aussies:
The most important part of any business plan is to be able to descibe
what you ae trying to accomplish in a succinct, direct, and powerful
opening statement. I answered a previous question by saying that "you
need to clearly describe yor business plan while riding down on an
elevator from the 10th floor to the ground."
Templates which can be used to assist you in formulating the details
of a direct business plan including financial models are as follows:
The following ink gives you examples of business plan outlines in
freeware form:
http://www.planware.org/freeware.htm
The following link gives you examples of business plan outlines and
sample language. The software package costs $99.95.
http://www.bplans.com/sp/?a=st
A mini plan free example:
http://www.bplans.com/mp/
Bulletproof Planning offers a free demo template trying to sell you
their software:
http://www.bulletproofbizplans.com/bpsample/Sample_Plan/sample_pla
A Canadian template is offered at:
http://www.cbsc.org/ibp/
The Small Business Administration (USA)offers a number of white papers
on "strategic business plans" at:
http://www.sba.gov/
My personal experience would suggest the following:
1. Write an executive summary first. (one page max) This is the most
difficult part of the plan. It should contain a clear description of
the product or service from a benefit standpoint to the customer
(don't just talk about features), why this business is distinct from
competition, what you are asking for, and what is the return on
investment (when??). The last line should clearly ask for the order
(what do you want and when) Remember the old feature/benefit model.
Features are things that are inherent in the product/service; benefits
are what they can do for the customer. My contention is that there are
only two universal benefits which are value and peace of mind. You may
wish to make a short statement of your exit strategy in this
summary...but it is most important to be clear and brief.
2. The following pages should expand on the summary...Development
plans, phased, costing,etc then Marketing plans, phased, costing, etc,
Financial projections phased, Capital requirements, cash flow
analysis...all the good things about money. Charts and flow diagrams
demonstrate the axiom that a picture is worth a thousand words.
3. Be clear in what you are asking for....
4. If your plan depends on your "team", be sure to give a detailed
bio of each person with examples of their committment.
5. If you can summarize your plan into a slogan/mission statement
(don't spend a lot of time here unless it jumps out at you...the
mission statement thing is a bit passe) ie: Honda's supposed
statement was "Six Honda's in Every Garage" Most of them are drivel.
I can't stress enough the need to be clear, consise, and be sure the
numbers add up without the "hockey stick" effect. Many plans show
modest growth with accumulating losses then all of a sudden earning
shoot up at some critcal year. This hockey stick phenomena always
raises more questions than it answers.
Good luck with your equity funding round.
Please request clarification, if needed, before rating this answer.
seedy
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