Business Plan

This is the key course project for the semester. For this you are to write a realistic business plan that you would be able to present to investors as if you were asking them for money to help fund your business. Please see the Business Plan Do's and Don'ts description for important guidelines for your business plan. You can also see the rubric for more guidelines. A good business plan is 10-20 pages, single-spaced. If you cut, paste and modify be sure your plan is consistent (type font, size, etc.) Do not plagiarize. This project needs time to develop, so make sure you start on it early in the semester. This assignment is NOT submitted electronically. I must have a copy in my office (WB205) by the designated due date. If I'm not in my office you may either slide your business plan under my office door or use the basket just outside my office.

Rubric

Business Plan RubricBusiness Plan RubricCriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroductory Elements: Table of Contents Executive Summary15.0 ptsAdvanced: Introductory elements were included and completed correctly, including a detailed executive summary that thoroughly summarizes the business.12.0 ptsProficient: Introductory elements were included and completed correctly, including an executive summary.9.0 ptsSufficient: Introductory elements were included but contained errors.3.0 ptsPoor/Lacking Info: Introductory elements were omitted and/or contained errors.15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeBusiness Description: Brief description of the Business (or Idea)15.0 ptsAdvanced: An overview of the company is provided which includes information regarding the reason for starting, basic activity, company focus, goods and/or services provided, primary customers, and location.12.0 ptsProficient: An overview of the company is provided which includes a large portion but not all of the requested information.9.0 ptsSufficient: An overview of the company is provided but is lacking significant pieces of the requested information.3.0 ptsPoor/Lacking Info: An overview of the company is not provided.15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIndustry Analysis15.0 ptsAdvanced: Provides complete information regarding industry size and maturity, opportunities & threats in the industry, overall outlook for the industry, major competitors. Explains how proposed product/service is distinct from others.12.0 ptsProficient: Provides fairly complete information regarding industry size and maturity, opportunities & threats in the industry, overall outlook for the industry, major competitors. Explains how proposed product/service is distinct from others.9.0 ptsSufficient: Provides somewhat complete information regarding industry size and maturity, opportunities & threats in the industry, overall outlook for the industry, major competitors. Explains how proposed product/service is distinct from others.3.0 ptsPoor/Lacking Info: Provides largely incomplete information regarding industry size and maturity, opportunities & threats in the industry, overall outlook for the industry, major competitors. Explains how proposed product/service is distinct from others.15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMission Statement15.0 ptsAdvanced: Mission statement is clear, concise, and describes the purpose of the business. Core values are included and reflect an understanding of the fundamental beliefs regarding the appropriate manner in which to conduct company activities.12.0 ptsProficient: Mission statement is clear, and describes the purpose of the business. Core values are included and reflect an understanding of the fundamental beliefs regarding the appropriate manner in which to conduct company activities.9.0 ptsSufficient: Mission statement is included and describes the purpose of the business. Core values are included but do not reflect an understanding of the fundamental beliefs regarding the appropriate manner in which to conduct company activities.3.0 ptsPoor/Lacking Info: Mission statement is not included.15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeManagement Plan: SP, partnership, corporation ownership Qualifications of MGT team & comp. pkg. Explanation of how things will be done.15.0 ptsAdvanced: Form of business ownership was chosen, defined, and reasoning was given for the choice of ownership. Thorough explanation of how things will be accomplished.12.0 ptsProficient: Form of business ownership was chosen and defined. Some explanation of how things will be accomplished.9.0 ptsSufficient: Form of business ownership was chosen. No explanation of how things will be done.3.0 ptsPoor/Lacking Info: No form of business ownership was included in the plan. Permits/licenses/certifications omitted. No explanation of methods of doing things.15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeProduct &/or Services: Identify and describe all products/Services, explain how your products will be competitive.15.0 ptsAdvanced: Product/Service mix was clearly discussed and included a complete line of product/service offerings and included reasoning for the selection. Includes explanation of how your products will be competitive.12.0 ptsProficient: Product/Service mix was clearly discussed and included a complete line of product/service offerings. Explanation of how your products will be competitive was unclear.9.0 ptsSufficient: Product/Service mix was partially discussed and seemed to lack a complete line of product/service offerings. Explanation of how your products will be competitive was missing.3.0 ptsPoor/Lacking Info:Product/Service mix was partially discussed or some was omitted. Explanation of how your products will be competitive is missing.15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMarketing: Who are your customers, where are they,what do they want? What is your marketing mix (4 p's).15.0 ptsAdvanced: Marketing of the business was thoroughly discussed including the identification of the target market and how they will be reached, customer needs and product characteristics, pricing, distribution, promotion.12.0 ptsProficient: Marketing of the business was discussed including the identification of the target market and how they will be reached, customer needs and product characteristics, pricing, distribution, promotions.9.0 ptsSufficient: Marketing of the business was partially discussed including some but not all of the following: identification of the target market and how they will be reached, customer needs and product characteristics, pricing, distribution, promotions.3.0 ptsPoor/Lacking Info: Marketing of the business was partially discussed but lacked mention of any specific information.15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFinancial Management: Start-up Costs15.0 ptsAdvanced: Financing strategies and concepts were discussed. Detailed start-up cost reports included.12.0 ptsProficient: Start-up cost reports included.9.0 ptsSufficient: Some start-up cost reports were included.3.0 ptsPoor/Lacking Info: No start-up cost reports were included.15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting Skills15.0 ptsAdvanced: No writing mechanics errors; writing style is easy for reader to follow.12.0 ptsProficient: Occasional mechanics errors. Writing style is easy for reader to follow.9.0 ptsSufficient: Fair number of mechanics errors. Writing style sometimes lacks clarity for reader.3.0 ptsPoor/Lacking Info: Mechanics errors on every page. Writing style lacks clarity to the point of not being understandable.15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOverall: Organization and flow of content. Thoroughness and completeness of content/plan.15.0 ptsAdvanced: The overall plan was well organized with good flow of the content. The business plan includes all sections and all necessary information.12.0 ptsProficient: Good organization with moderate flow of content. Contains all of the sections and most of all necessary information.9.0 ptsSufficient: Moderate organization with moderate flow of content. Missing sections and necessary information.3.0 ptsPoor/Lacking Info: Poor organization with little to no flow of content. Missing multiple sections and necessary information.