The assignment is to make a business plan:Title Page

Name of company, date, contact information, etc.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

1. Business Concept – Elevator Pitch
2. Company
3. Problem/Opportunity (Value Proposition in $’s)
4. Your solution
5. Business Model ($’s)
6. Market Potential ($’s) & Competition
7. Sales Approach
8. Management Team
9. Required Funding and its Use
10. Abbreviated Income Statement
11. Exit Strategy

Main Sections

I. Company Description

• Elevator Pitch
• Mission Statement
• Objectives
• Business Model
• Summary of Activity to Date
• Current Stage of Development
• Competencies
• Keys to Success
• Location and Facilities

II. Product or Service

• Problem/Opportunity
• Your solution
• Technical/Operational Description
• Benefits to customer (Show $’s)
• Differences from current offerings

III. Industry Analysis

• Industry Overview
• Supply and Distribution
• Technological Factors
• Seasonality
• Economic Influences
• Entry Barriers
• Regulatory Issues

IV. Market Analysis

• Definition of Overall Market
• Market Size and Growth
• Market Trends
• Market Segments
• Targeted Segments
• Customer Characteristics & Needs
• Purchasing Decision Process
• Product Positioning

V. Competition

• Profiles of Primary Competitors
  • Products/Services, Revenue, & Market Shares
• Competitive Evaluation of Product
  • Distinct Competitive Advantage
  • Competitive Weaknesses
• Future Competitors

VI. Marketing and Sales

• Products Offered
• Pricing and Pricing Strategy
• Distribution (Placement)
• Promotion
  • Advertising and Publicity
  • Trade Shows
  • Partnerships
  • Discounts and Incentives
• Sales Force
• Sales Approach
• Sales Forecasts (Bottom’s Up)

VII. Operations

• Product Development
  • Team
  • Costs
  • Timeline
  • Risks
• Manufacturing /Order Fulfillment
  • Production Processes
  • Production Equipment
  • Quality Assurance
  • Administration
• Key Suppliers
• Product / Service Delivery
• Customer Service and Support
• Human Resource Plan
• Facilities

VIII. Management and Organization

• Management Team
• Open Positions
• Board of Directors
• Key Personnel
• Organizational Chart

IX. Development and Milestones

Time may be specified on a relative scale rather than specific calendar dates. Milestones may include some or all of the following:

• Financing Commitments
• Use of Funds
• Company Development Milestones
  • Prototype, Testing, Launch
  • Signing of Significant Contracts
  • Achievement of Break-even Performance
  • Expansion
  • Additional Funding
  • Any other significant milestones

X. Risks and Contingencies

Some common risks include:

• Increased competition
• Liability
• Suppliers’ failure to meet deadlines
• Regulatory changes
• Change in business conditions

XI. Capitalization and Structure

• Legal Structure of Company
• Present Equity Positions
• Deal Structure
• Exit Strategy

XII. Financial Projections

• Assumptions (Start date, commissions, tax rates, average inventory, sales forecasts, etc.)
• Financial Statements (Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement)
• Break Even Analysis
• Financial Resources
• Financial Strategy

XIII. Summary and Conclusions

Appendices

• May include: Management Resumes, Competitive Analysis, Sales Projections, Any other supporting documents