Book excerpt: Build a winning business plan with expert tips and strategies Creating a great business plan is the first and most vital step to business success. Packed with Canadian resources and anecdotes, this friendly guide takes you through the planning process. From scoping out the competition to planning for growth, this book is your ultimate reference for determining and meeting your business goals. Business essentials — from creating your company's mission statement to setting goals and objectives Competitive analysis — from analyzing your industry to tracking your competitors' actions Market research — from identifying your market to meeting your customers' needs Financial information — from reading income statements to understanding balance sheets Forecasting and budgeting — from projecting your cash flow to creating a solid budget Your business plan in action — from creating an effective organizational structure to fostering a strong company culture Canadian examples — from inspirational success stories to cautionary tales Open the book and find: Where to track down the data you need to understand your business environment How to identify your customers and reach them effectively How to build upon your company's strengths and minimize its weaknesses The components of a successful and sustainable business model How to eliminate money woes through financial ratios The secrets to the successes of many major Canadian and international companies Strategies to help your company stand out in a crowd