Anyone prepared/reviewed a business plan?

[Millie03]

I am currently trying to start my own business, and I must prepare a business plan (i.e, marking, goals, philosophy, etc). I have never done one before (I'm a philosophy major, for pete's sake).

So, has anyone prepared one before? Are there any do's and don'ts? Something I should make sure I include?

Any suggestions will help!

[houseblend]

I took a class in business school where we had to write a business plan. Here's the outline from the class, if it helps any:



THE ELEMENTS OF A BUSINESS PLAN

I. Cover Page

II. Table of Contents

III. Summary

IV. Statement of Purpose

V. Text
1. Product concept
2. Market structure
a. Consumer description
b. Market analysis
c. Competition and supply environment
d. Market and sales forecast

3. Analysis of Operations
a. Location and Facility
b. Daily operations
c. Personal operations
d. Analysis of cost (unit variable and fixed costs)

4. Organization analysis of the Company
a. Ownership
b. Legal Structure
c. Organizational Structure

5. Financial analysis of the Company
a. Summary & analysis of Proformas exhibits
b. Breakeven analysis
c. Capital requirements
d. Description and analysis of proposed financing deal

VI. Exhibits (Financial statements required)
1. Product descriptions and lists
2. Detailed quantitative and/or qualitative market analysis
3. Facilities Layout and Process flow diagrams
4. Detailed quantitative and/or qualitative cost analysis
5. Proforma income statements for 3 to 5 years
6. Proforma balance sheets for 3 to 5 years
7. Annual proforma cash flow statements for three years
8. Monthly proforma profit & loss for first (two) year(s)
9. Monthly proforma cash flows for first (two) year(s)
10. Sensitivity analysis to show what will happen if sales & or costs vary from estimates. One way this can be done si by constructing financial statements for each of three cases, best estimate, best case, and worst case, for items 5 - 9.

Note: text should include discussion of the following:

1. Product, market, supply, operating, organization,
financial strategies;
2. Implementation of strategies;
3. Recommendations for structure of sales organization and
territory, facility, order entry, inventory; and,
4. Capital budgeting required for strategy implementation.
5. Sensitivity analysis and contingency plans.

[Millie03]

Thanks, houseblend. That definitely helps!

[tippy]

I had to create a business plan for a class in college, but I used a software called Business Plan Pro (I think that is the name of it) to help me. Maybe you could look into that if you still need help. HTH! :)

Good Luck!