Once you have determined that you are ready to start your own business and have decided what type of business you are going to start, you must plan for the implementation of your concept and its ongoing operations.
A written business plan is a critical component of opening a successful business. Regardless of the type of business that you plan to start, a business plan is the foundation for launching your business.
A business plan serves two functions: 1. It helps secure financing by demonstrating technical competence, marketing knowledge, and organizational ability. 2. It helps establish goals, identify risks, recognize financial and physical needs, and provide guidelines to establish performance.
A business plan precisely defines your business, identifies your goals, and serves as your firm’s resume. The basic components include a current and pro forma balance sheet, an income statement, and a cash flow analysis. It helps you allocate resources properly, handle unforeseen complications, and make good business decisions.
A good business plan is a crucial part of any loan application. It provides specific and organized information about your company and how you will repay borrowed money. This business plan serves as a road map for your business success, and a well-thought out business plan is necessary for obtaining loans and other aid. Additionally, it informs sales personnel, suppliers, and others about your operations and goals.
Before you begin writing your business plan, consider four core questions:
A written business plan is a critical component of opening a successful business. Regardless of the type of business that you plan to start, a business plan is the foundation for launching your business.
A business plan serves two functions: 1. It helps secure financing by demonstrating technical competence, marketing knowledge, and organizational ability. 2. It helps establish goals, identify risks, recognize financial and physical needs, and provide guidelines to establish performance.
A business plan precisely defines your business, identifies your goals, and serves as your firm’s resume. The basic components include a current and pro forma balance sheet, an income statement, and a cash flow analysis. It helps you allocate resources properly, handle unforeseen complications, and make good business decisions.
A good business plan is a crucial part of any loan application. It provides specific and organized information about your company and how you will repay borrowed money. This business plan serves as a road map for your business success, and a well-thought out business plan is necessary for obtaining loans and other aid. Additionally, it informs sales personnel, suppliers, and others about your operations and goals.
Before you begin writing your business plan, consider four core questions:
- What service or product does your business provide and what need does it fill?
- Who are the potential customers for your product or service, and why will they purchase it from you?
- How will you reach your potential customers?
- Where will you get the financial resources to start your business?
Elements of the Plan
When writing your business plan, be sure to address each of the vital elements:
1. Description: Define the type of business you are starting. Write out your mission statement and set goals for your new company—both short-term and long-term. Provide background on your organization’s history and principals.
2. Organization: At this stage, you must determine what type of organizational structure, management, and personnel your company will require. Identify key management members and their responsibilities. List goals and a time schedule for hiring and training your staff. Determine what is needed to establish and maintain your company’s culture.
3. Market: Understand and define your company’s market. Describe the targeted customer. Determine the number, location, and size of the various competitors in the area. Describe your marketing goals and strategies, and illustrate how you plan to achieve these goals.
4. Location: Research the area and determine where you wish to locate your company. When selecting a location for your business, it is important to consider economic factors and the environment of the area in which you are looking, noting the location of not only your potential competitors but also your target audience.
5. Financing: This section should include your proposed financing, past financial performance, and future expectations for financial performance. What are your financial goals to ensure the success of your business? Careful financial planning is necessary for a successful business. Your banker can offer valuable assistance in financial assessment. During this stage, you must also determine what resources are needed to reach your financial goals. An incubator may be a possible resource option as well.
Your business plan should include an executive summary, supporting documents, and financial projections. Although no single formula exists for developing a business plan, some elements are common to all business plans. They are summarized in the outline that follows.
1. Description: Define the type of business you are starting. Write out your mission statement and set goals for your new company—both short-term and long-term. Provide background on your organization’s history and principals.
2. Organization: At this stage, you must determine what type of organizational structure, management, and personnel your company will require. Identify key management members and their responsibilities. List goals and a time schedule for hiring and training your staff. Determine what is needed to establish and maintain your company’s culture.
3. Market: Understand and define your company’s market. Describe the targeted customer. Determine the number, location, and size of the various competitors in the area. Describe your marketing goals and strategies, and illustrate how you plan to achieve these goals.
4. Location: Research the area and determine where you wish to locate your company. When selecting a location for your business, it is important to consider economic factors and the environment of the area in which you are looking, noting the location of not only your potential competitors but also your target audience.
5. Financing: This section should include your proposed financing, past financial performance, and future expectations for financial performance. What are your financial goals to ensure the success of your business? Careful financial planning is necessary for a successful business. Your banker can offer valuable assistance in financial assessment. During this stage, you must also determine what resources are needed to reach your financial goals. An incubator may be a possible resource option as well.
Your business plan should include an executive summary, supporting documents, and financial projections. Although no single formula exists for developing a business plan, some elements are common to all business plans. They are summarized in the outline that follows.
Outline of a Business Plan
1. Cover sheet
2. Statement of purpose
3. Table of contents
I. The business
II. Financial data
III. Supporting documents
2. Statement of purpose
3. Table of contents
I. The business
- A. Description of business
- B. Marketing
- C. Competition
- D. Operating procedures
- E. Personnel
- F. Business insurance
II. Financial data
- A. Loan applications
- B. Capital equipment and supply list
- C. Balance sheet
- D. Break-even analysis
- E. Pro forma income projections (profit and loss statements)
- F. Three-year summary
- G. Detail by month, first year
- H. Detail by quarter, second and third years
- I. Assumptions upon which projections were based
- J. Pro forma cash flow
III. Supporting documents
- A. Tax returns of principals for last three years
- B. Personal financial statement (all banks have these forms)
- C. For franchised businesses, a copy of franchise contract and all supporting documents provided by the franchisor
- D. Copy of proposed lease or purchase agreement for building space
- E. Copies of licenses and other legal documents
- F. Copies of resumes of all principals
- G. Copies of letters of intent from suppliers, etc.
Using Your Business Plan
A business plan is a tool with three basic purposes:
As a communication tool, a business plan is used to attract investment capital, secure loans, convince workers to hire on, and assist in attracting strategic business partners. The development of a comprehensive business plan shows whether a business has the potential to make a profit. It requires a realistic look at almost every phase of business and allows you to show that you have worked out all of the problems and decided on potential alternatives before actually launching your business.
As a management tool, the business plan helps you track, monitor, and evaluate your progress. The business plan is a living document, which you will modify as you gain knowledge and experience. By using your business plan to establish time lines and milestones, you can gauge your progress and compare your projections to actual accomplishments.
As a planning tool, the business plan guides you through the various phases of your business. A thoughtful plan will help identify roadblocks and obstacles, so that you can avoid them and establish alternatives. Many business owners share their business plans with their employees to foster a broader understanding of where the business is going.
If you have difficulty drafting your business plan, community colleges have small business centers to assist you in preparing a thoughtful and comprehensive business plan.
- Communication
- Management
- Planning
As a communication tool, a business plan is used to attract investment capital, secure loans, convince workers to hire on, and assist in attracting strategic business partners. The development of a comprehensive business plan shows whether a business has the potential to make a profit. It requires a realistic look at almost every phase of business and allows you to show that you have worked out all of the problems and decided on potential alternatives before actually launching your business.
As a management tool, the business plan helps you track, monitor, and evaluate your progress. The business plan is a living document, which you will modify as you gain knowledge and experience. By using your business plan to establish time lines and milestones, you can gauge your progress and compare your projections to actual accomplishments.
As a planning tool, the business plan guides you through the various phases of your business. A thoughtful plan will help identify roadblocks and obstacles, so that you can avoid them and establish alternatives. Many business owners share their business plans with their employees to foster a broader understanding of where the business is going.
If you have difficulty drafting your business plan, community colleges have small business centers to assist you in preparing a thoughtful and comprehensive business plan.