You should think of a mission statement as a cross between a slogan and an executive summary.

The path to entrepreneurship is varied, with a range of different options available to the ‘wantrepreneur’, all with different risk/return profiles. While never easy, entrepreneurship is rewarding and the Internet has reduced the risk of starting up even further.

One of the greatest misconceptions about business planning is that a business plan is useful only for start-ups. This article was written by Alan Gleeson. Alanis the Managing Director of Palo Alto Software, Ltd., creators of Business Plan Pro® 2007. He holds an MBA from Oxford University and is a graduate of University College, Cork, Ireland. For further information on starting up and business planning, visit www.bplans.co.uk and www.paloalto.co.uk

Why do entrepreneurs consistently fail to appreciate how important it is to have financials in hand when pitching an idea? Questions asked by Alan Gleeson .Alan Gleeson is the Managing Director of Palo Alto Software, Ltd., creators of Business Plan Pro® 2007. He holds an MBA from Oxford University and an MSc from University College, Cork, Ireland. For further information on business planning visit http://www.bplans.co.ukand www.paloalto.co.uk

Writing a winning business plan can take time and effort. However, utilizing the above resources should make the job a lot easier and help you to gain a thorough understanding of the fundamentals that underpin every successful business. This Article was written by Alan Gleeson. Alan is the Managing Director of Palo Alto Software, Ltd., creators of Business Plan Pro® 2007. He holds an MBA from Oxford University and is a graduate of University College, Cork, Ireland. For further information on business planning visit www.bplans.co.uk and www.paloalto.co.uk

What Makes a Good Plan? A common question asked by entrepreneurs and answered by Tim Berry. Tim is president of Palo Alto Software, makers of the popular business planning software Business Plan Pro ; author of Hurdle: The Book on Business Planning and other books on planning; and a recognized expert in business planning. For further information on business planning visit www.bplans.co.ukand www.paloalto.co.uk

Existing companies need planning too. As an owner or manager of a small- or medium-sized business, can you afford not to plan? This question is asked by Tim Berry, author of this article. Tim is president of Palo Alto Software, makers of the popular business planning software Business Plan Pro ; author of Hurdle: The Book on Business Planning and other books on planning; and a recognized expert in business planning. For further information on business planning visit www.bplans.co.ukand www.paloalto.co.uk

Business plans are also called strategic plans, investment plans, expansion plans, operational plans, annual plans, internal plans, growth plans, product plans, feasibility plans, and many other names. These are all business plans. This article was written by Tim Berry. Tim is president of Palo Alto Software, makers of the popular business planning software Business Plan Pro ; author of Hurdle: The Book on Business Planning and other books on planning; and a recognized expert in business planning.

A business plan is any plan that works for a business to look ahead, allocate resources, focus on key points, and prepare for problems and opportunities. This arcticle was written by Tim Berry. Tim is president of Palo Alto Software, makers of the popular business planning software Business Plan Pro ; author of Hurdle: The Book on Business Planning and other books on planning; and a recognized expert in business planning.

After a business plan has been written, the next stage often involves pitching the plan to prospective investors. 'Delivering a winning business plan pitch' was written by Alan Gleeson. Alan is the Managing Director of Palo Alto Software, Ltd., creators of Business Plan Pro® 2007. He holds an MBA from Oxford University and an MSc from University College, Cork, Ireland. For further information on business planning visit www.bplans.co.uk and www.paloalto.co.uk

Market research is the process of gaining information about your market. Doug Wilson is the author of this article . He is a professor, marketing expert, and one of the authors of the software package Marketing Plan Pro.

A marketing plan should enable marketing managers to document their assessment of the opportunity in terms of effective allocation of limited resources. This Article was written by Alan Gleeson. Alan is the Managing Director of Palo Alto Software, Ltd., creators of Business Plan Pro® 2007. He holds an MBA from Oxford University and an MSc from University College, Cork, Ireland. For further information on business planning visit www.bplans.co.ukand www.paloalto.co.uk

Everything in your industry that happens outside of your business will effect your company. The more you know about your industry the more advantage and protection you will have. This Article was written by Tim Berry . Tim is president of Palo Alto Software, makers of the popular business planning software Business Plan Pro ; author of Hurdle: The Book on Business Planning and other books on planning; and a recognized expert in business planning.

The importance of business planning is widely documented; however, guidance as to what constitutes good business planning is less clearly defined. This article aims to redress that imbalance by describing 10 of the most common mistakes that occur in business plans. It was written by Alan Gleeson who is an expert in his field. Alan is the Managing Director of Palo Alto Software, Ltd., creators of Business Plan Pro® 2007. He holds an MBA from Oxford University and an MSc from University College, Cork, Ireland.

'The easiest way to write a business plan' gives a step by step guide to all entrepreneurs. This article was written by Alan Gleeson an expert in his field. Alan is Managing Director of Palo Alto Software Ltd., makers of Business Plan Pro software. He holds an MBA from Oxford University and an MSc from University College, Cork, Ireland. For further information on business planning visit http://www.bplans.co.uk and www.paloalto.co.uk.