How to Write a Business Plan

152 | HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN

Personnel Plan

Chances are that you’ll need some help
to run your business. It’s hard to over-
estimate the impact employees have on
small businesses. First, your paperwork
explodes when you hire the fi rst employee.
Many government agencies regulate your
relations with your employees, and you’ll
need help if you’ve never employed
anyone before. Your accountant can
help with payroll forms, and your local
employment development agency can help
with other regulations.
Second, how to successfully hire,
manage, and fi re people is a fi ne art,
which this book can’t possibly cover. If
you have any doubts about your abilities
in this area, make sure you get guidance
from employment agencies, the local
employment development department, or a
private consultant.
Fortunately there are some basic
steps you can take that will increase
your chances of making hiring decisions
correctly. Many business owners fail to
be clear in their own minds about basic
details affecting an employee; that’s a
mistake almost guaranteed to cause
trouble.

Analyze Your Business Personality

Every business has a personality that

customers and suppliers spot right

away. Your employees help create that

personality in their daily interactions with

customers, suppliers, and each other. Your

job as the business owner is to decide

what personality you want your business

to have. Once you are clear about your

business’s personality, you can easily look

for employees who fi t in well. Take out a

blank sheet of paper or open a computer

fi le and write a statement of the personality

you want your business to have.

Antoinette’s Dress Shop:

Business Personality

Th e impression I want my customers to

receive is that our store provides the best

selection of merchandise in our clothing

category. We also provide prices and service

that take the worry, regrets, and hassle

out of shopping. Our employees should be

sincerely helpful and dedicated to solving

our customers’ problems. I want them to be

very knowledgeable so that our customers

consider us as their clothing advisors, in

addition to the best store.