There is a certain custom in the black church when people
who have been through something stand up and tell the congregation what they
went through and how they came out. This custom is called, “Giving your
testimony.”
This custom also happens in the professional and educational
realms. It is mostly done in an auditorium and is called a “forum” or
“lecture.” It is when professionals or professors who have gone through
something and learned something, tell a group of listeners about it so that
they will not make the same mistakes. It also teaches those who listen, to push
through the obstacles and to continue on their journey.
There are two business experts that I feel, “give their
testimonies.” Andrew Patricio and Tim Berry are two business plan experts that
share their knowledge, experiences and mistakes through online resources.
Andrew Patricio is a small business expert that helps train
and coach small businesses to accomplish their desired goals. He has worked
with companies all over the world and created online videos to reach the
masses.
Patricio views on business plans are that they are needed to
determine a company’s vision and goals. He states that is only reason why
certain companies become successful. It is because they have a clear plan. A
plan is like a vision for now and for the future of the company. Some components
of the plan that he stresses are the financials, marketing and start-up cost breakdowns.
Tim Berry was the first person I ever heard that has a definition
of a business plan that sounds simple. His definition of a business plan is the
union of a concept and numbers. When you watch his videos, you can see his
passion for the actual planning that goes into starting a business. He is the co-founder
of http://www.bplans.com and has his own company
Palo Alto Software with 45 employees.
Berry is also the author of The Plan
as you go business plan.
Three areas in the plan that Berry says is vitally important
are your market, your business identity and strategic focus.
Both Patricio and Berry discuss the importance of having a
plan for now and for the future within the pages of a company’s business plan.
There are several key components that a company needs in order to have a clear
vision of the future and it varies from one expert to another. It is agreed
upon that a plan is still the best way to explain that concept and provide
quantitative data to support it.
Resources:
Patricio Linkedin profile
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=3666471&authType=NAME_SEARCH&authToken=1Xhm&locale=en_US&srchid=663192951373846236905&srchindex=2&srchtotal=38&trk=vsrp_people_res_photo&trkInfo=VSRPsearchId%3A663192951373846236905%2CVSRPtargetId%3A3666471%2CVSRPcmpt%3Aprimary
https://twitter.com/andrewpatricio
https://www.facebook.com/andrewpatricio
http://www.youtube.com/user/bizlaunchtv
http://timberry.com/tag/the-plan-as-you-go-business-plan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1yrQgoAPuE&feature=c4-overview&list=UUfZr6-aqZfWMWy6y8RuhQHw
http://www.amazon.com/The-Plan-as-You-Go-Business-Plan-Berry/dp/1599181908
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