Capstone Business plan

Overview

Before completing the sections below, briefly describe, in general, what business you are proposing and what it is that you will be doing.  This will be similar to the abstract in that sense, but will be mean for the investor, instead of a reader so the style should be dynamic and professional.

You’ll also want to continue the section by showing you’ve done research on your area (much like a literature review) which you will want to include here.  Show your investor that you truly understand your market/industry.

You should also include the legal form of ownership: Sole proprietor, Partnership, Corporation, Limited liability corporation (LLC) and why this type was selected.

Mission Statement

A brief statement of what it is your company will achieve, provide or who it will serve.

Values and Vision

            Include information here about what your company values and where your company might be say 5 or 10 years into the future.

Goals

Goals are achievable items. These might be bullet points on what you expect to achieve in your first year of business.

Objectives

            Objectives are measurements to show that you are reaching your goals.  So if you plan to offer amazing customer service (goal) how will you measure you are doing that in your first year of business?

Products and Services

Here is where you should describe the service you are providing your customers or what products you are planning to offer.  Talk about similar products /services on the market and why yours differ from those already in existence.  What are the similarities and differences between the competitor’s products/services and yours?You can include drawings or graphics if they are warranted.  Get as detailed as possible – if you are creating a product, what ingredients are included or what fabrics are used to make it, what does the container look like.  If you are providing a service, what will this service entail? Are there similar services? What makes yours unique? Will there be some sort of money back guarantee if the service isn’t satisfactory to your customer?

Marketing

Use this section to talk about the research you’ve conducted about your target audience, information you’ve learned about your market and how you will market your business.  Use information from primary and secondary sources (trade journals, newspapers, census data, as well as any information you’ve collected from interviews, surveys or focus groups.  This will be your business plan’s version of the literature review.  Show your investor you’ve done your homework and know the industry your about to enter into.

Customers

Use this section to identify your targeted customer.  Talk about demographic information (age group, ethnicity, sex, etc).  Why do you think your product or service will sell well to this customer? You may want to provide some data on similar product/service sales trends for these targeted consumers. Provide any information that helps describe your customer.

Competition

Use this section to talk about your major competitors.  Who are they? Where are they located? Why do you consider them to be a competitor? What kinds of products do they offer? What are their pricing structures like? What makes them successful?  Who are their main customers? What steps will you take to make sure they won’t drive you out of business?  Do you have any plans in place to counter act when they lower prices? Change products? Advertise promotions or sales? Write anything and everything you know about your competitors in this section.

Marketing Plan

Briefly describe how you plan to market your business to your targeted consumers.  Why do you expect this to work? Do you have any data that proves this works or more specifically that it works with this audience?

Operations

Use this section to discuss the day to day operations of the business

Some key questions to address may include:

·         Hours of operations

·         # of employees needed (any specialized skills required)

·         Inventory available

·         Suppliers you will be using and why you’ve chosen them

Organizational Structure

Use this section to talk about how your business will be organized.  Are you planning a small business with a family member and a few key employees? Are you looking for a larger corporate structure with an executive body and advisory board? Briefly outline this structure in this section.

Pricing

Use this section to talk about your pricing structure.  Can you offer the lowest prices, and if so, will that affect your profit margins (and your ability to pay back your investors?) Are your customers more concerned with price vs quality or vice versa?  Is what you are pricing the fair market value? Is above market value because it is of better value?  What considerations have gone into your pricing structure (ie labor costs, supply costs, building and equipment fees, etc.

Proposed Location

Use this section to talk about the location of business.  Will you have a separate space? Is this something that will be run out of your own home? Why will this space be convenient for your customers?  Will there be parking available? Is the neighborhood deemed to be a safe one (meaning should your investors worry about theft or ask for more than adequate insurance).  What will this location need to possess in order to meet your needs (a certain amount of power, parking area, ability to add space, etc). Describe the physical location if there is on.  If there is a virtual space, talk about what it will look like.  You may also choose to include drawings, pictures or graphics here.

Financial Plans

This section should include information on the following:

1.      Budget for start up costs and/or operational cost (cost of materials, labor, rent, utilities, marketing, etc)

(This budget should include any funds or materials/goods you already have on hand (from your personal contributions or other investors)

2.      Your plan for dealing with late or non existing payments

3.      A timeline for setting up your business and getting it running.  This should also include when you might expect to return a profit. (depending on how you structure this, it could also go under the “Operations” section).

References

Miller, J., Richards, M., Harris, E., Wade, H., Hill, M., Lee, M., et al. (1999). The snakes of Central and South America (2nd ed.). New York: Horton.

Reproduction Service ( No. ED346082) Retrieved December 14, 2003, from ERIC E*Subscribe database.

Appendix

Include any other information here that you might attach for your investor