The Business Plan

1. The Business Plan The student will . . . Discuss elements needed in a formally written E-business plan

2. What is an E-business plan? • A document that describes a new E-business. • It explains to lenders and investors why the new E-business deserves financial support. • It must be continually kept up-to-date due to constant changes in the ecommerce industry.

3. Why make an E-business plan? • To obtain financing • To serve as a living guide to the business • To provide a start-up blueprint • To help the owners plan their business prior to start-up so they will have fewer problems

4. The Parts of the E-business Plan • Executive Summary • Introduction • Analysis of the Business Situation • Proposed Business Outline • E-marketing Plan • Conclusion • Bibliography • Appendix

5. Executive Summary • A brief recounting of the key points in business plan • Reader uses it to decide if concept interests them, then will read on • Should be no longer than two pages • Should include the most important information from each section of the plan • Persuade reader business will succeed.

6. Introduction • Present product or service offered • Nature of business should be clear • Note unique features of product or service and possible spin-offs (additional products) when business is established • Sources of Information • Interviews & research sources

7. Analysis of the Business Situation • Presents your research in the industry and market and methods used • Analyzes your customers, competition, and industry • Use SWOT analysis • Targets Market Profile • Includes information about the prospective location’s geographic, economic, and demographic data

8. Proposed Business Outline • Goals/objectives and rationale • Proposed activities and time lines • Proposed budget • Plan to evaluate the effectiveness of the Internet business • Explain distribution plan

9. Organization Plan • Looks at the people aspect of the business • Discusses management philosophy, legal form of the company, key management personnel, and key employment policies

10. E-marketing Plan • How a company makes its customers aware of its products or services • Includes such features as the market niche, pricing policy, company image, marketing tactics used to reach customer, a media plan, and a marketing budget • Website development • Internet Marketing • SEO • Customer Service • Order Processing Plan

11. Conclusion • Presents the forecasts for the future of the business • Explains the assumptions made when calculating forecast figures • Information in the form of financial statements • Shows that the new business will be financially healthy • Specific requests for financing • Summary of key points supporting financial requests

12. Bibliography • Citations of any information used in completing the business plan • References of websites used, books, magazines, newspapers, etc.

13. Appendix • Optional • Includes exhibits appropriate to the business plan but not important enough to include in the body • I.e. - sample questionnaires used, letters sent and received, general background data, minutes of meetings, etc.