The Easy Business Plan Outline

Small businesses are often advised to prepare a written business plan. We know that this task can be very difficult to start. Business plan software is complicated to use, and organizing a plan on your own can be confusing.

This is a short business plan outline. It is especially suitable for a technology company, but can be utilized by any firm. Your finished business plan will be just six to twelve pages long.

1. Cover Page and Executive Summary
Provide your contact information and three-paragraph summary of your business plan.

2. Concise Description of the Proposed Business

2.1 Problem Statement.
Describe the problem in the market, and why that problem needs to be solved by your company.

2.2 Proposed Solution to the Problem.
Describe your solution to the market problem, why it works, and why the market will want to buy it. Describe the products or services to be sold.
Discuss your intellectual property.

3. History and Background of the Market, Product and Technology
Demonstrate that you know the market. Show that you have expertise in this business.

4. Description of the Potential Market

4.1 Market Description.

4.1.1 Define the market(s) and what groups are in the market(s). Discuss the size and location of the market(s).

4.1.2 Discuss the potential purchasing power of the market(s).

4.1.3 Discuss what kind of cooperation or strategic alliances with other firms and individuals will be needed.

4.2 Promotion.
Describe the methods to be used to promote the products or services in the target market(s). These may include, for example: press releases, speaking engagements, newspaper coverage, a web site, and pro bono work.

5. Sales Plans

5.1 Discuss your sales plans, methods, and staff.

5.2 Identify the customers. Show orders received, expected shipments, and expected revenues.

5.3 Discuss your advertising plan, and relate it to your plan for promotion.

6. Management
Describe how and why you are able to manage the company and its operations. Identify managers with brief biographies.

7. Operations

7.1 Describe your company's current situation, structure and date of inception, date of incorporation and ownership.

7.2 Describe the proposed form of the company, and who will be investing in and owning the company.

7.3 If your company is reliant on a technology, describe that technology and how it will be utilized.

8. Financial Information and Concise Revenue Projections
Use both a text description and a spreadsheet presentation.

8.1 Provide concise revenue projections. Show the expected sales and expense figures (projected income statement).

8.2 Describe the amount currently invested in your company, and by whom.

8.3 Describe the amount of funding sought.

8.4 Describe the expected use of the proceeds of the loan or investment, and the effect on the company.

9. Competition
Discuss the competition to your product, service and company. Describe how you can compete.

10. Risk analysis
Discuss the risks that may affect your company, lenders or investors.

11. Exit Strategy
Describe the expected future of the company, such as a sale, buyout, IPO or continued operation.

Roger S. Cohen
http://www.rogercohen.com/business_plan_outline.shtml

Your Guide To Quick And Easy Business Promotion

So, what's the all-encompassing secret of business promotion? It's rather simple, actually: get your name out there at every opportunity. Don't be meek or modest. Don't be afraid to walk up to people, introduce yourself and start explaining why they need your product or services. The art of business promotion leaves potential customers feeling as though they can't live without what you're selling. Make them need it. Business is all about selling yourself, so here are some quick and easy ways to promote your business at every turn.

1. Web hunting: Search for web sites that publish articles in your area of expertise. Develop a pitch, and send it off to the web site and you might just get yourself free promotion. This is a great method of business promotion, because it will be your words selling your company on the web site. Likewise, you'll be attracting more attention to your company web site, as many online publications allow you to include a short biography at the end of the article. Link to your web site, e-mail address and include any other business promotion information you feel people need to know.
   
2. Forum browsing: Nearly everyone visits an online forum regularly, so why not use the space to promote your business? Most of the time, you can include a "sig line" or signature line in each of your messages. Use about 100 words to describe your business and include contact information.
3. Start a newsletter: There are many services available online now, that offer the ability to create a free newsletter. Come up with a helpful, service-oriented angle to the newsletter and try to build up subscribers. Be sure to make your business come across as the answer to your readers' problems.
   
4. Make the press your friend: If you have the know-how, write up a press release for your company every time you have an important announcement. Promote your business by sending this press release to several magazines, newspapers and other publications. If you peak an editor's interest, they may call you up to be included in a story!
   
5. Free stuff: Let's face it. Everybody and their mama love getting things for free. Entice potential customers with free giveaways. Business promotion never got easier with this kind of free distribution. Send out your newsletter and offer contest prizes to all of the subscribers. Be sure to mention these giveaways when looking for more subscribers as well. Regardless of what your company offers, business promotion works pretty much the same way for every type of business. Be sure to always appeal to potential customers by describing your business as something they would uniquely need. Promoting your business may take some time, but with a little common sense and some savvy maneuvers, you can easily capture the attention of thousands of people, just by appealing to their needs.

Agonist Learning Center
http://agonist.org/Learning-Center/Your_Guide_to_Quick_and_Easy_Business_Promotion.htm

How to Make a Business Plan

This business plan is brought to you in association with Aspira.org

Develop and nurture your child's leadership and entrepreneurial abilities by helping her write a business plan for her first enterprise. Below you'll find an outline to get you started.

I. Description of Business

A. Business name and short history
B. Describe your product and/or service
C. Location of business (is it store-front or home-based?)
D. Why is this a good location?

II. Market Analysis and Competition

A.The Industry

1. Description of the overall market or industry
2. Is this industry in general doing well?
3. Why is it a good industry to get into?

B.Target Market (best customer)

1. Describe your typical customer in detail.
2. Name personal characteristics if your customers are individuals.
3. How many potential customers do you plan to service?
4. How do you plan to approach them?

C. Competition

1. Who are your major competitors? (list them)
2. Compare yourself with your competition.
   a. Describe the advantages you have over your competitors.
   b. Describe your disadvantages and what you will do about them?

III. Market Strategy

A. Sales strategy

1. How will you get people to buy your product/service?

B. Pricing

1. How much will you sell this product/service for?
2. How do you set your prices?

C. Inventory

1. How do you plan to maintain an adequate inventory of sales goods?

IV. Management/Personnel

A. Employees

1. How many employees do you need and why?
2. What is each employee's job (including your own)?
3. How will you find prospective employees?
4. How will you pay employees? (hourly, salary, commission, etc.)
5. How much will you pay employees?

B. Management (include resumes of owner and other key employees)

1. Describe owner's management and industry experience.

Family Education
http://life.familyeducation.com/business/money-and-kids/29596.html