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posted by Tushar @ 5:20 PM 0 comments

Using the Plan

A business plan is a tool with three basic purposes: communication, management, and planning.
As a communication tool, it is used to attract investment capital, secure loans, convince workers to hire on, and assist in attracting strategic business partners. The development of a comprehensive business plan shows whether or not a business has the potential to make a profit. It requires a realistic look at almost every phase of business and allows you to show that you have worked out all the problems and decided on potential alternatives before actually launching your business.

As a management tool, the business plan helps you track, monitor and evaluate your progress. The business plan is a living document that you will modify as you gain knowledge and experience. By using your business plan to establish timelines and milestones, you can gauge your progress and compare your projections to actual accomplishments.

As a planning tool, the business plan guides you through the various phases of your business. A thoughtful plan will help identify roadblocks and obstacles so that you can avoid them and establish alternatives. Many business owners share their business plans with their employees to foster a broader understanding of where the business is going.

Sample Business Plans

posted by Tushar @ 5:19 PM 0 comments

Writing the Plan

What goes in a business plan? The body can be divided into four distinct sections:

1) Description of the business
2) Marketing
3) Finances
4) Management

Addenda should include an executive summary, supporting documents, and financial projections.
Although there is no single formula for developing a business plan, some elements are common to all business plans. They are summarized in the following outline:

Elements of a Business Plan

1. Cover sheet
2. Statement of purpose 3. Table of contents
I. The Business
A. Description of business
B. Marketing
C. Competition
D. Operating procedures
E. Personnel
F. Business insurance
II. Financial Data
A. Loan applications
B. Capital equipment and supply list
C. Balance sheet
D. Breakeven analysis
E. Pro-forma income projections (profit & loss statements)
Three-year summary
Detail by month, first year
Detail by quarters, second and third years
Assumptions upon which projections were based
F. Pro-forma cash flow
III. Supporting Documents
Tax returns of principals for last three years Personal financial statement (all banks have these forms)
For franchised businesses, a copy of franchise contract and all supporting documents provided by the franchisor
Copy of proposed lease or purchase agreement for building space
Copy of licenses and other legal documents
Copy of resumes of all principals
Copies of letters of intent from suppliers, etc.
Sample Plans

One of the best ways to learn about writing a business plan is to study the plans of established businesses in your industry.

Review examples of real business plans.

For Additional Information:
See
SBA's Startup Guide
Business Plan Workshops

posted by Tushar @ 5:13 PM 5 comments

Business Plan Basics

A business plan precisely defines your business, identifies your goals, and serves as your firm's resume. The basic components include a current and pro forma balance sheet, an income statement, and a cash flow analysis. It helps you allocate resources properly, handle unforeseen complications, and make good business decisions. Because it provides specific and organized information about your company and how you will repay borrowed money, a good business plan is a crucial part of any loan application. Additionally, it informs sales personnel, suppliers, and others about your operations and goals.

Plan Your Work
The importance of a comprehensive, thoughtful business plan cannot be overemphasized. Much hinges on it: outside funding, credit from suppliers, management of your operation and finances, promotion and marketing of your business, and achievement of your goals and objectives.

"The business plan is a necessity. If the person who wants to start a small business can't put a business plan together, he or she is in trouble," says Robert Krummer, Jr., chairman of First Business Bank in Los Angeles.

Despite the critical importance of a business plan, many entrepreneurs drag their feet when it comes to preparing a written document. They argue that their marketplace changes too fast for a business plan to be useful or that they just don't have enough time. But just as a builder won't begin construction without a blueprint, eager business owners shouldn't rush into new ventures without a business plan.

Before you begin writing your business plan, consider four core questions:

What service or product does your business provide and what needs does it fill?
Who are the potential customers for your product or service and why will they purchase it from you?
How will you reach your potential customers?
Where will you get the financial resources to start your business?

posted by Tushar @ 5:06 PM 0 comments

How to Start a Small Business

Starting and managing a business takes motivation, desire and talent. It also takes research and planning.

Like a chess game, success in small business starts with decisive and correct opening moves. And, although initial mistakes are not fatal, it takes skill, discipline and hard work to regain the advantage.

To increase your chance for success, take the time up front to explore and evaluate your business and personal goals. Then use this information to build a comprehensive and well­thought­out business plan that will help you reach these goals.

The process of developing a business plan will help you think through some important issues that you may not have considered yet. Your plan will become a valuable tool as you set out to raise money for your business. It should also provide milestones to gauge your success.

Review the online course: Entrepreneurship--Starting & Managing your own business


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Getting Started

Before starting out, list your reasons for wanting to go into business. Some of the most common reasons for starting a business are:
You want to be your own boss.

You want financial independence.

You want creative freedom.

You want to fully use your skills and knowledge.


Next you need to determine what business is "right for you." Ask yourself these questions:
What do I like to do with my time?

What technical skills have I learned or developed?

What do others say I am good at?

How much time do I have to run a successful business?

Do I have any hobbies or interests that are marketable?


Then you should identify the niche your business will fill. Conduct the necessary research to answer these questions:
Is my idea practical and will it fill a need?

What is my competition?

What is my business advantage over existing firms?

Can I deliver a better quality service?

Can I create a demand for your business?


The final step before developing your plan is the pre-business checklist. You should answer these questions:
What business am I interested in starting?

What services or products will I sell? Where will I be located?

What skills and experience do I bring to the business?

What will be my legal structure? (see overview below)

What will I name my business?

What equipment or supplies will I need?

What insurance coverage will be needed?

What financing will I need?

What are my resources?

How will I compensate myself?

Your answers will help you create focused, well­researched business plan that should serve as a blueprint. It should detail how the business will be operated, managed and capitalized.



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Types of Business Organizations

When organizing a new business, one of the most important decisions to be made is choosing the structure of a business. Factors influencing your decision about your business organization include:

Legal restrictions

Liabilities assumed

Type of business operation

Earnings distribution

Capital needs

Number of employees

Tax advantages or disadvantages

Length of business operation

The advantages and disadvantages of sole proprietorship, partnership and corporation are listed below.



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Sole Proprietorship
This is the easiest and least costly way of starting a business. A sole proprietorship can be formed by finding a location and opening the door for business. There are likely to be fees to obtain business name registration, a fictitious name certificate and other necessary licenses. Attorney's fees for starting the business will be less than the other business forms because less preparation of documents is required and the owner has absolute authority over all business decisions.



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Partnership
There are several types of partnerships. The two most common types are general and limited partnerships. A general partnership can be formed simply by an oral agreement between two or more persons, but a legal partnership agreement drawn up by an attorney is highly recommended. Legal fees for drawing up a partnership agreement are higher than those for a sole proprietorship, but may be lower than incorporating. A partnership agreement could be helpful in solving any disputes. However, partners are responsible for the other partner's business actions, as well as their own.

A Partnership Agreement should include the following:

Type of business.

Amount of equity invested by each partner.

Division of profit or loss.

Partners compensation.

Distribution of assets on dissolution.

Duration of partnership.

Provisions for changes or dissolving the partnership.

Dispute settlement clause.

Restrictions of authority and expenditures.

Settlement in case of death or incapacitation.



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Corporation
A business may incorporate without an attorney, but legal advice is highly recommended. The corporate structure is usually the most complex and more costly to organize than the other two business formations. Control depends on stock ownership. Persons with the largest stock ownership, not the total number of shareholders, control the corporation. With control of stock shares or 51 percent of stock, a person or group is able to make policy decisions. Control is exercised through regular board of directors' meetings and annual stockholders' meetings. Records must be kept to document decisions made by the board of directors. Small, closely held corporations can operate more informally, but record-keeping cannot be eliminated entirely. Officers of a corporation can be liable to stockholders for improper actions. Liability is generally limited to stock ownership, except where fraud is involved. You may want to incorporate as a "C" or "S" corporation.





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Business Plan Outline
The following outline of a typical business plan can serve as a guide. You can adapt it to your specific business. Breaking down the plan into several components helps make drafting it a more manageable task.

Introduction

Give a detailed description of the business and its goals.


Discuss the ownership of the business and the legal structure.


List the skills and experience you bring to the business.


Discuss the advantages you and your business have over your competitors.

In-depth help on developing a sound business plan can be found on the SBA Web site in the Starting Area.

Marketing

Discuss the products/services offered.


Identify the customer demand for your product/service.


Identify your market, its size and locations.


Explain how your product/service will be advertised and marketed.


Explain the pricing strategy.

Financial Management

Explain your source and the amount of initial equity capital.


Develop a monthly operating budget for the first year.


Develop an expected return on investment and monthly cash flow for the first year.


Provide projected income statements and balance sheets for a two­year period.


Discuss your break­even point.


Explain your personal balance sheet and method of compensation.


Discuss who will maintain your accounting records and how they will be kept.


Provide "what if" statements that address alternative approaches to any problem that may develop.

Operations

Explain how the business will be managed on a day­to­day basis.


Discuss hiring and personnel procedures.


Discuss insurance, lease or rent agreements, and issues pertinent to your business.


Account for the equipment necessary to produce your products or services.


Account for production and delivery of products and services.

Concluding Statement

Summarize your business goals and objectives and express your commitment to the success of your business.


Once you have completed your business plan, review it with a friend or business associate or a Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) or Small Business Development Center (SBDC) counselor. (See SCORE and SBDC listings in this guide).


When you feel comfortable with the content and structure make an appointment to review and discuss it with your lender. The business plan is flexible document that should change as your business grows.

posted by Tushar @ 4:55 PM 27 comments

Let's discuss about the plan!

Do you think you got some excellent ideas to share? Publish it for the right people.

posted by Tushar @ 5:59 AM 2 comments