Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 1 D e v e l o p i n g a n E f f e c t i v e B u s i n e s s P l a n "Planning is essential to the success of any undertaking" 1.Realistic goals Specific,m easurable,and setwithin tim e. 2.Com mitm ent Supported by allinvolved -partners,em ployees,team m em bers,and fam ily! 3.Milestones Subgoalsin order to evaluate progress. 4.Flexibility Obstaclesshould be anticipated and alternative strategiesm ustbe form ulated.
Developing A Well-Conceived Business Plan. Elements of a Business Plan. Helpful Hints for Writing the Business Plan. Writing the Business Plan. Good luck!. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 1
Developing an Effective Business Plan
"Planning is essential to the success of any undertaking"
1. Realistic goalsSpecific, measurable, and set within time.
2. CommitmentSupported by all involved - partners, employees, team members, and family!
3. MilestonesSubgoals in order to evaluate progress.
4. FlexibilityObstacles should be anticipated and alternative strategies must be formulated.
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 2
Pitfalls to Avoid in Planning
1. No realistic goals
2. Failure to anticipate roadblocks- don' t let objectivity go out the window
3. No commitment or dedication
4. Lack of demonstrated experience
5. No market niche (segment)
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 3
What is a Business Plan?
A written document that details the proposed venture. It mustillustrate current status, expected needs, and projected resultsof the new business. Every aspect of the venture needs to be
described - the project, marketing, research and development,manufacturing, management, critical risks, financing, and
milestones or timetable. The business plan is theentrepreneur's road map to a successful enterprise.
Could be referred to as a "venture plan", a "loan proposal", oran "investment prospectus".
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 4
Benefits of a Business Plan:
"If your proposed venture is marginal at best, the businessplan will show you why and may help you avoid paying thehigh tuition of business failure. It is far cheaper not to beginan ill-fated business than to learn by experience what your
business plan could have taught you at a cost of several hoursof concentrated work."
(Joseph R. Mancuso, 1985)
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 5
Developing A
Well-Conceived
Business Plan
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 6
Who reads the plan?A professional - lawyer, consultant, banker, investor, potential customer - may
give your plan a "five minute reading".
They' ll focus on the following:
1. Determine the characteristics of the venture and its industry.
2. Determine the financial structure of the plan.
3. Read the latest balance sheet.
4. Determine the quality of the entrepreneur(s) in the venture.
5. Establish the unique features in this venture.
6. Read the entire plan over lightly.
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 7
What's the most important features of the business plan?
• Appearance
• Length
• The cover and the title page
• The executive summary
• The table of contents
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 8
Guidelines to Remember:
Keep the plan respectably short
Organize and package the plan appropriately
Orient the plan toward the future
Avoid exaggeration
Highlight critical risks
Give evidence of an effective entrepreneurial team
Do not over diversify
Identify the target market
Keep the plan written in the third person
Capture the reader's interest
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 9
Elements of a
Business Plan
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 10
I. The Summary• a clever snapshot of the complete plan
II. Business Descriptiona. General description of the venture (product or service)
b. Industry backgroundc. Company history or background
d. Goals/potential of the venture and milestones (if any)e. Uniqueness of the product or service
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 11
III. Marketing a. Research and analysis
1. Target market2. Market size and trends
3. Competition4. Estimated market share
b. Marketing plan1. Market strategy:
sales and distr ibution2. Pricing
3. Advertising and promotions
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 12
IV. Research, Design, and Developmenta. Development and design plans
b. Technical research resultsc. Research assistance needs
d. Cost structure
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 13
V. Manufacturinga. Location analysis
b. Production needs: facilities and equipmentc. Suppliers/transportation factors
d. Labor supplye. Manufacturing cost data
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 14
VI. Managementa. Management team: key personnel
b. Legal structure: stock agreements, employment agreements, ownership, etc.c. Board of directors, advisers, consultants, etc.
VII. Critical Risksa. Potential problemsb. Obstacles and r isks
c. Alternative courses of action
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VIII. Financial a. Financial forecast
1. Profit and loss2. Cash flow
3. Break-even analysis4. Cost controls
b. Sources and use of fundsc. Budgeting plans
d. Stages of financing
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 16
IX. Milestone Schedulea. Timing and objectivesb. Deadlines/milestonesc. Relationship of events
X. Appendix and/or bibliography
(Kuratko/Hodgetts, 1992)
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 17
Helpful Hints for
Writing the Business Plan
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 18
The Summar y
No mor e than thr ee pages.This is the most cr ucial par t of your plan because it must
captur e the r eader s inter est.What, how, why, wher e etc. must be summar ized.
Complete this par t after . the finished business plan has beenwr itten.
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 19
The Business Description Segment
The name of the business.A background of the industry with history of the company (if any) should be
covered here.The potential of the new venture should be described clearly.
Any unique or distinctive features of the venture should be spelled out.
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 20
The Marketing Segment
Convince investors that sales projections and competition can be met.Market studies should be used and disclosed.
Identify target market, market position, and market share.Evaluate all competitors and specifically cover "why" and "how" you will be
better than the competitors.Identify all market sources and assistance used for this segment.
Demonstrate pricing strategy since your price must penetrate and maintain amarket share to produce profits. Thus "lowest" price it not necessarily the
"best" price.Identify your advertising plans with cost estimates to validate the proposed
strategy.
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 21
The Research, Design and Development Segment
Provide the advantages of your location.List the production needs in terms of facilities and equipment.
Describe the access to transportation.Explain proximity to your suppliers.
Mention the availability of labor in your location.Provide the estimates of manufacturing costs - be careful, too many
entrepreneurs underestimate their costs.
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 22
The Management Segment
Provide résumés of all key people in the management of the venture.Carefully describe the legal structure of the venture.
Cover the added assistance of advisers, consultants, and directors.Provide information on how everyone is to be compensated.
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 23
The Critical Risks Segment
Discuss the potential r isks before investors point them out.Some examples include:
• Price cutting by competitors• Potentially unfavorable industry-wide trends
• Design or manufacturing cost in excess of estimates• Sales projections not achieved
• Product development schedule not met• Difficulties or long lead time encountered in the procurement of parts and
raw materials• Larger than expected innovation and development costs to stay
competitive• Alternative courses of action
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 24
The Financial Segment
Provide statements.Describe the needed sources for your funds and the uses you intend for the
money.Provide a budget.
Create stages of financing for purposes of allowing evaluation by investors atvarious points.
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 25
The Milestone Schedule Segment
Provide a timetable or chart to demonstrate when each phase of the venture isto be completed. This shows the relationship of events and provides a deadlinefor accomplishments.
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 26
Writing the
Business Plan
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 27
Prewriting
Write or review notes, assemble facts, organize your thoughts, establish yourgoals, draft an outline.Very important stage!
Writing
Don' t go for perfection the first time around.Just keep going!
Revising
Revise for clar ity. Rework your sentences. Take a break and start from a freshperspective.
Hermann Kopp • 1998 • 28
Editing
Take an objective look at the plan. Does it make sense? Is it convincing? Do Ineed more, or less, information? Have I supported my most important
statements? Is it well organized? Is it readable? Style? Tone?The most crucial and most difficult stage of the process!
Proofreading
Use a spellchecker! Check the grammar. If possible, have somebody else take alook. Nothing is worse than a sloppy job of proofreading!