problems and opportunities may represent a change of direction worth following, while others may be distractions that referring to your business plan will enable you to avoid. The black and white of your written business plan will help you face facts if things dont work out as expected. For example, if you planned to be making a living three months after start-up, and six months later youre going into the hole at the rate of $100 per day, your business plan should help you see that changes are necessary. Its all too easy to delude yourself into keeping a business going that will never meet its goals if you approach things with a "just another month or two and Ill be there" attitude, rather than comparing your results to your goals. C. Issues Beyond the Plan     I have written this book to provide you with an overview of the issues that determine success or failure in a small business. Experienced lenders, investors and entrepreneurs want a plan that takes these issues into account. Of course, this book cant cover everything. Here are some of the key business components that are left out of this initial planning process.     1. Bookkeeping and Accounting     This book discusses the numbers and concepts you as the business owner need to open and manage your small business. You have the responsibility to create bookkeeping and accounting systems and make sure they function adequately. (Some suggestions for setting up a system are contained in     One of the items generated by your accounting system will be a balance sheet. A balance sheet is a snapshot at a particular moment in time that lists the money value of everything you own and everything you owe to someone else.     2. Taxes     While there are a few mentions of tax issues throughout the book, most of the planning information doesnt discuss how taxes will be calculated or paid. The book focuses its efforts on making a profit and a positive cash flow. If you make a profit, youll pay taxes and if you dont make a profit, youll pay fewer taxes. A CPA or tax advisor can help you with tax strategies.     3. Securities Laws     If you plan to raise money by selling shares in a corporation or limited partnership, youll fall under state or federal securities regulations. You can, however, borrow money or take in a general partner without being affected by securities laws. A complete discussion of these issues is beyond the scope of this book. For now, take note that you must comply with securities regulations after you complete your plan and before you take any money into your business from selling shares or partnership interests.     4. Your Management Skill     This book shows you how to write a very good business plan and loan application. However, your ultimate success rests on your ability to implement your plans-on your management skills. If you have any doubts about your management ability, check out the resources in. Also for a thought-stimulating discussion of management.     5. Issues Specific to Your Business