The Business Plan
AN OUTLINE
I. Description of products or services
A. what your business is
B. who your customers are
II. Goals and objectives
A. list of business goals
B. timetable of objectives to reach these goals
III. Market analysis and strategy
A. trends in your industry
B. target customers
C. reaching your prospects
D. competition
IV. Management and personnel
A. present and future forms of business organization
B. organizational staffing chart, resumes, hiring practices,
personnel policies
V. Financial overview
A. cash flow (do not overestimate sales or underestimate
expenses)
B. financial statements
— revenue and expense statements
and balance sheets
C. copies of income tax returns if you are already in business
D. projections
— sales and profits
E. key business ratios compared to averages
F. funds required and their use, including cost of setting up, inventory,
overhead, working capital and personal living expenses
G. break-even point
Excerpt from: A Guide To Owning and Operating a Small Business in New York State publication by ESDC
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