2.09 Describe entrepreneurial planning considerations

1. 2.09 Describe entrepreneurial planning considerations

2. Entrepreneurship Basic Structure • Entrepreneurs discover an entrepreneurial opportunity when they find a compelling solution to an unsolved problem or unsatisfied need. • The first step in an entrepreneurial venture is to identify a real opportunity. • Second step is to create a plan to address that opportunity. • Third step is to execute that plan. http://www.dukeven.com/Home

3. Business Planning • Business planning is the process of setting goals, explaining the objectives and then mapping out a document to achieve these goals and objectives. • Effective business planning is critical to long-term success and the ability to raise capital and grow successfully. • Effective business planning requires a considerable amount of time

4. Types of Business Planning • Strategic planning • Setting broad, long-range objectives to achieve long-term goals • Three to five year planning • Effective entrepreneurial planning consists of: • Tactical planning • Contains the details of executing your strategies to achieve the goals you set in the strategic planning • Describe “how” you plan to meet the objectives

5. Strategic Business Planning • Strategy is the thinking process required to plan a change, course of action, or organization. • Strategic planning defines, or outlines, the desired goals and why you should go about achieving them. • The strategic planning phase involves business thinkers (namely– the small business owner) determining why, and in a global sense what, you will achieve in your stated goals. • When doing strategic planning, you need to determine, specifically, what outcome you want to achieve (These are your Objectives) and how you will measure the results.

6. Tactical Business Planning • Tactical planning requires the understanding and deciphering of the strategic goals; then identifying the courses of action needed to achieve those strategic objectives. • Tactical planning is developed by those who deal with getting the work done, day by day. • The main question for them is: “How can the strategic goals be accomplished within the designated limits of resources and authority?” • Tactical planning is actions taken day-to-day, whose results will move the company forward to achieve the objectives in the strategic plan.

7. Business Plan A proposal that describes a new business. It is presented to potential investors and lenders. A blueprint or map for your business start-up • A Business Plan is the explanation of: • why the plan for building the company makes sense, • what resources it will need to implement the vision, • who the team will be that will have the skills and leadership to execute the vision, and what path they will follow to get there.

8. The components of a business plan • Executive summary • Product/service plan • Management team plan • Industry/market analysis • Operational plan • Organizational plan • Marketing plan • Financial plan • Growth plan

9. Executive Summary • Brief recounting (summarizing) of the key points contained in a business plan. • The purpose of the section is to capture the interest of the investors/lenders • Should be no longer than two pages. • Include the most important information from each section of the plan. • Written last • Can contain a compelling story that persuades the reader that the business will be a success

10. Product/Service Plan • Presentation of the product or service you’re offering. • Nature of your business • Unique features of your product/service • Any possible spin-offs • Additional products or services that might be offered once the business is established • Can contain the businesses mission and vision statements

11. Management Team Plan • Present entrepreneur’s qualifications & those of any partners involved in the business venture. • Analyze expertise you’re missing & how you will solve that problem • Describe any advisory board members/Board of Directors that will assist in getting the business started

12. Industry/Market Analysis • Convince the reader that an explosive market opportunity exists • Presents research into the industry & market • Analyze customers, competition, & industry • Information about the prospective geographic location, economic, & demographic data

13. Operational Plan • Includes all processes involved in producing and/or delivering the product or service to the customer. • Status of product development • Equipment, inventory, production method • Time & money needed • Distribution plans (Channels of Distribution) • Direct channel – delivery directly to the customer • Indirect channel – product sold to someone before it reaches the customer (wholesaler)

14. Organizational Plan • People aspects of the business. Includes: • Management philosophy • Legal form of the company (sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, etc.) • Key management personnel • Key employment policies

15. Marketing Plan • How your company makes its customers aware of its products or services • Market segment (who will your customer’s be) • Pricing policy (how will your products be priced) • Company image • Marketing strategies (what tactics/steps will you use to meet your marketing goals) • Promotional plan (how will you promote your product) • Marketing budget

16. Financial Plan • Presents the forecasts for the future of the business • Includes assumptions made when calculating your forecast figures • Usually in the form of financial statements • The purpose of this section is to persuad the reader that your business makes sense from a financial perspective

17. Growth Plan • Looks at how the business will expand in the future. • Investors & lenders look to see if the business has the potential & the plans to grow over its life

18. Competitive Analysis • Focuses on who the competition is • What advantages does the proposed business have over its competitors

19. Developing a Business Plan • Make a research plan and gather data • Organize data in notebook or on compter • Write a draft • Write a final draft

20. Sources • http://www.entrepreneurship.org/en/resource-center/business-planning-building-an-effective-business-model.aspx • http://www.dukeven.com/Home/Planning • http://www.scribd.com/doc/3911336/Entrepreneurial-Planning-and-Goal-Setting • http://smallbizlink.monster.com/training/articles/855-strategic-and-tactical-planning-understanding-the-difference