Business Plan Template

1. Executive Summary

1.1 Business Profile

Summarise briefly the contents of the Business Profile section.

1.2 Marketing Plan

Summarise briefly the contents of the Marketing Plan section.

1.3 Operations Plan

Summarise briefly the contents of the Operations Plan section

1.4 Risk Assessment

Summarise briefly the contents of the Risk Assessment section

1.5 Financial Plan

Summarise briefly the contents of the Financial Plan section

2. Business Profile

Include a brief introduction to this section; tell the reader what they may expect from this section.

2.1 A Description Of The Industry

Briefly describe the industry sector of your business. What business are you in?  What are the related industries? What are the trends for your industry? Is it growing, mature or declining? Are there any technological, economic or social factors that will affect your business in the near future?

2.2 A Description Of The Business Products Or Services

Briefly describe the products or services your business provides.  You should be explaining what problem you are solving.  Include a mission statement here. Detail initial start-up costs and where you will get this money

2.3 A Description Of The Location.  

Briefly describe the location, explain the advantages of this location.  State why you have chosen this location. Describe the layout of the premises, include in an appendix a floor plan of your business.

2.4 The Legal Structure.

Describe the legal structure for the business, explain why you have chose this structure. If it is a partnership or a company provide details of the agreements or articles. Detail any statutory and regulatory requirements for your business.  

2.5 Issues Analysis Of The Business.

Detail the various factors both negative and positive that will influence and impact on your business.  You need to think about your own abilities and skills that you either have or do not have.  Explain what each of these means for your business.

2.6 A Description Of The Business Objectives.

Detail the business objectives, including personal, financial, marketing and operational objectives.  Briefly describe the future direction you envisage for your business.  Include a brief vision statement here

3.Marketing Plan

Include a brief introduction to this section, tell the reader what they may expect from this section.

3.1 Features And Benefits Of The Products And Services

Describe the features and benefits of each product or service.  Explain what the customer is buying.  

3.2 Customer Profiles

Describe your customers.  Include demographic, social, behavioural and any other information about your customers. Link this profile to the features and benefits of your products or services.

3.3 Competitor Analysis

Describe your competitors, what are their strengths and weaknesses.  Where are they located, what do they sell?

3.4 Competitive Advantage

Describe how you will be different from your competitors.  Link this to your Competitor Analysis and Customer Profile.

Temaprtures

3.5 Advertising And Promotional Activities

Explain how you will tell your customers about your business.  What activities will you undertake to entice customers to buy your products or services? Explain how you will monitor your response rate.  Include a schedule for your advertising and promotional activities. Explain how you advertising and promotional activities fit your Customer Profile and Features and Benefits

3.6 Pricing Method

How will you price your products or services?  Explain why you have chosen that method.

3.7 Selling And Distribution Method

What method of selling or distribution will you use?  Explain why you have chosen that method.

4.Operations Plan

Include a brief introduction to this section; tell the reader what they may expect from this section

4.1 Operating Processes

What equipment do you need?  What equipment do you have already?  Explain how you can use this equipment to provide the products or services you will sell. What operating processes will you use?  How will you monitor output?   Include a brief flow chart to demonstrate the processes.  How will you store stock, what levels of inventory will you keep?  How will you keep track of your inventory?

4.2 Suppliers

Who are your suppliers?  Why have you chosen them? How will you pay them?

4.3 Management Team

Describe the management team.  Use job descriptions and selection criteria for each member of the management team.  Describe how you will measure their performance.

4.4 Staff

Provide job descriptions and selection criteria for each staff member.  Describe how you will recruit staff. Provide a simple application form for staff.  Describe how you will measure their performance.

4.5 Key personnel

List key personnel you may call on for business advice.  Explain why you have chosen them and how you will pay them.

4.6 Record keeping

Describe records you will keep for your business.