M4-S2 - Writing a business plan

Content of the business plan:

• Focus your plan on your precise audience
• Research your audience to determine the elements each wants to see
• Business plan sections
  • General business description
    • Business type
    • Products and services
    • Legal name, location and status of the organization
    • Customer or client base
    • Growth opportunity
    • How product will fit in the compatitive field.
    • Future growth
  • Mision statement (Make mantra and meaning)
  • Goals
    • Short, mid and ling term
    • Timetable, SMART
  • Management team
    • Include key support people as well
  • Market analysis
  • Marketing plan
  • Financial analysis
  • Appendices and supporting documents
    • Client contracts, Letters of support from experts
• Eleminate wrong messages
  • Only include material relevant to your audiance
  • The shorter the plan the better it will be read
  • Use a conversational tone
  • Don't mail the plan without having a face to face first
• Consider special sitiations
  • Have preliminairy discussions upfront
  • Demonstrate that you have a winning plan by demonstrating using creative resources.
  • Check out any audiance you are considered partenering with
  • Use visuals as much as possible
• Select a format
  • Double spaced text on 8.5" or 11"
  • Prepare title page, table of contents, table of graphs, illustrations
  • Prepare and print graphs, charts and illustrations in a professional looking color
  • Computer presentation in person whenever possible
• Edit, Edit, Edit
  • Review and change frequently