Best way to make a simple business Plan
- Thread starter 2012
- Start date
HI what is it you need the business plan for? If its purpose is in obtaining a loan from the bank then it is important that you incorporate both a financial forecast (usually a three year projection) and a descriptive narrative, usually a snap shot reflection of your vision.
The financial plan should include;
I hope that this helps. Good luck!
James
The financial plan should include;
- Profit and Loss
- Balance Sheet
- Cash Flow
- Executive summary
- Market research (SWOT analysis, competitor analysis...etc)
- Personnel
- Product or service
- Operation
- ...and anything else deemed appropriate
I hope that this helps. Good luck!
James
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SparkMediaIndustries
If you email me on [email protected] I can send you a blank template if you wish with on-going descriptions of what to include under each title.
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SparkMediaIndustries
The business template I have sent to many people requesting one, was the one I found to be very useful and has helped alot of people for the understanding to what goes in each part.
It helps people starting off understand what exactly needs to be in a business plan.
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Youre missing the point...what exactly needs to be in a business plan? There is no absolute answer - what may have worked for you, may perhaps be wide off the mark for another business in a different industry.
It will be difficult to get past the banks following a generic template.
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Tony221268
Hate to say is but that is nonsense.
No visions are entirely alike but all business plans should follow a similar format since the uniqueness is in the vision, not in the plan to do business.
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SparkMediaIndustries
The template I used for my company has helped other start-ups companies in other industries not just my own.
So you are missing the point a so called mock-up found on the internet can come in use after all. As the OP stated he needs to to find out what exactly goes into a business plan.
The mock-up (so called) is an in depth one and includes everything that you placed on your first post and more information the banks may be interested in as well as the financial part.
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[FONT="]Okay, so in that sense, you're suggesting everybody should follow the same format when articulating their personal vision?[/FONT]
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SparkMediaIndustries
I am sorry to say this and its just simple. When I first started in business I found a mock up of a business plan (always kept a blank copy)
I have 3 companies and now have a Limited Business starting up soon off this same template and all business have been successful using this template.
Business Plan templates have and will help alot of people understand what needs to be put down and that person can make it there own.
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I am sure your template has been of use to many start-ups in many different industries that is not the issue here. It's just a template is a template - a model for others to copy. This is a business plan, and it is important that you stamp your own idiosyncratic mark on the doc or it will just not be plausible.
I'm going to be frank. Templates are for the lazy executive and it can never amount to anything more than a mere repetitive sub-standard piece of work.
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I did a business plan recently, and my advice is to take your time with each section of it. Look into it thoroughly and don't think you can get it all down on paper in one weekend.
I didn't want to do one initially and saw it as something of a chore as I was sure I knew it all in my head...I'm so glad I did it as all the research I had to do for it (and there was loads as i was clueless in business) has helped me to become business minded. I now make my decisions with my head instead of my heart, as far as my business goes.
Sorry for the rambling
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My business adviser once very wisely told me to look at doing a Business Proposal, which, as he put it "is the truth, warts and all, no ******** - prove to yourself your business will work and if you lie in your Business Proposal the only person you are kidding is yourself"
If you need to raise money you will need a Business Plan
Business Proposal and Business Plan are very different - again as he put it, the Business Plan is a bit like your CV - you take the best bits of your Business Proposal and tweak them to match what the bank want to know. You never show the bank your Business Proposal and you never put your trust in a Business Plan.
If you need to raise money you will need a Business Plan
Business Proposal and Business Plan are very different - again as he put it, the Business Plan is a bit like your CV - you take the best bits of your Business Proposal and tweak them to match what the bank want to know. You never show the bank your Business Proposal and you never put your trust in a Business Plan.
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OP. I have worked in a Bank and read many loan applications from those with no Business Plan and those with a Business Plan both using a template and using free format.
I can definitely say:
- those with a Business Plan were more likely to get funding
- those who followed the template format were usually much better structured and clearer, covering most of the key points
- however if the writer stuck to the formal headings and added details even though they were not relevant to the business, this seriously detracted from the Plan.
I see you want this just for yourself, however the exact same principles apply.
As other posters have said, there are many templates out there and most have the same broad structure. I have developed a Top 10 tips for writing a Business Plan, which I can send you if you wish.
Tony
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I shudder to think how many new start-ups might read this utter twaddle in the years to come and follow your ill-conceived "advice".
I have been in business of one sort or another for 26 years, as a sole trader, in a partnership on one occasion, and as Director and shareholder of limited companies. Over that time I have applied for numerous grants, loans, overdrafts, extended credit agreements, and additional financing from a variety of sources ranging from solitary business angels to VC corporations.
The one thing I can categorically state is that in all of these dealings the one thing everyone insists on is that a business plan should followed a prescribed format. Yes, there is ample room for stamping your own mark on your plan - indeed, you always should - but it must also always contain all the fundamental, essential information that any such person will be looking for. The only way to be certain of that is to follow that prescribed format - especially if you're new to business and really don't have the faintest idea of what is universally expected.
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You could try this one From business Link
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdot...3859137&r.l3=1073869162&r.s=sc&type=RESOURCES
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdot...3859137&r.l3=1073869162&r.s=sc&type=RESOURCES
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Templates are a great starting point for the core information you need in a Business Plan. However, I have seen Plans where the writer stuck to a standard template and while some were ok, many others were poor. There were irrelevant details added because a heading existed in the template.
I suggest best to start with a good template and definitely modify it by deleting headings, combining headings and adding new ones to make the plan specific to your business.
While the same core template may be ok, you should definitely modify your Business Plan to suit the reader i.e. the Plan you produce for a family member should be different (in style if not substance) to one you will produce for a private equity investor and different again if pitching to a Bank. Why? Because they are each looking for something different in the Plan before they commit their ££.
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Soo...apart from the opinions on what is good and what's not, does anyone actually have a template that could be downloaded from a site haha?
Thanks
John D,
Actually yes. Scalloway has suggested the main template offered by Government Business Support Units, there are many others that you could find with a simple internet search, including this simpler version from Barclays:
https://www.barclaysmicrosites.co.uk/start_up/pdf/Start_up_guide_Business_plan.pdf
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GetSet for Business
Keep the business plan simple while making sure you do lots of research into your idea and check out the viability of the business financially. This is so important in the planning stage - what do you need to sell to cover your costs? I know it sounds like common sense but so many people I see have never done this on paper!
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No thanks, I offer similar advice. My point was more that your post seemed to infer that you had received great service rather than it was actually your own business that also posts to this site. It may have been more open to point that out to the members.
No need to reply, I wasn't trying to be smart - it was just an observation.
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peterbirganza
Hi,
First of all define that what is your business? I mean if you tell us that in which category you are dealing than it will be more easy for us to guide you according to that product.
Normally before making any business plan we have to keep in view:
1: Business Goal
2: Key Competitors
3: Developing marketing strategy by keeping in view your resources
These are the main factors that should be the focal point before starting up your business. There are more points that come under the head of these three basic ideas.
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As you may have to present your business plan to many (i.e. acquirers, creditors and investors etc) it is advised that you go into a bit of detail. It will be an incredibly valuable resource for you to refer to throughout your business life, particulalry in the start-up phase. Our article to preparing a business plan goes into further detail into what is generally required. May be useful for you.
Best of luck
Siobhan
Best of luck
Siobhan
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