Contents Of A Business Plan/Proposal

Authors Avatar by yaseminbailey (student)

Contents Of A Business Plan/Proposal

Strategy: Contents of a strategic / business plan

The typical contents of a full form business or strategic plan are listed below.

Executive summary

  • What is the business?
  • What is the market?
  • What is the potential for the business?
  • Forecast profit figures
  • Funding requirements
  • Prospects for the investor/ lender

Description of the business

What is the business?

  • A brief description of the business idea and why it should be a success
  • History of the enterprise and its ownership
  • Information about the entrepreneur’s qualifications, experience and financial status
  • Location

Products and services

  • A description of the product and what it does
  • An explanation of ways in which the product is distinctive and unique
  • Analysis of the competition
  • How the product will be developed and what new products are being considered as replacements
  • Intangible assets & protection (e.g. copyright, trade marks)
Join now!

The market

  • Size and expected growth of the market
  • Analysis of market by segments
  • Identification of target segments
  • Competitors - who they are, ownership, size, market share, likely response to the challenge
  • Customers (existing & potential) - who they are, how they buy, why they buy
  • Distribution channels

Situational audit (where are we now?)

This involves data collection and analysis

Purpose of data collection and analysis:

  • Determine which opportunities to pursue
  • Identify SWOT
  • Identify competitive advantages
  • Provide a background for the formulation of strategy

Main analytical techniques:

  • PEST/ PESTLE analysis
  • SWOT analysis
  • Competitor analysis
  • Marketing ...

This is a preview of the whole essay