To get any new business idea off the ground you must have a plan--and if you need to raise funds to finance the business or get the approval of senior management, it must be a convincing plan. This guide covers every aspect of preparing a business plan including how to analyze the market, how to model the business and financial statements, and analysis of risk and the assessment of both the upside and potential downside, and the all-important executive summary--often the only part of a business plan that is read. Finally, "Guide to Business Planningshows how to use a business plan to help put your ideas into practice and how to monitor and measure the performance of the business. This newest title in The Economist series is critical for businesspeople who have an idea and need a plan.