194 | HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN
Introduction
The key to getting the help you need is
knowing in which knowledge or business
practice areas you are weak. Once you’ve
pinpointed areas where you need help,
think about how you like to learn. Some
people prefer classes and study groups,
while others do better reading a book or
a magazine. Some people benefit most by
seeking out a trusted advisor who’ll take
the time to analyze their situation and make
specific suggestions.
As much as possible, the resources below
are presented in time-sensitive order. You
will receive faster help from the first source
listed, business consultants, than you will
from the last source, formal education.
Regardless of how you choose to receive
information and help, there are many
excellent resources available. As a wise
consumer, take care to get your money’s
and time’s worth. Just because some
person or publication promises to help you
doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get good
results.
Check Out Nolo’s
Small Business ResourcesNolo (www.nolo.com), the publisher of
this book, provides many ways to assist
you when it comes to small business
information—whether it’s researching
which is the best business entity, forming
a corporation, partnership, or LLC, down-
loading agreements, or providing lots of free
information. Visit the site and click “Business,
LLCs and Corporations” on the left side of the
home page.Business Consultants
Business consultants are people who offer
advice about how to run other people’s
businesses. Most have extensive business
experience and want to help people like
you succeed. Be careful though—there
are some inexperienced and unscrupulous
people who call themselves business
consultants.
You’ll want to select a business consul-
tant based on your needs. The two basic
categories consist of:
• General business consultants. They
look at a business from the owner’s
perspective and try to solve any and
all problems the business has. One of
the best ways to use a general business