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Installation is simple, and the wizard-driven interface makes the process almost childishly easy, so the results are even more impressive. Of course, some details aren't for kids--financial information can be imported from popular software like Quicken, the plan and its details can be posted online, and the advice offered for particular business operations can be very precise.

Though a few may find it annoying, the software does expect a certain amount of Web and online savvy; one of the four supplementary books it offers is only available on the Net, for example. Still, even complete novices can create impressive plans--or find that their ideas might need some substantial tweaking in order to eke out a profit. Advanced users might find the sample plans interesting, but are more likely to drool over the thousands of possible reports, the error-checking tool, the funding search, and the wealth of additional resources.

I started my business in 2002 and needed a business plan. I didn't know where to start. The bank said that an accountant needed to review the figures and projections.

Geez! I am in a service business and whereas an accountant may know the numbers, they didn't know the business. My accountant said that I should write the plan and let him go over it. Yeah..right! SO I searched the Internet and came across this software. Gosh, just $99.00 bucks to secure my future obtain a business loan and get started. Seemed a fair deal, so I ordered the software and some books as well on writing a business plan.

The books said it might take a couple of months to write a proper plan to present to investors and convince them. The software said it would produce a winning plan. Ok, time to get started. Ahh.. They had sample business plans that one could look at. Nice!

Well, I followed the instructions and got started. It took a couple of weeks of editing but at the end there it was. Nicely generated plan, indexed, pages numbered nicely double-spaced. A truly professional and legal looking plan which I proudly presented to my accountant. He said, this is a lot, it is even more that they need and you will have no problems with the bank. Needless to say I wanted to believe him.

Then the day came and I presented my plan to three separate banks and waited...and waited...and waited...Then the first bank called, apologetic. My plan was so comprehensive it took them more time than usual to go through but..it was approved! They would offer 50% financing. Then the second bank called.. Approved! They would offer 90% financing. The third bank called.. needed more time, they had NEVER seen such a comprehensive and well written business plan..needed another week to fully digest it. Then they called about two weeks later. They wanted my accountant and I to meet with the Manager. They wanted a few things explained.

This did not look good!

There were a few figures they could not understand how they were generated. My accountant explained that the numbers were generated in a computer program, Business Plan Pro and he had gone over it and it was using a different recording method to what they were accustomed. [ It was all accountant talk that I have summarized]. All smiles! APPROVED! 100% financing.

Needless to say, you know which bank I went with in the end!