Roda Group, the venture capital investor that’s the largest shareholder in the biofuel companySolazyme Inc. (SZYM), is backing a startup using advanced production techniques to improve storage performance of standard lead-acid batteries.

Gridtential Energy Inc. received a $1 million seed investment from Roda, the San Jose, California-based battery company said today in an e-mailed statement. It will use the money to develop and test a prototype product by next year, with the goal of starting...

Following an 3 month technology evaluation crossing Australia, Spain, Mexico and the United States, Business Planning HQ has signed an agreement with Telefonica to deliver its unique Business Plan in 1 day event in Mexico City on September 27^th.  This will be delivered on-site at “The Wayra Space”, in Mexico City by Business Planning HQ’s San Francisco based representative, David Brown.  Document process and servers for the event will be provided from Business Planning HQ’s headquarte...

A must read article for all Business Founders interested in doing Startup Business Planning.  Planning the development of your start-up can be one of the most complex and ambiguous pieces of strategy development that many business founders will ever face.  Due to the difficulty of start-up business planning, many business founders prefer to put the process off. Not only do they not know where to start, but the level of ambiguity an number of options for their start-up makes the process quite ...

We’re getting ready for DEMO! Join the Business Planning HQ April 17-19, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Silicon Valley as more than 70 companies from around the world launch new products and services to an audience of global press, VCs, angel investors and IT buyers.

The DEMO product launches are the main event. But attendees also come for the sage advice from VCs, technology leaders, and veteran entrepreneurs who will provide insights into the latest technology consumer, mobile, enterprise, soci...

Authored By:  Marcus Tarrant,  Managing Director,  Business Planning HQ

Abstract

A must read article for all Beginners interested in  understanding Business Planning.  Not everyone has written hundreds of business plans. Many business founders or entrepreneurs are preparing a business plan for the first time. The diversity and complexity of a business plan can be daunting whether you are doing it for the first time, or you have prepared many business plans before.  Many founders and entrepr...

Abstract

A must read article for all Business Owners who are considering exiting their business within the next 3 years.  Often the purpose of creating a business is to develop an asset which can be sold for a substantial profit.  The ability to create an exit plan will assist in creating windfall gains during exit.  Many people say, start a business with the end in mind.  Whilst this is a noble philosophy, it is not always possible to know exactly where your business will end up.  Therefore...

A business model explains to the reader what all the elements of your business are and how they fit together.  The business model, of outlined correctly can also make clear on a single page, what the business does, what its core cost based might be, what its products are and how it can earn revenue from its activity.

Business models are often not well described in business plans.  Many standard business planning templates do not even have a section where the business model can be outlined an...

One of the most important yet challenging components of a business plan is the financial section.  Many first time business planners are overwhelmed by the prospect of converting their business intentions into financial analysis.  For many business plans, this section is often provided by a consultant or financial service provider (eg. Accountant).

Pro-forma financial worksheets are another option.  This option requires a basic level of understanding of financial concepts.  Some times the ac...

Many first time business planners have the following issues in preparing a business plan:

·         Deciding on the document structure that best suits their business and planning requirements

·         Writing an executive summary

·         Waffling about their businesses that obscures the core messages to the reader

·         Understanding where to start with the financials

The core problem with the standard business planning process is that it is open ended.  Even templates don’t...

After years in senior level consulting positions, and creating hundreds of business plans, we have found the secret to a successful business plan.  The critical business planning secret, is asking the right questions.  As the business founder, you need to be asking the questions that an investor, banker, potential partner, or customer would ask.

Whilst a high grade consultant can assist you by asking these questions, this approach can be quite cost prohibitive for many businesses, with plans...

There are a number of different reasons why people create business plans. Understanding the reason for your plan can help you better target your message.  Whilst all plans are largely similar, the key areas of focus should differ slightly based on the reason for building your business plan.  The business plan should clearly articulate the opportunity represented by your business and the approach you propose will best capitalize on the opportunity.  Investor focused plans should also include a...

A consultant can help you to better define your business strategy and succinctly outline this in plan.  Whilst you may believe that a consultant led planning process may deliver an improved result, is it worth the cost?

Business Planning Key 1 - How clear is your business strategy?

If you are unclear about how you intend to enter or grow your market, then consulting assistance can help with your planning process.  Sometimes business owners are too close to the issues and a series of careful...

There are a number of things to consider when either engaging a consultant to build your business plan, or purchasing a business planning template.  A primary reason for looking online for assistance is to reduce the cost associated with the development of a business plan.

Sites such as Elance offer the ability to post your specific business planning requirements online.  Interested consultants then respond to your business plan enquiry, often providing a quotation for business planning serv...

Business planning involves more than just writing a lengthy document.  Much of the core value in a business plan is derived from the business strategy, business model and the effective communication of these to the intended target audience.

After consulting on the creation and development of hundreds of business plans, Business Planning HQ has developed a faster approach that the vast majority of businesses can now afford.

A survey of businesses involved in the business planning process rev...

Not all business plans are created equal. 

After creating hundreds of successful business plans, we have come to understand some of the key elements that determine planning success.

Many first time planners focus on the template or layout of the plan.  Whilst a clear, well presented plan is important, it is not sufficient to raise capital, obtain a loan, or interest partners or collaborators in your business.

The business concept, business model and execution approach are at the heart of...