Anatomy of a Business Plan
Here are the major steps to writing a business plan:
- Mission statement and/or vision statement so you articulate what you’re trying to create.
- Description of your company and product or service.
- Description of how your product or service is different.
- Market analysis that discusses the market you’re trying to enter, competitors, where you fit, and what type of market share you believe you can secure;
- Description of your management team, including the experience of key team members and previous successes.
- How you plan to market the product or service.
- Analysis of your company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threat, which will show that you’re realistic and have considered opportunities and challenges.
- Develop a cash flow statement so you understand what your needs are now and will be in the future (a cash flow statement also can help you consider how cash flow could impact growth).
- Revenue projections.
- Summary/conclusion that wraps everything together (this also could be an executive summary at the beginning of the plan).
Cited: http://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickhull/2013/02/21/10-essential-business-plan-components/
