PREPARATION OF A BUSINESS PLAN FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
DEFINITION OF A BUSINESS PLAN Set of documents prepared by a firm's management to summarize its operational and financial objectives for the near future (usually one to three years) and to show how they will be achieved. It serves as a blueprint to guide the firm's policies and strategies, and is continually modified as conditions change and new opportunities and/or threats emerge. Read more: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/business-plan.html
BENEFITS OF HAVING A BUSINESS PLAN Aids in obtaining financing Motivates Sets a sense of direction Serves as a measure of performance Can be used to plan
KEY ELEMENTS OF A BUSINESS PLAN
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY An executive summary of a business plan is an overview. Its purpose is to summarize the key points of a document for its readers, saving them time and preparing them for the upcoming content.
BUSINESS DESCRIPTION The name and location of the business The nature of the business and product Legal structure of the business Objectives and mission statement
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS Target market Customer Needs Location
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND Description of the industry in which the business operates. Size of industry Demand patterns Industry standards Key competitors and level of competition Potential for growth Likely impact of environmental factors
COMPETITOR ANALYSIS Who are your main competitors How do they promote themselves What are their strengths and weaknesses What is their perceived image Are they successful and why
MARKET ANALYSIS Customer needs Where are they How to reach them
MARKETING PLAN Price Place Promotion
OPERATIONS PLAN Cost of production Machinery Labour Materials Facilities Processes
MANAGERIAL SUMMARY Management structure and personnel Staffing
FINANCIAL PLAN Profit and loss Cash flows Balance sheets Breakeven Source of funds Business ratios Assumptions
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