The Rural Voice, 2001-02, Page 31long list of things they'll still need to
know before they could successfully
start and run a dairy, beef, or hog
operation (including getting the
"lingo" right). It certainly can be (and
has been) done. It's not about
education, but rather about learning.
And that'll be the case whether the
business plan is to package and sell
produce directly to a grocery chain,
or to offer home -care services in the
region.
The upfront investment in
understanding the customer
and the market will form the
foundation of any business plan.
There are lots of guides as to what
should be included in a business plan
and I invite you to study a few. But
let me ask the question: "If someone
was asking you to invest, for
example, the next two years of your
income into their business, what
questions would you have for them?"
You would probably want to know
who was behind it. What are their
strengths, and any weaknesses (and
how those were going to be
addressed)? What exactly is their
product or service, and why will
customers buy from them? How are
they going to market their product or
service? Who are their competitors
and how do they compare?
And of course you'll want to "see
the numbers". Once you see the
numbers you'll probably be anxious
to know how they estimated sales.
What assumptions were made? How
accurate are the projected costs? How
much upfront investment or loans are
TIP BOX
Here's where you can find out
more about starting your own
business, including resources and
business self-help offices near
you:
• Ontario Ministry of Economic
Development & Trade
www.ontario-canada.com
• Ontario Ministry of Consumer &
Commercial Relations
www.ccr.gov.on.ca
• Industry Canada's Business and
Consumer site
www.strategis.gc.ca
• Women & Rural Economic
Development
www.kentplace.com
1-800-407-6419
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Hoses Bearings
Hydraulic Pumps
Cylinders
SNOWBLOWERS
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sili
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front -mount
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BARFOOT'S
WELDING AND MACHINE INC.
CO
Fri
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JANUARY AND FEBRUARY
CLEARANCE OF USED INVENTORY
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SUKUP BROCK GSI
JADVENT RAD SPI
ALL SIZE FLOORS
Feeding Systems, Stable Supplies,
Great Selection of Used Inventory,
Winter Discounts on Bins & Floors
We look forward to seeing you at the
Toronto Farm Equipment Show
Hall 2 Booth #2513 Feb. 6-9
John Baak Construction Ltd.
R.R. 1 Hanover, ON N4N 3B8
Phone: 369-5478 Fax: 369-9906
E-mail: JohnBaakConstruction@sympatico.ca
Also: Barn Renovations, Stabling & much more
FEBRUARY 2001 27