Business Plan & Excel

&CYour Company Name

&CSetup & Assumptions

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NOTE: for our purposes, this line should NOT include credit card sales, which are, effectively, cash sales because you receive payment in a matter days, not weeks.

If you're not sure what percentage to enter here, leave it at the default (15%).

If you're not sure what percentage to enter here, leave it at the default (25%).

This number should reflect the amount you will spend on ONE FULL-TIME employee--the worksheets will automatically multiply this amount by the total number of employees you expect to hire, as shown in the Staffing Budget worksheet (automatically adusting the numbers for full- and part-time employees accordingly).

If you're not sure what percentage to enter here, leave it at the default (1.00%).

If, for instance, your terms will be "Net 30," put 30 here. You may enter Net 10, Net 15, Net 30, Net 60, Net 90, or Net 120.

In general, this number will include money you plan to personally invest in the business. If you will be receiving loans or investment income from others, you can account for those on the upcoming Capital Investments worksheet instead of here.

Many businesses sell hundreds or thousands of products. It would be overwhelming to create projections for every product you sell. So if you sell many products, think about how you can consolidate them into up to ten product "lines," and then base your projections on these groups of products instead of each individual product.

This number should reflect the amount you will spend on ONE PART-TIME employee--the worksheets will automatically multiply this amount by the total number of employees you expect to hire, as shown in the Staffing Budget worksheet (automatically adusting the numbers for full- and part-time employees accordingly).

&CSales Projections

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Change the text in this cell to reflect the name of a major product, product line or service your firm will offer.

Enter the number of units you expect to sell during this month. If you are running a service-based company charging on an hourly basis, enter the number of billable hours you expect you and your employees to work during this month. If you will be selling your service on a per-project basis, enter the number of projects you expect to sell during this period.

Enter your sales price for each unit here. If you are running a service-based company, enter your hourly rate or approximate per-project rate.

Note that in year three we use quarterly numbers, not monthly numbers--so make sure you enter your amounts accordingly!

For information about this worksheet, see the chapter "Marketing Plan & Sales Strategy" in Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies.

COMMISSIONED SALES What percentage of this product line's sales will be made on commission? In other words, what percentage of your sales will be made by a salesperson who is paid commission?

SALES COMMISSION RATE What will be the commission rate paid to your salesperson for each sale?

RETURNS AND ALLOWANCES A percentage of your products will be returned due to defects, etc. What do you estimate will be the rate of return? This is, of course, just an estimate--but it is important to anticipate losses. Refunds, breakage, spoilage, theft, and unsaleable excess inventory can all put a significant dent in your net sales.

COST OF GOODS Approximately what percentage of your product's sale price will be spent on manufacturing? If you are a reseller or retailer, what percentage of your product's sale price will be spent on buying the product from your distributor? A service business may not need to track cost of goods, in which case you can set this number to zero.

MONTHLY VOLUME GROWTH RATE The Worksheets automatically increase the volume in each month on this line using the rate you enter here. You can also enter each cell's value by hand, if you prefer, which makes sense if you need to show ups and downs in sales due to seasonal fluctuations, etc.

As a convenience, the Worksheets will automatically copy the number you put in the prior cell into this cell. However, you should feel free to overwrite the copied number with whatever makes more sense for your business.

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 & 2010 for Windows 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 & 2010 for Windows 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 & 2010 for Windows 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 & 2010 for Windows 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 & 2010 for Windows 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 & 2010 for Windows 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 & 2010 for Windows 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 & 2010 for Windows 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 & 2010 for Windows 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

YEARLY PRICE GROWTH RATE This cell shows how much you plan to increase prices each year. It is not per month because consumers typically don't stand for frequent price changes. After one full year, we increase the unit price by X%, then again after 2 years, etc. The default is 2.5% per year, close to inflation rates). As a convenience, the Worksheets can automatically increase the unit price for each month using the rate you enter here. You can also enter each cell's value by hand, if you prefer, which makes sense if you need to show ups and downs in sales due to seasonal fluctuations, etc.

As a convenience, the Worksheets will automatically copy the number you put in the prior cell into this cell. However, you should feel free to overwrite the copied number with whatever makes more sense for your business.

YEARLY PRICE GROWTH RATE This cell shows how much you plan to increase prices each year. It is not per month because consumers typically don't stand for frequent price changes. After one full year, we increase the unit price by X%, then again after 2 years, etc. The default is 2.5% per year, close to inflation rates). As a convenience, the Worksheets can automatically increase the unit price for each month using the rate you enter here. You can also enter each cell's value by hand, if you prefer, which makes sense if you need to show ups and downs in sales due to seasonal fluctuations, etc.

Enter your sales price for each unit here. If you are running a service-based company, enter your hourly rate or approximate per-project rate.

As a convenience, the Worksheets will automatically copy the number you put in the prior cell into this cell. However, you should feel free to overwrite the copied number with whatever makes more sense for your business.

YEARLY PRICE GROWTH RATE This cell shows how much you plan to increase prices each year. It is not per month because consumers typically don't stand for frequent price changes. After one full year, we increase the unit price by X%, then again after 2 years, etc. The default is 2.5% per year, close to inflation rates). As a convenience, the Worksheets can automatically increase the unit price for each month using the rate you enter here. You can also enter each cell's value by hand, if you prefer, which makes sense if you need to show ups and downs in sales due to seasonal fluctuations, etc.

Enter your sales price for each unit here. If you are running a service-based company, enter your hourly rate or approximate per-project rate.

As a convenience, the Worksheets will automatically copy the number you put in the prior cell into this cell. However, you should feel free to overwrite the copied number with whatever makes more sense for your business.

YEARLY PRICE GROWTH RATE This cell shows how much you plan to increase prices each year. It is not per month because consumers typically don't stand for frequent price changes. After one full year, we increase the unit price by X%, then again after 2 years, etc. The default is 2.5% per year, close to inflation rates). As a convenience, the Worksheets can automatically increase the unit price for each month using the rate you enter here. You can also enter each cell's value by hand, if you prefer, which makes sense if you need to show ups and downs in sales due to seasonal fluctuations, etc.

Enter your sales price for each unit here. If you are running a service-based company, enter your hourly rate or approximate per-project rate.

As a convenience, the Worksheets will automatically copy the number you put in the prior cell into this cell. However, you should feel free to overwrite the copied number with whatever makes more sense for your business.

YEARLY PRICE GROWTH RATE This cell shows how much you plan to increase prices each year. It is not per month because consumers typically don't stand for frequent price changes. After one full year, we increase the unit price by X%, then again after 2 years, etc. The default is 2.5% per year, close to inflation rates). As a convenience, the Worksheets can automatically increase the unit price for each month using the rate you enter here. You can also enter each cell's value by hand, if you prefer, which makes sense if you need to show ups and downs in sales due to seasonal fluctuations, etc.

Enter your sales price for each unit here. If you are running a service-based company, enter your hourly rate or approximate per-project rate.

As a convenience, the Worksheets will automatically copy the number you put in the prior cell into this cell. However, you should feel free to overwrite the copied number with whatever makes more sense for your business.

YEARLY PRICE GROWTH RATE This cell shows how much you plan to increase prices each year. It is not per month because consumers typically don't stand for frequent price changes. After one full year, we increase the unit price by X%, then again after 2 years, etc. The default is 2.5% per year, close to inflation rates). As a convenience, the Worksheets can automatically increase the unit price for each month using the rate you enter here. You can also enter each cell's value by hand, if you prefer, which makes sense if you need to show ups and downs in sales due to seasonal fluctuations, etc.

Enter your sales price for each unit here. If you are running a service-based company, enter your hourly rate or approximate per-project rate.

As a convenience, the Worksheets will automatically copy the number you put in the prior cell into this cell. However, you should feel free to overwrite the copied number with whatever makes more sense for your business.

YEARLY PRICE GROWTH RATE This cell shows how much you plan to increase prices each year. It is not per month because consumers typically don't stand for frequent price changes. After one full year, we increase the unit price by X%, then again after 2 years, etc. The default is 2.5% per year, close to inflation rates). As a convenience, the Worksheets can automatically increase the unit price for each month using the rate you enter here. You can also enter each cell's value by hand, if you prefer, which makes sense if you need to show ups and downs in sales due to seasonal fluctuations, etc.

Enter your sales price for each unit here. If you are running a service-based company, enter your hourly rate or approximate per-project rate.

As a convenience, the Worksheets will automatically copy the number you put in the prior cell into this cell. However, you should feel free to overwrite the copied number with whatever makes more sense for your business.

YEARLY PRICE GROWTH RATE This cell shows how much you plan to increase prices each year. It is not per month because consumers typically don't stand for frequent price changes. After one full year, we increase the unit price by X%, then again after 2 years, etc. The default is 2.5% per year, close to inflation rates). As a convenience, the Worksheets can automatically increase the unit price for each month using the rate you enter here. You can also enter each cell's value by hand, if you prefer, which makes sense if you need to show ups and downs in sales due to seasonal fluctuations, etc.

Enter your sales price for each unit here. If you are running a service-based company, enter your hourly rate or approximate per-project rate.

As a convenience, the Worksheets will automatically copy the number you put in the prior cell into this cell. However, you should feel free to overwrite the copied number with whatever makes more sense for your business.

YEARLY PRICE GROWTH RATE This cell shows how much you plan to increase prices each year. It is not per month because consumers typically don't stand for frequent price changes. After one full year, we increase the unit price by X%, then again after 2 years, etc. The default is 2.5% per year, close to inflation rates). As a convenience, the Worksheets can automatically increase the unit price for each month using the rate you enter here. You can also enter each cell's value by hand, if you prefer, which makes sense if you need to show ups and downs in sales due to seasonal fluctuations, etc.

Enter your sales price for each unit here. If you are running a service-based company, enter your hourly rate or approximate per-project rate.

As a convenience, the Worksheets will automatically copy the number you put in the prior cell into this cell. However, you should feel free to overwrite the copied number with whatever makes more sense for your business.

YEARLY PRICE GROWTH RATE This cell shows how much you plan to increase prices each year. It is not per month because consumers typically don't stand for frequent price changes. After one full year, we increase the unit price by X%, then again after 2 years, etc. The default is 2.5% per year, close to inflation rates). As a convenience, the Worksheets can automatically increase the unit price for each month using the rate you enter here. You can also enter each cell's value by hand, if you prefer, which makes sense if you need to show ups and downs in sales due to seasonal fluctuations, etc.

Enter your sales price for each unit here. If you are running a service-based company, enter your hourly rate or approximate per-project rate.

As a convenience, the Worksheets will automatically copy the number you put in the prior cell into this cell. However, you should feel free to overwrite the copied number with whatever makes more sense for your business.

Note that in year three we use quarterly numbers, not monthly numbers--so make sure you enter your amounts accordingly!

Note that in year three we use quarterly numbers, not monthly numbers--so make sure you enter your amounts accordingly!

Note that in year three we use quarterly numbers, not monthly numbers--so make sure you enter your amounts accordingly!

Note that in year three we use quarterly numbers, not monthly numbers--so make sure you enter your amounts accordingly!

Note that in year three we use quarterly numbers, not monthly numbers--so make sure you enter your amounts accordingly!

Note that in year three we use quarterly numbers, not monthly numbers--so make sure you enter your amounts accordingly!

Note that in year three we use quarterly numbers, not monthly numbers--so make sure you enter your amounts accordingly!

Note that in year three we use quarterly numbers, not monthly numbers--so make sure you enter your amounts accordingly!

Note that in year three we use quarterly numbers, not monthly numbers--so make sure you enter your amounts accordingly!

&A

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This Cost of Goods number is pulled over from your Sales Projections and shows how much product you plan to sell each month. It's here simply to aid you in determining how much inventory you need to purchase.

This worksheet will help you manage your inventory expenditures. For each product line, enter the dollar amount you will spend each period on inventory. If yours is a service business, you can probably ignore this worksheet.

Are these cells showing red? As an aid to you, these cells will show in red until you indicate the purchase of enough inventory to cover your Cost of Goods for the period. In other words, your Total Inventory Expense should equal your Cost of Goods Sold from the SalesProj worksheet. If it isn't, you might need to adjust your % for COGS on the SalesProj worksheet (D12, D22, etc.)

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 and 2010 for Windows: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 and 2010 for Windows: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 and 2010 for Windows: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 and 2010 for Windows: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 and 2010 for Windows: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 and 2010 for Windows: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 and 2010 for Windows: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 and 2010 for Windows: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

If you only have less than 10 product lines, you can't delete the rows for excess product lines, but you can them hide them. If the cells are hidden, they won't be included in the subtotals at the bottom of this worksheet. On Excel 2011 for Mac: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Format->Rows->Hide On Excel 2007 and 2010 for Windows: 1) Select the rows to hide by click on the row headers along left edge of Excel window 2) Right click to pop up a context menu 3) From the menu, select "Hide"

We automatically increase the amount of inventory needed for each part at the same rate as COGS grows on the SalesProj sheet. You can override the automatically entered values by entering in actuals in the blue cells.

We automatically increase the amount of inventory needed for each part at the same rate as COGS grows on the SalesProj sheet. You can override the automatically entered values by entering in actuals in the blue cells.

We automatically increase the amount of inventory needed for each part at the same rate as COGS grows on the SalesProj sheet. You can override the automatically entered values by entering in actuals in the blue cells.

We automatically increase the amount of inventory needed for each part at the same rate as COGS grows on the SalesProj sheet. You can override the automatically entered values by entering in actuals in the blue cells.

We automatically increase the amount of inventory needed for each part at the same rate as COGS grows on the SalesProj sheet. You can override the automatically entered values by entering in actuals in the blue cells.

We automatically increase the amount of inventory needed for each part at the same rate as COGS grows on the SalesProj sheet. You can override the automatically entered values by entering in actuals in the blue cells.

We automatically increase the amount of inventory needed for each part at the same rate as COGS grows on the SalesProj sheet. You can override the automatically entered values by entering in actuals in the blue cells.

We automatically increase the amount of inventory needed for each part at the same rate as COGS grows on the SalesProj sheet. You can override the automatically entered values by entering in actuals in the blue cells.

We automatically increase the amount of inventory needed for each part at the same rate as COGS grows on the SalesProj sheet. You can override the automatically entered values by entering in actuals in the blue cells.

We automatically increase the amount of inventory needed for each part at the same rate as COGS grows on the SalesProj sheet. You can override the automatically entered values by entering in actuals in the blue cells.

&CCapital Purchases

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This worksheet allows you to track capital expenditures and manage depreciation for those expenditures.

Facilities include, land, buildings, building upgrades, fixtures, etc. NOTE: If you will need more than 10 items in each category on this worksheet, combine items into groups and enter data for the entire group on a single line.

Enter the cost of the item(s) here. This will be used to calculate depreciation, and will be added to your financial statements.

Enter the month you will purchase the item(s). Note: When entering dates on this worksheet, make sure that they don't fall prior to your current startup date (as entered on the Setup worksheet). Doing so will cause "#NUM!" calculation errors on later worksheets. However, you need not change the dates on lines you are not using.

Enter the year you will purchase the item(s).

Enter the number of years you will use the item(s) before it wears out, you retire it, or sell it. This number will be used to calculate depreciation in your financial statements using the Straight Line method. NOTE: If you'd rather "expense" the item(s) in the year it is purchased, regardless of how many years you will use it, leave the number set to 1 year, and it will not be depreciated on your financial statements. For information about the tax implications/requirements of depreciation, please consult a competent accountant.

This is the value of the item at the time you stop using it, or the price you might receive for it if you sell it. For example, a $1000 desk might be worth $300 when you sell it after five years of use. You would enter $300 in this cell. If you will not be depreciating the item (the Years of Service column is set to 1 year), you can ignore this.

Equipment includes machinery, furniture, vehicles, etc.

Includes PCs, servers, monitors, printers, scanners, other peripherals, and software applications.

Land purchases are not depreciable.

Telecommunications includes phone systems, fax machines, etc.