10 STEPS TO WRITING A GOOD BUSINESS PLAN

1. Cover Sheet or Title Page
Keep your introduction to a single page, and include the:
Name of the company
Company address
Company phone number
Logo (if you have one)
Owners’ names, titles, addresses and phone numbers

2. Executive Summary or Mission Statement
Prepare a one to two page overview of the plan. This should include the
name and purpose of the business, as well as its legal structure,
financial requirements, and your debt repayment plans.

3. Business Description
Develop one to two pages with the following information about the
business:
Overview of the business/Mission Statement
Name of the company
Products or services including any original products or services
that are patented or copyrighted
Legal structure

4. Business Model
Provide an overview of how your company will do business, make
money, and operate within an industry, including:
Value proposition
Target market
Value chain
Cost structure and target margins

5. Financial Plan
Provide a clear roadmap to your company’s financial future, including:
Income (Profit and Loss) Statement
Cash Flow Statement (budget)
Balance Sheet
Three-year income projection
Break-even analysis

6. Market Analysis and Marketing Plan
Include specific details about:
Market Analysis
Industry trends overview
Target market, plus additional markets
Competition
Target customer needs and how your product will satisfy them

7. Operations Plan
Describe:
Design and product manufacturing
Billing and collections process
Distribution network
Inventory control program
Warehousing

8. Human Resources Plan
Explain:
Management structure
Human resources strategy
Staffing requirements

9. Future Directions
Include a general description of how you expect the business to grow
and what the likely next steps are for its:
Expansion
Purchase of, or partnership with, another company

10. Supporting Documents
Include:
Resumes of key management executives
Personal financial statements
Credit reports
Copies of leases
Copies of other contracts