[forumadmin]

There are many helpful tools available to those who have never written an Executive Summary, Exit Strategy, or anything in between. We've used Business Plan Pro for various stages of the VenturePORT website. What resources or best practices have you used to devlop and/or refine your business plan?

[aespey]

I use a modified MAT (Milestones, Assumptions, and Timelines) prior to the Business Plan stage. The one I use is modified because I have changed the "T" for Timelines to "T" for tasks. I put timelines or dates in for each of the specific areas of the MAT. Milestones are the key activities that need to take place to reach your goals. The Assumptions are just that - what assumptions are you making that make your business concept a viable concept. This helps to make sure that your assumptions are valid, because if they are not, why should you base a business upon them. The Tasks are the key tasks that need to be accomplished. This is where you get down into the details and start really examining what needs to be done at the initial stages. A few days going through this exercise can really help save you time, energy, and money later on in the business planning process.

[Todd Hanson]

Thanks for sharing.

I'm curious. How do you adjust and what steps do you take if in fact you learn that your assumptions were incorrect.

If there is one thing that I have learned in the business world is once you think that you have the game figured out, the rules change!

TMH

[sgallimore62]

aespay, can you expand on the MAT approach and process? I have not heard of this but sounds like a good approach. I have two businesses one ongoing the other a concept that I need to develop plans for. The ongoing one is my wife's art business that needs a good plan for direction. We've proven that the product she produces sells.

Thanks,

Steve Gallimore
new member

[aespey]

Steve,

The MAT is a tool that has been used in various formats for several years.

I have even modified it further since I made this post as I believe that business tools should grow with your understanding, or you will simply outgrow them.

Now I use MAT as Milestones/Assumptions/Tasks. The milestones are the key things that must be accomplished to achieve the major goals. I now include dates that I plan to have these milestones completed.

The assumptions are the major assumptions or perceptions that I have made upon which I am basing some of my decisions. Some assumptions may change or they may be based on temporary conditions. I put a date on these also. This date is the date that the assumptions are effective or may change.

Last, but not least is a list of the tasks that are needed to make the milestones happen. I put dates on these also. These dates help to hold myself or the team accountable.

For more info on this subject check out the ebook 4Steps2 Transition Your Business and its accompanying workbook located athttp://www.4steps2.com.

[sweety_twity]

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[alivaromandez]

I keep interpret somethere what my favorite movie purposefulness coming eventually ! Is it unvarnished ?

http://www.scribd.com/doc/13153066/Fast ... restrained