Investors,
VCs, lenders don't want to hear 'this business has immense potential.'
They want to see a concrete business plan supporting this claim.
In this article
we will cover the outline of a complete business plan.
I.
Executive Summary
• Your business concept
• Current situation
• Key success factor
• Financial situations II. Vision
• Vision/mission statement
• Milestone
III.
Market Analysis
• Overall market situation
• Changes in the market
• Market segments
• Target customers
• Characteristics of customers
• Needs of customers
• Customer buying decisions
IV. Competitive Analysis
• Industry overview
• Nature of competition
• Changes in the industry
• Primary competitors
• Competitive products/services
• Opportunities
• Threat and services
V.
Strategy
• Key competitive capabilities
• Key competitive weakness
• Competitive evaluation of products and services
• Future expansion i.e. products and services
VI. Marketing and Sales
• Marketing strategy
• Sales tactics
• Advertising
• Promotion/incentive
• Publicity
• Trade shows
VII.
Operation
• Key personnel
• Organization structure
• Human resource planning
• Product/service delivery
• Customer service/support
• Facilities
VIII. Financials of a business plan
• Assumptions and comments
• Starting a balance sheet
• Profit and loss projections
• Cash flow projections
• Balance sheet projections
• Ratios and analyses