Can you write a business plan? How about in four simple steps? The first thing you must do is remember to keep it simple. A business plan requires many small steps; however, there really are only four main steps. Writers of all types use these exact same steps when producing a movie script, mathematical treatise, book, essay or report. Outline first, fill in the main area, fill in the subordinate areas and then take it from rough draft to final draft. When it comes to a business plan this is a very simple approach, four easy steps. This perspective takes the pressure off so you can write a great report and get the funds you require.
1. Business Plan Outline Writing
There are ten headings or sections in a business plan. These include the executive summary, company analysis, industry analysis, customer analysis, competitive analysis, operations plan, management team, marketing plan, financial plan and of course an appendix.
Start a fresh document on your PC or laptop and write the headings in a separate column. Next, fill in subheadings for each heading. Subheadings are the main questions or points to be answered or covered in each heading.
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2. Fill out Core Sections of the Business Plan First
At the core of your business plan is the competitive analysis, industry analysis, market (or customer) analysis and finally the company overview.
Put the plan in this order since your competitive analysis is the foundation of the three other core sections.
3. Fill Out the Subordinate Sections of the Business Plan and Complete the draft
The marketing plan, financial plan, operations plan and executive summary are subordinate to the core sections of your business plan. Put them in this order:
marketing, operations, financial and executive. Your executive summary should be last as it presents the gripping points of your entire business plan.
4. Convert Draft to Final Product
Look for someone qualified to give you a thorough, educated and honest edit and send them your completed rough draft. Friends, family members or work associates may be able to help in this area. Keep up with the changes in the document by using the ΓÇ£track changesΓÇ¥ function. Once you have a first edit, pass the document to another qualified individual for the second round of editing. This may sound inefficient, but actually, it is very efficient. You will avoid doubling up on suggestions and tracking each change one at a time. When you finally get the draft back, you can decide to accept or decline each change, send the business plan draft to at least three people.
You will also need to format your business plan, and to start ensure that each section begins on a new page. It should also include table of contents, cover sheet and an appendix, which will have all your supporting documentation. Page numbers, footers, borders and page headers that contain your company logo and name should be a part of your formatting also. You could also include info graphics; call out boxes and pertinent images to round out the business plan.