Earlier this evening, I met with a local business consultant. He gave me some interesting questions to think about in regards to starting and building my business and I thought I would share. Some of these questions may be elsewhere but I wanted to share.

1. What is the purpose of your business?
2. What is the key message or phrase to describe your business in one sentence?
3. What is your reason for starting your own business?
4. What are the services that you offer?
5. Can you list three unique benefits that you can provide?
6. Do you have a website, business cards, flyers and other marketing materials for your business?
7. Who are your target customers?
8. Who is your competition?
9. How is your service different than that of your competitor?
10. What is the pricing of your service versus your competition?
11. Will you be making any special offers?
12. How do you plan on advertising or promoting your company?
13. How will you finance company growth?
14. Do you have the management skills/team growth to achieve your goals?

Laura

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Laura Kelly-Pifer

Hi Laura,

I think these questions are great and actually can be incorporated into your mission, vision and business plan. Thanks for posting!

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Valentine VA Services
http://valenva.com

Thanks Laura. So many questions, I hadn't even thought of. Brings up a whole new meaning of Q&A.

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Joanne

These questions are why it is so important to actually write up a business plan. During the creation of the business plan you have to answer these questions which is very, very helpful when considering what you will offer, to whom, and at what price.

Thanks for sharing.

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Stephanie L Watson - VA

Hi Laura,

Thanks so much for sharing these questions. I will certainly review them carefully and make sure that I answer each one in order to get my thoughts organized.

Thanks again.

Ivette

Excel Virtual Servcies
http://www.excelvirtualservices

Laura,
Thank you for sharing these questions. This should help me clarify my goals as I write my plans and develop my materials.
-Seneca

Hello Laura

The questions are great. In my first book I actually talk about the value of questions - not only for business planning, but life in general.

Great stuff.

Best regards.
Colin

I just finished an free online course with SBA regarding writing your business plan. Those were some of the similar questions that were asked to think about for your plan.

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Regeana Canada
Mrs. G's Office-To-Go

Thanks for sharing. These are also listed in NOLOs book on writing business plans and starting & running your small business. NOLO books are great resources.

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Prins Cowin, CPS/CAP, Virtual Business Manager
www.KingBusinessManagement.com

Originally Posted by ValentineVA

Hi Laura, I think these questions are great and actually can be incorporated into your mission, vision and business plan. Thanks for posting!

So true! I've been struggling with my mission statement and these questions give me a new perspective on it. Thanks Laura for posting!

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William McKeever
Maven Office Solutions