Transcript Document 7696583

Writing a Winning
Business Plan
A business plan is a strategy
for creating, launching and
managing a new venture. It
answers the questions of
What, Why, Who, When and
Where. Most important, it
answers the question of How.
Success begins with a great opportunity.
A viable opportunity exists when:


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You have intimate knowledge of the industry
(products, services, competitors, customers’
needs, missing pieces)
You meet an important need or want that
currently is not being met in the market
You can execute a viable business in the
industry (robust market, healthy margins,
early cash flow, high profit potential, a
strong team, customer ready to buy)
Components of the Plan
Cover Page
 Table of Contents
 Executive Summary
 Business Description
 Industry Analysis
 Management Plan
 Marketing Plan
 Financial Plan
 Implementation Plan
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Cover Page
Name of new business
 Name of founders
 Contact information
 Date of plan
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Table of Contents
Includes major sections and
page numbers
 Includes sub-sections and
page numbers

Executive Summary
1 to 3 pages in length
 Brief description of business and
summary of competitive advantage
 Brief overview of management plan
 Brief overview of marketing plan
 Brief overview of financial plan
including sales and profit projections

Business Description
Mission, vision and values
 Products and/or services
 Unique competitive advantage
 Legal structure and ownership

Industry Analysis
Definition and health of industry
 Barriers to entry and exit
 Power of buyers and suppliers
 Complementary/substitute products
 Analysis of major competitors
 Current trends relevant to business
 Impact of technology and innovation
 Key factors for industry success

Management Plan
Members of the management team
 Structure of organization and roles
 Acquisition/sourcing of materials
 Production/assembly of products
 Packaging and distribution
 Customer service strategy

Marketing Plan
Market segments/customer profiles
 Target customers and/or companies
 Channels for product distribution
 Sales and marketing strategies
 Pricing and market positioning

Financial Plan
Financing the venture
 Projected financial statements
 Cash flow analysis
 Break-even analysis

Financial Planning
Confirms there is viable economic
model for the business
 Uncovers risks that will need to be
managed
 Builds investor confidence (easier to
finance and lower financing costs)
 Improves negotiation position of the
entrepreneur

Financial Summary
Financing required – amount raised
and future requirements
 Timing of financing (stages and
milestones)
 Projection of financials over 3-5 year
period (by month or quarter year 1)
 Past financial history if any
 ROI expectations

Implementation Plan
Major objectives for the first
year of operation
 Specific action plans for
achieving each objective
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Sample business plans can be
viewed on the following
websites:
www. bplans.com
www.businessplans.org