helps the small business owner determine what resources are needed to achieve the objectives of the firm, and provides standard against which to evaluate result The business plan is a sort of a business blueprint and it keeps the entrepreneur on the right track. It gives a sense of purpose to the business. It also provides guidance, influence, and leadership, as well as communicating ideas about goals and the means of achieving them to partners, associates, employees, and others. Purposes of a Business Plan to serve as management’s guide during the lifetime of the business; and to fulfill the requirement for securing lenders and investors. The Plan as a Guide In the course of writing the business plan, the small business operator (SBO) is afforded sufficient time to consider all factors relevant to operating the business. Through analysis of the environment and derivation of what can be expected to happen, decisions about various aspects of business operations can be considered in advance. A Tool for Securing Funds
When the SBO needs initial or additional
funding for his business venture, the business plan is a handy means for convincing lenders and inventors. In many cases, the business plan indicates that the proponent SBO is fully aware of what he is getting into. Lenders will be more comfortable to see various documents that indicate the borrower can repay the loan. Revising the Plan
A business plan is prepared in
consideration of the current and expected situation. In the process of implementing the plan, however, the expected development or changes in the environment may not happen fully or even partially. Parts of the Business Plan 1. Title page and contents 2. Executive summary 3. Description of the business 4. The product or service 5. Market strategies 6. Analysis of the competition 7. Operations and management 8. Financial data 9. Supporting documents Contents The name of the business The name or names of the proponents (in this case the SBO) Address Telephone number E-mail and website address The date The name of the person who prepared the business plan The Executive Summary
The executive summary is a
portion of the business plan that summarizes the plan and states the objectives of the business. If the SBO is intending to borrow money or is seeking capital from investors, the following must be indicated: The capital needs of the business How the money will be used What benefits will be derived by the business from the loan or investment In case of loan, how it will be repaid with interest, and in the case of outside investment, how profits will be generated. Description of the Business This particular portion of the business plan is very useful to the SBO, as well as prospective investors and lenders. THIS IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS: 1. A short explanation of the industry 2. A description of the business Description of the Product or Service
The important features of the product or service,
such as the maintenance free feature of the product, or the home delivery service for products ordered through the phone. A detailed description of how the product is used. What makes the product or service different from others available in the market. Market strategies refer to what the SBO plans to do achieve the market objective of the firm. Market strategies consist of the following: Definition of the market Determination of the market share Positioning strategy Pricing strategy Distribution strategy Promotion strategy The objective of market definition is to determine which part of the total potential market will be served by the firm. The market must be defined in terms of size, demographics, structure, growth prospects, trends and sales potential. Determination of the Market Share
To determine the firm’s market share, the
following steps may be used: o Determine the number of prospects in the target market o Determine the number of times the product or service is purchased by the target market o Figure out the potential annual purchase o Determine the percentage of the potential annual purchase that the firm can attain. Positioning Strategy
Positioning refers to how the firm
differentiates its product or service from those of the competitors and serving a niche. Is one where the firm identifies a target market segment and develops a strategy mix to address the desires of that segment. The objective of positioning is to establish the firm’s product or service identify in the mind of the buyer. Pricing Strategy
How the firm prices its products or
service is a very important component of the business plan. If the firm wants to achieve its objectives, the right price for its product or service must be maintained. The firm’s price may be established through any of the following methods:
1. Cost plus pricing- this method covers all costs, variable
and fixed, plus an extra increment to deliver profit. 2. Demand pricing- this is a method of pricing where the firm sets prices based on buyer desires. 3. Competitive pricing- this method of pricing calls for price-setting on the basis of prices charged by competitors. 4. Market pricing- this is a form of cost-oriented pricing in which the firm sets prices by adding per-unit merchandise costs, operating expenses and desired profit. Distribution Strategy
Distribution refers to the process of
moving goods and services from the firm to the buyers. The distribution channel that will be adapted must provide a strategic advantage to the firm. Common distribution channels are the following:
1. Direct Sales- If the plan is to move goods directly to the
ultimate users, this is the most effective channel. 2. Original equipment manufacturer sales- this channel involves selling a manufactured product to another manufacturer who, in turn, incorporates the same to his product and which is later sold as a finished product to the end user. 3. Manufacturer’s representatives- they are wholesalers employed by one or several producers and paid on commission according to quantity sold. 4. Wholesalers- these are channel members that sell to retailers or other agents for further distribution through the channel until they reach the final users. 5. Brokers- they are distributors who buy directly from distributors or wholesalers and sell to retailers or end users. 6. Retailers- they sell directly to consumers. 7. Direct mail- these are printed materials used in a targeted campaign to consumers. These are sent directly to consumers. These include catalogs, letters, e-mail, and other direct appeals. Promotion Strategy 1. Advertising aspects a. advertising budget b. positioning message c. first year’s media schedule 2. Packaging which describes how the company’s products will be packaged. 3. Public relations- this will be a detailed presentation of the publicity strategy of the firm. This will include a list of media that will be tapped to convey the firm’s message to the target market. 4. Sales promotions- these are means used to support the sales message like special sales, coupons, contests, premium awards, trade-in, among others. 5. Personal sales- these present the sales strategy including a. Pricing procedures b. Rules on returns and adjustments c. Method of sales presentations d. Generation of leads e. Policies on customer services f. Compensation of salesmen g. Responsibilities of the salesmen. Analysis of the Competition
The small business operator (or the
entrepreneur) will find it difficult to compete if his competitors are unknown to him. This makes it necessary to make an analysis of the competitors. Operations and Management
How the firm will be operated on a continuing
basis is an important component of the business plan. As such, the plan must contain the following: 1. Organizational structure 2. Operating expenses 3. Capital requirements 4. Cost of good sold Financial Data Financiers are most interested in the financial aspects of the business plan. To satisfy this requirement, the following statements must be presented in the business plan: 1. The Income Statement – shows the income, expenses, and profits of a firm over a period of time. It is also alternatively called “statement of earnings.” it may cover a certain year, quarter, or month. 2. TheBalance Sheet – is that type of financial statement that shows the financial condition of the business as of a given date. The information provided by this statement is useful not only to the entrepreneur but also to the prospective creditors. Assets Liabilities Owner’s equity The Assets – the assets portion of the balance sheet lists the asset of the firm in order of liquidity, from the most liquid to the least liquid. This portion is subdivided into the ff: Current Assets a. Cash b. Accounts Receivable c. Inventory Fixed Assets a. Capital and plant b. Investments The Liabilities - the liabilities portion of the balance sheet is classified as current or long term. Current liabilities are due in one year or less and they include the ff: Accounts payable Accrued liabilities Taxes that are due and payable Long term liabilities are due in more than one year. They include the ff: Bonds payable Mortgage payable Notes payable The Owner’s Equity – this section refers to how much the owner has in the business. It provides a useful means in evaluating the company. The Cash Flow Statement – is also a very useful tool for business planners. It projects what the business plan means in terms of pesos. It is used for operational planning and estimates the amount of cash inflows and outflows of the business during a specified period of time. Supporting Documents
The business plan would be more meaningful is supporting
documents are included. The documents usually consist of the ff: 1. The owner’s resume 2. Contracts with suppliers 3. Contracts with customers or clients 4. Letters of reference 5. Letters of intent 6. A copy of the firm’s lease 7. A copy of copyright or patent acquired, if applicable 8. Tax returns for the past three years
***** Thanks for Listening!!!! QUIZ :
1. How important is the Business Plan to
Entrepreneurs? Explain.
2. What are the five types of Small Business? Explain