Comments on: Part 2: Finding Good Spots For Coffee Shops http://www.arizonacoffee.com/2007/part-2-finding-good-spots-for-coffee-shops/ Sharing the best places to find great coffee in AZ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:38:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Victory http://www.arizonacoffee.com/2007/part-2-finding-good-spots-for-coffee-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-35012 Victory Sun, 29 Apr 2007 10:20:29 +0000 http://www.arizonacoffee.com/2007/part-2-finding-good-spots-for-coffee-shops#comment-35012 What most people forget about biz plans is this: They are, if well done, not just about getting the cash for the business from a lender or investor--they are also the "blueprint" or "manual" for the actual execution of the business--in short, if you answer the right questions in the plan, you're three jumps ahead when you go to work and actually build the thing. Most business plans tend to be statistically dense but short on real marketing planning, and remember that the big question an investor/lender is trying to get an answer to is "Will I see my money again and if so, how soon?" Just making the best coffee, widgets, or services isn't good enough--you have to explain how you'll let the world know and let the world know why they should give a damn. Business Plans are VERY useful if you do them right, and a good one is MUCH more beneficial than its short-term goal of finding funding might have you believe. Thinking long-term and solving problems in advance in the plan also sells YOU to the investors/lenders. IMHO, btw, most all of the software out there is cookie-cutter, creates BORING and trite plans, and is next to useless. Read some books, find some plans from businesses that have been successfully launched, and WRITE your OWN, because ultimately what they're "buying" is YOU. What most people forget about biz plans is this: They are, if well done, not just about getting the cash for the business from a lender or investor–they are also the “blueprint” or “manual” for the actual execution of the business–in short, if you answer the right questions in the plan, you’re three jumps ahead when you go to work and actually build the thing. Most business plans tend to be statistically dense but short on real marketing planning, and remember that the big question an investor/lender is trying to get an answer to is “Will I see my money again and if so, how soon?” Just making the best coffee, widgets, or services isn’t good enough–you have to explain how you’ll let the world know and let the world know why they should give a damn. Business Plans are VERY useful if you do them right, and a good one is MUCH more beneficial than its short-term goal of finding funding might have you believe. Thinking long-term and solving problems in advance in the plan also sells YOU to the investors/lenders. IMHO, btw, most all of the software out there is cookie-cutter, creates BORING and trite plans, and is next to useless. Read some books, find some plans from businesses that have been successfully launched, and WRITE your OWN, because ultimately what they’re “buying” is YOU.

]]> By: One Love » Part 2 - Developing Your Business Plan http://www.arizonacoffee.com/2007/part-2-finding-good-spots-for-coffee-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-32972 One Love » Part 2 - Developing Your Business Plan Fri, 06 Apr 2007 23:27:09 +0000 http://www.arizonacoffee.com/2007/part-2-finding-good-spots-for-coffee-shops#comment-32972 [...] In part two of this series, Jeffrey Taylor explores how writing a unique business plan can help differentiate your coffee shop from the slew of others in Phoenix. This is your chance to really explore the true potential that your coffee shop has. You need to work out the details so that you can hit the ground running when you get funded, either through a bang or some other VC. One Love. [...] [...] In part two of this series, Jeffrey Taylor explores how writing a unique business plan can help differentiate your coffee shop from the slew of others in Phoenix. This is your chance to really explore the true potential that your coffee shop has. You need to work out the details so that you can hit the ground running when you get funded, either through a bang or some other VC. One Love. [...]

]]> By: Ron Cortez http://www.arizonacoffee.com/2007/part-2-finding-good-spots-for-coffee-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-32236 Ron Cortez Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:18:47 +0000 http://www.arizonacoffee.com/2007/part-2-finding-good-spots-for-coffee-shops#comment-32236 I strongly recommend every potential and existing coffee house owner to read this series of articles. They are great, I mean Great. Things like this will change the feelings of frustration that a small shop may experience when it comes to comparing themselves to Starbucks. Thanks Jeffrey. I strongly recommend every potential and existing coffee house owner to read this series of articles. They are great, I mean Great. Things like this will change the feelings of frustration that a small shop may experience when it comes to comparing themselves to Starbucks. Thanks Jeffrey.

]]> By: Jason http://www.arizonacoffee.com/2007/part-2-finding-good-spots-for-coffee-shops/comment-page-1/#comment-32228 Jason Wed, 04 Apr 2007 15:23:26 +0000 http://www.arizonacoffee.com/2007/part-2-finding-good-spots-for-coffee-shops#comment-32228 I think you make some nice points. I like to think of your business plan as a chance to "fail on paper" before stepping off the dock. I think many people feel like they are getting in over their head when writing a business plan so it is important to remeber the facts you state above about having no set form. Every business is different. The plan gives you a roadmap for the future success of your business and should be tailored as such. Great post. ..be bold I think you make some nice points. I like to think of your business plan as a chance to “fail on paper” before stepping off the dock.

I think many people feel like they are getting in over their head when writing a business plan so it is important to remeber the facts you state above about having no set form. Every business is different. The plan gives you a roadmap for the future success of your business and should be tailored as such.

Great post.

..be bold

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