Pulling the Plan Together
Create A Finished Business Plan
chapter
15
Prepared by
Ron Knowles
Algonquin College
& Jennifer Rouse Barbeau
Canadore College
Copyright © 2011 Nelson Education Ltd.
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Chapter Overview
Chapter 15 will:
chapter
15
 Guide you in the final assembly of your
business plan building blocks.
 Assist you in writing your plan for maximum
clarity and impact.
 Assist you in compiling and presenting the
executive summary, table of contents, and
appendices.
 Help you present the completed plan.
Copyright © 2011 Nelson Education Ltd.
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Learning Opportunities
chapter
15
 Gather all the information you have together
into one coherent unit, which becomes a
working showcase for your business.
 Study a sample business plan to see how one
group of entrepreneurs defined and presented
their business.
 Match or surpass the sample business plan in
value-added information, research, and
effectiveness.
 Complete a PERT chart to organize the work
ahead.
 Put your finished business plan to work with
passion.
Copyright © 2011 Nelson Education Ltd.
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Getting Started
Before you begin writing your business plan:
 Think about the need of your target audience.
 Think about your elevator pitch.
 Get your mentor and advisory team on board.
 Consider how your plan will showcase your
passion and confidence.
 Gather all the competed Action Steps.
 Consider starting with the material you feel
most comfortable with.
Copyright © 2011 Nelson Education Ltd.
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Writing Your Business Plan:
1: Use Words
Use words to introduce Hook your readers with
clear & exciting descriptions
your strategies for:
about:
 Marketing
Production
Management
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Creating a business
Assessing the competition
Designing a marketing plan
Targeting customers
Finding the right location
Building a team
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Writing Your Business Plan:
2: Use Numbers & Facts
Your target readers
are:
Include financials
such as:
 Bankers
 Credit managers
 Venture capitalists
 Vendors
 Small business and
commercial credit lenders
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 Income statements
 Cash-flow projections
 Projected balance sheets
 Ratio analyses
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Writing Your Business Plan:
3: Include Support Information
Resumes
Photographs
Letters from
customers and
vendors
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Maps
Diagrams
Tables
Reprints from
industry
journals
Credit reports
Personal
financial
statements
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Some General Guidelines
Outside Assistance
 Write the plan yourself
 Have the plan reviewed
Reminders
 A business plan does not guarantee success
 The plan should be easy to read
 No grammatical errors
 Make the plan easy for your reader to write
notes
 Include how the reader can reach you
Copyright © 2011 Nelson Education Ltd.
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The Cover Letter
Summarize your plan
in a way that will achieve the most good.
 Introduce the excitement of your plan.
 Tell why you are sending the plan.
 Your letter needs to give a good impression.
Remember that:
1. The reader will judge your plan based on this letter.
2. A good cover letter will make its reader want to become
involved in your venture.
Copyright © 2011 Nelson Education Ltd.
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Sample Table of Contents
(Box 15.3)
Table Of Contents
Page(s)
i
Executive Summary
1
I. Description Of The Business
The Service We Provide
The Market And Our Target Customer
The Competition
Marketing Strategy
Our Location
Management
Human Resources
1-12
3
4
6
8
10
11
12
II. Financial Section
A. Projected Cash Flow
B. Projected Income Statement
C. Projected Balance Sheet
D. Other Financial Information
16-21
16
18
19
21
Appendixes
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Executive Summary
The executive summary
 Serves as an introduction to the business plan.
 Acquaints the reader with the subject of the
material that follows.
 Provides “hard” numerical data and facts (which
lenders prefer).
 Normally appears right after the table of contents.
 Is written after the plan is completed.
Copyright © 2011 Nelson Education Ltd.
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Section I:
Description of the Business
Part A: Business Description
 An example is provided in Box 15.5.
 To get started, complete Action Step 65.
Part B: The Market and the Target Customer
 An example is provided in Box 15.6.
 To get started, complete Action Step 66.
Part C: The Competition
 An example is provided in Box 15.7.
 To get started, complete Action Step 67.
Part D: Marketing Strategy
 An example is provided in Box 15.8.
 To get started, complete Action Step 68.
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Section I:
Description of the Business
Part E: Location
 An example is provided in Box 15.9.
 To get started, complete Action Step 69.
Part F: Management
 An example is provided in Box 15.10.
 To get started, complete Action Step 70.
Part G: Human Resources
 An example is provided in Box 15.11.
 To get started, complete Action Step 71.
Copyright © 2011 Nelson Education Ltd.
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Section II:
Financial Section
Now you’re ready to organize your
numbers into 4 standard areas:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Opening and projected balance sheets
Cash flow projection
Projected income statement
Supporting financial information and analysis
Copyright © 2011 Nelson Education Ltd.
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What is a PERT Chart?
Pert stands for:
Program Evaluation & Review Technique.
A PERT Chart serves as a script.
It will also tell you & your team members how long
certain jobs should take.
Copyright © 2011 Nelson Education Ltd.
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Sample PERT Chart
Task
1
Befriend a banker.
Order letterhead.
Select site.
Get business name.
Register company.
Select ad agency.
Have lunch with lawyer.
Make appointment with accountant.
Prepare vendor statement.
Make utilities deposit.
Review promotional material.
Survey phone system.
Order phone system.
Hold open house.
x
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Week
2 3 4
x
x
x
x
5
6
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
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Business Plan
Building Block
Chapter 15 shows you how to create a
finished business plan:
 Business Plan: a portable
showcase for your small business
Copyright © 2011 Nelson Education Ltd.
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Checklist for
Your Business Plan
 How will your business idea contribute to society in
general?
 In what way does your product or service differ
from that of your competitors?
 What are the critical success factors for your
business?
 How would your customers define your quality and
level of customer service?
Copyright © 2011 Nelson Education Ltd.
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Checklist for
Your Business Plan
 In completing your business plan, ask yourself:
Have I been consistent in my thinking that the
quality of sales staff fits the image I wish to convey?
Has money been set aside for appropriate training?
 What social responsibility practices do you intend
to follow?
 If your business is successful, what is your longterm growth plan?
 Will you achieve your personal vision?
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Good Luck!
Work Smart & Enjoy the Adventure
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