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<title>Dave Lavinsky - EzineArticles Expert Author</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dave_Lavinsky</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:40:40 -0600</pubDate>
<image><title>Dave Lavinsky - EzineArticles Expert Author</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dave_Lavinsky</link>
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<copyright>Copyright 2012 EzineArticles.com - All Rights Reserved.</copyright>
<description><![CDATA[EzineArticles.com is Trusted By Millions as The Source For Quality Original Articles]]></description>
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<title>5 Investor Presentation Tips to Decrease Your Anxiety</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2500420</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2500420</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:35:19 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[This article provides 5 tips to decrease your anxiety when presenting to investors.  To decrease your anxiety, remember to practice, concentrate, shift your focus to them, focus on specific people, and practice your hand gestures.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>What Angel Investors Look For in a Company</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2395656</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2395656</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2009 10:17:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In order to consider investing, angel investors must believe that the company has great potential to achieve a liquidity event, and one that enables them to earn a significant return on their investment. The following factors imply that a company has this potential.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Do You Have to Pay Back an Angel Investor?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/2360864</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/2360864</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2009 16:30:06 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Equity capital, unlike debt capital, is when someone or some company invests in a company in return for shares or stock in that company. Angel investing is generally done as such an equity investment.  This money does NOT need to be paid back to the investor.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Private Equity Investing - A Critique of 3 Common Approaches</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1698446</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1698446</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:02:34 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Surely you've heard someone advise you, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket"? This is great advice for any type of investing. But why don't private equity investors diversify in this manner? The fact is, the majority of individual private equity investors ("angel" investors) tend to under-diversify - they typically only invest in 1 or 2 companies.  As a result, these investors increase their risk and decrease their potential for return on investment. ]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Business Development Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1622921</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1622921</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:45:51 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[A business development plan is an essential tool for all prudent entrepreneurs if they wish to remain in business. Just wishing for one, will not get you anywhere.  You need to know how it works in order to draft one for your enterprise. A complete business development plan serves three basic purposes: communication, management, and planning.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Business Plan Definition - What They Are, Why They're Necessary</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1622920</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1622920</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:42:33 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Business plan definition - For every business, it is the vital first step. It is the blueprint that sets you going towards your goals. Look upon it as the roadmap that tells you and the world how you expect your company to achieve its stated objectives.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Thriving With a Business Plan - Keys to Success</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1622918</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1622918</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:36:50 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[No business can thrive for long without a business plan. The entrepreneur will find it hard to pin down his successes if he has no identified goals to achieve. The business plan is his mission statement, his roadmap to success.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Should Entrepreneurs Hire Entrepreneurs?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1622917</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1622917</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:35:35 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[An interesting question came up the other day which warrants attention. The question was whether entrepreneurs should hire entrepreneurs. In thinking about how to answer this question, I started thinking about a book written by Michael Gerber entitled The eMyth.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Business Planning - Get the Facts!</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/1622916</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/1622916</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:33:21 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Business plans are filled with projections of what a venture might be able to achieve in the future. They should also be filled with facts about the venture's past and about the market in which it operates.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Child Care Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/190022</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/190022</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 03 May 2006 16:23:28 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[It is common to bump into an entrepreneur hunting for a childcare business plan since this market segment is growing and is highly lucrative. Find one here that focuses on your business strategy and mentions unique points to score above the competition. Let the plan aim to provide "high quality childcare" to the families with young children. The potential clients can have very high expectations in their definition of "high quality childcare."]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Casino Business Plans</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/188630</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/188630</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 May 2006 19:39:48 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Go into the casino business if you want to have fun while you work. Casino business plans are all the rage these days, as more and more entrepreneurs are getting attracted to this lucrative opportunity. Although, it is a growing business, you would be wise to plan the detail specifics of your operations and conduct adequate market research to understand the extent of this opportunity.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Car Wash Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/187318</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/187318</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 29 Apr 2006 06:31:43 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Looking for a car wash business plan geared towards success? Check out the key points discussed below.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Making a Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/185400</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/185400</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 26 Apr 2006 14:50:47 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Making a business plan for the growth and development of the business is not an exercise solely for profit maximization. It is a mission statement and must incorporate the moral principles that are indispensable for sustaining a healthy public image of the firm.    The business development plan validates the purpose of the firm's existence and also provides a moral frame of reference.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>How to Make a Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/184802</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/184802</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Apr 2006 06:59:07 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Don't skip on planning, if you wish to stay in business for long. For determined entrepreneurs it does not take long to learn how to make a business plan. Apply the given ground rules and you can confidently prepare a document that will be the cornerstone of your business.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Creating a Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/181625</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/181625</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Apr 2006 05:38:13 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Philosophers should not be entrusted with the responsibility of creating a business plan. The planning for the pursuit of opportunities is fraught with risks, many of them inevitable. You need to get real before you even think of creating a business plan. Here you can find some practical suggestions to help create a business plan that works.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Create a Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/180108</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/180108</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Apr 2006 04:13:55 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When enterprising individuals sit down to create a business plan for the first time, they need to check a few points. There are abundant guidelines to help them on their track, but none to warn them against the wrong policies. It is essential to avoid these mistakes in order to create a business plan that will truly take your business forward.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Business Plan Preparation</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/178918</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/178918</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 15 Apr 2006 07:48:13 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Business plan preparation is not as complex as it may seem to the new entrepreneurs. Begin by asking yourself a few core questions.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>How to Create a Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/178176</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/178176</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 13 Apr 2006 13:45:26 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Now that you have decided to start that dream venture, you must learn how to create a business plan. Even the expansion of existing businesses calls for planning to ensure a systematic and sustained growth. You need no formal lessons to learn how to create a business plan. While drafting it, keep in mind some basic points and you will have the plan that best suits your purpose.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>How to Develop a Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/176395</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/176395</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Apr 2006 06:43:19 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Don't lose your sleep worrying about how to develop a business plan.  Go by the time-tested formula perfected by experts. Follow these simple guidelines and very soon you'll have a plan that best expresses your intended business model. You may even gain enough confidence to guide others regarding how to develop a business plan.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Developing a Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/173689</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/173689</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 06 Apr 2006 18:08:30 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Developing a business plan is easy once you follow the ground principles laid down by the industry experts. Find here some of the necessary ingredients for a well-developed plan.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Business Plan Development</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/173005</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/173005</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 05 Apr 2006 18:24:16 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The need for comprehensive business plan development can never be overstated. Every entrepreneur must develop a business plan, irrespective of the nature of his commercial setup. Whether you set up a new venture, or buy out a running business, purchase a franchise, or simply wish to expand your current business, it is imperative to develop a business plan.  Often, timely business plan development saves you from being wiped out by the competition.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>What is a Business Plan?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/170815</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/170815</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 31 Mar 2006 15:51:48 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Individuals running small self-owned units with low revenues and lower profits are prone to ask - What is a business plan? They did not grow, simply because they didn't have one, and never bothered to find out before. Evidently they don't care much where their business is headed.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Importance of Business Continuity Planning</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/119725</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/119725</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 29 Dec 2005 10:36:13 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Business continuity planning is the process whereby a firm figures out a plan of action that it will take in the case of unforeseen events. The process anticipates risk and helps limit the downside that companies may experience when adverse events occur.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Business Plan Writing - Consider Your Customers</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/119724</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/119724</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 29 Dec 2005 10:15:12 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When entrepreneurs realize that they need capital to launch or grow their businesses, typically they also realize that they need a business plan. The first question that often comes to their minds is how to write a business plan.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>The Addictive Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/119726</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/119726</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 29 Dec 2005 10:08:15 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[While the average business plan ranges from twenty to thirty pages in length, on average, investors only read one page of each business plan they receive. Obviously, for a business plan to receive funding, investors have to be encouraged to read the entire business plan, and then take additional action such as setting up a meeting with the company's management. The key to this is developing an addictive business plan.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Key Components of a Business Plan - Part II</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/109118</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/109118</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2005 16:04:27 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The first five components of a business plan provide an overview of the business opportunity and market research to support it. The remaining five components of the plan focus mainly on strategy, primarily the marketing, operational, financial and management strategies that that firm will employ. This article details these elements.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Key Components of a Business Plan - Part I</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/105395</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/105395</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2005 10:19:01 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[A good business plan has ten key components. Providing a comprehensive assessment of each of these components is critical in attracting investors. This article discusses the first five components.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Updating Your Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/98052</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/98052</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Nov 2005 16:39:32 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Business plans are not static documents. Rather, they are dynamic documents that change often. Keeping your business plan up-to-date can be a critical factor in both your ability to raise capital and your ability to execute on the opportunity at hand.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Perfecting the Elevator Pitch</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/94467</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/94467</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2005 10:30:03 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[An elevator pitch is a brief description of a business idea. It is termed as such since it usually must be delivered within the time that you spend with an investor in an elevator, or just a few minutes. Perfecting the elevator pitch can have a significant impact on the success of a new venture.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Entrepreneurial Leadership</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/91490</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/91490</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 04 Nov 2005 06:28:47 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Rarely can entrepreneurs make a company succeed by themselves. This is much like the fact that greatest athlete doesn't ensure that their team will win if the other players cannot perform. As such, entrepreneurs need to be able to identify staffing needs, expertly fill them, and lead the team to success.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Entrepreneurial Vision</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/88033</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/88033</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Oct 2005 21:10:28 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Entrepreneurs must have a vision of where they want their company to be in the future. In addition, the entrepreneur must be able to communicate this vision in an exciting manner to employees and investors, so that they share the vision and are motivated to help achieve it.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Critical Entrepreneurial Skills</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/84877</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/84877</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2005 14:51:20 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[To succeed, entrepreneurs must have many skills that allow them to conceive, launch and grow new products, services and/or companies. This article describes some of the most critical skills that an entrepreneur must possess.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Business Succession Planning</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/81916</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/81916</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 12 Oct 2005 20:31:58 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[One type of business planning which is often overlooked is business succession planning. Business succession plans map out the strategy for a company upon the retirement of the current owners.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Venture Capital Financing - Is it Within Your Reach?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/79810</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/79810</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 06 Oct 2005 09:27:00 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many firms dream of the day that a venture capital financing occurs. This is the day when they are handed a check for millions of dollars and told to go fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams. Unfortunately, for most this remains a dream. But this doesn't necessarily have to be the case. Securing a venture capital financing can be a reality under the right conditions.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Venture Capital Business Plans</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/76693</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/76693</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 Sep 2005 15:04:12 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[What is the primary difference between a venture capital business plan and a small business or other business plan? The answer is typically risk. Venture capital business plans have much more risk than other plans, and as a result, the potential rewards from success are much higher.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>As Oil Prices Rise, So Does Interest in Energy Ventures</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/74300</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/74300</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2005 11:03:29 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[As the worldwide demand for energy increases, and oil prices rise, many venture capital firms have begun to focus on the alternative energy sector.    In fact, in June 2005, Pasadena, CA-based solar company, Energy Innovations, raised $16.5 million in venture capital led by Mohr Davidow Ventures.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Keys to Entrepreneurial Success</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/71549</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/71549</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Sep 2005 21:20:11 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Over the past several years, I have had the opportunity to assess the successes and failures of numerous entrepreneurs. In doing so, several lessons have become apparent that can often make the difference between success and failure in entrepreneurial ventures. Here is a review of the top four lessons.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Entrepreneurial Inspiration - Milton S Hershey</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/69303</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/69303</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 08 Sep 2005 17:14:22 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Entrepreneurs often experience extreme highs and extreme lows. It is not uncommon for an entrepreneur to be sitting on top of the world one minute, but then feel like the sky is falling the next as market conditions rapidly change. For these entrepreneurs, it is always important to keep the big picture in mind. Likewise, it never hurts to have the experiences of other successful entrepreneurs in their minds to inspire them to persevere. This article discusses one such entrepreneur: Milton S. Hershey.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Four Steps to Entrepreneurship</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/66003</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/66003</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 01 Sep 2005 08:12:53 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[As more and more people start or consider starting their own business, it is important that they understand the core steps that are required to launch successful ventures. These steps include spotting, assessing, selecting and executing upon opportunities.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>An Entrepreneur's Biggest Cost</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/61336</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/61336</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 18 Aug 2005 13:46:57 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When launching a new product or company, an entrepreneur must consider their biggest cost - the opportunity cost. Opportunity cost is an economic term that is defined as the cost of passing up the next best alternative when making a decision. For instance, if an asset such as capital is used for one purpose, the opportunity cost is the value of the next best purpose for which the asset could have been used. In the entrepreneur's case, this asset typically includes the entrepreneur's time and money.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Judging Entrepreneurial Ideas</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/61335</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/61335</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 18 Aug 2005 13:37:56 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Most entrepreneurs constantly come up with new ideas. Whether they are working on another project, driving, or lying in bed, their minds are constantly churning out new products, services and ways of doing things. For these entrepreneurs, the startup challenge shifts from coming up with ideas to choosing which idea to execute.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Goals and New Venture Creation</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/59106</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/59106</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Aug 2005 14:24:25 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[More and more corporate workers are leaving their jobs to start new ventures. When taking this leap, it is important that the goals of these entrepreneurs are solid, as these goals may ultimately determine the success of the new venture.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Identifying the Right Venture Capital Firm Partner</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/56766</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/56766</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 04 Aug 2005 14:09:11 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Venture capital firms are comprised of individual partners. Identifying the right venture capital firm partner is critical to getting a meeting and a potential investment.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Incorporating Investor Feedback Into Your Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/54789</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/54789</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jul 2005 11:47:17 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Investors, like the rest of us, have different tastes. One investor may love a concept and/or business plan while the next may hate both. It is important to understand this as business plans are working documents and are always undergoing iterations.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Venture Capital Negotiating Issues</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/51240</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/51240</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jul 2005 09:02:11 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When companies enter into negotiations with venture capital firms, there are several issues which need to be defined and agreed upon. This article describes the key issues.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Issuing Warrants to Investors</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/49224</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/49224</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 07 Jul 2005 10:36:06 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When raising capital for a business venture, warrants are a common form of equity that is given to investors. A warrant is like an option - it gives the holder the right to buy a security at a fixed or formulaic price, which is known as the "exercise" or "strike" price.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Use of Common Stock in Venture Capital Transactions</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/48564</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/48564</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 Jul 2005 07:27:57 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When raising capital for a business venture, a company can either raise debt capital, equity capital or a combination of the two. This article discusses the use of common stock, a type of equity capital.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Alternative Venture Finance - Shell Corporations</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/47754</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/47754</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jul 2005 15:57:28 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[A shell corporation is a company that is incorporated but has no significant assets or operations. These corporations may be formed as an alternative venture financing mechanism.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Documenting Partnerships in Your Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/47397</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/47397</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2005 09:49:37 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Forging partnerships to improve market penetration has become commonplace, particularly for "new economy" businesses. And, most companies proudly mention their many partnerships in their business plans.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Term Sheet's Role in Raising Venture Capital</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/47092</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/47092</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Jun 2005 07:46:50 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Entrepreneurs and companies who are seeking venture capital often negotiate with one or more venture capital firms on a number of important issues. These issues include the amount of capital to be raised, the investment terms, etc. The document which summarizes these terms is known as a "term sheet."]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Pre-Money Vs Post-Money Valuation</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/46829</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/46829</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jun 2005 13:02:52 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When a company decides that it must raise capital, a key question that must be answered is how much the company is worth. For example, if the business needs $500,000 to get started and/or grow, how much of the equity in that company should $500,000 command? Once this question is answered, the company will go out and try to find investors. When doing so, a key question often arises as to whether the valuation is "pre-money" or "post-money."]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Marketing Plan and the Four P's</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/46508</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/46508</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jun 2005 11:02:18 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The Marketing Plan section of the business plan demonstrates how a company will penetrate the market with its products and services. The Marketing Plan should include "the four P's" - Product, Promotions, Price, and Place. This article describes "the four P's" and how they should be incorporated into your business plan.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Two Types of Business Plan Executive Summaries</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/45883</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/45883</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jun 2005 08:43:07 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Companies seeking capital often ask how long the Executive Summary of their business plan should be. The answer depends upon the use of the summary, mainly determining if 1) it precedes the full business plan, or 2) it will be used as a stand-alone document.]]></description>
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<item>
<title>In Business Planning, Competition is Good</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/45648</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/45648</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jun 2005 12:31:36 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[When developing the competition section of your business plan, companies must define competition correctly, select the appropriate competitors to analyze, and explain its competitive advantages. Failing to state competitors is a major impediment to success.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Ideal Length of Your Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/45311</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/45311</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jun 2005 13:55:41 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[How long should a business plan be? A business plan needs to be whatever length is required to excite the investor, prove that management truly understands the market, and detail the execution strategy. From surveys of investor needs, I have found that 15 to 25 pages of text is the optimum length in which to accomplish this. Any more and the time-constrained investor will be forced to skim certain sections of the plan, even if they are generally interested, which could lead them to miss essential elements. Any less and the investor will think that the business has not been fully thought through, or will simply not have enough information to make an investment decision.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Describing Intellectual Property in Your Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/44893</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/44893</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jun 2005 13:52:11 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Most companies that are worthy of raising venture capital have proprietary Intellectual Property (IP). In fact, the quality of the IP and the management team are often the two most important aspects of a venture capitalist's investment decision. The challenge that many ventures face, however, is that most investors will not sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and NDAs are critical to maintaining the proprietary nature of the IP. This article details the appropriate strategy for addressing proprietary IP in your business plan in order to attract investor attention while retaining the confidentiality of your inventions.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Finding a Venture Capital Firm</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/37263</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/37263</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 May 2005 16:42:27 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many ventures are faced with the challenging task of raising venture capital. The first part of this process is finding the right venture capital firm (VC). While this may seem simple, it isn't. There are thousands of venture capital firms in the United States alone, and going after the wrong ones is one of the most common reasons why companies fail to raise the capital they need.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Answering &quot;Why You, Why Now&quot; Critical in a Winning Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/34223</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/34223</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 06 May 2005 20:53:18 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Business plans continue to be an essential element of the capital-raising process. They must convince investors to take notice - investors that are shrewder today due to the ups-and-downs they have experienced over the past few years.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Effectively Completing the Operations Plan Section of Your Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/31723</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/31723</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 May 2005 17:58:20 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The Operations Plan is a critical component of any business plan as it presents the Company's action plan for executing its vision. The Operations Plan must detail 1) the processes that are performed to serve customers every day (short-term processes) and 2) the overall business milestones that the company must attain to be successful (long-term processes).]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>How to Use Graphs and Charts in Your Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/29604</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/29604</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 25 Apr 2005 08:32:14 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many people ask how many graphs or charts they should have in their business plans. As with most other business planning questions, the answer is "it depends." This article discusses the key factors influencing the number of graphs and charts to include in your business plan.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Raising Capital For Your Business - How Long Does it Take?</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/27657</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/27657</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 15 Apr 2005 11:28:15 -0500</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Most companies vastly underestimate the time commitment necessary to successfully complete a financing.  In actuality, a company seeking financing needs to budget between 500 to 1000 work-hours to the capital-raising process, spread out over a 6-9 month time period.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Documenting the Exit Strategy in Your Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/24980</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/24980</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 02 Apr 2005 10:59:33 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The exit strategy is critical in that it explains how investors will "cash out" on an investment. Failure to explain the exit strategy puts companies at a competitive disadvantage.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Analyzing Customers in Your Business Plan</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/21668</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/21668</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Mar 2005 20:14:17 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The Customer Analysis section of the business plan assesses the customer segments that the company serves. In it, the company must 1) identify its target customers, 2) convey the needs of these customers, and 3) show how its products and services satisfy these needs. This article explains how to expertly address these requirements.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Business Planning For College Students and First-Time Entrepreneurs</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/20193</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/20193</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Mar 2005 00:38:00 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[More and more students, both in undergraduate and graduate institutions, are deciding to launch their own ventures upon graduation rather than taking the traditional route of working for another firm. Likewise, more and more individuals are leaving their jobs to fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams.    While these ventures may ultimately be very successful (e.g., Google and Microsoft were both launched by students), they face certain challenges in their business plans and capital raising processes.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>Developing Realistic Financial Assumptions</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/18451</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/18451</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 03 Mar 2005 22:36:09 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Many investors skip straight to the financial section of the business plan. It is critical that the assumptions and projections in this section be realistic. Plans that show penetration, operating margin and revenues per employee figures that are poorly reasoned, internally inconsistent or simply unrealistic greatly damage the credibility of the entire business plan. In contrast, sober, well-reasoned financial assumptions and projections communicate operational maturity and credibility.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Management Team Section of the Business Plan - Don't Just Include Resumes</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/16394</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/16394</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Feb 2005 13:46:09 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Even the best new concept or existing plan will fail if executed poorly. The Management Team section of the business plan must prove to the investor why the key company personnel are "eminently qualified" to execute on the business model.    The Management Team section should include biographies of key team members and detail their responsibilities.]]></description>
</item>
<item>
<title>How to Size an Emerging Market</title>
<link>http://EzineArticles.com/13986</link>
<guid>http://EzineArticles.com/13986</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Feb 2005 13:10:13 -0600</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[In developing their business plans, companies of all sizes face the challenge of determining the size of their markets. To begin, companies must present the size of their "relevant market" in their plans. The relevant market equals the company's sales if it were to capture 100% of its specific niche of the market.]]></description>
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