SME

Assignment 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 3000 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 http://leeds-faculty.colorado.edu/Moyes; Examples of business plans http://leeds-faculty.colorado.edu/Moyes; Lawrence and Moyes (2008). Writing a Successful Business Plan http://leeds-faculty.colorado.edu/Moyes; Moyes and Lawrence, Financial Projections