📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

6 Reasons to Update Your Business Plan Revise your business plan so it grows with your company and your goals.

By Nina Zipkin

entrepreneur daily

Business plans are living documents. Make sure that they evolve with your company and reflect the business you're running by revising when your company meets these six milestones.

You want to refinance or fundraise. Investors and lenders want to know about your current challenges and have the most up-to-date look at the costs and opportunities you're forecasting.
Read more: Update Your Business Plan to Renew Your Drive and Focus

You launch a new product or service. A new revenue stream will impact how you manage your resources – and can impact profitability. Let partners and investors in on your vision to get their buy-in and help with execution.
Read more: How and Why Business Plans Have Changed

You expand into new markets. How you allocate your time and resources will change dramatically as you expand into different cities and countries. An updated plan can help you set realistic goals and communicate those to you team.

Your competitors have changed. Half the battle of running a successful business is staying aware of what the others in your industry are doing. If your major competitor pivots or there is an up and coming venture that enters the field, include that in your plan
Read more: Updating Your Business Plan

You change suppliers or technologies. Changing your supply chain could help you cut costs or even position your company as more environmentally friendly. Furthermore, a shift to a new tech platform could give your company an important competitive advantage that investors will want to know about.
Read more: 8 Reasons to Update Your Business Plan Right Now

Your customer changes. If your target customer has shifted, you might need to meet a different set of wants and need. If so, you'll need to explain in your business plan how you'll find your new core market and retain it.
Read more: A Better Business Plan Can Lead to New Customers

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

A First-of-Its-Kind Flamethrower Robot Dog That Blasts 30-Foot Flames Is Now Available to the Public

Thermonator builds on existing technology — with a fiery twist. What could go wrong?

Business Solutions

Expand Your Business' Reach with This AI E-Book Generator for $25

Powered by intuitive AI, this tech enables you to easily create e-books that could generate income online.

Leadership

We've Normalized Testing Our Employees. But Why Don't We Test Our Leaders?

Here's how leaders can grow and improve their leadership and management skills.

Living

This Wine Assortment Can be a Great Mother's Day Gift for $65

Treat your mom to an amazing selection of reds, whites, and a bottle of bubbly with this limited-time Mother's Day discount.