Forecasting is more art than science.  Like the weather forecast, it’s a mixture of research, experience, and educated guessing.  You can do it. We’ll do case studies and sample today and prepare you for your next assignment, due next week, a sales forecast.

This is hands on, with numbers, and examples, how to forecast sales and estimate starting costs. Whether you like numbers or not, there are some basic estimates you just have to make. Think of it as lists of educated guesses. You don’t have to.

If you should happen to miss this class, the reading provides a lot of detail and background, and there are also some additional links that might help:

• This three-minute piece on youtube.
• The Forecast Your Sales chapter of the online book on business planning, www.hurdlebook.com.
• The sales forecasting discussion in the Plan-as-you-go Business Plan book.

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