Every small business owner could use a few helpful hints when planning their new venture. When working through your business plan, visit the Canada Business Service Centres for more ideas, or consult any number of books on the subject at your local bookstore or library. The following are links to tools and information that you might find helpful.

Planning Tips

Before you begin writing, collect relevant materials for your business, such as:

• articles you've clipped or collected online about your industry and competitors
• agreements with customers and suppliers
• resumes for your team
• contact information for your team members, lawyer, banker, accountant or bookkeeper and insurance agent
• details of what you personally own and owe
• tax returns
• recent financial statements