Writing a Fundable
Business Plan
Avalon Consulting Group
HQ Global Building | 4555 Lake Forest Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45242 | 888-513-1116 | www.avalongroupllc.com
© 2011
Quotes on Planning
“Good plans shape good decisions. That's why
good planning helps to make elusive dreams
come true.”
– Anonymous
Stages of Writing a
Fundable Business Plan
1. Pre-Writing (Idea Phase)
– Analyze the Feasibility of your Business Idea
2. Writing (Execution Phase)
– What to include in your Business Plan
3. Post-Writing (Performing Phase)
– Presenting your Business Plan
3
Pre-Writing
7 Questions to Creating a Fundable Business
Purpose
Funds
4
Security
Boss
Forecast
Risk
Duration
Pre-Writing
Funds
5
Pre-Writing
Purpose
6
Pre-Writing
Boss
7
Pre-Writing
Security
8
Pre-Writing
Risk
9
Pre-Writing
Forecast
10
Pre-Writing
Duration
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Writing
“A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow”
- Proverbs
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Writing
I. Executive Summary
• Objectives
• Mission
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Writing
II. Company Overview
• Company Ownership
• Company History
• Product/Service Lines
• Company Location and Facilities
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Writing
III. Product or Service
• Product Description
• Important Product Features and Comparison
• Product Literature
15
Writing
IV. Market Analysis
• Industry Analysis & Trends
• Keys to Success
• Market Forecast
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Writing
V. Competition
• Competitive Analysis
• Unique Selling Proposition
• Market Share
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Writing
VI. Marketing Fundamentals
• Marketing Strategy
• Sales Plan
• Strategic Alliances
• Service
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Writing
VII. Strategic Position and Risk Assessment
• Company Strengths
• Market/Industry Opportunities
• Risks Assessment
• Definition of Strategic Position
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Writing
VIII. Operations
• Manufacturing/Production Plan
• Inventory Management
• Supply & Distribution
• Order Fulfillment and Customer Service
• Research & Development
• Quality Control
• Environmental Concerns
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Writing
IX. Management & Organization
• Organizational Structure
• Management Team
• Management Team Gaps
• Other Management Team Considerations
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Writing
X. Technology Plan
• Technology Goals & Position
• Hardware Needs
• Software Needs
• Telecommunications Needs
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Writing
XI. Community Involvement & Social Responsibility
• Social Responsibility Goals
• Company Policies
• Community Activities
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Writing
XII. Development, Milestones & Exit Plan
• Long-Term Company Goals
• Growth Strategy
• Milestones
• Risk evaluation
• Exit Plan
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Writing
XIII. Financial Analysis
• Financial Plan
• Financial Assumptions
• Start-Up Costs and Capitalization
• Pro Forma Income Statement
• Pro Forma Balance Sheet
• Break –Even Analysis
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Post-Writing
Let's have a look at some presentation skills essentials
• Preparation
• Dealing with Presentation Nerves
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Post-Writing
Practice your presentation skills
• Practice on a colleague or friend. Think about who
your audience is and what you want them to get out
of an effective presentation. Think about content and
style. If you video yourself get someone else to
evaluate your performance and highlight your best
skills; you will find it very difficult to be objective
about those skills yourself. Prepare, prepare, prepare.
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Post-Writing
Reconnoitre
• Go into the presentation room before the event;
practice any moves you may have to make, e.g. getting
up from your chair to the podium. Errors in the first 20
seconds can be very disorientating.
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Post-Writing
Avoid 'Blue peter syndrome'
• Try not to over prepare. Trust those skills you know
you have. Don't rehearse the whole thing right
through too often. Your time is better spent going over
your opening beginning and your finish. Pick a few
choice bits to learn by heart.
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Post-Writing
Technical support
• Test the equipment before the presentation; get
familiar with it before you start. PowerPoint and OHPs
often seem as though they're out to get you, so make
sure you have enough technical skills or backup so that
you look like you're in charge.
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Post-Writing
Visual aids
• The skill with visual aids is to use them to give a big
picture quickly. Graphics, pictures, cartoons bar charts
etc; you can then use words to elaborate. Slides with
words on are of limited value. If you seem to have a lot
you may find you are showing your audience your
speaker notes!
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Post-Writing
Dealing with Presentation Nerves
Be nervous
• A certain amount of nervousness is vital for a good
presentation. You need the extra energy to
communicate: What you feel when you stand up in
front of people is the urge to either run away or fight.
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Post-Writing
Dealing with Presentation Nerves
Breathe
• Extra adrenaline, however, can result in shallow upper
chest breathing and tension. Taking a slow, deep
breath, breathing fully out and then in again, will relax
you. Strangely having something to pick up and put
down tends to release your breathing.
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Post-Writing
Dealing with Presentation Nerves
Get something else to do
• It may seem an odd idea, but our bodies seem to feel
better when they have some sort of displacement
activity to occupy them. It's the reason people hold
pens and fiddle with things. A limited amount of this
sort of activity will not be too obtrusive and can make
you feel a lot more secure.
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Post-Writing
Dealing with Presentation Nerves
Hold on to something
• When you start your presentation you are at your
most insecure. Avoid all the well-meant advice about
what you are and are not allowed to do. Until you feel
settled do anything you can find to make yourself feel
secure. This includes holding on to a lectern. Even just
standing next to something solid will make you feel
less wobbly.
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Post-Writing
Dealing with Presentation Nerves
Go slow
• The breathing tip above will help you to slow down
your presentation. Go more slowly than you think
necessary to avoid gabbling. Your audience need the
time to assimilate and interpret what you are saying.
It's a fact that when adrenaline is flowing your sense
of time is distorted and what seems OK to you may
look like fast forward to your audience.
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Resources
Books:
Gilkerson, L. & Paauwe, T. (2008). Self-Employment: From dream to
reality. Indianapolis, IN: JIST Publishing. ISBN: 978-1-59357-520-5.
Abrams, R. (2000). The Successful Business Plan. Palo Alto, CA:
Running ‘R’ Media. ISBN: 0-9669635-2-0.
Magazines:
Entrepreneur Magazine (http://www.entrepreneur.com)
Software:
Palo Alto Software Business Plan Pro Premier v 12
by Palo Alto Software, Inc.
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If you have any questions, please feel
free to contact us
Avalon Consulting Group
HQ Global Building | 4555 Lake Forest Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45242 | 888-513-1116 | www.avalongroupllc.com