Top 7 Best Business Plan Books for New Business Owners

Editorial Team

Best Business Plan Books for New Business Owners

Writing a business plan is one of the most important steps to starting a new business. But it’s not always easy. We’ve compiled a list of the best business plan books for new business owners. These books will help you write a solid business plan and provide the essential tools and advice you need to start and grow your business.

Whether starting a small business or expanding into a new market, these books have everything you need! So don’t wait any longer. Start planning your business journey with one of these 7 best business plan books!

What Exactly Is A Business Plan, And Why Should You Need One?

A business plan is a document that helps your business understand its vision, mission, goals, and strategies. It also provides information about the company’s operations (financials, marketing plans, etc.), challenges it might face in the future (market conditions or technological changes), and how to address them. A good business plan will help you set realistic expectations for your company’s growth and success.

There are many types of businesses, from small businesses run by one person to multinational corporations with hundreds of employees. So there is no single format or template for writing a business plan.

However, some tips on how to develop a basic Business Plan may include the following:

  • Defining your target market
  • Analyzing current trends & marketplace sizing 
  • Estimated costs & timelines for key milestones/revenue-generating activities 
  • Describing customer needs/wants in detail 
  • Solving business problems 
  • Forecasting future potential.

Several different books provide advice on writing a business plan.

This list includes books on planning a startup or expanding your company into new markets.

1. “The One Page Business Plan For The Creative Entrepreneur” By Jim Horan

Whether you’re a first-time business owner looking to update and improve your current business plan, “The One Page Business Plan for the Creative Entrepreneur” is the book for you. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on creating a one-page business plan and includes tips and advice from successful entrepreneurs. Plus, resources such as templates, guides, and worksheets can help you start your own business.

2. “Hurdle” By Tim Berry

When it comes to starting a business, there are a lot of challenges that business owners face. One of the best books to help business owners overcome these challenges is “Hurdle.” This book offers concrete advice on pricing, marketing, and hiring employees. It is perfect for new businesses that want to get off to a strong start. Finally, the book comes with step-by-step templates so business owners can easily create business plans based on the book’s tips. So what are you waiting for? Get your copy of “Hurdle” and start conquering the business world!

3. “The Art Of The Start 2.0” Written By Guy Kawasaki

Starting a business is a big step, and it can be a daunting one. This book is a great resource for business owners starting from scratch. It provides detailed instructions and tips on creating a successful business plan, launching your product or service, and growing your company. Additionally, it includes interviews with some of the biggest entrepreneurs in the world, so you’ll learn from their mistakes and successes. This book is a great place to start if you’re new to entrepreneurship.

4. “The Lean Start-Up” By Eric Rise

Starting a business is a big undertaking; no book can cover everything. That’s why it’s so important to read a variety of business plan books. “The Lean Start-Up” is among the best books for new business owners. It provides strategies and tips on succeeding and covers topics like marketing, finance, and legal advice. So don’t wait any longer. Start reading today and take your business to the next level!

5. “The 4-Hour Work Week” By Timothy Ferriss

The 4-Hour Work Week is a bestselling book that has been praised for its simple approach to working less and achieving more.

The 4-Hour Work Week is based on sound scientific research (and yes, there are real-life examples included in the book). And according to studies conducted by Timothy Ferriss himself, 80% of people who follow his techniques report increased levels of productivity and satisfaction with their lives. So what are these techniques? Well, here we go…

  • Set realistic goals: Don’t aim for impossible feats like working only four hours per day – set achievable goals that will help you achieve your desired outcome. For example, rather than trying to work only one hour per day from 5 pm until 10 pm every night (which would be virtually impossible), try aiming for 30 minutes each evening from 7 pm onwards.
  • Organize your time wisely: One of the biggest traps many people fall into when attempting to reduce their workload is thinking they have more time than they do. By reorganizing our time using systems such as flowcharting or task management software (like Trello), we can better manage our time.

6. “The Complete Book Of Business Plans” Authors Joseph Covello And Brian Hazelgren

Developing a business plan is essential for any business, regardless of size or industry. “The Complete Book of Business Plans” by Joseph Covello and Brian Hazelgren is a valuable resource for business owners of all experience levels. It provides step-by-step instructions for developing a business plan, covering everything from getting started to market analysis to financial planning. The authors are successful entrepreneurs, so the advice is sound, and the book is full of useful tips and tricks. “The Complete Book of Business Plans” is a valuable resource for any new business owner and will help you to achieve your business goals.

7. “Anatomy Of A Business Plan” Written By Author Linda Pinson

Starting a business is a huge undertaking, and planning for it is essential. This book is an expert guide that provides step-by-step instructions for writing a business plan. It offers valuable tips on what to include and exclude from your business plan and how to market it effectively. Additionally, the book walks readers through creating a realistic budget and forecasting future growth. Whether you’re starting from scratch or revising an existing business plan, “Anatomy of a Business Plan” is essential reading!

Other Popular Business Plan Books

There are several other popular business plan books out there. These books offer different perspectives on starting or expanding a business. Often provide valuable insights that are applied to any business. Below you have a few of them:

“Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies” Written By Author Rhonda Abrams

If you want to start a business or if you’ve already started one and want to improve your chances of success, you must read “Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies.” Rhonda Abrams’ book provides tips and advice on developing a successful business plan.

Among the many valuable insights contained is an insight into the importance of branding, why customer retention is key, and how establishing market leadership can help your company survive and thrive. Abrams also provides helpful tips on budgeting and forecasting, creating effective marketing campaigns; cultivating a team that supports your goals; pricing Your products/services correctly; securing financing; and much more. 

“The Secrets To Writing A Successful Business Plan” Written By Hal Shelton

There’s a reason why business plans are such an important part of any startup’s arsenal – they’re one of the first pieces of documentation that prove to investors, employees, and partners that you’re serious about your venture. But creating a successful business plan isn’t easy – it takes careful planning and execution to ensure everything falls into place.

In this guide, Hal Shelton will teach you exactly how to write a successful business plan. He’ll cover the basics of what needs to be included and more advanced techniques for building a comprehensive outline and crafting effective financial projections. By following Hal’s advice, you’ll be on your way to writing the best business plan possible!

“The Founder’s Dilemmas” By Noam Wasserman

In his book, The Founder’s Dilemmas: When New Ventures Foil the Path to Greatness, Noam Wasserman explores why some startups achieve early success, and others don’t. He talks about three main dilemmas that founders face during their startup journey:

  • The first dilemma is the search for a clear business model.
  • The second dilemma is building a team around you that can execute your vision.
  • Finally, you must navigate the tension between following your path and adapting to market conditions. 

These are just a few of the insights found in this thoughtful read. If you’re interested in learning more about how to make your startup stand out from the pack, then be sure to pick up a copy of The Founder’s Dilemmas!

“The Plan-As-You-Go Business Plan” By Tim Berry

Creating a business plan is an important step in any startup’s journey, but knowing where to start cannot be easy. That’s why Tim Berry created the “The Plan-As-You-Go Business Plan.” The program walks you through creating a business plan based on your specific needs and goals. You’ll learn how to create realistic marketing and financial projections, assess your competition and develop strategies for beating them at their own game. If you’re ready to take your startup to the next level, check out The Plan-As-You-Go Business Plan today!

Best Places To Search For A Business Plan Book

There are many places where you can search for business plan books. However, the best place to find one is likely an online bookstore or Amazon.com. These two sites have a wide selection of business plan books and usually have both print and digital editions available for purchase. Additionally, these sites often offer free shipping on big orders, making it easy to get a copy of the book you need!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Benefits Of Using A Business Plan Book?

Using a business plan book can help you organize and track your progress as you work on your business goals. This way, you will have an accurate picture of your progress, where you are currently, and where you need to go next.

A business plan book also helps to identify potential risks and opportunities associated with your chosen business venture. Understanding these factors early in the process may be easier to address them before they become problems.

Finally, using a business plan book can help ensure that everyone involved in your project is on the same page, from top management down to the lone worker on the factory floor. Therefore, having a well-organized business plan book will make all aspects of your enterprise run more smoothly!

What Else Should I Know Regarding Developing A Business Plan?

A business plan is a document that spells out the goals and objectives of a company, as well as the strategies and procedures needed to achieve these goals. It is essential for any startup or business looking to expand its reach. Without a written plan, it isn’t easy to know where you are headed, how far you have come, and what steps need to be taken next.

There are several things you’ll want to include in your business plan: 

An overview of your company’s history and how it has evolved. It will give readers an idea of what makes your company unique and why they should invest in it.

A detailed product or service description of what you are offering. It will help potential customers understand what you can offer them and why they should choose your brand over others. 

Your financial forecast. It tells readers exactly how much money you expect to make in the short-term (3 months), medium-term (6 months), and long-term (1 year) period following the publication date of your business plan. You’ll also need information about sources of funding that fit within each time frame). 

Specific marketing plans. Including target market research, media planning/buying tips, campaign strategy development, etc. These plans should be tailored specifically for your industry or niche market segmentation.

What Common Mistakes New Business Owners Make When Creating Their Business Plans?

When it comes to starting your own business, there are a lot of steps that need to be taken to get started. However, many new business owners make common mistakes when creating their plans. Here are most of the common errors:

  • Skipping over the research process. Before creating realistic plans or strategies, you must gather information about your industry and market conditions. It involves preliminary research into your sector; what is happening now, and how will it change in the future?
  • Focusing on short-term goals rather than long-term vision. A good business plan should outline short- and long-term objectives and ensure that each goal is linked to the others. Don’t focus only on making money immediately; think about where you want your company to be in 5 or 10 years!
  • Forgetting to include financial figures in the plan document. Without accurate budgeting data, it’s impossible to determine whether or not your ideas are feasible or if additional funding is required for implementation (or even simply for maintenance). Estimates regarding personnel costs, marketing expenses, etc., also need to be included so that potential investors/partners know what they’re getting into before signing on the dotted line! 
  • Creating too much detail instead of focusing on key areas. Too much information can scare off potential investors/customers due to “too much white paper syndrome.” Ensure each plan section is keyed into one specific business goal – otherwise, it will be difficult to identify priorities and track progress.
  • Failing to market the business plan effectively. Your objectives must be distributed so potential customers/investors can easily find them. You must also create a marketing strategy and execute it flawlessly if you want people to take your idea seriously!

How Does Business Planning Lead To Better Management?

Business planning is a critical step in managing a business. It helps you identify your goals, establish milestones and deadlines, and measure progress. By doing this, you can effectively steer the course of your company while avoiding potential pitfalls and making informed decisions about where to focus your resources.

Many different types of business plans are available online (and even in some print publications). The most important thing is to find one that works best for your business and team. There are several factors to consider when selecting a plan, including: 

  • Industry or niche.
  • Company structure.
  • Current financial situation.
  • The long-term vision for the company.

Do Any Of These Books Require Special Skills Or Knowledge That I Don’t Have?

No, these books are written for general audiences and don’t require special skills or knowledge. However, some readers may find particular topics more interesting or relevant than others.

Conclusion

There you have it! The best books for new business owners that can turn your idea into a reality. Undoubtedly, it takes hard work and dedication to succeed in business. However, with the help of these brilliant books, your journey toward success will be a breeze.

From outlining the past performance of similar businesses to analyzing your market trends, these books will describe a step-by-step guide through all the important stages of writing a business plan. So no matter what stage you’re at, check them out!