As if there was any doubt, the latest news about the Australian government releasing apps for the Android market, which are designed to help people improve their business plans, confirms that enterprises cannot ignore the growing popularity of Smartphone tools in a business environment.
Based on business.gov.au planning templates and guides, the tablet apps have guided businesses through their plans and have been downloaded more than 22,000 times since their launch on the iPad.
They are certainly worth exploring as they were created with the help of business experts. But could you use Smartphone applications as the sole resource for your business planning?
Traditional Planning
When you get down to it, apps are just like specialist websites for mobile phones. Therefore, it is questionable whether you would rely on a website for advice without speaking to a human being. For example, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed a while ago that close to 90% of new establishments fail in only their first two years. Australian start-ups don’t necessarily go down that quickly, but there’s no harm in keeping in touch with a consultant to direct and advise you.
| Business Planning Aspect | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Preparation | A successful business requires a detailed business plan ready at all times. |
| Projections | You can’t rely solely on the Laws of Supply and Demand for long-term growth. |
| Flexibility | Businesses must adapt to market changes and adjust strategies accordingly. |
| Market Variables | There’s no such thing as perfect competition—market conditions are always unpredictable. |
| Challenging Scenarios | At times, businesses may need to sell products or services at below-market prices to survive. |
Useful Apps
But should you at least try the apps out? Well, some might benefit you as they do have very interesting features. MyBizPlan gives you template plans to work from, so you don’t have to start with a blank sheet of paper, but it also allows you to remove irrelevant details, so you can still tailor your plan to your specific business needs.
- When creating a bank business plan, you will need to look at your current deposits and the revenue coming in so you can adequately estimate your costs.
- The template tells you to write down your key objectives and financial review, as well as a section called ‘Financial statements’, which includes a balance sheet.
- With this template for a bank business plan, you will have something that you can show to your investors to gain their trust so that you can map out the business’s future without fearing that you will lose the important capital that they provide you with.
MarketMyBiz is also a good marketing planning app, which can help you identify your target market, while the emergency planning and recovery app MyBizShield helps you prepare for emergencies. Both are very useful if you haven’t had extensive training in either marketing or emergency management.
Consumer Apps
Apps may be growing in popularity for business, but there is no doubt that they will always be more successful with public consumers. However, you might fancy developing your app. Maybe you’re an experienced business owner who doesn’t need help from these Smartphone tools, but you want to get involved with social media as a way of attracting and maintaining more customers. If so, get in touch with a digital media expert who can plan online campaigns, design logos, and develop apps for mobile platforms.
If you’re wondering what makes a good app for consumers, just think of your least favourite apps and choose to avoid their pitfalls. In other words, have an app that has no pop-ups, a fast loading time, and a slick and simple layout that doesn’t duplicate the look of your website too much.