Business Plan Pro 2002

I started my business in 2002 and needed a business plan. I didn't know where to start. The bank said that an accountant needed to review the figures and projections.

Geez! I am in a service business and whereas an accountant may know the numbers, they didn't know the business. My accountant said that I should write the plan and let him go over it. Yeah..right! SO I searched the Internet and came across this software. Gosh, just $99.00 bucks to secure my future obtain a business loan and get started. Seemed a fair deal, so I ordered the software and some books as well on writing a business plan.

The books said it might take a couple of months to write a proper plan to present to investors and convince them. The software said it would produce a winning plan. Ok, time to get started. Ahh.. They had sample business plans that one could look at. Nice!

Well, I followed the instructions and got started. It took a couple of weeks of editing but at the end there it was. Nicely generated plan, indexed, pages numbered nicely double-spaced. A truly professional and legal looking plan which I proudly presented to my accountant. He said, this is a lot, it is even more that they need and you will have no problems with the bank. Needless to say I wanted to believe him.

Then the day came and I presented my plan to three separate banks and waited...and waited...and waited...Then the first bank called, apologetic. My plan was so comprehensive it took them more time than usual to go through but..it was approved! They would offer 50% financing. Then the second bank called.. Approved! They would offer 90% financing. The third bank called.. needed more time, they had NEVER seen such a comprehensive and well written business plan..needed another week to fully digest it. Then they called about two weeks later. They wanted my accountant and I to meet with the Manager. They wanted a few things explained.

This did not look good!

There were a few figures they could not understand how they were generated. My accountant explained that the numbers were generated in a computer program, Business Plan Pro and he had gone over it and it was using a different recording method to what they were accustomed. [ It was all accountant talk that I have summarized]. All smiles! APPROVED! 100% financing.

Needless to say, you know which bank I went with in the end!

Thanks business plan pro. I can truly say that this software was worth every penny and I heartily endorse it!

The newest version has a new interface that is more user friendly and I the whole program a lot more manageable. My only criticism of the last version is that there was so much on the screen you didn't know where to start.

I would recommend any business owner or wannabe business owner to get themselves a copy of this software.

I put together a basic plan, and wrote it over the span of 3 lunch hours. Easy to understand process, outstanding resource help, great customer service and a tech service department that didn't make me feel like I was asking stupid questions.

I would recommend this product to anyone who needs a helping hand in writing, but doesn't have the money to spend on an expensive consultant.