for succ:

• find most significant external factors and understanding them
• analyze nature of business,
• contemplate future of business
• if possible get data on these factors and utilize projections made by experts on them
• adjust them based on her assessment ( not too much)
• do u realize labor price isnt under ur control

experts forecasts arent competely irrelevant ....doesnt matter even if they vary and are disputed.

• local area economic variables shud be analyzed --local banks and chambers of commerce, in large cities can be consulted ---they create and maintain datafiles and projections, for imp demographic economic and competitive conditions in their communities.
• dont reinvent wheels to create a business...consider using existing consulting and data anlysis type companies ....that assemble info and make projections
• even if u have expertise consider hiring since they will take probably less time
• hire a business school professor--there overhead expenses are covered