UK Business Plan

[sully84]

Im looking at staring up a company & have been using the internet to look for a sample business plan, it doesn’t matter what type of company its based around, I just want to see the general structure of one so I know im barking up the right tree with my own.

The majority of things I find seem to be for companies in American which is fine except they all appear to go over them same things 2-3 times.
They start with an Executive Summary, then go over all this information again in the Company Sumary & Mission Statement, personally I just think this looks a bit poor but is it just the way its done?

Does anyone know where I might find a UK based example of a Business Plan so I can see what the norm is over here?

 

[TonyR]

Im looking at staring up a company & have been using the internet to look for a sample business plan, it doesn’t matter what type of company its based around, I just want to see the general structure of one so I know im barking up the right tree with my own.

The majority of things I find seem to be for companies in American which is fine except they all appear to go over them same things 2-3 times.
They start with an Executive Summary, then go over all this information again in the Company Sumary & Mission Statement, personally I just think this looks a bit poor but is it just the way its done?

Does anyone know where I might find a UK based example of a Business Plan so I can see what the norm is over here?

A business plan can be quite repetitive, because in your executive summary, you're summarising everything that the rest of the pages contain in more detail. That's the way many are.

The summary, if one person only wants a 'glance' at what your company is about to decide to invest (hypothetically) or not, if they like the summary, they will delve further inside for further detail.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, as long as the content - and the things you are repeating - are very well written.

 

[Billmccallum]

see http://www.business-plans.co.uk/business-plan-template.html

 

[mjdoyle86]

Here is a business plan template in PDF format:

www . nt.gov.au/dbe/business/documents/general/BUSINESSPLAN.pdf

(Have to copy/paste and remove spaces, I didn't have enough posts to post the link directly)

It is from the Department of Business Economic and Regional Development in the Northern Territory, Australia, but would still make a suitable template for a business in the UK.

Section 2.1 (Operations Plan - Business Structure) questions if the business has registered for an ABN (Australian Business Number). Naturally, this could be substituted for the UK equivalent, and the template has no other Australia-Specific references.

Hope it's of some use

-MD-

 

[muscledbody]

is that necessary to have a business plan? i mean, in my case i'll be selling bodybuilding supplements through my online shop, i know the demand for them is quite big, i have got my cash flow, but i can't see the purpose of a business plan. in my opinion a business plan is just a huge headache and it's important only if you need to lend money, even so why some banks are asking for personal guaranties if the business plan is for your limited company. this is all too complicated and those "illuminated" minds from marketing or whatever degree they've got are trying to complicate it even more. i've seen businesses doing quite well without a business plan. strange isnt it? another strange thing is that USP ( i've done some research and all the online bodybuilding supplements are offering the same thing) so, where is that USP.hmmm.....
the trade supposed to be simple, i have got the merchandise you have got the money, lets trade...too many papers to fill in, far too much headache....wow a bit off topic

 

[MikeNew]

i can't see the purpose of a business plan. in my opinion a business plan is just a huge headache and it's important only if you need to lend money

I don't agree but, given your username, I'm not about to argue

 

[Admor]

Im looking at staring up a company & have been using the internet to look for a sample business plan, it doesn't matter what type of company its based around, I just want up the right tree with my own.

The majority of things I find seem to be for companies in American which is fine except they all to see the general structure of one so I know im barkingappear to go over them same things 2-3 times.
They start with an Executive Summary, then go over all this information again in the Company Sumary & Mission Statement, personally I just think this looks a bit poor but is it just the way its done?

Does anyone know where I might find a UK based example of a Business Plan so I can see what the norm is over here?

Try this for a good source for a UK template and sample Business Plan:

(I am not permitted to add the link so if you send me a PM I will provide that to you)


As regards the other comments about the usefulness of Business Plans. I think they are invaluable in helping Business Owners establish a clear understanding of their business - where it came from, where it is now and where it is going to. This is more important if funding is needed but obviously not essential as many people start a business with no Business Plan. Critical in the success of this process is getting an independent, objective viewpoint so as to avoid mystical / rose-tinted / cloud cuckoo type Plans.

A final thought on pre-starts, many need to establish a clear Business Model before they embark on a full blown Business Plan. You should consider doing this.

 

[Working First Aid]

Without a BP I was treading water, not really moving forwards and with no clear direction my company would go in.

Once I had written my BP, and marketing plan too now I come to think of it, I started making real progress and had a definite direction to follow...

I was an unbeliever till I wrote one, but not now - The effort and time was very much well spent!