Where can i get help with a business plan

Where can i get help with a business plan

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Simple Business Plan,Example business plan format

WebOrganizations that can help with your business plan include: SCORE: Formerly the Service Corps of Retired Executives, SCORE is a nonprofit network of more than 10, Web2 days ago · You can source business plan writers on Upwork by following these three steps: Write a project description. You’ll want to determine your scope of work and the WebOct 11,  · The U.S. Small Business Association also curates resources for writing a business plan. Additionally, you can use business plan software to house data, attach WebMar 2,  · 1. Get referrals. Ask colleagues, acquaintances and professionals such as bankers, accountants and lawyers for the names of business plan consultants they WebFeb 18,  · Engaging the services of tax or marketing specialists will no doubt cost you. The good news is that there are a number of free business resources, most of them ... read more

While there is some overlap between a traditional and a Lean business plan, you can write a Lean plan by following the steps below:. Microsoft Word Adobe PDF. Startup leaders can use this Lean business plan template to relay the most critical information from a traditional plan. The template is completely customizable, so you can edit it to suit the objectives of your Lean startups. See our wide variety of startup business plan templates for more options. A business plan for a loan, often called a loan proposal , includes many of the same aspects of a traditional business plan, as well as additional financial documents, such as a credit history, a loan request, and a loan repayment plan.

In addition, you may be asked to include personal and business financial statements, a form of collateral, and equity investment information. Download free financial templates to support your business plan. Outside of including all the key details in your business plan, you have several options to elevate the document for the highest chance of winning funding and other resources. Follow these tips from experts:. Outside of these more practical tips, the language you use is also important and may make or break your business plan. And as with any sales pitch, you need to strike the right tone and hit a few emotional chords. This is a little tricky in a business plan, because you also need to be formal and matter-of-fact. But you can still impress by weaving in descriptive language and saying things in a more elegant way.

Include only what is percent necessary. While a template provides a great outline of what to include in a business plan, a live document or more robust program can provide additional functionality, visibility, and real-time updates. The U. Small Business Association also curates resources for writing a business plan. Additionally, you can use business plan software to house data, attach documentation, and share information with stakeholders. Popular options include LivePlan, Enloop, BizPlanner, PlanGuru, and iPlanner. A business plan — both the exercise of creating one and the document — can grow your business by helping you to refine your product, target audience, sales plan, identify opportunities, secure funding, and build new partnerships.

Outside of these immediate returns, writing a business plan is a useful exercise in that it forces you to research the market, which prompts you to forge your unique value proposition and identify ways to beat the competition. Doing so will also help you build and keep you accountable to attainable financial and product milestones. And down the line, it will serve as a welcome guide as hurdles inevitably arise. Empower your people to go above and beyond with a flexible platform designed to match the needs of your team — and adapt as those needs change. The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done.

Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed. Try Smartsheet for free, today. Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Simple Business Plan Smartsheet Contributor Joe Weller October 11, Try Smartsheet for Free. Get a Free Smartsheet Demo. In this article. What Is a Business Plan? That said, a typical business plan will include the following benchmarks: Product goals and deadlines for each month Monthly financials for the first two years Profit and loss statements for the first three to five years Balance sheet projections for the first three to five years Startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses all create business plans to use as a guide as their new company progresses.

Business Plan Steps The specific information in your business plan will vary, depending on the needs and goals of your venture, but a typical plan includes the following ordered elements: Executive summary Description of business Market analysis Competitive analysis Description of organizational management Description of product or services Marketing plan Sales strategy Funding details or request for funding Financial projections If your plan is particularly long or complicated, consider adding a table of contents or an appendix for reference. Do I Need a Simple or Detailed Plan? To test a business or startup idea Internal Lean. Is the Order of Your Business Plan Important? The Difference Between Traditional and Lean Business Plans A traditional business plan follows the standard structure — because these plans encourage detail, they tend to require more work upfront and can run dozens of pages.

How to Write a Business Plan Step by Step Writing a strong business plan requires research and attention to detail for each section. Step 1: Executive Summary The executive summary will always be the first section of your business plan. The goal is to answer the following questions: What is the vision and mission of the company? Step 2: Description of Business The goal of this section is to define the realm, scope, and intent of your venture. To do so, answer the following questions as clearly and concisely as possible: What business are we in? What does our business do? Step 3: Market Analysis In this section, provide evidence that you have surveyed and understand the current marketplace, and that your product or service satisfies a niche in the market. To do so, answer these questions: Who is our customer?

What does that customer value? Step 4: Competitive Analysis In many cases, a business plan proposes not a brand-new or even market-disrupting venture, but a more competitive version — whether via features, pricing, integrations, etc. In this section, answer the following questions to show that your product or service stands to outpace competitors: Who is the competition? What do they do best? What is our unique value proposition? Step 5: Description of Organizational Management In this section, write an overview of the team members and other key personnel who are integral to success. Step 6: Description of Products or Services In this section, clearly define your product or service, as well as all the effort and resources that go into producing it. Questions to answer in this section are as follows: What is the product or service?

How do we produce it, and what resources are necessary for production? Step 7: Marketing Plan In this section, define the marketing strategy for your product or service. What channels will you use to reach your target market? What resources does your marketing strategy require, and do you have access to them? If possible, do you have a rough estimate of timeline and budget? How will you measure success? Step 8: Sales Plan Write an overview of the sales strategy, including the priorities of each cycle, steps to achieve these goals, and metrics for success.

Start by answering the following questions: What is the sales strategy? What are the tools and tactics you will use to achieve your goals? What are the potential obstacles, and how will you overcome them? What is the timeline for sales and turning a profit? What are the metrics of success? Step 9: Funding Details or Request for Funding This section is one of the most critical parts of your business plan, particularly if you are sharing it with investors. You do not need to provide a full financial plan, but you should be able to answer the following questions: How much capital do you currently have? How much capital do you need? How will you grow the team onboarding, team structure, training and development?

What are your physical needs and constraints space, equipment, etc. Step Financial Projections Apart from the fundraising analysis, investors like to see thought-out financial projections for the future. How will the company maintain profit thereafter? Business Plan Template. How to Write a Simple Business Plan A simple business plan is a streamlined, lightweight version of the large, traditional model. Add a Company Overview Document the larger company mission and vision. Provide the Problem and Solution In straightforward terms, define the problem you are attempting to solve with your product or service and how your company will attempt to do it.

Think of this section as the gap in the market you are attempting to close. Identify the Target Market Who is your company and its products or services attempting to reach? If possible, briefly define your buyer personas. Write About the Competition In this section, demonstrate your knowledge of the market by listing the current competitors and outlining your competitive advantage. Describe Your Product or Service Offerings Get down to brass tacks and define your product or service. What exactly are you selling? Outline Your Marketing Tactics Without getting into too much detail, describe your planned marketing initiatives.

Add a Timeline and the Metrics You Will Use to Measure Success Offer a rough timeline, including milestones and key performance indicators KPIs that you will use to measure your progress. Include Your Financial Forecasts Write an overview of your financial plan that demonstrates you have done your research and adequate modeling. You can also list key assumptions that go into this forecasting. Identify Your Financing Needs This section is where you will make your funding request. Based on everything in the business plan, list your proposed sources of funding, as well as how you will use it.

Simple Business Plan Template. The tried-and-true traditional business plan is a formal document meant to be used for external purposes. Typically this is the type of plan you'll need when applying for funding or pitching to investors. It can also be used when training or hiring employees, working with vendors, or any other situation where the full details of your business must be understood by another individual. The business model canvas is a one-page template designed to demystify the business planning process. It removes the need for a traditional, copy-heavy business plan, in favor of a single-page outline that can help you and outside parties better explore your business idea. The structure ditches a linear format in favor of a cell-based template. It encourages you to build connections between every element of your business.

It's faster to write out and update, and much easier for you, your team, and anyone else to visualize your business operations. The true middle ground between the business model canvas and a traditional business plan is the one-page business plan. This format is a simplified version of the traditional plan that focuses on the core aspects of your business. By starting with a one-page plan, you give yourself a minimal document to build from. You'll typically stick with bullet points and single sentences making it much easier to elaborate or expand sections into a longer-form business plan. The Lean Plan is less of a specific document type and more of a methodology. It takes the simplicity and styling of the one-page business plan and turns it into a process for you to continuously plan, test, review, refine, and take action based on performance.

It holds all of the benefits of the single-page plan, including the potential to complete it in as little as minutes. However, it's even easier to convert into a full plan thanks to how heavily it's tied to your financials. The overall goal of Lean Planning isn't to just produce documents that you use once and shelve. Instead, the Lean Planning process helps you build a healthier company that thrives in times of growth and remain stable through times of crisis. Ready to start writing your own plan but aren't sure where to start? Download our free business plan template that's been updated for This simple, modern, investor-approved business plan template is designed to make planning easy.

It's a proven format that has helped over 1 million businesses write business plans for bank loans, funding pitches, business expansion, and even business sales. It includes additional instructions for how to write each section and is formatted to be SBA-lender approved. All you need to do is fill in the blanks. How do you know what elements need to be included in your business plan, especially if you've never written one before? Looking at examples can help you visualize what a full, traditional plan looks like, so you know what you're aiming for before you get started. Here's how to get the most out of a sample business plan. You don't need to find an example business plan that's an exact fit for your business. Your business location, target market, and even your particular product or service may not match up exactly with the plans in our gallery.

But, you don't need an exact match for it to be helpful. Instead, look for a plan that's related to the type of business you're starting. For example, if you want to start a vegetarian restaurant, a plan for a steakhouse can be a great match. While the specifics of your actual startup will differ, the elements you'd want to include in your restaurant's business plan are likely to be very similar. Every startup and small business is unique, so you'll want to avoid copying an example business plan word for word.

It just won't be as helpful, since each business is unique. You want your plan to be a useful tool for starting a business —and getting funding if you need it. One of the key benefits of writing a business plan is simply going through the process. When you sit down to write, you'll naturally think through important pieces, like your startup costs, your target market , and any market analysis or research you'll need to do to be successful. You'll also look at where you stand among your competition and everyone has competition , and lay out your goals and the milestones you'll need to meet. Looking at an example business plan's financials section can be helpful because you can see what should be included, but take them with a grain of salt. Don't assume that financial projections for a sample company will fit your own small business.

If you're looking for more resources to help you get started, this guide on how to write a business plan is a good place to start. You can also download our free business plan template , or get started right away with LivePlan. Think about business planning as something you do often , rather than a document you create once and never look at again. If you take the time to write a plan that really fits your own company, it will be a better, more useful tool to grow your business. It should also make it easier to share your vision and strategy so everyone on your team is on the same page. Keep in mind that businesses that use their plan as a management tool to help run their business grow 30 percent faster than those businesses that don't.

For that to be true for your company, you'll think of a part of your business planning process as tracking your actual results against your financial forecast on a regular basis. If things are going well, your plan will help you think about how you can re-invest in your business. If you find that you're not meeting goals, you might need to adjust your budgets or your sales forecast. Either way, tracking your progress compared to your plan can help you adjust quickly when you identify challenges and opportunities—it's one of the most powerful things you can do to grow your business. If you're planning to pitch your business to investors or seek out any funding, you'll need a pitch deck to accompany your business plan.

A pitch deck is designed to inform people about your business. You want your pitch deck to be short and easy to follow, so it's best to keep your presentation under 20 slides. Your pitch deck and pitch presentation are likely some of the first things that an investor will see to learn more about your company. So, you need to be informative and pique their interest. Luckily, just like you can leverage an example business plan template to write your plan, we also have a gallery of over 50 pitch decks for you to reference. With this gallery, you have the option to view specific industry pitches or get inspired by real-world pitch deck examples.

Or for a modern pitch solution that helps you create a business plan and pitch deck side-by-side, you may want to check out LivePlan. It will help you build everything needed for outside investment and to better manage your business. Are you an educator looking for real-world business plan examples for your students? With LivePlan, you give your students access to industry-best business plans and help them set goals and track metrics with spreadsheet-free financial forecasts. All of this within a single tool that includes additional instructional resources that work seamlessly alongside your current classroom setup.

You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. Starting a business is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences you can have. But where do you begin? There are several ways to approach creating a business, with many important considerations. To help take the guesswork out of the process and improve your chances of success, follow our comprehensive guide on how to start a business. The public often hears about overnight successes because they make for a great headline.

New business owners tend to feed off their motivation initially but get frustrated when that motivation wanes. Some business owners dive in headfirst without looking and make things up as they go along. Then, there are business owners who stay stuck in analysis paralysis and never start. The best way to accomplish any business or personal goal is to write out every possible step it takes to achieve the goal. Then, order those steps by what needs to happen first. Some steps may take minutes while others take a long time. The point is to always take the next step. These questions can lead you to an idea for your business. If you already have an idea, they might help you expand it. Instead, you can take an existing product and improve upon it. Most entrepreneurs spend more time on their products than they do getting to know the competition.

If you ever apply for outside funding, the potential lender or partner wants to know: what sets you or your business idea apart? If market analysis indicates your product or service is saturated in your area, see if you can think of a different approach. Take housekeeping, for example—rather than general cleaning services, you might specialize in homes with pets or focus on garage cleanups. The first stage of any competition study is primary research, which entails obtaining data directly from potential customers rather than basing your conclusions on past data. You can use questionnaires, surveys and interviews to learn what consumers want. Utilize existing sources of information, such as census data, to gather information when you do secondary research.

The current data may be studied, compiled and analyzed in various ways that are appropriate for your needs but it may not be as detailed as primary research. SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Conducting a SWOT analysis allows you to look at the facts about how your product or idea might perform if taken to market, and it can also help you make decisions about the direction of your idea. Asking pertinent questions during a SWOT analysis can help you identify and address weaknesses before they tank your new business. A business plan is a dynamic document that serves as a roadmap for establishing a new business.

This document makes it simple for potential investors, financial institutions and company management to understand and absorb. Even if you intend to self-finance, a business plan can help you flesh out your idea and spot potential problems. When writing a well-rounded business plan, include the following sections:. Learn more: Download our free simple business plan template. There are a few different options for exiting a business, and the best option for you depends on your goals and circumstances. A scalable business model is one that can be replicated easily to serve more customers without a significant increase in expenses.

One of the most important things to do when starting a small business is to start planning for taxes. Taxes can be complex, and there are several different types of taxes you may be liable for, including income tax, self-employment tax, sales tax and property tax. An LLC limits your personal liability for business debts. LLCs can be owned by one or more people or companies and must include a registered agent. These owners are referred to as members. An LLP is similar to an LLC but is typically used for licensed business professionals such as an attorney or accountant. These arrangements require a partnership agreement.

If you start a solo business, you might consider a sole proprietorship. The company and the owner, for legal and tax purposes, are considered the same. The business owner assumes liability for the business. So, if the business fails, the owner is personally and financially responsible for all business debts. A corporation limits your personal liability for business debts just as an LLC does. A corporation can be taxed as a C-corporation C-corp or an S-corporation S-corp. S-corp status offers pass-through taxation to small corporations that meet certain IRS requirements. Larger companies and startups hoping to attract venture capital are usually taxed as C-corps. Before you decide on a business structure, discuss your situation with a small business accountant and possibly an attorney, as each business type has different tax treatments that could affect your bottom line.

There are several legal issues to address when starting a business after choosing the business structure. The following is a good checklist of items to consider when establishing your business:. Make it memorable but not too difficult. Choose the same domain name, if available, to establish your internet presence. A business name cannot be the same as another registered company in your state, nor can it infringe on another trademark or service mark that is already registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office USPTO. You may need to file a DBA with your state, county or city government offices. The benefits of a DBA include:. The state will send you a certificate that you can use to apply for licenses, a tax identification number TIN and business bank accounts.

Next, apply for an employer identification number EIN. All businesses, other than sole proprietorships with no employees, must have a federal employer identification number. Legal requirements are determined by your industry and jurisdiction. Most businesses need a mixture of local, state and federal licenses to operate. Check with your local government office and even an attorney for licensing information tailored to your area. Start Now 6. Get Your Finances in Order Open a Business Bank Account Keep your business and personal finances separate. This business bank account can be used for your business transactions, such as paying suppliers or invoicing customers. Most times, a bank will require a separate business bank account in order to issue a business loan or line of credit.

If you sell a product, you need an inventory function in your accounting software to manage and track inventory. The software should have ledger and journal entries and the ability to generate financial statements. Some software programs double as bookkeeping tools. These often include features such as check writing and managing receivables and payables. You can also use this software to track your income and expenses, generate invoices, run reports and calculate taxes. There are many bookkeeping services available that can do all of this for you, and more.

These services can be accessed online from any computer or mobile device and often include features such as bank reconciliation and invoicing. Check out the best accounting software for small business, or see if you want to handle the bookkeeping yourself. Before you fund your business, you must get an idea of your startup costs. To determine these, make a list of all the physical supplies you need, estimate the cost of any professional services you will require, determine the price of any licenses or permits required to operate and calculate the cost of office space or other real estate.

Add in the costs of payroll and benefits, if applicable. Many experts recommend having enough cash on hand to cover six months of operating expenses. When you know how much you need to get started with your business, you need to know the point at which your business makes money. This figure is your break-even point. This means that you need to sell at least units just to cover your costs. If you can sell more than units in your first month, you will make a profit. There are many different ways to fund your business—some require considerable effort, while others are easier to obtain.

Two categories of funding exist: internal and external. By allowing your family members or friends to invest in your business, you are risking hard feelings and strained relationships if the company goes under. Business owners who want to minimize these risks may consider external funding. Small businesses may have to use a combination of several sources of capital. Consider how much money is needed, how long it will take before the company can repay it and how risk-tolerant you are. No matter which source you use, plan for profit. Choose the right funding source for your business by considering the amount of money you need, the time frame for repayment and your tolerance for risk. The type of insurance you need depends on your business model and what risks you face.

You might need more than one type of policy, and you might need additional coverage as your business grows. An insurance agent can help determine what coverages are appropriate for your business and find policies from insurers that offer the best rates. An independent insurance agent represents several different insurers, so they can shop around for the best rates and coverage options. Business tools can help make your life easier and make your business run more smoothly. The right tools can help you save time, automate tasks and make better decisions.

You can make a standard informational website or an e-commerce site where you sell products online.

Create a business plan,1. Small Business Development Center

WebOct 11,  · The U.S. Small Business Association also curates resources for writing a business plan. Additionally, you can use business plan software to house data, attach WebMar 2,  · 1. Get referrals. Ask colleagues, acquaintances and professionals such as bankers, accountants and lawyers for the names of business plan consultants they Web2 days ago · You can source business plan writers on Upwork by following these three steps: Write a project description. You’ll want to determine your scope of work and the WebFeb 18,  · Engaging the services of tax or marketing specialists will no doubt cost you. The good news is that there are a number of free business resources, most of them WebOrganizations that can help with your business plan include: SCORE: Formerly the Service Corps of Retired Executives, SCORE is a nonprofit network of more than 10, ... read more

Work With an Agent To Get Insured An insurance agent can help determine what coverages are appropriate for your business and find policies from insurers that offer the best rates. It includes many of these same SBA-approved business plan examples and is especially useful when applying for a bank loan or outside investment. If you already have an idea, they might help you expand it. cancel ok. Start a Clothing Business Start a Landscaping Business Start a Consulting Business Start a Photography Business Start a Vending Machine Business. Examples include Airtable and ClickUp. Check with your local government office and even an attorney for licensing information tailored to your area.

Appendix The appendix isn't a required element of your business plan. The cost of starting a business will vary depending on the size and type of company you want to create. It can also be used when training or hiring employees, working with vendors, or any other situation where the full details of your business must be understood by another individual. Keep in mind that businesses that use their plan as a management tool to help run their business grow 30 percent faster than those businesses that don't. The structure ditches a linear format in favor of a cell-based template. Create Your Business Plan A where can i get help with a business plan plan is a dynamic document that serves as a roadmap for establishing a new business. Or for a modern pitch solution that helps you create a business plan and pitch deck side-by-side, you may want to check out LivePlan.