Small Business Owners Can Now Access the First Web-Based Business Plan Development Platform from FundablePlans.com

The first web-based business plan development platform has been launched with hopes of tapping into a new market in online services and an underserved market in the world of business consulting services. Dave Miller, who developed the software after more than a dozen years as president of a traditional business consulting firm, sees FundablePlans.coms huge potential market emerging as the silver lining in otherwise gloomy economic data.

Platform Will Serve Market Created by Record Surge in Small Business Creation

Blue Bell, PA (PRWEB) September 23, 2003 ~ The first web-based business plan development platform has been launched with hopes of tapping into a new market in online services and an underserved market in the world of business consulting services.

Dave Miller, who developed the software after more than a dozen years as president of a traditional business consulting firm, sees FundablePlans.coms huge potential market emerging as the silver lining in otherwise gloomy economic data.

All indicators suggest that a major shift is happening in the American economy right now," says Miller. While unemployment levels are steadily high, so is the rate at which new small businesses are being created and small business loans are being made. The degree to which all of those new businesses succeed will largely depend upon whether or not they have a solid business plan."

Even a cursory look at the nations current economic landscape shows that Miller might be onto something big:

·    In August, 1.9 million persons had been unemployed for 27 weeks or more. They represented 21.8 percent of all unemployed persons, about the same as in July.

·    Total non-farm payroll employment declined by 93,000 in August 2003, and the unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 6.1 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.

·    At the same time, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, self-employment is on the rise, jumping 4.8 percent from June 2002 to June 2003.

·    During 2003 the number of Credit Unions making small business loans via the SBA jumped 28% over the previous years total.

·    During 2003 the number of small businesses receiving loans from the SBA jumped 36% from the previous year.

·    According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses small businesses create two-thirds of the new jobs in the United States.

·    Ninety-eight percent of the new businesses in America are created by small businesses (NFIB).

Miller paraphrases the data succinctly: Unemployment is up but so is self-employment; these people arent just waiting for an improved job market, theyre creating jobs for themselves. And its clear just how important this shift is to the overall economy."

Miller first got the idea for an affordable, web-based software platform after observing that less than 20% of the new businesses that need business plans actually get them.

The reason for that, based on my experience, is the barrier created either by cost or by knowledge" says Miller. That is, many individuals financing a start-up venture for the first time are either reluctant to spend the $1,500 it typically costs for a consultant to develop a business plan, or theyre unsure of how to do one themselves."

FundablePlans.com, on the other hand, takes entrepreneurs through a step-by-step online process that results in a professional-quality business plan for $39.95. This combination of ease-of-use and flexibility are what make the service unique. The service provides:

·    A business plan-in-progress that can be accessed from multiple locations.

·    Business plans that can be developed collaboratively by multiple users.

·    A software-free platform: nothing to install, maintain, or upgrade.

·    A final product in industry standard Adobe PDF format.

·    Help screens and email support from professional business consultants.

·    A 100% money back guarantee.

Miller says that professional business plans are not only critically important for new businesses in terms of securing financing, management, and customers ~ but that existing small businesses should update their plans at least annually.

The process of writing a business plan forces the manager to gather facts and focus on the competitive and financial landscape that will generally determine whether a project will succeed or fail," says Miller. A business plan is to a business what a résumé is to an individual. It tells the history and future plans of the project by providing narrative and financial statements. The finished plan can be used as a proposal ~ most often to secure financing but also to 'tell the story of a project to others, such as potential employees or outside professionals".

A few years ago people scoffed at the idea of doing their taxes online," says Miller. But now literally millions of individuals and small business owners do just that. Having a professional and up-to-date business plan is just as important and now it is every bit as easy and affordable."

FundablePlans.com is now available online at www.fundableplans.com and exclusive trials are available for interested members of the media. Dave Miller is also available for comment via email at dave@fundableplans.com or by telephone at (800) 450-2750.
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