When you start your own business, one of the most important things you need to do is develop a business plan. A business plan is basically a formal written document that describe the strategies for success of your company, the plans for reaching those plans, and the timing for the accomplishment of those plans. It informs your managers, investors, staff, and others what you plan to do. It is important to draft a business plan before you launch your business. Here are a few tips on writing a business plan.
Long-Term Strategies: Before you start your company, you need to determine your long-term plans for it. These may include expansion, licensing, or acquisitions. Write down all the strategies you have for expanding your business. Consider the amount of capital you will need, the amount of capital you have available for buying equipment or adding employees, and the type of employees you plan to hire. The other factors to consider in long-term planning are market demand, competitive advantages, and potential environmental issues.
Lean Startup: Most new businesses adopt the lean manufacturing model, which emphasizes the use of fewer resources (machinery, tools, etc. ), and “brainstorming” the production process as a collaborative effort between the manufacturing and sales teams. Most traditional business plans describe long-term plans using a standard structure.
Financial Projections: A good business plan helps you to establish realistic financial projections for your company over the course of the next five years or so. This includes both short-term and long-term outlooks. Estimate the average price of your product over the next five years and how you plan to reach and maintain your profit level. This information should be included not only in your long-term business plan but also in your short-term financial projections as well.
Market Analysis: Before you launch your product, you must identify a large customer base and conduct market research to determine what niche your product will serve. Your long-term financial projections should include the estimated number of units your small business will sell in its first year of operation. Your short-term forecasts should include projected increase in sales over the course of three months to one year, allowing room for a profit lag if demand picks up during this period. Your business plan will not give you the numbers you need to calculate this but it will provide you with an idea of where you are headed.
Your long-term goals and operational plans will help you determine how much money you have to spend on advertising, payroll, supplies, and machinery. It will also show you what percentage of profits you expect to earn in the first full year. This information will help you determine which of your short-term goals should be achieved first, and it will help you make money in the long run. To make money in your own business is not a difficult task provided that you have a good plan and are realistic about the amount of time it will take to achieve the long-term goals. Having an effective business plan in place before you start your business will make it easier to stay focused and motivated as you go through the startup process.
