Business Plan Writing....What do the Experts Have to Say?

Graduate of the University of Cambridge, London native, Nic Brisbourne has been working in the venture capital industry since 2000.  Brisbourne’s major focus is on software, media and a variety of investments.

“This business plan has two purposes, to introduce your company to prospective investors and as a document investors…can look to for additional information about the company” (Brisbourne, 2011).

I’ve written business plans before (i.e. class assignments), but I don’t think I was ever exposed to the specific purpose of the plan and what exactly was the point.  Yes it’s a document that gives an overview of your company.  However, I never really understood what would make someone want to read it and why anyone else would read it outside of a bank when your company was applying for a loan.

Brisbourne gives a basic breakdown of how to present the business plan and what to include in the plan itself.  Ironically, the business plan shouldn’t necessarily be the first document you would submit to a potential investor.  The first document you should submit would the Executive Summary.  The Executive Summary should be a stand-alone document.  “The reader should get a good high level feel for the whole business without needing to read any other part of the business plan” (Brisbourne, 2011).

Another expert in the business plan industry is Startup Professionals Inc. founder, Martin Zwilling.  Known as Marty in the professional world, Zwilling has accrued over 30 years of experience in software engineering, product management, and marketing.  Like Brisbourne, Zwilling feels the Executive Summary is a highly important factor when it comes to writing the business plan. 

According to Zwilling, some investors won’t  even scan through the plan if an Executive Summary is not included.  He also touches on what I call the “common-sense” factors of the business plan.  If you want an investor to take you and your business seriously, professionalism is key.  Typos and poor grammar is a quick way to diminish any positive regard you may have had before the investor attempted to read your plan.

Nic: Brisbourne: uk.linkedin.com/in/brisbourne

http://www.aonetwork.com/AOStory/What-Should-I-Put-my-Business-Plan

Martin Zwilling: http://www.linkedin.com/in/martinzwilling

http://bpexpertviews.blogspot.com/

Five Hard Lessons of the Music Industry...

Over two decades ago, the music industry had the association of sex, drugs, and rock & roll.  Even now it seems like every time you turn on the news, someone has died of an overdose.  With this reputation in place, it may make people wonder why anyone would want to immerse him or herself in this industry.  I believe it does take a strong personality to avoid the negative aspects of the industry, but even negativity couldn’t detour me from my dream.

In music producer, Butch Walker’s newest book Drinking with Strangers: Music Lessons from a Teenage Bullet Belt; Walker shares five lessons he happened to learn the hard way within the music industry:

1.              Do not believe that the first record deal you get is also the last deal

2.              Do not put the tattoo of anyone on your body (only if the person is

            dead)

3.              Be cautious of publishing deals

4.              Drink one glass of water every time you have some alcoholic beverage

5.              Recognize that on many occasions, it is all about favors and not

really about the song.

I’m sure there are many more lessons to be mindful of within the industry.  Walker takes a comical approach with sharing his hard lessons.  Number two and number four lessons would probably make more sense after reading the book.  However, one, three, and five seem like some pretty sound advice.

I’m so focused on getting that one record deal that it never occurred to me that there is always opportunity for more.  Something better than the previous deal could come along.  However, with this tip, does that mean you shouldn’t take the first deal you encounter?

The last few classes I have taken while working towards my Master’s Degree with Full Sail University had been very adamant of contracts and making sure you’re aware of all them terms and deals.  Publishing terms/contracts, are no different.

The last lesson reminds me that it is about you know in order to get ahead in this industry.  The talent may get you noticed but if you’re not associated with the right people, that dream can be halted.

http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2011/11/5-music-industry-lessons-musician-producer-butch-walker-learned-the-hard-way.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typepad%2FDqMf+%28hypebot%29