Business Resources / Business Plan Outline

Business Plan Development & Advising includes all the following categories:

CHECKLIST

1. Cover Sheet 
      a. Name, address, and phone number of the business. 
      b. Name of the sole proprietor. 
      c. Date of the plan. 
      d. Copy number.

2. Executive Summary 
      a. Purpose of plan. 
      b. Form and ownership of the business. 
      c. Objectives of the business and why it will be successful. 
      d. Amount and nature of the financing sought. 
               i. What the financing will be used for. 
               ii. What the proposed terms and source of repayment will be. 
               iii. What the security for the financing will be. 
               iv. What the benefits will be to the lender, including such things as investment in the future of the community and the creation of jobs.

3. Table of Contents

4. Description of Business 
      a. Nature of business. 
      b. Products or services. 
      c. History of the business and its present status.

5. Business Environment 
      a. The industry in which the business operates, including history and future. 
      b. Regulatory considerations.

6. Major Risks and Challenges 
      a. Keys to success of the business. 
      b. Description and strategy for dealing with the risks and challenges. 
      c. Insurance coverage.

7. Marketing and Sales 
      a. Market analysis, including description of market and the business's share of that market. 
      b. Market trends. 
      c. Marketing strategies. 
      d. Sales goals and projections. 
      e. Competition and competitive advantages of business.

8. Operations 
   `   a. Biographical information relating to owner and key employees. 
      b. Employees 
      c. Professional advisors and consultants. 
      d. Location 
               i. Property ownership and lease terms. 
               ii. Importance to business operations. 
      e. Capital equipment, including ownership and lease terms. 
      f. Nature and value of intangible property, including goodwill, trade secrets, trademarks, patents, and copyrights.

9. Financing Being Sought 
      a. Financial needs - nature and amount. 
      b. Intended use of borrowed funds, including schedule for disbursal of loan. 
      c. Cash flow budget, including repayment of loan. 
      d. Projected profits and losses, including breakeven analysis, for the next five years. 
      e. Projected balance sheets for the next five years.

10. Financial Information 
      a. Current and prior two years' balance sheets.       
      b. Income and loss statement for current year and two prior years. 
      c. Cash flow statement for current year and two prior years. 
      d. Personal financial statement of the sole proprietor.