It all starts with your business plan

The business plan is your blueprint for success. It sets down your goals for the business, assists in analyzing the feasibility of a new business, explores the expansion of an existing business, defines your customers and competitors, and points out your strengths and weaknesses. It also details your plans for the future.

Develop the business plan yourself rather than hiring someone else to do the work. After all, it's your business. In some areas you may want to consult professionals for advice. Once the plan is developed, refer to it often. It should also be updated periodically, at least once a year.

Use the following basic outline to organize your own plan. There should be a separate paragraph with a heading that identifies each area you are discussing. It should be concise, factual, and easy to read. There are excellent sample business plans online (see related links below) to show how this is done.

Business Plan Outline

1. Summary
   • Business Description
     • Name
     • Location and plan description
     • Product/service
     • Market and competition
     • Management experience/expertise
   • Business goals
   • Summary of financial needs and application of funds
   • Earnings projections
2. Market Analysis
   • Description of total market
   • Industry trends
   • Target market
   • Competition
3. Products or Service
   • Description of product line or service
   • Proprietary position
   • Comparison with competitors' products or services
4. Marketing Strategy
   • Overall strategy
   • Pricing policy
   • Method of selling, distributing, and servicing products or services
5. Management Plan
   • Form of business organization
   • Board of Directors/Advisors composition
   • Officers, organization chart and responsibilities
   • Resumes of key personnel
   • Staffing plan/number of employees
   • Facilities plan/planned capital improvements
   • Operating plan/schedule of upcoming work for two years
6. Financial Data
   • Personal financial statements (previous 2-3 years), if seeking a loan
   • Two-year financial projections
     • Income statement (profit/loss statement)
     • Balance sheets
     • Cash flow
     • Capital expenditures
   • Explanation of projections
   • Key business ratios
   • Explanation of use and effect of new funds (loans, etc.)

Other sites of interest:

• Sample Business Plans
• Business and Marketing Plans
• Writing a Business Plan
• Business Planning Resources
• Calculate Your Start Up Costs
• Business Planning Worksheet
• Center for Business Planning
• Creating an Effective Business Plan
• Your Outline for Success
• SBA Business Plan Outline
• The Planning Resources Center
• Bed and Breakfast Business Plan
• Writing a Business Plan
• Writing the Master Plan: A Business Plan Guide for Techies
• Starting Costs

This document was prepared by the San Joaquin Delta College Small Business Development Center. Send comments to: Gillian Murphy

Acknowledgements, disclaimers, etc.