Business
Plan Template
Before you start
writing your plan, it is important to establish a good
structure, so you go about it in a logical way. It would
be worth looking at Business
Plan Outline on this site as well.
Most business plans follow a similar
pattern but if you are a UK company, make sure you use
a good basic template that is designed for UK businesses
– American based business plans can differ in
terminology and style. If you use a software programme,
you should be able to modify it to suit any particular
idiosyncrasies pertaining to your business.
The main elements of a good
basic template should include:
• Cover
Page
Show the company name, plan period, document date and,
if necessary, a confidentiality clause.
• Contents
Page
A contents page showing all the headings and page numbers
• Introduction
Section
Giving background details of how the business started,
what will the business does or will do, and trading
activities to date. A SWOT analysis should also be included
here.
• Business
Objectives
The broad aims of the business and the owner, stated
under:
- Short-term objectives (first 12 months)
- Medium-term objectives (1 – 3 years)
- Long-term objectives (5 years time)
• Marketing
Section
- Market Analysis. Details of Market Research carried
out and any test marketing done. Analysis of own customer
base and competitive activity. Market size and trends.
- Marketing Strategy. Explain the product or service
to be provided, what is special or different about it
and how it will be sold or distributed.
- Marketing Plan. Explain how the product or service
provided by the business will be advertised and details
of any planned promotional activity including costs.
• Personnel
Section
Giving an overview of who will run the business, their
capabilities, background, experience and achievements
in related fields. Explain roles of key personnel, any
skills or training requirements and what are the personnel
policies and procedures.
• Operations
Section
Explain the operational processes are involved. What
items will be needed and how much will they cost? Will
funding be required for these? Give details of the premises
planned - size, location, tenure, cost, rent review
etc. Explain how quality control, stock control and
health & safety issues will be dealt with.
• Finance
Section
Write a brief resume of the key aspects of the financial
projections, including sales, overhead and capital expenditure,
and describe how the assumptions have been arrived at.
Specify finance needed and where it will be obtained.
• Risk
Assessment
It is unlikely that any business plan is without risk.
Confront any possible problems or potential threats
(for each section if necessary) and show how it is proposed
to deal with these.
• Appendices
Attach financial projections. To include Sales Forecasts,
Profit & Loss and Cash Flow forecasts for 12 months
and an outline projection for the next 2 years. A Balance
Sheet may be required if you require funding from an
investor.
Attach any detailed technical specifications, brochures,
drawings or photos of products.
Attach CVs of owner and key personnel
Attach any relevant information about the premises –
estate agents details, photos etc.
stepbystep micro
plan has an in-built template on what you need to cover
- see demo
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