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1 . Who are you? 2. What do you do? 3. Where are you going? 4. How will you get there?. The Basics. Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister, United Kingdom. “He who fails to plan is planning to fail.”. The Basics.
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1. Who are you?2. What do you do?3. Where are you going?4. How will you get there? The Basics
Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister, United Kingdom “He who fails to plan is planning to fail.”
The Basics The Business Plan is comprised of several parts—the PRIMARY two are the Executive Summary and the Financials. The first introduces you and what you do, providing plan details to successfully execute. The Financials provide solid evidence that your plans are not only feasible—they are wildly profitable!
Who are you? To establish your credibility, share your background, educational level, past achievements—share your qualifications to lead this effort.
What do you do? Clearly and concisely state what you do or plan to do. You’re in what particular industry? Doing what? Make the argument that what you do has relevance, importance, and don’t forget to make it compelling and exciting!
Share your Roadmap Your Business Plan isn’t entirely for you—it’s to share with others your hopes, dreams, and plans. In most instances, the Business Plan is to influence others to buy into your vision. If it is vague, unclear, or worse yet, headed off a cliff, then you’d better sharpen your vision.
How will you get there? If you can’t answer this straight forward question, you are DOOMED. You must first know where it is you are headed before drawing up a Roadmap to chart your course. And no two routes are ever the same—be prepared to identify some alternate paths.
Business Plan Elements ExecutiveSummary— One to two pages in length. You must capture the reader’s imagination. Introduce yourself. Why should we be interested in you? What’s so compelling about you? In a paragraph, explain your sales cycle—how do you make money? What’s the Big Picture? How far and where will this go?
Business Plan Elements Market Analysis— What is the pain in the Market and how does your product service address that need? Size of the Market? Its Potential? Who is your Competition? What’s your USP (Unique Selling Proposition)? What is the biggest challenge that must be overcome? How will you gain market acceptance and establish brand recognition? Do you possess any Unique technology and patents?
Business Plan Elements Organization & Management— What is your organizational structure? Business formation? Describe the qualifications of the Management Team—profiles and experience. Now and in the future.
Business Plan Elements Financial Picture—Past, Present, & Future. Depiction of past performance is always preferable if available; if not, provide accurate and realistic financial projections. Two years at a minimum—three years is better. Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Summary.