Can anyone help me with how to do a business plan?

Question

both please from people on this site and also links to where i can get help

Answer 1

Go here. http://www.score.org/downloads/Business%20Plan%20for%20a%20Startup%20Business_July.doc

Answer 2

I have a diploma in small business management; I think the initial route to a successful business is marketing, and you would need to do some market research first to see if your idea is viable. So much is common sense, and so many businesses fail because they don't do this effectively. For example, there is little point in opening a store if someone sells the same goods next door. It is good for the customer though as both places would have to reduce prices to remain competitive. Having said that, location isn't as important as it used to be because of the Internet. It is important to find a niche market, and obviously the higher the profit margin of the product the more you will earn. Also overheads are something to consider.
You don't mention what kind of business, and on what scale. Are you willing to travel to source (import) products? If you join a trade mission overseas to (mainly) export goods you can get financial help from the government (British nationals). There are so many organisations in your area which should be able to help. Try asking in the library or looking in the yellow pages.
In my opinion, the most successful business people have a very good financial acumen. This is the most important thing.

Answer 3

Yes, I can give you an outline of what you need to do. First, you need to cover in your plan, the following. Product and or Service that is your business. Marketing (advertising, leaflets, yellow pages etc) Clients, where will they come from....what’s your market or where is your market...i.e. age group, demographic of your clients. Next is Sales, promotions or membership or 2 for one type of thing. Something that will hopefully keep your clients. Next is accounts, this should take at least 50 percent of importance in your plan. Reason is because if the numbers don’t stack up.....let it go. And remember with your expected income; take off 10 to 20 percent to get a more realistic figure. If you make more great but this plan is not only for direction of your business but the viability of your business. So with your expenses, add 10 or 20 percent. I was informed years ago that when making a business plan, get your expense total and than double it. This is true for business plans that have not looked into all the unexpected bills. It is hard for me to advise with out knowing your business type. Next is time frame for your business, 6 months, one year, two years, 5 years, and 10 years. In this order. You don’t need to go into a ten year plan but I strongly advise on a five year plan. Where you see the business in 5 years. Will you have more staff? will your product or service branch out? I know this all sound like allot to go through but remember this will make or break a business. A business needs direction and a format and that is a business plan in a nut shell. Also take your time on each section, do a section at a time. Also your business will change as you go along, new ideas and new markets will become available to you. Try to stick to the marketing plan, if things change and opportunity arises in the future and you think the business should go down another path that’s fine. Just look at the plan at that stage. Hope I have been helpful. [e-mail] let me know and good luck.

Answer 4

First, ask yourself these questions:
- What are you aims and objectives? What is your short-term goal? What's your long-term goal?
- Why have you setup the business? Was there a gap in the market? Is it a niche? Do you have something unique to offer?
- How are you going to go about getting customers? How will you market the product/service? What sort of take-up rate are you expecting? What costs have you got budgetting for advertising?
- How are you going to finance the business? Are you going to be taking a wage? If yes, how much? When are you predicting the business will become profitable?

Make sure the plan is comprehensive and covers everything you can think of.

I suggest a structure like this:
- Summary (mission statement/aims/objectives)
- Company Outline
- What you are offering & what the current competition is
- Market Analysis
- Strategy (sales & marketing plan)
- Management
- Finances

This site is a more comprehensive look at how to write and structure a business plan: http://www.moneytowers.com/2006/small-business/business-plan/

Good luck :)

Answer 5

Writing a business plan

To get them to read on, you need to include:

# An executive summary - one page on what your idea is all about. This is the bit they will definitely read so grab your opportunity and get them interested. Think of it as a lift pitch - if you can't explain your idea to someone in a one-minute climb from the ground to the fifth floor your target will be out of the doors and gone. Start with a one-liner, your strapline, that really sums up your idea so that your reader instantly sees where you're at. Lastly, if you need funding, tell them how much you need and what's in it for them.

# A sales summary - a clear description of what you will offer your clients/customers, focussing on your core products/services and their benefits.

# A technical explanation - you need to give a credible description of what your product/service is, how your idea works and what it will do for your clients/customers that will make it worth paying for. Keep this short and to the point. Investors want to know that your business is possible, deliverable and offers saleable benefits with profits, without an unreasonable risk.

# Spell out what you are - sole trader (doing it yourself), partnership (doing it together) or limited company (you are a shareholder and/or director).

# Your objectives for your idea in year one, and for the next two to three years. For instance, what targets do you want to achieve, what turnover or how many people do you hope to employ?

Answer 6

Hi!

If you're in the UK and are setting up a business, the best place to go is your local Chamber of Business.

They'll be able to help you with your business plan and much, much more!

Best of luck!

Answer 7

Do you want help from people here or just on where to find help on a business plan? Let me know that first!

Answer 8

use www.businesslink.com i used a business plan from them, i didn;t pay how ever i just looked at examples of over business plans. There website was v helpful too for atsrting up businesses, good luck! xx

Answer 9

hi there i would go to the liberty as they have lots of help full books there