BUSINESS
PLAN




BUSINESS PLAN

STRUCTURE OF A BUSINESS PLAN

BUSINESS PLAN RELATED TOPICS

HOW TO WRITE BUSINESS PLAN

BUSINESS PLAN LINKS



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SECTION 1



BUSINESS
PLAN




A business plan is a formal statement of a set of business goals,
the reasons they are believed attainable, and the plan for reaching
those goals. It may also contain background information about the
organization or team attempting to reach those goals.

Business plans may also target changes in perception and branding
by the customer, client, taxpayer, or larger community. When the
existing business is to assume a major change or when planning a
new venture, a 3 to 5 year business plan is required, since
investors will look for their annual return in that timeframe.



Business plan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_plan



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SECTION 2



STRUCTURE
OF
A
BUSINESS
PLAN




The need for a business plan applies to start-ups and companies
in existence for years. It is used to communicate, manage and
grow your business. Often, it is proposed to investors when a
company needs start-up capital or is looking to expand.

The business outlines everything a reader would need to know
about how the company operates, the leadership, financial and
marketing strategy and where the company hopes to be in five
years. Several sections are included and outlined.



Executive Summary

The executive summary gives a broad overview of the business plan,
the history and future goals of the company. This is the most
important section and should grab the reader's attention. Things
that need to be included in the executive summary are the mission
statement, the founders and their roles in the company, the location
of the business, the products or services the company offers, investor
information, financial growth summary, marketing highlights and future
plans.



Market Analysis

This section of the business plan includes a thorough industry and
market analysis. It should also analyze the size, growth rate, trends
and characteristics of the industry. Detailed demographic descriptions
are also included in this section. Analysis should define the target
market and include characteristics, geographic location, seasonal trends
and size of this market. A competitive analysis is also included which
assesses the competition's product line, their strengths and weaknesses,
and any barriers to entering the market.



Organization & Management

This section outlines the company's organizational structure and
ownership and key leaders of the business. Legal structure, names
of the owners, percentage of ownership, forms of ownership and
overall organizational structure are included. Management profiles
should also be included that provide background information on the
key people running the company such as education, experience and
skills, prior employment, track records, community involvement and
industry recognition. If a board of directors is involved with the
company, their positions, background and company involvement are
also included in this section.



Marketing & Sales Strategies

This section includes the market penetration strategy and overall
growth strategy. Detailed communication analysis of how to best
reach target market through promotions, advertising, public relations
and a sales strategy are outlined. Included is also a description of
the distribution channels and the process for sales activities.



Service or Product Line

This section outlines what the company is selling and a detailed
description of the product or service. This would include benefits
of the product or service, its ability to meet customers' needs,
distribution and pricing strategy, advantages over the competition
and the current development stage. Copyright, patent or trade secret
information is also outlined in this section, in addition to describing
any existing legal agreements for the company.



Financials

If there is any historical data related to the finances of the company,
it is included here. Items such as income statements, balance sheets and
cash flow statements will provide the information investors and creditors
are interested in. This section also includes a prospective financial
analysis for five years out. Forecasted income statements, balance sheets,
cash flow statements and capital expenditure budgets should be proposed for
each future year of the company. Graphs and trend analysis charts are often
used in this section.



Appendix

The appendix of the business plan includes items such as credit history,
resumes, product pictures, letters of reference, market study details,
magazine or book references, licenses, permits or patents, legal documents,
copies of leases, building permits, contracts and lists of business
consultants. This information is used on an as-needed basis.



Structure of a Business Plan
http://www.ehow.com/about_6570089_structure-business-plan.html



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SECTION 3



BUSINESS
PLAN
RELATED
TOPICS




Step-by-Step Business Plan
http://www.ehow.com/how_6758413_step_by_step-business-plan.html

How to Write a Business Plan
http://www.ehow.com/how_7484_write-business-.html

Business Planning Structure
http://www.ehow.com/about_7471950_business-planning-structure.html

Basic Business Plan Structure
http://www.ehow.com/way_5251392_basic-business-plan-structure.html

How to Write a Business Plan Structure
http://www.ehow.com/how_7611429_write-business-plan-structure.html

Basic Business Plan Structure
http://www.ehow.com/way_5251392_basic-business-plan-structure.html

Business Planning Structure
http://www.ehow.com/about_7471950_business-planning-structure.html

How to Write a Business Plan Structure
http://www.ehow.com/how_7611429_write-business-plan-structure.html

Organizational Plans for Business
http://www.ehow.com/list_7501906_organizational-plans-business.html

How to Layout a Business Plan
http://www.ehow.com/how_6559469_layout-business-plan.html

How to Create a Basic Business Plan
http://www.ehow.com/how_8213022_create-basic-business-plan.html



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SECTION 4



HOW
TO
WRITE
A
BUSINESS
PLAN




The primary value of your business plan will be to create a written
outline that evaluates all aspects of the economic viability of your
business venture including a description and analysis of your
business prospects. We believe that preparing and maintaining a
business plan is important for any business regardless of its size
or nature. But it will not ensure your success. If you maintain a
correct assessment of the changing economics of your business, your
plan will provide a useful roadmap as well as a financing tool. But
if you have miscalculated the potential, then your business plan
could become a roadmap leading to failure.



Why Prepare A Business Plan?


Your business plan is going to be useful in a number of ways.

First and foremost, it will define and focus your objective using
appropriate information and analysis.

You can use it as a selling tool in dealing with important relationships
including your lenders, investors and banks.

Your business plan can uncover omissions and/or weaknesses in your
planning process.

You can use the plan to solicit opinions and advice from people, including
those in your intended field of business, who will freely give you invaluable
advice. Too often, entrepreneurs forge ahead ("My Way!") without the benefit
of input from experts who could save them from potentially disastrous mistakes.
"My Way" is a great song, but in practice can result in unnecessary hardships.
To help get started in lining up appointments, you can fill in and use the
following template. We have also provided a larger blank template for you to
use at the end of this session. People to see include your investors, family
members, banker, lawyer, attorney, business mentors, trusted business friends,
potential customers, competitors (distant ones), potential landlords, and the
U.S. Small Business Administration.



What to Avoid in Your Business Plan


Place some reasonable limits on long-term, future projections. (Long-term means
over one year.) Better to stick with short-term objectives and modify the plan
as your business progresses. Too often, long-range planning becomes meaningless
because the reality of your business can be different from your initial concept.

Avoid optimism. In fact, to offset optimism, be extremely conservative in predicting
capital requirements, timelines, sales and profits. Few business plans correctly
anticipate how much money and time will be required.

Avoid language or explanations that are difficult to understand. Do not ignore
spelling out what your strategies will be in the event of business adversities.

Don't depend entirely on the uniqueness of your business or even a patented invention.
Success comes to those who start businesses with great economics and not necessarily
great inventions.



Eight Steps To A Great Business Plan


Start-up entrepreneurs often have difficulty writing out business plans. This
discipline is going to help you in many ways so don't skip this planning tool!

To make it easier, here are eight steps that will produce a worthwhile plan:

1. Review the two sample plans furnished in this session.

2. Focus and refine your concept based on the data you have compiled.

3. Gather all the data you can on the feasibility and the specifics of
your business concept.

4. Outline the specifics of your business. Using a "what, where, why,
how" approach might be useful.

5. Include your experience, education and personal information.

6. Fill in the templates at the end of each session with clear language
and realistic projections.

7. Print off the business plan templates from each session into an MS
Word document.

8. You may wish to enhance your presentation with bar charts, pie charts
and graphics.



Top Ten Do's and Don'ts


THE TOP TEN DO'S


1. Prepare a complete business plan for any business you are
considering.

2. Use the business plan templates furnished in each session.

3. Complete sections of your business plan as you proceed
through the course.

4. Research (use search engines) to find business plans that
are available on the Internet.

5. Package your business plan in an attractive kit as a
selling tool.

6. Submit your business plan to experts in your intended
business for their advice.

7. Spell out your strategies on how you intend to handle
adversities.

8. Spell out the strengths and weaknesses of your
management team.

9. Include a monthly one-year cash flow projection.

10. Freely and frequently modify your business plans to
account for changing conditions.



THE TOP TEN DON'TS


1. Be optimistic (on the high side) in estimating future sales.

2. Be optimistic (on the low side) in estimating future costs.

3. Disregard or discount weaknesses in your plan. Spell them out.

4. Stress long-term projections. Better to focus on projections
for your first year.

5. Depend entirely on the uniqueness of your business or the
success of an invention.

6. Project yourself as someone you're not. Be brutally realistic.

7. Be everything to everybody. Highly focused specialists usually
do best.

8. Proceed without adequate financial and accounting know-how.

9. Base your business plan on a wonderful concept. Test it first.

10. Pursue a business not substantiated by your business plan analysis.



The business plan
http://www.myownbusiness.org/s2/#6



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SECTION 5



BUSINESS
PLAN
LINKS




Business Plan Project
http://www.bc.edu/schools/csom/mba/academics/bplan.html

Business plan for startup business
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/business-plan-for-startup-business-TC001017520.aspx

Business Plans: Samples
http://www.bplans.com/

Business Plan Samples, Software, and Strategy
http://businessplans.org/

Business Plans: A Step-by-Step Guide
http://www.entrepreneur.com/businessplan/index.html

Business Plan Templates
http://www.businessplantemplate.net/

Business Plan Templates
http://businessplans.gosnippy.com/

Business Plan Template Download
http://www.entrepreneurmag.co.za/advice/business-plans/business-plan-template-download/

Create Your Business Plan
http://www.sba.gov/writing-business-plan

Economicspa
http://www.economicspa.org/

Free Sample Business Plans
http://retail.about.com/od/freesamplebusinessplans/

Free Sample Business Plans
http://www.bulletproofbizplans.com/bpsample/Sample_Plan/sample_plan.html

Free Sample Business Plans
http://www.smarta.com/tools/business-plans

Government agency operational plan
http://www.doa.state.la.us/opb/faf/OPFormatWord_FY01MWLayout.pdf

Government project plan
http://www.egovernment.tas.gov.au/themes/project_management/project_management/knowledge_base

How to Write a Business Plan
http://www.sbdcnet.org/small-business-information-center/business-plans

non-profit business plan
http://ase.tufts.edu/yet/pdf/Non-Profit%20Incorporating%20%20The%20Business%20Plan.pdf

Sample Business Plan Downloads
http://www.iplanner.net/business-financial/online/download.aspx

Small Business Notes
http://www.smallbusinessnotes.com/planning/sbabusplan.html

A Standard Business Plan Outline
http://articles.bplans.com/writing-a-business-plan/a-standard-business-plan-outline

Ten Big Questions
http://www.caycon.com/downloads/Ten-Big-Questions.pdf

What is a Business Plan?
http://www.bplans.com/



The U.S. Small Business Administration
http://www.sba.gov/





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