How To Write A Business Plan Step By Step
Do you need a small-scale business plan to help prepare your venture for success?
Writing a good business plan depends on several factors considered critical to the growth of a business. A comprehensive business plan helps in charting a course for the future sustainability of your venture, eventually translating to profitability and stability.
Do you know different types of business plans exist? Do you know you can make good money writing business plans? Are you aware of the critical risks associated with a business plan? Are you looking for business plan writing software? Try Liveplan.
Well, let’s go through the world of business plans together.
EXAMPLES OF BUSINESS PLANS
Here are some common business plans:
AGRICULTURE
- Poultry production business plan
- Fish farming business plan
- Cattle farming business plan
- Hydroponics farm business plan
- Egg production business plan
- Egg Wholesale business plan
- Pig farming business plan
- Hatchery business plan
- Snail farming business plan
- Raising Goats business plan
- Mushroom cultivation
PETS
- Dog grooming business plan
- Dog breeding business plan
- Pet food business plan
- Horse breeder business plan
- Veterinary clinic business plan
FOOD & DRINKS
- Bakery business plan
- Coffee shop business plan
- Catering business plan
- Cooking class business plan
- Fried chicken restaurant
- Ice Candy Shop business plan
- Bottled water production business plan
- Rice retailing business plan
- Milk distribution business plan
- Fresh fruit production
- Juice bar business plan
HEALTH & CARING
- Hospital business plan
- Group home business plan
- Nursing home business plan
- Nanny agency business plan
- Yoga studio business plan
- Dental clinic business plan
- Assisted living facility business plan
- Adult daycare business plan
- Pharmacy business plan
FASHION AND BEAUTY
- Hair salon business plan
- Nail salon business plan
- Barbershop business plan
- Beauty salon business plan
- Cosmetics store business plan
- Beauty pageant business plan
INTERNET AND TECHNOLOGY
- Drone business plan
- CCTV camera installation business plan
- Cell phone store business plan
- Printing and copying business plan
- Computer repair business plan
- Cell phone accessories business plan
AUTO AND TRANSPORT
- Transport business plan
- Car rental shop business plan
- Truck owner-operator business plan
- Driving school business plan
- Tow truck business plan
- Automobile repair business plan
- Roadside assistance business plan
- Tire shop business plan
FINANCIAL SERVICES
- Tax preparation business plan
- Financial advisory business plan
- Insurance agency business plan
- Mortgage brokerage business plan
- Money lending business plan
- Accounting firm business plan
OTHER BUSINESS SERVICES
- Screen printing business plan
- Life coaching business plan
- HVAC business plan
- Amazon FBA business plan
- Law firm business plan
- B2B services business plan
- Waste management business plan
- Flea market business plan
- Recording studio business plan
- Pressure washing business plan
- Nonprofit business plan
- Thrift store business plan
- Event planning business plan
- Diesel distribution business plan
- Supermarket business plan
- Cemetery business plan
- Pawnshop business plan
- Grocery store business plan
- Welding workshop business plan
- Concrete block-making business plan
- Steel trading business plan
- Vending machine business plan
- Detergent business plan
- Warehouse business plan
Developing A Business Plan Outline
All business plans follow a particular order. Although they may have slight variations, these plans should follow an outline to avoid looking shabby.
For example, an executive summary cannot be at your business plan’s bottom. The point here is that the arrangement of a business plan is sequential to guide users adequately.
An example of a good business plan outline will include the following sections in this order;
– Executive Summary
– Company Description
– Products and Services
– Marketing Plan
– Operational Plan
– Management and Organization
– Startup Expenses and Capitalization
– Financial Plan, and lastly
– Appendices
Here is a brief explanation of the sections:
Executive Summary
Because of the importance of this section, it usually comes first. Investors pay close attention to it to determine if your business is worth investing in. Hence, this section should captivate the reader and exude the enthusiasm of the business plan writer.
Company Description
This contains a basic description of your business highlighted through the mission and vision statements, goals, target market, legal structure or ownership, and industry.
Products and Services
This section showcases the products and services and how they solve particular needs. This is usually presented from the client’s point of view.
Also, it highlights the business’s competitive advantages over its competitors, and lastly, the pricing structure of its products.
Marketing Plan
The marketing plan section provides information on the type of marketing to attract and retain customers. It highlights the target market for the business, marketing research, barriers to entry, and threats to business promotion.
Operational Plan
Information on general and specific business operations is essential here. This section covers areas such as production, quality control, location, and the legal environment of the business. The hired personnel, inventory, suppliers, and the business’ credit policies are also highlighted in this section.
Management and Organization
The management organization of the business is provided, with the functions and duties of each position spelled out. This is because how a company is organized around these offices affects business performance.
Startup Expenses and Capitalization
This aspect is crucial to business plans, and investors are usually very interested in its contents. It includes the startup expenses, opening day balance sheet, and personal financial statements.
Financial Plan
The financial plan should provide financial projections at specific intervals. This can be yearly intervals, as the case may be. It should also contain a cash flow projection of the business and a break-even calculation.
Appendix
Some details are not made available on the business plan to prevent cluttering. These details are collated into an appendix where readers get further clarification.
These essential elements must be present in a startup business plan for small businesses.
With this template I have provided, I am sure you now have a helpful guide to help you create a viable business plan for the small business you want to start.
Conclusion
Templates and business plan software is the best approach to writing a convincing business plan that attracts funding. Due to the layouts of business plan templates, a writer needs to brainstorm on what suits the particular business he is writing on.
For each section, a business plan template guides what it should contain. This makes it easy to create a business plan that impresses investors.