In a buisness plan, what are the most important keys to look into?

Question

I've well established that I am going to need a well detailed buisness plan to start up this entertainment buisness. What would you say are the most important aspects to consider and plan out on paper. I wanna start a lasertag paintball operation, so if anyone can help give me ideas of key points to right down to reach investor pockets, please help. i'm sirring up thought now, but a jolt of help is always apprecitated.

Answer 1

Here are some tips. For detailed information go to sba link below. Good Luck!

Before you begin writing your business plan, consider four core questions:
What service or product does your business provide and what needs does it fill?
Who are the potential customers for your product or service and why will they purchase it from you?
How will you reach your potential customers?
Where will you get the financial resources to start your business?
Writing the Plan
What goes in a business plan? The body can be divided into four distinct sections:
1) Description of the business
2) Marketing
3) Finances
4) Management
Addenda should include an executive summary, supporting documents, and financial projections.
Although there is no single formula for developing a business plan, some elements are common to all business plans. They are summarized in the following outline:
Elements of a Business Plan
1. Cover sheet
2. Statement of purpose 3. Table of contents
I. The Business
A. Description of business
B. Marketing
C. Competition
D. Operating procedures
E. Personnel
F. Business insurance
II. Financial Data
A. Loan applications
B. Capital equipment and supply list
C. Balance sheet
D. Breakeven analysis
E. Pro-forma income projections (profit & loss statements)
Three-year summary
Detail by month, first year
Detail by quarters, second and third years
Assumptions upon which projections were based
F. Pro-forma cash flow
III. Supporting Documents
Tax returns of principals for last three years Personal financial statement (all banks have these forms)
For franchised businesses, a copy of franchise contract and all supporting documents provided by the franchisor
Copy of proposed lease or purchase agreement for building space
Copy of licenses and other legal documents
Copy of resumes of all principals
Copies of letters of intent from suppliers, etc.

Answer 2

First find out what the others in the same business are doing, then offer the market something different and perhaps cheaper or more efficient.

Richard Branson, in starting his airline "Virgin Atlantic" ....offered cheap air fares by cutting away the excess food and frills on flight, for all trips under 1 hour.

Microsoft always offered its product called Windows as a bundle (i.e. along with Explorer, Media Player etc.) so he gives you more than you asked for.

Some mobile phone companies offer FREE airtime for lump sum use of your phone. Its called loyalty.

A photo print chain business offers a roll 24 exposures of film for FREE, for every 24 photos you develop and print with them. Keeps you coming back.

What do you have to offer the consumer? What solution are providing them? Answer that and then go to your bank for a business plan (software).

Answer 3

Not sure about the University you are wanting to attend. But I am a freshman in college and when I was in high school they told me the same thing. I however did not have to be interviewed by the college. If you are being interviewed you might want to join more clubs, so you have something to talk about. I was a 4.0 student and was in every club that my school offered and being in those clubs really didn't help me get into college is more about my grades and my score on my ACT. If you are not interested in any other clubs that your school offers I would not join. You should be okay as long as your grades are good. Hope that helped!

Answer 4

If you are looking to attract investors with your business plan, here are some tips from the article "Business Plans that Impress Investors - 5 Secrets" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol47/bplans.htm :

1. A clear and concise description of your product - define and describe your product for someone who knows little or nothing about your industry, and include the benefits of what you offer in addition to the basic features.

2. Show that you know your market - Define your targeted customers in detail, including extensive demographic traits and in more subjective traits such as lifestyle or personality types.

3. Comprehensive competitive analysis - include a thorough and unbiased analysis of your competition in your business plan.

4. A well-rounded team of individuals is often critical - investors expect, and often demand, a team of professionals who are competent in each business function that is crucial for your company's success (i.e. marketing, sales, operations, finance, manufacturing, engineering, etc.).

5. Your exit strategy - investors commit capital based on their ability to recoup their initial investment plus a healthy profit. Prepare a full set of financial projections and then outline what you'll do with the money, the potential returns, and your intended pay back period. Your exit strategy should take your personal and professional goals into account, but also meet the needs and requirements of the person writing the check - your investor.

Here are some resources that can help you write your business plan:

- SBA Business Plan Basics http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/planning/basic.html
- PowerHomeBiz.com Creating a Business Plan section http://www.powerhomebiz.com/startup/businessplan.htm
- Entrepreneur.com Writing a Business Plan section http://www.entrepreneur.com/bizplan/0,7253,,00.html

You may also want to review some sample business plans to see how it actually looks like:

- Bplans.com http://www.bplans.com/sp/businessplans.cfm
- MOOT Corp Business Plan competition winners
http://www.businessplans.org/businessplans.html
- VFinance - View hundreds of real business plans in pdf format. http://www.vfinance.com/home.asp?bps=1&ToolPage=bps_main.asp
- Business Owners Toolkit Sample business plans and information on how to create a plan. http://www.toolkit.cch.com/tools/buspln_m.asp
- PlanWare Planning software and information. http://www.planware.org/
- Virtual Business Plan Walk through the design of a business plan. http://www.bizplanit.com/vplan.html
-SBA Business Planning Guide http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/planning/basic.html
- Small Business Advancement Center http://www.sbaer.uca.edu/business_plan/businessPlan.pdf
- Sample Business Plan General planning guide created by the Canadian Business Service Center. http://www.cbsc.org/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=CBSC_FE/display&c=GuideFactSheet&cid
- Business Plans Index - A subject guide to sample business plans and profiles for specific business types from Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. http://216.183.184.20/subject/business/bplansindex.html
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Some recommended books are :

- Business Plans Kit for Dummies
- The Complete Book of Business Plans : Simple Steps to Writing a Powerful Business Plan
- Writing Business Plans That Get Results : A Step-By-Step Guide
- Business Plans For Dummies®
- Your First Business Plan : A Simple Question and Answer Format Designed to Help You Write Your Own Plan

Answer 5

your library has books on how to write different types of plans. start there.

Vin