I'm so mentally attracted to the concept of not formulating a business plan other than "make something people want, and then put it up for sale" - but in my business it hasn't been viable.
To get the loan that we've taken out, and to get meetings with useful people, we've had to have a traditional business plan and cashflow forecast.
Here's the good news though: it only took me one evening to write and another to edit, and it doesn't matter if we don't stick to it.
I wonder if Jason Fried had to man up and write one when he founded his consulting firm?
Writing a business plan to show a bank and "writing a business plan" are two different things, really.
Looking at 37S, my guess is that they're mostly self funded, so I don't think they ever went looking for loans. I would say this is the "ideal path", even if it isn't practical.
If you do need start up capital, then of course you're going to have to show the bank that you're good for it. You should still cling to the idea however that your ultimate business is about making "something" and not sticking to what you thought you would be making before you started.
To get the loan that we've taken out, and to get meetings with useful people, we've had to have a traditional business plan and cashflow forecast.
Here's the good news though: it only took me one evening to write and another to edit, and it doesn't matter if we don't stick to it.
I wonder if Jason Fried had to man up and write one when he founded his consulting firm?