Abstract
The paper undertakes to explore a business plan. It begins with the explanation of the major elements of the business plan. Besides, it explores how a business plan can be matched to start-ups, expansions, relocations and franchising businesses. It further analyses the financial aspects of going full-time; specifically touching on what bankers, lenders, and or investors demand in business plan before commit to financing any business venture.
For the paper, a business plan has been used to mean any written document that represents a business unit overview, also known as the executive summary of the business plan; the business profile- describing the targeted market and anticipated customers in case of a new venture; growth trends and the pricing power. Also, it has been shown as to be encompassing the type of business organization with the managers’ profiles to define the stakeholders of the business. Exploration of the financial planning, how the business will be financed and the marketing plan is undertaken. Financial planning involves the analysis of the cash flow statements, major financers, analysis of costs and the internal control measures of a business unit’s cash. The marketing plan has been used to represent the marketing tactics to be employed including advertising and promotional strategies. The paper concludes by looking at the various aspects that must be looked into before presenting a business plan to investors or bankers.
The major components of a business plan are the business profile; the vision, mission and objective statements of the business; managers’ profiles; the business organization; insurance; location and leasing; accounting and cash flow statements; the marketing plan as well as the major financers of the business.
Is the first page and is persuasive summary that lures a reader to take the plan seriously and read on. The summary should include; a brief description of the business’ history, objectives, a brief description of the businesses’ products or services. Besides, the market the business competes in and a convincing statement as to why success is guaranteed is included.
The Business Profile
The business profile briefly describes the business; its name, vision, its mission and the core objectives. Besides, it entails stating the type of the product or service business is willing to offer to the market. It clarifies on the targeted market and the anticipated customers. It also explains the business growth trends, i.e. the rate at which the business grows in case it’s already an established business and the business competitive edge. Lastly, it spells out a well defined pricing power of the business. This simply implies what limits the price charged on the service offered. Under the business profile, the location, business ownership and type with the product or service offered is stated. It also entails a thorough analysis of the industry where the business is established.
The Product and Service Offered
This element basically describes the exact product or service to be supplied to the market. It also presents who the targeted customers of the business are.
The Production Plan
This component describes the main production work, for instance, whether the business will be involved with the development or repair of software in case it is a computer firm. The procedure of executing the production work should be well stated.
The Management Plan
This begins with stating the management team, whether it is a partnership or a private limited company. The level of control by each member when transacting business affairs must be spelled out. Also, state the liability of each member. Members’ authorities and responsibilities are as well stated under the management plan, with who is the HRM or managing director. Besides, the educational qualifications and relevant experiences of each member of the management team need to be stated here. This is followed with the business organizational structure with the responsibilities and duties charged to each member of the management team. Also, salary projections for the first years in operation and promotional strategies are stated under the management plan (Peter Schwartz, 1996)
The Marketing Plan
This part entails the analysis of who the business anticipates to satisfy their needs, the competition level and competitive strategies undertaken in the market and the marketing strategies to be employed. Analyze the target market, distribution mechanisms, the price, promotional strategies, and the market segmentation technique to be used (Peter Schwartz, 1996)
The Financial Plan
It begins by clearly stating the anticipated start up expenditure and the proposed capital for the establishment and operation of the business. The source of the capital must be shown as well as the desired financing level, the cash flow projections for the first years in operation and the proforma income statements for a given number of consecutive years. Also, this component should show the projected balance sheet for the next consecutive financial periods and the consecutive breakeven points of the business (Eric Press, 1999)
Why a Business Plan is needed
A business plan is needed for the following reasons:
First, it is used as a tool to secure funding from the financial institutions like banks. A well written business plan attracts the financing institutions to finance the business. Having a business plan puts a business in a better position to get money needed to keep the business running or to purchase new assets. Moreover, a business plan preparation is essential since it attracts investors. Venture capitalist or angel investors only have a willing of investing if the business plan represents a unique interest. They therefore study the plan before committing to invest. (Business Plan Resources)
As stated in the article, “Writing a Business Plan – Do I Need to Write a Business Plan?” it is as well needed to measure the viability of the business idea. It shows whether the idea is worth investing in after thorough analysis of the market and the level of competition in the market. Lastly, it’s important in the sense that it gives newly established businesses higher chances of succeeding. It helps business owners are attentive to the operational and financial objectives, budgeting and even marketing planning thus guaranteeing higher chances of success.
What Bankers, Lenders, or Investors want in a Business Plan
Lenders, bankers or investors quite often look for the feasibility of the idea presented and weigh whether it is worth to invest in. for start-up businesses, the investor will look for how the business idea is viable and whether there is an anticipated return on the investment. They will also scrutinize the competitive advantage the business as compared to the market competition.
For already established businesses that need money for expansion, lenders or investors are likely to look at the profitability of the business as depicted in the cash flow statements, financial income statements and the liquidity ratios. An investor also determines the rate of return on capital invested for surety of success (Peter Schwartz 1996)
Recommendation
Therefore, for investors to show interest in a business, a business plan presented must clearly specify the financial plan showing; sources of finance, capital base, desired finance level, cash flow statement, income statement, and the balance sheet. The plan must also show the viability of the business with clear analysis of the market, key competitors and the competitive edge the business have.
References
Business Plan Resources. Retrieved at http://sbinfocanada.about.com/cs/businessplans/index.htm
Business Plan. Retrieved at http://sbinfocanada.about.com/library/glossary/bldef-bizplan.htm
“Writing a Business Plan – Do I Need to Write a Business Plan?” Retrieved at http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/startup/f/needbizplan.htm
Jerry J. (1999). Anatomy of a Business Plan. Dearborn Trade
Eric Press. (1999). Analyzing Financial Statements. Lebhar-Friedman
Peter Schwartz. (1996). The Art of the Long View. Currency-Doubleday
