Quest
MBALN707
Entrepreneurship & SMEs
Final Examination Brief
Learning Outcomes Build a business plan by designing a strategic plan, conduct a feasibility analysis, understand franchising and how to buy an existing business
Develop a marketing plan and how to use e-commerce, create a
successful financial plan.
This is an individual piece of work. The assignment is business plan writing. The
length of the assignment should be about 4000 words (+/-10%).
The word limit does not include ‘administrative’ sections of the assignment: the
cover or title page, table of contents, table of figures, reference list, list of works
cited, bibliography, or any appendices. Use Harvard Referencing for all Harvard
related purposes.
Task:
You are required to write a business plan which will provide direction and
increase the probability for success of a business idea within the today
contemporary and very competitive market.
The business plan should include at least the following contents /
elements:
Part I – 150-200 words
Company overview o Mission statement - the purpose of the business
o Vision statement – what the business desires to achieve in the long
run o Business Core Values – the operating philosophy and principles
that will guide the intern al business conduct as well its relationship with its customers and partners
Part II – 800-1000 words
Objectives – Specific, Measurable and Motivational, Attainable, Realistic, Time Bound
Products
Customers – consumer behavior and customers of the industry
Industry and market analysis o Industry
o PESTLE – Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental conditions and trends (specify those they are opportunities or threats)
o Customer
o Competition – direct and indirect competitors, market share, strengths and weaknesses
Internal business strengths and weaknesses
Part III – 1500-1800 words
Business differentiation - how it will be achieved and perceived by customers
Competitive advantage - reasons for which customers will choose your business as opposed to other alternatives
Marketing Strategy o Target markets strategy o Marketing mix
Product Price
Promotion and advertising
Placement – distribution system
Sales strategy
o Sales monthly forecasting – 2 years period
Part IV –750- 1000 words
Operations Strategy o Business operations model o Buildings, Equipment, Technology, Cars, o Processes – i.e. Imports, Purchases, Production, Marketing,
Sales, Warehouse, Accounting, Human Resource
Management
o Organizational structure o Internal employees and external associates (outsourcing)
Part V – 200 - 300 words
Financial 2 year projected budgets
o Financial model (own capital, loans, external shareholders) - chart o Administrative & Operating expenses - chart o Selling expenses- chart
o Financial expenses - chart
o Break Even Point Analysis (sales amount, sales units, and period point)
o Cash flow management
Business Plans Templates
Websites
Examples of Business Plans – Open Source
https://www.bplans.com/plastics_recycling_business_plan/executive_summ
ary_fc.php
How to write a successful Business Plan https://www.scu.edu/mobi/business-courses/starting-a- business/session-2-the-business-plan/
Financial Projections Model
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/249840
Module Assessment
The final examination counts 50% towards the final grade.
Pass mark is 60%.