Business Planner’s RoadMap
Get Equipped for Business Planning
Step 1: Welcome to the RoadMap
Step 2: Prepare to Embark
Step 3: Chart Your Path
Step 4: Organize Your Work Space
Step 5: Establish Your Timelines
Step 6: Create Your Action Plan
Step 7: Wade Into Your Industry
Step 8: Start a Research Scrapbook or Journal
Step 9: Write Your Business Vision
Step 10: Set Out to Prove Your Business Case
Embrace Market Research
Step 11: Set Up Your List of Appendices
Step 12: Brainstorm Products and Services
Step 13: Prioritize Your Products and Services
Step 14: Discover Your Assumptions
Step 15: Set Market Research Goals
Step 16: Write Market Research Questions
Step 17: Prove Your Assumptions
Step 18: List Key Points About Your Industry
Step 19: Segment Your Market
Step 20: Write a Draft Description of Your Customers
Step 21: Assess What You Are Learning
Step 22: Research Competitors
Step 23: Prioritize and Target Customers
Step 24: Clarify Primary Research Questions
Step 25: Gather Primary Research
Step 26: Create Your Survey Questionnaire
Step 27: Survey Your Customers
Step 28: Compile Survey Information
Step 29: Revise Description of Customers
Step 30: Make a Go/No-Go Decision
Build Your Business Concept Section
Step 31: Describe Your Business
Step 32: List Your Products and Services
Step 33: Describe Your Industry
Step 34: Write Your Biography
Step 35: Develop Your Strategic Plan and Goals
Map Your Marketing Section
Step 36: Describe Your Market Area
Step 37: Describe Your Location
Step 38: Describe Your Customers
Step 39: Analyze Your Competitors and Differentiate
Step 40: Describe How You Will Sell
Step 41: Clarify Servicing and Guarantees
Step 42: Craft Your Business Image
Step 43: Develop Advertising and Promotion
Step 44: Present Prices and Pricing Strategy
Step 45: Develop a Marketing Action Plan
Organize Your Operations Section
Step 46: Describe Your Operation
Step 47: List Equipment and Methods
Step 48: Source Materials and Supplies
Step 49: Identify and Control Your Risks
Step 50: Describe Your Management Team
Step 51: Select Your Professionals
Step 52: Determine Labor Requirements
Step 53: Develop Your Operational Action Plan
Forecast Your Financial Section
Step 54: Forecast Your Sales
Step 55: Explain Your Projections
Step 56: Estimate Your Market Share
Step 57: Present Your Cost of Goods Sold
Step 58: Summarize Labor Projections
Step 59: Develop Your Cash Flow Forecast
Step 60: Identify Your Operating Expenses
Step 61: Develop Your Projected Income Statement
Step 62: Determine Your Break-Even
Step 63: Build a Pro Forma Balance Sheet
Step 64: Identify Your Start-Up Expenses
Step 65: Clarify Sources and Uses of Funds
Assemble Your Appendices
Step 66: Build a Resume
Step 67: Determine Personal Net Worth
Step 68: Include Certificates and Accreditation
Step 69: Provide Historical Financials
Step 70: Create Organizational Charts
Step 71: Get the Approval of Your Board
Step 72: Build Your List of References
Step 73: Include Letters of Reference
Step 74: Include Letters of Intent
Step 75: Include Signed Contracts and Offers
Step 76: Create a Partnership Agreement
Step 77: Include Lease Agreement(s)
Step 78: Include Insurance Documents
Step 79: Develop Your Price List
Step 80: Gather and Include Price Quotes
Step 81: Get Written Estimates
Step 82: Provide the Right Survey Info
Step 83: Create a Map of Your Market Area
Step 84: Include Environmental Information
Step 85: Gather Free Publicity
Step 86: Create Promotional Materials
Step 87: Add Product Literature
Step 88: Add Technical Information
Step 89: Explain Any Confusing Terms
Craft Your Final Presentation
Step 90: Create Your Title Page
Step 91: Write Your Executive Summary
Step 92: Develop Your Table of Contents
Step 93: Write Confidentiality and Copyright
Step 94: Evaluate Your Business Plan
Step 95: Have Others Critique Your Plan
Step 96: Revise and Rewrite Your Business Plan
Step 97: Complete Your Application for Financing
Step 98: Write Your Cover Letter
Step 99: Present Your Business Plan