Business Plan - Complete Guide

Cover Page

The cover page includes the name of the company, its address, its telephone number, the date, and the securities offered. Usually, the name, address, telephone number, and the date are centred at the top of the page.

Table of Contents

Included in the table of contents is a list of the sections, any appendices, and any other information and the pages on which they can be found.

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The first section in the body of the business plan is usually an executive summary. The summary is usually short and concise (one or two pages). The summary articulates what the opportunity conditions are and why they exist, who will execute the opportunity and why they are capable of doing so, how the firm will gain entry and market penetration, and so on.

The summary is usually prepared after the other sections of the business plan are completed. It, therefore, is helpful, as the other sections are drafted, to note one or two key sentences, and some key facts and numbers from each.

The summary is important for those ventures trying to raise or borrow money. Many investors, bankers, managers, and other readers use the summary to determine quickly whether the venture the plan describes is of interest. Therefore, unless the summary is appealing and compelling, it may be the only section read, and you may never get the chance to make a presentation or discuss your business in person.

A. Description of the Business Concept and the Business.

Describe the business concept for the business you are or will be in. When the company was formed, what it will do, what is special or proprietary about its product, service, or technology, and so forth, needs to be identified. Include summary information about any proprietary technology, trade secrets, or unique capabilities that give you an edge in the marketplace. If the company has existed for a few years, a brief summary of its size and progress is in order. Try to make your description 25 words or less, and mention the specific product or service.

B. The Opportunity and Strategy:

Summarise what the opportunity is, why it is compelling, and the entry strategy planned to exploit it. This information may be presented as an outline of the key facts, conditions, competitors' vulnerability's, industry trends, and other evidence and logic that define the opportunity.

C. The Target Market and Projections:

Identify and briefly explain the industry and market, who the primary customer groups are, how the product(s) or service(s) will be positioned,