Some people might consider having a business plan to be "a pain in the neck," a state business development official said during a seminar in Gloucester Nov. 9, but "it is your map" to a better chance for your business to succeed.

Kathryn L. Dolan, business services manager for the Virginia Department of Business Assistance, said that many people have all kinds of ideas for running a business in their head, but often cannot make them work without having a written plan, during the Entrepreneur Express workshop at Gloucester’s Hampton Inn.

Also, she said that having a business plan in place is essential in being considered for approval of a loan needed to infuse capital into a small business.

Speaking to about 20 entrepreneurs and prospective small business owners, Dolan said that having a written plan helps a small business owner know "where you are at and where you are going" with your business ideas. In some ways, operating without a plan is ...