The importance of a comprehensive, thoughtful business plan cannot be overemphasized. More hinges on it: outside funding, credit from suppliers, management of your operation and finances, promotion and marketing of your business, and accomplishment of your goals and objectives. "The business plan is a necessity. If the person who wants to start a small business can't put a business plan together, he or she is in trouble," says R Krummer, Jr., chairman of 1st Business Bank in Los Angeles. Despite the critical importance of a business plan, galore entrepreneurs drag their feet once it comes to preparing a written document. They argue that their marketplace changes too fast for a business plan to be useful or that they simply don't have enough time. But simply as a builder won't begin construction without a blueprint, eager business owners shouldn't rush into new ventures without starting a business plan.

Bonus to the''Advanced Power Merchandising ''