AppG_SampleBusinessPlan.pdf

APPENDIX G - EXAMPLE BUSINESS PLAN OUTLINE

Use this outline as a general guide only. Some parts may not apply to your business, some items important to your particular business might be missing.

The Executive Summary - The Executive Summary appears at the beginning of the business plan and gives the reader a quick, but informative overview of who you are as a person, what your business is all about and a brief, but convincing argument as to why you will successful.

The executive summary is never longer than two pages. One page is preferable.

I. Ownership

• Who owns the business

• What type of organization it is (proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability)

• The division of responsibility between owners/employees (if applicable)

II. Description of Business

• History of business

• Products/services presently offered described in detail and briefly describe whom you sell to and how (store, shows, catalog, wholesale, cold calls, etc.)

• New products/services described and brief description of customers and sales methods

• Number of employees

• Facility - own or rent, description of location, size, special features

• Improvements planned (if applicable)

• Equipment owned

• Equipment you plan to purchase

III. Market Information

• Industry - (depending on type of business, may not apply)

- Industry outlook - nationally, state-wide, locally (if applicable)

- Factors that affect the industry currently - supplies, changes in legislation, market trends, new technologies

• Your Customers

- Describe major customer groups in detail (i.e. by age, geography, income, business type, sex, local or tourist, wholesale or retail) & assign percentages to each group (for example, 40% local, 60% tourist)

- Patterns for each group (season, time of day, day of week, how often, etc.)

- Why these customer groups choose your business

- Trends affecting their choices/decisions/behavior

• Your Marketing Strategy

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- Your image, advertising/promotion plan, and pricing & how they match your target market(s)

- Detail on how you sell, distribute, and service your product/service and why

- Sales goals, strategies for the next year

IV. Management

• Resume describing your relevant experience and education

• Key personnel and their job descriptions (if applicable)

• Accounting and record keeping systems described

• Other relevant management systems or techniques (inventory, production, etc.)

V. Financial Information

• Projections

- Sales goals, in dollars and units (if applicable)

- Break-even analysis, if new business

- One-year, monthly cash flow projection

- Projected balance sheet/income statement (if applicable)

VI. Other Information

• Lease/Purchase & Sales Agreement

• Sales materials - brochures, sell sheets, price lists, etc.

• Pictures of products

• Pictures of facility

• Customer lists

• Letters of commitment or contracts

• Letter of recommendation

• Market research data

• Other, as appropriate

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