How To Write A Business Plan

 If you want to learn how to write a business plan, you need to analyze your business idea.  

A business plan is a document that outlines the goals and objectives of a business, as well as how to achieve them. It also provides information on the company's structure, management and how it will be financed.

The main reason for having a business plan is to provide you with a roadmap for your future. It will help you make decisions about what you want to do and how you want to do it.

A well-written plan will also provide potential investors with information about your company, which may help them decide whether or not they want to invest in your company.

You need to determine the elements that will give you the best chance for being successful and make them a part of your written plan. A good solid business plan will guide you to success. The approach to writing a business plan used by the SBA (Small Business Administration) is detailed below.

Business Plan Idea

How To Write A Business Plan - The First Step

The first step in writing a business plan is to identify the company’s mission statement. This statement should be concise, clear, and succinct. It should also be easy to understand by anyone who reads it. The next step is to outline the company’s vision for what they want their company to be in five years time. It should include what their company will look like, what they will offer customers, and what kind of impact they want their business to have on society as well as on the environment.

You need to prepare before you begin to write your business plan. Following are five questions that you should answer before you start:

  1. Who is your audience for your business plan? Is it for your use only, as a tool for obtaining financing, or a document to unite business partners in a common goal?

  2. What service or product does your business provide? What needs does it fill? Who are your competitors?

  3. Who are the potential customers for your product or service and why will they purchase it from you? What is your competitive advantage?

  4. How will you reach your potential customers? What marketing methods do you need to employ? Is there sufficient demand for your product to make a profit?

  5. What will be the startup costs for your business? What will be the variable costs? How long will it take for you to get to the breakeven point. Where will you get the financial resources to start your business and keep it going until you reach the breakeven point?

Building The Structure

What goes into a business plan? Consider these four elements:

  1. Description of the business - What is the business all about and what is its structure? The more details about your new business the better.

  2. Marketing - A marketing plan within the business plan is appropriate. Your plan should detail the way you are going to sell your product or service. You should have done market research that shows what the demand is. A matching competitor survey will give you how much supply there is. With a grasp of supply and demand you will be able to know if there is enough unfulfilled demand to support your business.

  3. Finances - You know that your new business will not be making money immediately. It takes time for any new business to get going. That time takes money. In addition, there will likely be other start up costs such as equipment, inventory, facilities and manpower. You need to plan for the initial expenses and make an estimate of how long it will take you to get to break even. That initial capital must be either borrowed or provided out of personal funds. An important part of the business plan are your projections of what money is needed for the startup and revenue past the point of break even.

  4. Management - Have you ever managed a business before? If not, who is going to manage your new business? If you are planning on doing everything yourself, then you need to include in your plan some training. Most small businesses fail. Try to put the odds in your favor.

Now Construct It

A business plan can take many different forms depending on the type of company that is being created. A retail store might have a much different plan than an IT consulting firm. However, all plans should include details such as: -The name of the company -The goals of the company -The products or services offered by the company -How much money is needed from investors in order to get started -How profits will be distributed

Sometimes it is hard to get started constructing your business plan. It is often easier when you have a starting point to work from. See some sample business plans here.

Summary

Finding out how to write a business plan is very important. You must plan to succeed. Having no plan is a plan for failure.