I love it when something I've been preaching for years is validated in the press.  It just feels good to read something that says "You've been right all along!"

In the September 7th issue of Medical Economics, there is an excellent article on writing business plans.  A few points I alway make to students are prominent in the article:

• Developing a business plan will force you to raise and address hard questions
• The business plan should be continually revised and revisited to provide reality checks and reflect the current situation
• Business plan software and templates are not necessary and may be dangerous if a reader recognizes it and realized you didn't build the plan from the ground up

This is a good article that gives a few different approaches to writing a business plan and some good resources to get started.  No two plans are alike and the different approaches may give you a better comfort level with writing your plan.

I've run my business as recommended in the article.  It's worked for me, so I wanted to pass it on.  But most of all, I love reading that I'm right!