The Business Plan

Absa has created a booklet that potential business owners can work through when working out their
business plan.

Download (PDF -127kb) full business plan booklet

The booklet is a guideline covering all aspects that need to be considered when laying out your
business plan. This includes advice and tips on what to, and what not to do.

The booklet is also an introduction to Absa’s Small Business Toolbox. The toolbox is made up of a
number of different booklets that provide detailed advice and guidelines on starting a business.

The guide was written with input and insight gained from organisations and business owners alike.
In addition to this guide, business owners may want to read some of these additional,
complementary guides:

• Principles of Finance
• Legal Issues
• Franchising
• Key Issues In Small Business Management
• Tax

The booklet unveils the necessity in having a business plan. We look at the use of the business plan
and follow the process from creation to presentation of the business plan.

Setting Goals and Objectives

We help you set goals and objectives for your new company. The goals and objectives go hand in
hand with a feasibility study that will help you assess the potential direction and growth of your
new business. The business plan will not guarantee a smooth journey, but will leave you well
prepared to deal with any situations that may arise.

Part of the business plan will include the monitoring and evaluating of what you have achieved so
far and what the continued success of the business may be.

Sell Your Business

Confidently selling your company and the competence of your company and its products or services
is an important part of the business plan. Remaining realistically positive will help create a sound
business plan.

The Six Step Business Plan

The Six Step Business Plan will help you create the perfect and most effective business plan.
Following these steps will ensure that no stone is left unturned, and equally, that no question is left
unanswered.

1. Identify Your Objectives

2. Outline Your Business Plan
3. Review Your Outline
4. Writing Your Plan
5. Have Your Plan Reviewed
6. Update Your Plan

Final Checklist

The final checklist will run through a few points that will help create the presentation format of
your business plan. It is essential that these points be taken into consideration before you present
your business plan to your financier or bank.

The Business Plan Outline

The following points will need to be addressed when submitting a business plan:

• Executive Summary and Table of Contents

• Personal Information - Personal details, marital status, spouse’s details, personal references,
employment history, financial affairs, details of personal assets, liabilities, policies and
income

Business Description

We look at the description of your new venture. Whether you are buying an existing business or
starting something from scratch will make a difference to your approach in the business plan. We
address the different types of business registration processes and find the one that will best suit you.
We also look at the proposed owners of the business and the desired management organogram.
Market Analysis, Sales and Marketing and Products and Services

We look at the important aspects of market analysis. We help you place your products and services
in the right target market and set up appropriate marketing strategies.

Operations

The booklet then addresses the operations of your new business. Your business plan needs to detail
the proposed premises, machinery, vehicles, equipment, furniture, fixtures, and fittings, personnel
and accounting required to run your business effectively.

A sales projection needs to be compiled. This projection will differ between an existing and a new
business. This projection will include purchases. Again, the purchasing projection will differ
between new and existing businesses, particularly where suppliers and supplier accounts are
involved.

Source and Application of Funding

The source and application of funding is a complex process. This includes the expected income
versus the approximate expenses that will be incurred in the running of your business. We’ll help
you identify the source and nature of your funding. Where necessary we’ll help you identify and
approach potential investors in your new business.

Financial Data

We look at the historical financial data (past three to five years) of an existing data and also
examine the prospective financial data for the next two years. Based on this information all
additional notes are taken into account and recorded for best-case and worst-case scenarios.

Initial cash-flow items are considered and calculated appropriately as well as projected monthly
expenses.

Appendices or Exhibits

This section will feature information that is sensitive in nature. Normally bound and distributed
separately to the rest of the business plan, and only to selected parties involved.
Additional Information

As a finale to your business plan, a number of additional pieces of information can be added. This
will help in validating your request, asserting your goals and is a display of enthusiasm from the
entrepreneur.

Download (PDF -127kb) full business plan booklet