Writing a Business plan is important for any business. It gives you targets to set and also prove you have a sustainable business model. Without a business plan, it is difficult to organise and structure what you want out of a business. Business plans can be flexible and can be used as a guide to getting your business off and running.
OUTLINE BUSINESS PLAN
1) Brief Overview Summary
2) Proposed Start Date
3) Owners:
4) Product or Service Offering
What is the unique selling point?
Why should customers buy?
Delivery mechanisms?
5) Market Parameters
Customers
Who are the target customers?
How many are there?
How much will they buy?
How much will they pay?
What do they look for?
What do they like about the product/service?
What don’t they like about the product/service?
Competitors
Who are they?
Where are they?
How much do they charge?
Why do existing customers buy from them?
What are their strengths and weaknesses?
6) SWOT analysis
What are the perceived Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities and Threats.
7) Marketing mix
Product/services
Price
Promotion
Place
8/) Premises
Where?
Type/size?
Planning permission?
Business rates?
Buy/Lease/Licence?
Running Costs?
9) Finance
Setting up costs?
Basic Running costs?
Sales targets/forecasts?
Target break even point?
Target Margin?
Cash flow forecast?
Initial capital expenditure?
Costs to break even?
Loans/grants/borrowing requirements – repayments and interest charges?
3 year financial modelling projections?
Auditors/book keeping/credit control?
Tax/NIC/VAT/PAYE?
10) Business Structure
Sole trader/partnership/Limited Company?
Shareholding agreement
Roles and responsibilities
11) Legal, Statutory and Contracts
Health & Safety implications?
Risk assessments - owners/employees/customers/public?
Contract requirements for Employees
Terms and Conditions statement for Customers
Insurances
Must have
Might need