How to Write a Business Plan - Business Plan Outline.
The business plan is a living, working document that should be read and reviewed regularly. If there are multiple directors or partners in the business then they should all be in agreement with what the plan outlines, the detailed information in the plan, and what is written in the plan. You will also need to share it with potential investors.
A business plan is a formal written document containing business goals, the methods on how these goals can be attained, and the time frame within which these goals need to be achieved. It also describes the nature of the business, background information on the organization, the organization's financial projections, and the strategies it intends to implement to achieve the stated targets.
Second, the business plan is a requirement if you are planning to seek loan funds. It will provide potential lenders with detailed information on all aspects of the company's past and current operations and provide future projections. The text of a business plan must be concise and yet must contain as much information as possible.
A business plan is basically split into four parts: the business; marketing; finance and the management team. The business. Your business plan should start with the basics of your business. A cover sheet should outline the company name, address and current owners. Start by outlining the legal structure of your business and who owns it.
Writing a business plan forces you to review your assumptions about your company, Entrepreneur Magazine says. To write one requires looking analytically at the strengths, finances and challenges of your business and setting specific goals for the future.
Knowing how you’ll reach your vision is the meat of your strategic plan, but it’s also the most time consuming. Not to oversimplify how to create a strategic plan, but by placing all the parts of a plan into three areas, you can clearly see how the pieces fit together. Each part has certain elements to show you how and where things fit it.
The Canada Business Network also offers a guide to writing your business plan as well as good examples of industry specific business plans. Obtain supporting information You’ve probably already conducted informal market research on your own.