2. Summary
Write this summary once your plan is at its very final draft
stage.
Hit the highlights and key issues. Avoid detail - focus on matters
of strategic importance to the business. If desired, cross reference the reader
to the sections containing detailed text.
Address the needs and interest of the reader - what information
does the reader want to get orientated or to become interested in the business?
Consider devising slightly different summaries for different categories of
reader.
Consider allocating one paragraph to summarize the contents of
each main section. Make use of bullet points instead of continuously flowing
text like:
- Start the summary on a new page immediately after the
1. Introduction.
- Keep the length of this section below three pages.
- Give this section plenty of thought and time as it may be the
most important part of your entire plan. Many readers will decide whether to
look at the rest of your plan based on a quick read of its summary.
- Do not include any material in this summary which is not
covered elsewhere in the plan.
- Use a chart or two to highlight key issues - a picture can be
worth a thousand words as the following chart illustrates.
Chart generated using Exl-Plan, business financial
planner.
Finally, give your summary and the draft final plan to an honest,
critical outsider to review.
Note: Free-Plan, a 150-page Word-based template based on
this business plan guide, can be downloaded for free
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Body of
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Appendices
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