Guide to structure and contents of a business plan plus advice and help
Guide to structure and contents of a business plan plus advice and help |
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| Guide Contents:
Introduction
Front of
Plan
Body of
Plan Strategies Present Status  Offerings Markets Sales Technology Operations Management Financials Funding Implementation Conclusion Appendices |
4. Present StatusUse this section to summarize achievements and performance (financial, sales, technical etc.) to date. For a start-up, this section could be covered in one-two pages. Allow up to five or so pages for an established business and relegate detailed material to appendices. Note: Free-Plan, a 150-page Word-based template based on this business plan guide, can be downloaded for free here.
4.1. BackgroundStart by introducing the promoters/shareholders in the business and then describe in broad terms what the business did in the past and does now. Review the history of the business (or origins of the idea if a start-up). Describe how it has evolved in terms of products/services, customers/markets, funding, management, R&D etc. Use appendices or footnotes* to discuss key issues and major events in greater detail without disrupting the flow of the main text.
4.2. Recent ProgressDiscuss the recent progress of the business from sales/marketing, operational and financial perspectives using subheadings if desired. 4.2.1. Sales & MarketingUse simple tables (like the following) to help summarize sales growth, customer/product segmentation, market shares, key product volumes, prices achieved etc.
Also, charts can be very effective at summarizing complex data: Chart xxx - Sales Analysis (1996-99)
$000 Review key marketing/sales strategies and tactics. Describe major events in relation to marketing, sales, distribution, promotion, sales management, agencies/partners and so on. Place details in appendices. Make reference to the general economic climate and the performance of competitors during the review period. Indicate the current order book in value/volume terms and/or relative to capacity, and offer a view on the immediate outlook for the business and its main markets. 4.2.2. OperationsReview the operations of the business in terms of its processes, activities and investment. Include a short discussion and high-level tables covering employment, output levels, capacity growth & utilization etc. Describe key R&D, product and capital investments and review developments in management and systems. 4.2.3. FinancesPresent a high-level synopsis of historical financial performance covering income statements, balance sheets etc. Again, use very simple tables or charts and offer the detail in appendices or accompanying audited accounts. Indicate and explain key events. Give information about shareholdings and any options outstanding - list shareholders, dividend policies and any other key issues relevant to a prospective investor. Use an appendix to cover the detail. Review the budget and year-to-date performance for current year and summarize them in a simple table. Indicate the expected out-turn for the current year and highlight any key underlying assumptions.
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| Business Plan Guide, Invest-Tech Limited, 27 Ardmeen Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland | |||
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