of the venture. Should the entrepreneur hold to the assumptions of the plan or should minor or major adjustments be made? The entrepreneur needs to remember that the business is not on autopilot just because a polished business plan is in place. Adjustments must be made as conditions warrant.

The panel was not wrong when questioning the necessity of a formal business plan, but the planning process is distinct from the plan. A business plan, whether required or not, will enable the entrepreneur to better articulate their vision which may make writing a plan well worthwhile.

Perspective business owners are prone to many mistakes when starting up a new business. One very common mistake is writing a bad business plan. At times, they fill the business plan with what they think investors or banks want to see instead of what will realistically happen. Then, when the bank turns them down, they sit back and wonder why. Here are five of the most common mistakes business owners make when writing an internet business plan template and ones that you would do well to avoid.

· Dismissing losses during the early stages of the business – losses are part of starting up new business, everyone knows it, and it is expected. Concentrating the business plan on only long-term profits will bring more questions than confidence. The first year of the plan should be laid out in full detail, including expected losses. However, the business should show reasonable progress over that time, even if it means the business will continue to lose money for a short period thereafter.

· Thinking your business is totally unique – few businesses created today are not already in circulation. However, improving on an already existing concept is what can turn a loser into a winner. Trying to sell investors on a “one-of-a-kind” business will have them running for the door. Show previous models and show how your business will improve upon its weaknesses.

· Painting an unrealistic picture of yourself – while this may fool investors, it will not help the overall success of the business. It is better to actually admit your own shortcomings and show how they will be overcome. Mention hiring someone to fill a specific role because it is not your strength. Doing that will work much better than being asked a question about something you claim to be an expert on and then stammering your way through the answer.

· Being overly negative during the early years – while we do not want you to expect to turn an immediate profit, nor should you overestimate losses just to play it safe. If projections have the business making money in the second year, state exactly that. Just make sure the figures are accurate, well researched, and not over-exaggerated in either direction.

· Expect you business plan to be perfect – while we would all like to think we are perfect, there will be weaknesses to the business plan. However, this offers an opportunity to shine. This ties into not painting a picture that you are the all-knowing new business owner. Put the weaknesses out in the open, because they will be found if you don’t. Admit that you know certain areas are suspect, but present a plan to find a possible solution to the problem.

The internet poses enough of a challenge to new businesses, so don’t compound the problem by making one of these mistakes when creating your internet business plan template.

Seeking the help of a professional when you create your business plan, whether an accountant, lawyer, business plan consultant, or writer, is highly recommended. However, it is important to remember that throughout the development process you still have a key role to play. You can never truly “outsource” the creation of your business plan and must stay in control over the product that is created.

Strategic Decisions

While consultants, lawyers, and accountants may have strong recommendations for how you should craft your strategy, the final decisions on strategy must come from you. Take the information these professionals bring to your attention and do your own research into alternatives for your marketing, operations, and overall business strategy. No one protects your interests like you do after all, and you should never follow the recommendations of an advisor blindly. After all, you are the one who will have to execute upon the plan. It is important that the business plan be the blueprint you intend to act upon. If the plan becomes just a sales tool built towards raising funds, you run the risk of misleading funders who expect you to deliver on what you write.

Familiarity With Research

Although writers or consultants who work on your plan may be the ones who do the legwork of market research for your plan, it is important that you be exceedingly familiar with the data that is used in the plan as well as data that supports it. You may be called upon to explain your assumptions and research to funders and, in this situation, you had better not answer by saying “someone else wrote that…”

Accounting Basics

Although you may not understand entirely how your pro forma financial statements were put together, you had better understand what they mean and how they translate into cost and revenue targets you must attempt to deliver on. You should also know what type of compensation and profits you can expect if you hit these targets and make a decision about whether you are comfortable with this return for the work you are putting in and risk you are taking. To understand this much, you will need to know the basics of how the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement function, as well as standard financial ratios on which you will be judged.