Examples of Business Plans

Fortunately examples of business plans can be found on the Internet. This enables new business owners or entrepreneurs an opportunity to use a format that others have found will work well for their purposes. There is no need to re-invent the wheel when it already rolls along quite well. You can use a particular format and adapt it to your own purposes.

The Basics

Various formats have been used for the creation of business plans, from the very simple to detailed and complicated formulas. Depending on the type and size of business you have you should use a format that fits your needs. Checking out examples of business plans from similar businesses will provide you with some ideas for your own.

Obviously a company with one or two employees will not need the details that a large organization would. And a free-standing business will most likely have more details than a home-based business.

Your first business plan will be the most difficult one. After you get the initial information on paper it will simply be a matter of making modifications to it every three months to keep it on track.

The point of a business plan is to put on paper everything you can about your business. As I mentioned before, you can find various examples of business plans on the Internet but I will walk you through a basic guide for developing your own.

You Can Create Your Own

Begin with a cover page that includes the business name and the date. The first section of the plan will be a business profile. There you will describe your product or service, your target market (including a description of your customer profile), growth trends, and your pricing projections.

Section two will cover your business vision and a description of you and any employees. This will include any related work experience as well as education and other credentials.

The next section is to cover your communication sources. This includes computers, telephone, pager, facsimile, and Internet access. You should include a budget amount for each of those items.

Section four should focus on the business organization. Include a description of the form of company you will use and explain why it will be the one format for your business. Be sure to list any attorneys, consultants or other professionals that you will receive services from.

Next on your plan you should list any and all licenses, permits, business names and other related information. You should also indicate that the zoning is appropriate for your business location.

Almost all examples of business plans will include a section that lists any insurance coverage that will be obtained and the related cost involved. Right after that you should describe the premise requirements for your business. This includes your current space requirements as well as anticipated future requirements.

Accounting, cash flow, and financing will be next in your business plan. Include your starting balance and your projected income and expenses for the first six months or year.

The following section should be dedicated to all e-commerce related actions. This includes how you will use the Internet for promotion, budgeting related to these activities, and even how your competitors use e-commerce and how your strategy to do things in a better way.

Next you will need to describe your marketing strategies in detail. You should also explain your growth potential. Ideally this will include plans to avoid problems and plans for beating out your competitors.

It is wise to look at various examples of business plans before developing your own. That will give you some great ideas about what is working for others. Keep in mind that sometimes the simple way is the better way.

Ideally your business plan will be fluid and flexible. This means that you will be updating your business plan on a regular basis, usually every three months. It also means that you will be able to adapt your plan to any necessary changes or situations.