Business Plans

How to Write a Business Plan

A business plan generally projects 3-5 years ahead and outlines the route a company intends to take to grow revenues. Creating a business plan will help you achieve your entrepreneurial goals. A clear and compelling business plan provides you with a guide for building a successful enterprise focused on achieving your personal and financial goals. It can also help persuade others, including banks, to invest in what you are creating. Think of it as the road map to your business's future.

A finance provider will review any business plan submitted; it is essential that your plan relates to your business and you do not rely on a generic document.

Executive Summary

Company Description

Products and Services

Marketing Plan

Operational Plan

Management & Organization

Startup Expenses & Capitalization

Financial Plan

Appendices

REASEARCH

Analyze the potential markets for your business

Who are your customers ?

Is there a viable market for the product or service you want to sell?

How old are your potential customers?

What do they do for a living?

Is your product or service attractive to a particular ethnic or economic population?

Will only wealthy people be able to afford it?

Does your ideal customer live in a certain type of neighborhood or area?

Establish the size of your potential market

Identify your company’s initial needs.

Prepare product samples

Research possible locations for your business

Determine your start-up cost

Put yourself in the shoes of potential investors

Identify potential investors

DEFINE YOUR COMPANY

Identify potential investors

Choose a winning strategy

Design your company

issues of running a business

WRITE YOUR BUSINESS PLAN

Organize all the relevant information about your business

Title Page and Table of Contents

Executive Summary, in which you summarize your vision for the company. This plan includes this summary, and chapters on the company, products and services, market focus, action plans and forecasts, management team, and financial plan.

General Company Description, in which you provide an overview of your company and the service it provides to its market, What is a summary of your company. Ownership history., Include a balance sheet.

Products and Services, in which you describe, in detail, your unique product or service. Competitive comparison. Current products and future products. Include brochure.

Operational Plan, in which you describe how the business will be operated on a day-to-day basis. Strategy and implementation.

Management and Organization, in which you describe the structure of your organization and the philosophy that governs it

Financial Plan, sales forecast and sales strategy.

Write the executive summary last

Gather all the information together and prepare multiple drafts

Sell yourself and your business

Present and explain your financial data