Monthly Archives: September 2011

The 4 Business Plan Threats



There are four critical areas causing business plans to change. All are changing trends in the business environment. The four areas we will examine are: 1) government trends, 2) economic trends. 3) technological trends and 4) cultural trends. Each one causes a specific impact on our decisions and requires us to make adjustments. Some changes are dramatic and require dramatic reactions to minimize their effect on our business.

First are government trends. There are several different sources caused by changes in regulations, tax policies and new legal precedence. Most of these are not a direct result of what we are doing in our business, but are the result of political and social shifts. On the legal side, changes result from court cases. It is absolutely necessary to address these changes because of both the financial and legal jeopardy. The result will be changes to not only our business plans but also our business conduct.

Second are economic trends. These changes occur because the local, national and international environment changes. Typical of these trends are changes in inflation rates, interest rates and the comparative value of currency (foreign exchange rates). Notice that all of these changes are directly and indirectly effects of government actions. These trends require us to adapt our business plan to the new conditions.

Next are technological trends. The amount of effect that these trends have on our business depends on how directly the changes impact our present operations. For instance, if we are making vacuum tubes when integrated circuits arrive, we will have to make some major changes. Note that the changes in our business plan may mean acquiring or learning new technologies, retraining our people, or seeking new customers and products. Inventors, with changes in product lifecycles or adopting new ideas, normally trigger these trends. We can prepare for these changes by keeping up-to-date with trends, new advances and what our competitors are doing. It may mean new sources of raw materials, different marketing techniques, or perhaps the loss or emergence of a new market.

Finally, cultural trends have a direct impact on our business plan and the business environment. The demographics of our customers may change, new social concerns can arise and new lifestyles evolve. If our customers move from the cities to the country, our business will be affected not only in what we sell, but also, in how we deliver it. Too, as social consciences change, acceptable business practices will change. These could include environmental and social programs. For example, government might require a business to provide a certain level of retirement benefit. These trends often burden businesses with new and unplanned costs but must be assimilated into the business plan to remain a viable enterprise.

Notice, these trend types have definite impacts on our business plan. They are all threats to present business operations and also present new opportunities. If we make changes in our business operations to become environment friendly, employee friendly, or technologically modern our business accrues new public interest leading to new sales. Too, we receive free publicity that positively impacts our business credibility and stature. Regardless of the fringe benefits to our business, we must continually be aware and open to new directions so that our business plan and operation doesn’t stagnate or become less functional in the changing environment.

The Truth About Online Business Systems

Online Business Systems is a company that has long been questioned if they are legitimate or a scam. The company, according to reviews supporting their reliability, is a company that provides business tools for people who are in the field of internet business. It is a company that helps with lead generation and develops marketing tools for the health and nutrition company, Herbalife.

The website’s home page offers very little background as to what the company is actually offering, thus spawning numerous negative reviews and accusations that it is nothing but scam. However, according to a supporter, once you actually get past the sign up page of Online Business System’s website, that is where you will find out that what they are offering is not only a great opportunity, but legitimate at that.

The website’s home page offers very little background as to what the company is actually offering, thus spawning numerous negative reviews and accusations that it is nothing but scam. However, according to a supporter, once you actually get past the sign up page of Online Business System’s website, that is where you will find out that what they are offering is not only a great opportunity, but legitimate at that. You may find more about that from this good site: http://www.ms-payday-loans.com.

Despite these positive takes on the matter, there still are several blog posts, video logs, and other critical reviews that show Online Business Systems as a company whose proposals to business owners are tinged with a shadow of speculation.

According to the site itself, Online Business Systems was actually designed to assist business owners in running a business over the Internet and providing them with marketing tools such as pre-designed websites and step-by-step lead generation tools.

The website itself does not state it outright, but according to both those who had been successful with their business with the companies’ help, and to those who had been less happy about it, the truth is that Online Business Systems is basically a lead generation website for Herbalife. In other words, through the website’s marketing strategy of advertising about ‘business tools’ that will ‘help people who are interested in running their own home business,’ they are in reality finding people who are interested in earning money and referring them to Herbalife.

Another happy camper vouches that Online Business Systems is actually a great blueprint as it gives tutorial programs which are helpful for those who are into multi-level marketing. There is a minimum payment for these tutorials of course – just an upfront payment of $9.95. It further says that Online Business Systems’ only crime is being shady with how things are done.

So, Online Business Systems is not a scam. It is legitimate. It is simply a tool that Herbalife is using, and is encouraging their prospective distributors and sales agents to use to increase leads. As for Herbalife, since the company is selling health and nutrition products, one can say that this is very profitable industry. However, what they are not telling you is that, since we are dealing with a multi-tier marketing system, are the percentage of the profit that Online Business Systems is getting compared to those of you who are on the lower tier.

One such review said that it’s okay if you want to sell Herbalife products, but it also said that one doesn’t have to go through Online Business Systems. There are various other ways that you can market the products, and it would actually do you good if you try to research first before being lured into what could turn out to be something that would actually cost you more compared to what you would be profiting.

Tips For Drafting A Good Business Plan

Starting a new business can be an exciting and challenging endeavor, and the first step that people recommend is to do extensive market research as well as competitive analysis. This will give you a clearer idea of the business as well as a chance to find out all you can about the business. You have to analyze if you are capable of running the business, have the necessary resources, and also determine if the return on the investment is good.

This is necessary to study your competition and ensure that you offer better services or products than they do to capture the market when you commence operations. It will help devise a competitive edge to your products or services such as quick loans online services.

Competitive Analysis:

This is necessary to study your competition and ensure that you offer better services or products than they do to capture the market when you commence operations. It will help devise a competitive edge to your products or services.

Determine the Services or Products That You Want To Sell:

Extensive market research will give you a better idea of the demand for your product or service. You can design better products or services in such a way as to make your offer irresistible to the customers. Pricing of the services or products you sell also has to be calculated carefully, making sure you are not under-pricing.

Business Plan:

The experts cannot emphasize enough the importance of drafting a business plan. A business plan is a valuable performance assessment tool. A good business plan will include a brief description of the business, its history, and a list of the owners or partners. It will describe the target goals and objectives, the services or products that you are offering, the demand for them, the target market, and the strategies to be adopted. It must include cash flow projections, as cash flow too has to be planned carefully. Many are the businesses that have failed because of insufficient cash flow as well as mismanagement. A good plan will identify areas where improvements are necessary and how to achieve them.

Planning a Loan Proposal:

It will be necessary to plan a loan application to ensure that your loan is granted to finance your start-up. A well-drafted business plan, cash flow projections, bank statements, articles of incorporation or partnership documents, collateral if necessary, and tax returns need to be submitted along with the loan application. You have to convince them you are a low-risk investment for them.

Planning Effective Marketing Strategies:

Advertising and marketing are crucial aspects of a business that have to be planned extremely carefully. Budget your resources carefully and make sure your ads in the newspaper, radio, and other media appear at regular intervals. You can also send out occasional fliers. Make sure your advertisement extols the benefits of using your products or services.

When all these factors are carefully considered, planned and implemented, your business is sure to succeed if under good management. You could make use of the services as well as products that are designed to help new entrepreneurs manage a business successfully.

These are a few things that have to be taken into account while planning a business to ensure its success.