Business Plan Checklist
Author: Eric Powers
Author: Eric PowersUse the following checklist and make sure you can answer all of the questions here positively to be certain youve covered the essential steps of creating a business plan:
Cover Sheet: Is it simple, formal, and easy to read? Does it include the business name and your contact information?
Table of Contents: Does it list all the major sections to follow to allow for readers to move quickly back and forth between sections as they desire?
Executive Summary: Does it sum up all of the major points of the business plan in a few pages, presenting the business plan in miniature? Does it hook readers and create no overwhelming unanswered questions?
Company Overview: Have you included an overview of the company?
Market Analysis: Have you detailed your research into the market in the industry analysis, customer analysis, and competitive analysis?
Marketing Plan: Does your marketing plan describe the key tactics you will use to reach customers? Does it cover your branding, pricing and distribution strategies?
Operations Plan: Does your operations plan show the short-term and long-term processes of your operations? Is it clear from reading this plan that you have put serious thought into industry best practices, how you can be most efficient, and what types of human and software systems can support operations?
Management Team: Does your description of the management teams qualifications cover all of the skills required to run the business successfully? Do you show a reasonable plan to hire managers to cover skills that are still needed?
Financial Plan: Do you summarize the financials of the company for its first five years of operation? Do you detail startup costs, key revenue and cost drivers for the business, and the amount of funding you seek?
Appendices: Do you include additional documents, diagrams, images, and articles which support the argument of the plan? Do you include full pro forma financial statements?
Proofreading: Have you read and reread the plan for typos, grammar and spelling errors, repetition, and unclear or awkward wording? Have you read the plan aloud to be sure youve fixed them all? Have you had more than one other person read the plan for you to be even more sure?About the Author:
Eric Powers is associated with Growthink, a business plan consulting firm. Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for more than 2,000 entrepreneurs and business owners who have raised more than $1 billion in growth capital. Call 800-506-5728 today for a free consultation with a Growthink business plan consultant. Business Planning Services: The Process Do I Need Assets To Qualify With A Debt Consolidation Agency? Are You Nearing Foreclosure - Learn How Loan Modification Can Help Trading pro System-Making Stock Trends Is It Better To Pay Off Debts With A Debt Consolidation Agency? Yes, You Can Make Money Online PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM-SOME THOUGHTS Will A Debt Consolidation Agency Hurt Your Credit? A Killer Technique to Use to Clear Your Acne Up Without Any Money Necessary Rehab-Real-Estate: Buying Investment Properties with Private Money Learn How To Write A Hardship Letter That Will Get Your Loan Modified Finding and Using a Money Grant Is A Debt Consolidation Agency A Way To Go For Eliminating My Debts