Why Every Business Needs a Plan: Start with a Simple Launchpad

A business plan isn’t about perfection—it’s your first step to turning ideas into action. It helps you focus, identify key tasks, and build a foundation for success. Here’s how to get started.

Why a Business Plan Matters

Without a plan, you’re flying blind. Your business plan doesn’t need to predict the future—it’s your "line in the sand" to get moving.

As Prussian Field Marshall Helmuth von Moltke the Elder once said:

“No plan survives first contact with the enemy.”

And that’s okay! Plans change, but not having one at all is a recipe for failure. Startups don’t plan to fail—they fail to plan.

Forget Outdated Business Plan Templates

You don’t need to dive into irrelevant details like physical assets, intellectual property, or premises—unless they apply to you. Instead:

• Focus on high-level benchmarks for your first year.

• Know that you’ll likely overestimate sales ⬇️ and underestimate costs 📈.

The goal is to have something realistic you can review and refine as you progress.

Choose the Right Market 🦉

Not all markets are equal. Avoid jumping into saturated or declining spaces. Instead:

• Find niche markets with growth opportunities.

• Avoid direct competition with large, established players.

Your business plan helps you analyse this and carve out your place.

Key Takeaways

✅ Market Selection Matters: You control the market you enter—choose strategically.
✅ Expect Surprises: Costs will likely be higher than you think (by a factor of two!).
✅ Modern Tools Exist: Better business planning tools and models are available (I’ll share these in the coming weeks).

Your Next Step

Don’t overthink it—just start. Download any free business plan template online and sketch out a first draft.

Your plan doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s a living document. Get your ideas down, review it often, and adjust as you grow.