BUSINESS PLAN OUTLINE

Executive Summary
One page summary of the plan: purpose, who prepared it, brief description of the business, its products and owners, form of organization. If you are seeking a loan, include the amount requested, over what period you wish to repay it, the use of the loan proceeds, collateral you are prepared to offer, and your equity investment.

Product or Service
Detailed description of the product or service (include an example/photo if possible)

• If you are selling a product: key suppliers and your terms and arrangements with them
• If you are selling a service: which services will be provided at the business location and which will be delivered “in the field”

• Target market/customer profile: specify age, gender, income, preferences, location, etc.
• Industry analysis: what the trends are in your industry
• Market analysis: total market size and the share you will capture, seasonality, unique aspects
• Describe the “five P’s” for your business
  • Product: how you will design and package your product/service
  • Price: how you will price your product/service
  • Place: where your customers will learn about your product/service
  • Promotion: what media and marketing methods you will use to generate awareness and interest about your product/service; include examples of your promotional materials (brochures, print ads, copy for radio ads, calendar of events for special/regular promotions)
  • People: who will be responsible for marketing your product/service
• Competition: list of competitors by name, location, and their strengths and weaknesses; how will you succeed; how they will react to your entry into the market

• Legal structure and why you chose it; include legal/governing documents (Articles of Incorporation & Bylaws for corporation, partnership agreement for partnership)
• Management and personal
  • who the key managers/owners are and what relevant experience and background they bring to the business (include resumes)
  • describe non-management positions, responsibilities/qualifications, personal policies
• Customer Service: procedures and policies regarding your work and how you will treat customers
• Location and operations
  • your facility, including a store layout, description of business image, hours of operation
  • operations plan: how you will deliver your product/service to the customer, from start to finish (who does what tasks, how long it takes, etc.)
  • renovations and equipment list (including prices and condition – new or used)
• Key People: who will provide accounting and legal services, technical assistance and support

Financials

• Cash flow projections for three years
  • loan amortization schedules
  • detailed assumptions for each line item
• Breakeven analysis
• Personal financial statement for all owners, co-signers
• Risk factors: identify major risks and describe how business will overcome them

[Printer friendly version - MS Word]