| A documented business plan for starting and running | | | | Use the strategic summary to showcase your |
| your business is critical for success. A plan that is | | | | competitive advantage. Explain your marketing, pricing, |
| detailed and organized will encourage investment, | | | | distribution and sales strategies in this section. Be sure |
| promote growth, and provide a map for you to follow. | | | | to include information about any strategic alliances you |
| There is no single method to preparing a business plan. | | | | have developed. |
| Each plan should be tailored to the size and needs of | | | | Management Summary |
| the individual company. However, there are some | | | | Use the management summary to introduce your |
| basic elements that are common to all business plans. | | | | management team and explain your organizational |
| All business plans should incorporate the following | | | | structure. Include a description of your personnel plan. |
| elements. | | | | Financial Plan |
| Executive Summary | | | | Potential investors or lenders will want to know the |
| The executive summary should include a narrative on | | | | details of your financial plan. Include your sales |
| your business objectives. Include your mission | | | | forecast, break-even Analysis, pro-forma profit and |
| statement in this section. | | | | loss Statement, pro-forma balance sheet, pro-forma |
| Company Summary | | | | cash flow statement, your key financial indicators and |
| The company summary should include information | | | | the basis for your assumptions. |
| about company ownership and structure. A brief | | | | Supporting Documentation |
| explanation of the company's history or start-up plan | | | | Add a section for your supporting documentation. |
| should also be included in this section. | | | | Supporting documentation should include the tax |
| Products and Services | | | | returns of the principals for the last three years, |
| Describe the products and services you offer. Include | | | | personal financial statements for the principals, copies |
| a competitive comparison with others in the market. | | | | of contracts (franchise agreement, building lease, etc.), |
| Explain the sourcing and fulfillment channels you have | | | | copies of business licenses, professional profiles of the |
| established. | | | | principals, copies of Letters of Intent from customers |
| Market Analysis Summary | | | | or suppliers and copies of other legal documents. |
| The market analysis summary should include market | | | | For additional information or assistance regarding |
| needs, trends and growth potential. Provide information | | | | business plans, contact your local Chamber of |
| about the industry including industry participants, buying | | | | Commerce, the U. S. Small Business Administration, |
| patterns and primary competitors. | | | | your Certified Public Accountant or a business |
| Strategic Summary | | | | consultant. |