Part of my pre-engagement protocol is to ensure that expectations are aligned between the you, the prospective client, and me. For me to effectively write your plan, I must learn your business to the degree that it is my business. A great deal of “knowledge transfer” is required from you to me. Creating a business plan takes a great deal of time, energy and CONCENTRATED THOUGHT from YOU and me. Writing an effective business plan is not a matter of sending a check and then waiting for the perfect plan to be delivered in return. If a business plan writer simply asks for a couple of review calls before writing your business plan, you are likely working with the wrong person.

For a plan to be credible and useful, we must collaboratively think through every minute detail that may have impact on the business. If we don’t, the lender/investor will. I liken the creation of a business plan to eating an elephant: We have to do it one section at a time with complete focus on the section at hand.