How to write a business plan? Detailed overview with examples

You've come up with a great business idea. Free research and writing a simple business plan will allow you to look at the project from the outside. Determine the viability of the business in the realities of the modern market. The outline template will help you start developing your plan today. Form and complete the idea of your future enterprise. You can download sample documents at the end of the article.

What is a simple business plan?

If you are not standing on the threshold of a financial and credit organization in search of investments, drafting a document can be simplified. History remembers corporations whose business plan began with notes on a napkin. Otherwise, the preparation of papers according to the generally accepted standard is required.

A business plan in the classical form of implementation includes several mandatory sections:

description of the organization;
market research;
competitive analysis;
sales strategy;
calculation of the volume of investments in time;
staffing and structure;
financial data.

The document is submitted for consideration by a specialist of a financial and credit organization or a private investor. A well-written business plan serves as a step-by-step strategy for the formation and development of the project. Designed to answer questions and provide a solution to 9 out of 10 problems that stand in the way of a young enterprise.

Advantages and disadvantages of working with a template

Large organizations order the development of documentation to specialized specialists. Financial advisor or consulting company. On average, the plan consists of 100 or more pages. Includes data and additional sections that individualize the project, taking into account the chosen niche.

The business plan template contains the fundamentals. Suitable as an auxiliary material for solving the problems of small and medium-sized businesses. Development of a step-by-step strategy and calculation of the estimated investment volume.

The disadvantage of drawing up a document according to a template lies in the routine of work. Filling in financial tables, mathematical calculations. Combining data from Excel tables to Word. A thorough study of the market for services or goods. Assessing the density of competition. If you are not motivated enough, a business plan template will not bring the desired result.

Those new to business planning use the templates to:

familiarization with the issue;
ideas about the expected scope of work;
assessment of the need to order documentation from a specialist;
revealing the objectivity of prices of consulting companies.

The template allows you to evaluate your own capabilities, understand what to build on in matters of planning your own business. Acquaintance and filling out the document according to the model gives an answer to real questions. Allows you to remove the veil of imaginary prospects from your eyes, pay attention to figures and facts.

Simple or detailed business plan?

Analysis of financial and organizational issues for a medium-sized enterprise will be about 30-40 A4 pages. The volume assumes pure text without illustrations and photos. Images of products, promotional materials, equipment, floor plans and the website's terms of reference will expand the project.

Infographics and other visual elements of the plan will help to interest investors and lenders. The main thing in the documentation is analysis and precise mathematical calculations. Cost items, estimated payback periods, the company's foreseeable profit in time.

How to use the sample?

The reason for compiling a template in the form of tips was the lack of significant information on business planning issues on the pages of Internet resources. The offer to download a sample is reduced to copying student term papers and abstracts. Information focused on a good assessment of the teacher, along with the needs of the market and the real payback of the enterprise. We have decided to do a detailed review of each part of the template before linking to examples that are worth your attention. Use the download as a guide. Be prepared to work hard.

Simple business plan template

A business document begins with a title page. The title of the project, the name and details of the organization, the author of the project. If the business plan is addressed to an investor, his data should be indicated.

Front page

"Company name"
"The date"
"Company address"
"Telephone"
"El. the address"
"Web site"
Presented for:
"Name"
"Company or financial institution"

1. Introduction
2. Business overview
3. Market analysis and competition
4. Sales and marketing plan
5. Ownership and management plan
6. Work plan
7. Financial plan
8. Applications and add-ons

Section 1: Introduction

The water part introduces the reader to the idea of a business. Briefly presents an optimistic analysis of key features. Gives an answer to the question of the expediency of opening and accepting investments. The volume of the section does not exceed 2 pages. We do not recommend diluting the text with weightless arguments and empty sentences.

mission of the project - what is objectively necessary for its implementation;
representation of figures in the company, copyright holders;
description of key goods and services;
portrait of a potential consumer;
competitive advantage of the project;
brief financial projections for the first 5 years;
amount of initial investment.

Section 2: Industry Overview

Consider a business niche in which you plan to compete with firms that supply a similar product. Provide a summary of the industry, including sales and other statistics. Consider market trends and demographics. Influence of the economy, cultural, participation of the state and the municipality.

Describe how the business fits into the industry. Which niche and market segment will be targeted in the first place and why. What unique selling proposition will allow you to exist and develop in a competitive environment.

Section 3: Market Analysis

In this section, you need to demonstrate target market analysis data. The amount of supply and demand for services or goods. Assess the competitive field. Strengths and weaknesses of companies with a similar product.

Segment the market with a focus on the product;
determine the relevance of the product or service on a geographical basis;
identify future consumers by demographics;
calculate the purchasing power of potential customers;
saturation of the market with similar goods and services.

Answer the question how many units of your product will be able to absorb the market. Imagine the potential volume of sales and repeat purchases, along with the performance of competitors. Create a comparison table with competitor data.

Section 4: Sales and Marketing Plan

The part deals with techniques and ways to attract new customers. Pricing strategy. Optimistic, probable and pessimistic sales forecasts are given.

Describe the service or product. Its strengths along with competitors' counterparts. benefit for consumers. This is how you create a unique selling proposition.
Make a marketing plan. Write down the costs of promotion through traffic acquisition channels. For example, business cards and printing, advertising in the media, development and promotion of a website.
Describe the flow of the product to the customer. What additional costs will this require? For example, strong packaging, transport fuel, postage.

Calculate the average cost per product to determine your pricing strategy. Summarize with current expenses to ensure the company's business processes. Payment of interest on obligations, taxes and other mandatory deductions. Divide by the estimated sales forecast for the same period. This will give you the unit cost of the product.

Compare the data with the offer of competitors. This is how you determine the level of markup that is acceptable to maintain a worthy position in a niche. The value of the latter will answer several questions:

how interesting the project is, based on NPV indicators;
what cost items should be optimized to increase net income.

Section 5: Ownership and Management Plan

This section describes the legal structure, ownership, and (if applicable) staffing needs of your business.

Choose the organizational form of the business. For example, a limited liability company or an individual entrepreneur. List ownership percentages, if applicable.
Describe managers, their roles, key positions of employees.
List any external professional resources. For example, accountants, lawyers, consultants, other outsourced performers.
List the type and number of employees or contractors you will need, and the wages and benefits for each.

Section 6: Operational Plan

An operating plan describes the physical needs of your business, such as an office, warehouse, retail space, equipment, inventory and supplies, and labor. If the enterprise contains up to 5 frames, the section will take no more than a page. Large projects require more capacity.

Business related to industry and processing requires a description of the production process. The choice of a place of foundation acceptable from the point of view of supervisory authorities. Sources of specialized equipment. Supply chain building.

Provide data on the time required to prepare for the opening. Obtaining permits, licenses, passing inspections.
Describe the location of the business, including requirements for premises, land, proximity to water, and more.
Indicate how long it will take to manufacture and bring the product to market.
Outline the expected staffing needs and key responsibilities of employees, especially key ones.
Include a list of specialized equipment. Cost and form of acquisition. For example, rent, lease or purchase. Mark sources of receipt.

A business based on the provision of services, trade or production requires a description of the necessary materials. their durability and cost. The expected time interval before repurchase. Indications of key suppliers.

Section 7: Financial plan

The section is the most important in the content of the business plan. Investors and creditors are attentive to the study of the financial plan of the organization. It demonstrates the actual prospects for growth and profitability of the project. The latter is achieved by calculations and forecasting. According to an unwritten rule, it is customary to underestimate the profitability of the enterprise and overestimate the costs.

The section includes 3 financial statements:

Profit and loss.
Cash flow forecast.
Enterprise balance sheet.

The income statement shows the estimated income, expenses and profits generated. The calculation is carried out monthly. The total period must not be less than 1 year.

The movement forecast describes in detail the process of distribution and increase of investments. An important point for the lender will be the return of borrowed funds. The calculation shows how well you can manage cash flow. Characterizes the entrepreneur as a responsible borrower.

The balance sheet provides a summary view of the assets, liabilities, and equity of your business at a given point in time. Please note that the new business will not have an account receivable entry on the balance sheet.

A break-even analysis will show financiers or investors what level of sales you need to achieve in order for the business to start making a profit.

Section 8: Applications and additions

The section information serves to reinforce and confirm the data specified in other parts of the business plan. Detailed market research and competitor analysis. CVs of owners and key employees of the organization. Borrower's credit history.

The section can be added:

industry data;
List and description of goods and services, products;
The terms of reference of the website;
Plan of office, retail, industrial and other premises;
Copies of mortgage documents, equipment rentals, etc.;
Marketing brochures and other materials;
Recommendations from colleagues;
Links to business website.

As part of the appendices to the business plan, any information and supporting materials that positively influence the decision of investors and creditors should be included. In the event that the organization is not looking for sources of funding from the outside, it is important to compose a section to understand the overall picture of the upcoming project. Your readiness for a phased launch of the business. Additional motivation.