Business plan outline

Write a detailed outline (like the one below) of your business plan. Organization is important.

Outlines will vary based on the type of venture. A basic outline of the proposed business plan would include the following:

Cover Page

Name of the business

Address and phone number

Issue date of plan

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Company information

Market opportunity

Financial data

Company

Background

Business form

Reason for the firm’s establishment

Environmental Analysis

Economic

Competitive

Legal

Political

Cultural

Technological

Products or Services

Different from those currently on the market

Other uses for the product

Drawings or photos, if appropriate

Patents or trademarks

Competitive advantage

Potential for growth

Manage the product or service through the product life cycle

Expand the product line or develop related products

Management Team

Technical skills

Business skills

Experience

Compensation

Training

Professional assistance

Time Line

Outline interrelationship and timing of major events planned for your venture

Timing of objectives should be realistic and attainable

Benefits to the Community

Economic development

Community development

Human development

Exit Strategy (How and how long before you and your investors will exit the business and get back your investments?)

Who will succeed you in the business?

Will the business be sold?

Financial Plan

Sources and uses of capital (initial and projected)

3-year projections of:

Cash flow statements

Balance sheets

Profit and loss statements

Breakeven analysis

Conclusions and important points:

Discussion of how much equity and how much debt are included

Highest amount of cash needed

Expected payback period for loans