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Table of Contents in Business Plan – Example, Template

Free Problem Statement Templates

Ayush Jalan

• December 12, 2023

A business plan is a document that describes what your company is, does, and plans to do in the future. It helps you map out all the objectives, goals, strategies, resources, and every other detail of your business. But arranging all this can get messy.

To Solve This, We Need a Business Plan Table of Contents

Think of it like this: If your business plan aims to define your prospects and incur funding, a table of contents helps investors study your business in-depth and build confidence in your business idea.

Furthermore, it also helps focus on and prioritize tasks, quickly revise strategies according to the ever-changing business environment, make operations more fluid, and manage finances systematically.

A business plan table of contents provides a bird’s-eye view of your business landscape to help better navigate KPIs .

Every company needs a business plan to sustain itself in the market. Ultimately, it’s the content inside the business plan and its quality that directs a business to achieve goals using actionable steps.

As much as the elements of a business plan matter, the way they’re presented also plays a pivotal role in grabbing the reader’s attention.

The first few things that pique the reader’s interest are the cover page and the table of contents. In this article, we’ll see why and how you should write a professional business plan table of contents.

Why Include a Business Plan Table of Contents?

A table of contents serves as the outline of a business plan . It assists the reader to navigate through the document and is placed at the beginning of a business plan. This helps the reader effortlessly find and browse through the topics that interest them.

It includes all the major sections and subcategories of a business plan. The sections are arranged logically with page numbers. And it usually precedes the executive summary.

Pros of Adding a Business Plan Table of Contents

A table of contents is an extremely important part of any formal document, let alone a business plan. It is the most commonly found aspect in every large format document, from books to magazines to business plans.

Let’s see the benefits of a business plan table of contents:

1. Acts as an introduction

The table of contents is placed before all the sections of a business plan. This will help the reader get a good look at the contents before diving into the details. Primarily, it introduces the reader to your business plan. In other words, a table of contents acts as an executive summary of the entire document.

2. Gives an overview of the scope

A table of contents further enables the reader to judge the scope of your business. To mirror the exact essence of your business plan, the table of contents should be crafted carefully.

Whether it’s an investor or another company you wish to work in partnership with, any formal entity interested in your business skims through your table of contents. Hence, it is wise to convey exactly what you intend to.

3. Displays attention to detail

While creating a table of contents, you include not only the major sections of your business plan but also the subsections. These subsections will convey that you have paid attention to the smallest of things while drafting your business. This indirectly sends a message that you are serious about your business ventures.

4. Provides easier navigation

This is an obvious but very significant advantage of a table of contents. Incorporating it into your business plan will add a navigational aspect to your document. Regardless if it’s a physical document or an e-document, a table of contents will help the reader go to any specific section they want.

These are the advantages of including a table of contents. You can now go ahead and create one for your business plan. To help you get started, we have also created a sample table of contents for you.

Feel free to use the following template and revamp it according to your unique business.

Sample for Table of Contents

• EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• Mission Statement
• Vision Statement
• Purpose and Values
• Problem Identification
• Problem Statement
• Industry Analysis
• Product & Service Overview
• Product & Service Specifications
• Product & Service Benefits and USPs
• Available Substitutes
• Competitive Overview
• Direct and Indirect Competitors
• SWOT Analysis
• Competitive Position
• Market Share Analysis
• Barriers to Entry
• Market Overview
• Market Size
• Market Segmentation
• Ideal Customer Profile
• Sales & Marketing Objectives
• Pricing Strategies
• Promotion Strategies
• Site Location
• Staffing and Training
• Resource Allocation
• Purchasing Process
• Production Process
• Quality Control Metrics
• Customer Service
• Key Management
• Board of Directors
• Board of Advisors
• Financial Overview
• Business Model
• Financial Projections
• Marketing and Personnel Expenses
• Funding Requirements
• Terms of Investment
• Exit Strategy

Build Trust in Your Business with a Table of Contents

Writing a table of contents for your business plan is a subtle yet powerful way to captivate your potential investors or business partners . It is essentially a summary of the document that acts as a roadmap for your business activities.

A smart entrepreneur is one who uses every opportunity available to grow closer to success. Creating a striking business plan table of contents to engage your investors is a detail you shouldn’t miss.

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About the Author

Ayush is a writer with an academic background in business and marketing. Being a tech-enthusiast, he likes to keep a sharp eye on the latest tech gadgets and innovations. When he's not working, you can find him writing poetry, gaming, playing the ukulele, catching up with friends, and indulging in creative philosophies.

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Popular Templates

Business Plan Table of Contents

Your business plan table of contents will outline your plan.

A business plan is expected to be compelling, well-organized, and presented in a logical sequence. Following this business plan table of contents will ensure your document hits the mark! Remember that your business plan does not have to be a formal document, but it should speak to all the objectives critical to your success.

A business plan table of contents like the one below will put you on a straight course to starting and finishing your business plan quickly and with confidence that you’re doing it right. In fact, you should consider this business plan table of contents to be your business plan outline for your entire plan, even if you are starting with just an executive summary .

Understand the Standard Format 

Then use one of the customized templates provided.

Customizing a business plan’s table of contents to a specific industry is crucial for several reasons. First, it ensures that the plan addresses the unique challenges, opportunities, and competitive dynamics inherent in that industry. Every industry has its nuances; for example, a tech startup might need to focus heavily on innovation and scalability, while a restaurant must emphasize menu design and customer experience. A tailored table of contents ensures that these critical elements are not overlooked.

Customization facilitates more effective communication with stakeholders, such as investors, partners, and employees. Stakeholders are often familiar with industry-specific benchmarks and expectations. A customized plan demonstrates that the founders deeply understand their industry and are serious about addressing its specific requirements.

A tailored plan helps in setting realistic goals and strategies that are relevant to the industry. For instance, a service industry business would focus on customer satisfaction metrics, while a manufacturing business would emphasize production efficiency and supply chain management.

Finally, customizing the table of contents for industry-specific needs allows founders to identify and mitigate risks unique to their industry. This foresight not only prepares the business for potential challenges but also instills confidence in potential investors and partners, showing that the founders have a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to succeed in their industry.

The examples below are already fine-tuned to the needs of top industries for startup businesses. Click any of the labels to jump to the example on this page.

Follow a Straightforward Format

The information and structure found on this page will help you think about and convey your business idea in a format that investors understand. It’s not just for investors!

Following all the major sections of this page will help you crystallize your thinking about your business in a holistic way that will serve you well, even if you’re not seeking funding. From your market analysis, marketing plan to your financial plan and cash flow statement, you’ll learn to think about your business in depth, on terms important to your success!

Does your business plan really need a table of contents? In short, yes! That’s why we have included this section as a guideline or template. You should always include a table of contents with your business plan unless you are presenting only Executive Summary that is 2 – 5 pages in length.

Make Your Plan Easy to Read and Understand

Keep in mind that a business plan is often not read from front to back, in order. Different people will have different specific interests. A table of contents lets readers quickly find the information that is most important to them.

Including a table of contents is both a courtesy and a way to help bankers and potential investors make efficient use of your business plan. If it’s well organized and includes a table of contents, you’ll be getting started on the right foot.

It’s common for a business plan to be updated on a regular basis, long after the first draft is complete. A small change on page two might suddenly mean the page numbers listed in the table of contents need to be corrected. Be sure to update your table of contents to reflect these changes. To make this task a breeze, use the Table of Contents feature built into Microsoft Word.

Why do we include such an obvious suggestion? The fact is, many people overlook this step. Don’t give some junior analyst at a venture capital firm with 100 business plans to review an early opportunity to say, “This person is sloppy and doesn’t pay enough attention to details. Next plan.”

Follow the Format for Proven Success

If you use The Outline provided with this document as the starting point for your table of contents, you can include the subtopics while you’re creating the plan. Then, in your final Table of Contents, you’ll include only the major section titles.

Introduction and Overview

This section in a small business plan table of contents provides an introduction to the plan and gives a brief overview of the business, including its purpose, products or services, business’s unique selling proposition , and target market. It sets the stage for the rest of the plan and provides context for the reader.

Sales & Market Potential

Products and services.

Describes the products or services offered by the business and how they meet the needs of the target market. It is important because it helps the reader understand the business’s offerings and how they are positioned in the market.

Provides an industry overview and in-depth market analysis of the target market, including demographics, size, and trends. It is important because it demonstrates the business’s understanding of its target audience and the potential for growth in the market.

• Direct and Indirect Competitors

Every business plan needs to identify who they will compete with, both directly and indirectly. Be direct! Glossing over this makes investors nervous.

• Go-To-Market Plan

Details the strategies and tactics the company will use to reach and acquire customers, including market segmentation, target customers, distribution channels and pricing. This section should take into account the competitive analysis.

• Sales and Marketing Plan

Outlines the marketing objectives -the strategies and tactics- the business will use to reach and engage its target market and drive sales. It is important because it illustrates how the business will generate revenue and achieve its financial goals.

Team and Operating Plan

• Management Team

Typically includes information about the key individuals involved in the company, including their backgrounds, experience, and roles within the organization.

• Operating Plan

Outlines the day-to-day operations of the company, including details on the production or development process, logistics, and supply chain management. Be sure that the operating plan you present is matched by the people you’ll have on your management team.

SWOT Analysis (optional but helpful)

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats. A way to document and evaluate a company’s internal and external environment. It identifies the company’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities and threats in the marketplace. It’s a summary of the internal and external factors that can help or hinder the company’s success.

Financial Information

• Financial Projections

Your financial plan should include an income statement (profit and loss) showing the company’s projected revenue and expenses for at least three years. The income statement provides a detailed breakdown of the company’s projected income and expenses, including revenue streams, cost of goods sold, operating expenses, and net income.

Capitalization or “Cap Table”

Provides information on the sources of funding for the company and the ownership structure. This can include information on equity funding, debt financing, and other funding sources.

• Use of Funds

Details how the company plans to use the funds raised, including information on specific investments, expansion plans, and other expenditures. It should also include information on how the funds will be allocated to different areas of the business, such as research and development, marketing, and operations.

Additional Information

• Exit Strategy

This section of a business plan outlines the company’s plans for exiting the business, such as through a sale of the company or an initial public offering (IPO). It should include information on the timing of the exit, the expected return on investment, and the potential buyers or investors.

• Payback Analysis

Provides information on the projected return on investment and the time frame in which the company expects to recoup its initial investments. This section should include information on the company’s projected cash flow, as well as any return-on-investment calculations.

• Notices and Disclaimers

Used to provide legal and regulatory information about the company, its products, and its services. This can include information on patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other legal matters. It also may include a disclaimer statement that the plan is for informational purposes only and that the company cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided.

Summary of Business Plan Table of Contents

The business plan table of contents above serves as both a table of contents and an outline for your business plan. This business plan outline can even be used to help you draft your executive summary following the same format in less detail. You will find that this business plan format is used throughout this site. Every section is explained in detail and includes examples or templates you can use. Follow this format you’ll end up with a well-organized business plan.

Industry-Specific Business Plan Table of Contents Examples

Below is a generic business plan table of contents example, followed by more than 10 industry-specific examples.  For each example, we’ve noted the differences and points of emphasis for each industry, compared to the generic example. Choose the example that is closest to your type of business and you’ll be miles ahead as you start your business plan.

Generalized – Business Plan Table of Contents

The table of contents example below will generally apply to any business.  We have also provided some more-specific examples below.  Choose the example that is most appropriate for your type of business.

• SWOT Analysis
• Capitalization

Coaching and Training

Coaching and training business plan table of contents.

In a coaching and training business plan, the table of contents should reflect the unique aspects of a service-based industry where the primary offerings are knowledge, expertise, and personalized services. Compared to a generic business plan, there’s a stronger focus on the expertise of the service providers, customized service offerings, client engagement strategies, and detailed service delivery models. Here’s how these differences are emphasized in the table of contents:

The table of contents for a Coaching and Training Business Plan focuses on the specific needs and dynamics of the coaching and training industry. Unlike more product-oriented plans, this plan emphasizes the qualifications and expertise of the coaching team, the customization of service offerings, client relationship strategies, and operational details geared towards service delivery. Financial projections and marketing strategies are tailored to reflect the nature of selling services, such as coaching or training hours, rather than physical products.

Executive Summary

Brief overview of the coaching and training services, business objectives, and market potential.

Business Description

Detailed insight into the coaching and training business, its founding principles, and unique service proposition.

Market Analysis

• Industry Overview
• Target Client Demographics and Needs
• Market Trends in Coaching and Training

Service Offerings

• Detailed Description of Coaching and Training Services
• Customization of Services
• Unique Service Delivery Models

Marketing and Client Engagement Strategy

• Branding and Positioning
• Client Acquisition and Retention Strategies
• Online and Offline Marketing Tactics

Operational Plan

• Service Delivery Logistics
• Client Scheduling and Management Systems
• Quality Assurance Measures

Management and Staffing

• Professional Qualifications of Coaches/Trainers
• Staffing Needs and Training Programs
• Organizational Structure

Financial Plan

• Pricing Strategy for Services
• Revenue Projections and Cost Analysis
• Cash Flow and Break-Even Analysis
• Risk Management Strategies
• Legal and Ethical Considerations
• Future Growth and Expansion Plans

E-commerce Business Plan Table of Contents

The table of contents for an E-commerce Business Plan is tailored to address the specific requirements of an online business model. This includes an emphasis on digital marketing strategies, e-commerce technologies, online customer experience, data analytics for customer behavior, and supply chain management suitable for online sales. The plan should also cover cybersecurity measures, website optimization, and the legalities of online trading.

Concise overview of the e-commerce business, highlighting the main objectives, target market, and unique online value proposition.

Detailed description of the e-commerce business model, history, and vision. Explanation of the online marketplace and its potential.

• E-commerce Market Trends and Growth
• Target Audience and Online Consumer Behavior
• Competitive Landscape in the Digital Space

Product and Service Line

• Products/Services Offered Online
• Product Sourcing and Fulfillment Strategies
• Pricing and Profit Margins

Digital Marketing and Sales Strategy

• SEO and Content Marketing
• Social Media Marketing and Engagement
• Email Marketing and Online Advertising
• E-commerce Platform and Technology Stack
• Order Processing and Logistics
• Customer Support and Service

Management and Organization

• Management Team and Organizational Structure
• Staffing for Online Operations
• Training and Development in E-commerce Skills
• Revenue Streams in E-commerce
• Cost Structure and Budgeting
• Financial Projections and ROI Analysis
• Legalities and Regulations in E-commerce
• Risk Management and Cybersecurity
• Future Growth Strategies and Scaling Plans

Health and Wellness Studio

Health and wellness organization business plan table of contents.

The table of contents for a Health and Wellness Organization Business Plan should cater to the specifics of a wellness service industry. It should emphasize the quality of wellness programs, the expertise of the staff, the creation of a conducive wellness environment, and the marketing strategies tailored to attract and retain wellness enthusiasts. Additionally, the financial aspects should reflect the unique business model of wellness services.

Overview of the health and wellness organization, its mission, target clientele, and unique wellness offerings.

Organization Overview

Detailed description of the organization, its founding principles, types of wellness programs offered, and the overall wellness philosophy.

• Wellness Industry Trends
• Target Market Demographics and Preferences
• Competitive Landscape in the Wellness Sector

Programs and Services

• Diverse Wellness Program Offerings (e.g., Yoga, Fitness Classes)
• Program Development and Innovation
• Personal Training and Customized Wellness Plans

Marketing and Client Engagement

• Branding Strategies for the Wellness Market
• Client Acquisition and Retention Plans
• Community Outreach and Wellness Events
• Facility Management and Environment
• Staffing with Qualified Instructors and Support Team
• Client Service and Experience Enhancements
• Leadership Team in Health and Wellness
• Instructor Qualifications and Recruitment
• Staff Training and Wellness Education
• Pricing Strategies for Wellness Services
• Revenue Projections and Membership Models
• Expense Management and Profitability Analysis
• Risk Management and Safety Protocols
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance in Health Services
• Long-term Development and Expansion Strategies

Hotel and Lodging

Boutique hotel and lodging business plan table of contents.

The table of contents for a Boutique Hotel and Lodging Business Plan is designed to address the intricacies of running a boutique-style hospitality business. It emphasizes creating a unique guest experience, leveraging the boutique’s unique selling propositions, detailed market analysis for the hospitality sector, and a robust operational plan that covers everything from room design to guest services. The financial section should be tailored to reflect the revenue streams and cost structure specific to boutique hotels.

Overview of the boutique hotel concept, mission, unique selling points, and target market.

Hotel Concept and Design

Detailed description of the hotel’s theme, design elements, and the guest experience strategy.

• Overview of the Boutique Hotel Market
• Target Guest Demographics and Preferences
• Analysis of Competitors and Market Trends
• Rooms and Accommodations
• Unique Guest Services and Amenities
• Additional Facilities (e.g., Spa, Restaurant, Event Spaces)

Marketing and Guest Engagement

• Brand Development for Boutique Hotels
• Marketing Strategies for Target Niches
• Partnerships with Local Businesses and Attractions
• Day-to-Day Hotel Operations
• Staffing and Management Structure
• Customer Service Excellence
• Management Team and Hospitality Expertise
• Staff Recruitment and Training Programs
• Guest Relations Management
• Funding Requirements and Sources
• Revenue Projections and Pricing Strategy
• Cost Analysis and Profit Margins
• Regulatory Compliance and Licensing
• Risk Management and Insurance
• Future Expansion and Growth Plans

Manufacturing

Manufacturing business plan table of contents.

This Manufacturing Business Plan focuses on the specifics of producing goods, managing a supply chain, and meeting market demands efficiently. Key elements include detailed descriptions of the manufacturing process, cost-effective production strategies, inventory management, and market penetration tactics. The financial section should reflect the capital-intensive nature of the manufacturing business and outline strategies for scaling up production.

Overview of the manufacturing business, its products, market positioning, and manufacturing capabilities.

Detailed description of the manufacturing business, including history, type of products manufactured, and unique aspects of the operations.

• Industry Overview and Market Trends
• Target Market and Customer Analysis
• Competitive Analysis in the Manufacturing Sector

Manufacturing Process and Operations

• Details of the Production Process
• Plant and Machinery
• Supply Chain Management and Raw Material Sourcing
• Product Line Overview
• Research and Development for New Products
• Quality Assurance and Compliance

Marketing and Sales Strategy

• Market Penetration and Distribution Channels
• Branding and Product Positioning
• Sales Forecasts and Targets
• Facility Management and Workflow
• Health, Safety, and Environmental Policies
• Human Resource Management in Manufacturing
• Organizational Structure and Key Personnel
• Manufacturing Expertise and Team Composition
• Staff Training and Development
• Capital Expenditure and Funding Requirements
• Cost Structure and Profit Margin Analysis
• Revenue Projections and Financial Forecasts
• Regulatory Compliance and Certifications
• Future Expansion and Growth Opportunities

Medical Office

Medical office business plan table of contents.

This Medical Office Business Plan is specifically designed to cater to the operations of a healthcare facility. It focuses on the delivery of high-quality medical services, patient relationship management, adherence to healthcare laws and standards, and the effective management of medical and administrative staff. The financial aspects should reflect the operational costs associated with running a medical office and strategies for sustainable growth.

Overview of the medical office, including the type of practice (e.g., dermatology), mission, healthcare services offered, and target patient demographic.

Practice Description

Detailed description of the medical office, including the history of the practice, medical specialties offered, and unique aspects of patient care.

• Healthcare Industry Trends and Growth
• Local Market Demand and Patient Demographics
• Competitive Analysis of Other Medical Practices

Medical Services Offered

• List of Healthcare Services and Specialties (e.g., Dermatological Treatments)
• New Patient Services and Ongoing Care Programs
• Advanced Medical Technologies and Procedures

Marketing and Patient Engagement Strategy

• Branding and Positioning in the Healthcare Market
• Patient Acquisition and Retention Methods
• Community Outreach and Health Awareness Programs
• Clinic Workflow and Patient Management
• Staffing: Medical Professionals and Support Staff
• Healthcare Compliance and Quality Control
• Leadership Team and Medical Credentials
• Staff Recruitment, Training, and Development
• Performance Management and Staff Retention
• Revenue Streams: Patient Services and Insurance Billing
• Operating Costs and Expense Management
• Financial Projections and Funding Requirements
• Regulatory Compliance and Medical Ethics
• Risk Management and Patient Safety
• Future Expansion and Diversification Plans

Retail Business

Retail – business plan table of contents, focus on retail-specific elements.

Detailed Product Descriptions : Unlike a generic business plan, a retail business plan needs to provide a more in-depth description of the range of products or services offered. This includes details about suppliers, inventory management, and unique selling propositions of the products.

Market and Competitive Analysis Specific to Retail : The market analysis section should focus on the retail market’s dynamics, including customer demographics, buying behaviors, and seasonal trends. The competitive analysis needs to address direct and indirect competitors in the retail space, covering aspects like store layout, pricing strategies, customer service, and location advantages.

Sales and Marketing Strategy with a Retail Slant : The plan should outline specific retail marketing and sales strategies. This includes in-store promotions, visual merchandising, online marketing tailored to a retail audience, customer loyalty programs, and strategies for an omnichannel retail experience.

Operational Details Geared Towards Retail Operations : The operational plan should focus on retail-specific elements like store location, layout, foot traffic, shelving and display, checkout processes, inventory turnover, and staffing tailored for retail operations. Retail-specific Financial Projections : In a retail business plan, the financial section needs to be tailored to retail metrics. This includes detailed projections of sales volume, seasonal fluctuations in sales, inventory costs, and other retail-specific financial considerations.

Management and Staffing for Retail : Unlike a generic business plan, the retail plan should discuss staffing needs in the context of a retail operation, including sales staff, inventory managers, and other roles essential to a retail store.

Customer Experience and Service : A significant aspect of the retail business plan is the focus on customer experience and service strategies, highlighting how the retail business will create an enjoyable shopping experience and build customer loyalty.<

By focusing on these key areas, a retail business plan addresses the unique challenges and opportunities of the retail sector, providing a roadmap tailored to the specific needs and dynamics of a retail business.

Overview of the retail business, vision, and mission.

Detailed description of the retail business, including the type of retail, history, and unique value proposition.

• Target Market Demographics and Psychographics
• Market Needs and Trends

Competitive Analysis

• Competitive Advantage
• Product Range
• Supplier Information
• Pricing Strategy
• Sales and Marketing Strategy
• Promotional Strategies
• Customer Engagement Plan
• Store Location and Layout
• Inventory Management
• Customer Service Policies

Management and Personnel

• Staffing and Personnel Plan
• Training and Development
• Startup Expenses and Capitalization
• Projected Income Statements
• Cash Flow Projections
• Break-Even Analysis
• Risk Analysis
• Legal Considerations and Disclaimers

Personal Services

Personal services / salon services, business plan table of contents.

• Service Differentiation
• Customer Experience
• Local Market Analysis
• Revenue Streams
• Health and Safety Compliance

Professional Services

Professional business services, business plan table of contents, client services and market potential.

• Service Offerings and Specialization
• Target Client Demographics
• Competitive Landscape Analysis
• Marketing and Brand Positioning

Operational Excellence

• Leadership and Management Structure
• Staff Expertise and Development
• Operational Workflow and Efficiency
• Quality Assurance and Standards

Financial Management

• Revenue Forecasting and Billing Models
• Cost Analysis and Management
• Funding and Capital Management
• Financial Goals and Milestones

Strategic Growth and Expansion

• Market Expansion Strategies
• Service Diversification
• Strategic Partnerships and Alliances
• Future Growth Projections

Risk Management and Compliance

• Legal and Ethical Compliance
• Risk Mitigation Strategies
• Client Confidentiality and Data Security
• Professional Liability Considerations

Restaurants

Restaurant business plan table of contents, market analysis and concept development.

• Concept and Cuisine Style
• Target Market and Customer Demographics
• Location Analysis and Accessibility
• Competitive Landscape

Menu and Service Offerings

• Menu Development and Pricing
• Beverage Program and Pairings
• Service Style and Customer Experience
• Seasonal Offerings and Special Events
• Restaurant Layout and Design
• Kitchen and Back-of-House Operations
• Health, Safety, and Hygiene Compliance
• Leadership Team and Organizational Structure
• Employee Roles and Responsibilities

Marketing and Customer Engagement

• Brand Development and Positioning
• Marketing Strategies and Promotions
• Customer Loyalty Programs
• Community Engagement and Public Relations

Financial Planning and Management

• Revenue and Sales Forecast
• Cost Management and Profitability Analysis
• Budgeting and Expense Controls
• Investment and Funding Strategy

Expansion and Growth Opportunities

• Future Location Expansion
• Franchising Potential
• Menu Diversification and Innovation
• Partnership and Collaboration Opportunities

Software as a Service

Software as a service (saas) business plan table of contents, product development and innovation.

• Software Solution and Features
• Technology Stack and Development Roadmap
• User Experience and Design Principles
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement

Market Analysis and Strategy

• Target Market and Customer Segmentation
• Competitive Analysis and Differentiation
• Market Trends and Growth Opportunities
• Pricing and Subscription Models

Customer Acquisition and Success

• Sales Strategy and Channels
• Customer Onboarding and Retention
• Support and Customer Service

Operational Plan and Infrastructure

• Scalable Infrastructure and Cloud Services
• Data Security and Compliance
• Team and Talent Management
• Business Process Optimization

Financial Planning and Metrics

• Revenue Forecasting and Cash Flow Management
• Key Performance Indicators and Metrics
• Funding and Investment Strategy
• Expense and Cost Management

Leadership and Team Development

• Executive Team and Company Structure
• Staff Hiring and Development Plans
• Company Culture and Values
• Performance and Growth Pathways

Expansion and Growth Strategies

• New Market Penetration
• Product Line Extensions
• International Expansion

Technology Services

Technical services (outsourced it services) business plan table of contents, service offerings and expertise.

• Overview of Services (Support, Help Desk, Networking, Administration)
• Technical Specializations and Certifications
• Service Delivery Models
• Innovations in IT Service Management

Market Analysis and Client Engagement

• Target Market and Client Segmentation
• Competitive Landscape and Positioning
• Client Feedback and Relationship Management
• Workflow Efficiency and Process Optimization
• Team Structure and Management
• Data Security and Privacy Protocols

Financial Management and Growth Strategy

• Revenue Models and Pricing Strategies
• Financial Projections and Budgeting
• Cost Control and Profitability Analysis
• Expansion and Scaling Opportunities

Leadership and Staff Development

• Recruitment, Training, and Skill Development
• Performance Evaluation and Incentive Programs
• Culture and Employee Engagement
• Industry Regulations and Legal Compliance
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies
• Client Data Protection and Security Measures
• Emergency Response and Continuity Planning

Ready to complete your business plan in just 1 day?

Click GET STARTED to learn more about our fill-in-the-blank business plan template.  We’ll step you through all the details you need to develop a professional business plan in just one day! 

Successfully used by thousands of people starting a business and writing a business plan.  It will work for you too!

How to Write a Business Plan (Plus Examples & Templates)

• 3 years ago

Have you ever wondered how to write a business plan step by step? Mike Andes, told us: 

This guide will help you write a business plan to impress investors.

Throughout this process, we’ll get information from Mike Andes, who started Augusta Lawn Care Services when he was 12 and turned it into a franchise with over 90 locations. He has gone on to help others learn how to write business plans and start businesses.  He knows a thing or two about writing  business plans!

We’ll start by discussing the definition of a business plan. Then we’ll discuss how to come up with the idea, how to do the market research, and then the important elements in the business plan format. Keep reading to start your journey!

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan is simply a road map of what you are trying to achieve with your business and how you will go about achieving it. It should cover all elements of your business including: 

• Finding customers
• Plans for developing a team
•  Competition
• Legal structures
• Key milestones you are pursuing

If you aren’t quite ready to create a business plan, consider starting by reading our business startup guide .

Get a Business Idea

Before you can write a business plan, you have to have a business idea. You may see a problem that needs to be solved and have an idea how to solve it, or you might start by evaluating your interests and skills. 

Mike told us, “The three things I suggest asking yourself when thinking about starting a business are:

• What am I good at?
• What would I enjoy doing?
• What can I get paid for?”

If all three of these questions don’t lead to at least one common answer, it will probably be a much harder road to success. Either there is not much market for it, you won’t be good at it, or you won’t enjoy doing it. 

As Mike told us, “There’s enough stress starting and running a business that if you don’t like it or aren’t good at it, it’s hard to succeed.”

If you’d like to hear more about Mike’s approach to starting a business, check out our YouTube video

Conduct Market Analysis

Market analysis is focused on establishing if there is a target market for your products and services, how large the target market is, and identifying the demographics of people or businesses that would be interested in the product or service. The goal here is to establish how much money your business concept can make.

Product and Service Demand

A search engine is your best friend when trying to figure out if there is demand for your products and services. Personally, I love using presearch.org because it lets you directly search on a ton of different platforms including Google, Youtube, Twitter, and more. Check out the screenshot for the full list of search options.

With quick web searches, you can find out how many competitors you have, look through their reviews, and see if there are common complaints about the competitors. Bad reviews are a great place to find opportunities to offer better products or services. 

If there are no similar products or services, you may have stumbled upon something new, or there may just be no demand for it. To find out, go talk to your most honest friend about the idea and see what they think. If they tell you it’s dumb or stare at you vacantly, there’s probably no market for it.

You can also conduct a survey through social media to get public opinion on your idea. Using Facebook Business Manager , you could get a feel for who would be interested in your product or service.

 I ran a quick test of how many people between 18-65  you could reach in the U.S. during a week. It returned an estimated 700-2,000 for the total number of leads, which is enough to do a fairly accurate statistical analysis.

Identify Demographics of Target Market

Depending on what type of business you want to run, your target market will be different. The narrower the demographic, the fewer potential customers you’ll have. If you did a survey, you’ll be able to use that data to help define your target audience. Some considerations you’ll want to consider are:

• Other Interests
• Marital Status
• Do they have kids?

Once you have this information, it can help you narrow down your options for location and help define your marketing further. One resource that Mike recommended using is the Census Bureau’s Quick Facts Map . He told us,  

“It helps you quickly evaluate what the best areas are for your business to be located.”

How to Write a Business Plan

Now that you’ve developed your idea a little and established there is a market for it, you can begin writing a business plan. Getting started is easier with the business plan template we created for you to download. I strongly recommend using it as it is updated to make it easier to create an action plan. 

Each of the following should be a section of your business plan:

• Business Plan Cover Page
• Table of Contents
• Executive Summary
• Company Description
• Description of Products and Services

SWOT Analysis

• Competitor Data
• Competitive Analysis
• Marketing Expenses Strategy 

Pricing Strategy

• Distribution Channel Assessment
• Operational Plan
• Management and Organizational Strategy
• Financial Statements and/or Financial Projections

We’ll look into each of these. Don’t forget to download our free business plan template (mentioned just above) so you can follow along as we go. 

How to Write a Business Plan Step 1. Create a Cover Page

The first thing investors will see is the cover page for your business plan. Make sure it looks professional. A great cover page shows that you think about first impressions.

A good business plan should have the following elements on a cover page:

• Professionally designed logo
• Company name
• Mission or Vision Statement
• Contact Info

Basically, think of a cover page for your business plan like a giant business card. It is meant to capture people’s attention but be quickly processed.

How to Write a Business Plan Step 2. Create a Table of Contents

Most people are busy enough that they don’t have a lot of time. Providing a table of contents makes it easy for them to find the pages of your plan that are meaningful to them.

A table of contents will be immediately after the cover page, but you can include it after the executive summary. Including the table of contents immediately after the executive summary will help investors know what section of your business plan they want to review more thoroughly.

Check out Canva’s article about creating a  table of contents . It has a ton of great information about creating easy access to each section of your business plan. Just remember that you’ll want to use different strategies for digital and hard copy business plans.

How to Write a Business Plan Step 3. Write an Executive Summary

An executive summary is where your business plan should catch the readers interest.  It doesn’t need to be long, but should be quick and easy to read.

Mike told us,

How long should an executive summary bein an informal business plan?

For casual use, an executive summary should be similar to an elevator pitch, no more than 150-160 words, just enough to get them interested and wanting more. Indeed has a great article on elevator pitches .  This can also be used for the content of emails to get readers’ attention.

It consists of three basic parts:

• An introduction to you and your business.
• What your business is about.
• A call to action

Example of an informal executive summary 

One of the best elevator pitches I’ve used is:

So far that pitch has achieved a 100% success rate in getting partnerships for the business.

What should I include in an executive summary for investors?

Investors are going to need a more detailed executive summary if you want to secure financing or sell equity. The executive summary should be a brief overview of your entire business plan and include:

• Introduction of yourself and company.
• An origin story (Recognition of a problem and how you came to solution)
• An introduction to your products or services.
• Your unique value proposition. Make sure to include intellectual property.
• Where you are in the business life cycle
• Request and why you need it.

Successful business plan examples

The owner of Urbanity told us he spent 2 months writing a 75-page business plan and received a $250,000 loan from the bank when he was 23. Make your business plan as detailed as possible when looking for financing. We’ve provided a template to help you prepare the portions of a business plan that banks expect.

Here’s the interview with the owner of Urbanity:

When to write an executive summary?

Even though the summary is near the beginning of a business plan, you should write it after you complete the rest of a business plan. You can’t talk about revenue, profits, and expected expenditures if you haven’t done the market research and created a financial plan.

What mistakes do people make when writing an executive summary?

Business owners commonly go into too much detail about the following items in an executive summary:

• Marketing and sales processes
• Financial statements
• Organizational structure
• Market analysis

These are things that people will want to know later, but they don’t hook the reader. They won’t spark interest in your small business, but they’ll close the deal.

How to Write a Business Plan Step 4. Company Description

Every business plan should include a company description. A great business plan will include the following elements while describing the company:

• Mission statement
• Philosophy and vision
• Company goals

Target market

• Legal structure

Let’s take a look at what each section includes in a good business plan.

Mission Statement

A mission statement is a brief explanation of why you started the company and what the company’s main focus is. It should be no more than one or two sentences. Check out HubSpot’s article 27 Inspiring Mission Statement for a great read on informative and inspiring mission and vision statements. 

Company Philosophy and Vision

The company philosophy is what drives your company. You’ll normally hear them called core values.  These are the building blocks that make your company different. You want to communicate your values to customers, business owners, and investors as often as possible to build a company culture, but make sure to back them up.

What makes your company different?

Each company is different. Your new business should rise above the standard company lines of honesty, integrity, fun, innovation, and community when communicating your business values. The standard answers are corporate jargon and lack authenticity. 

Examples of core values

One of my clients decided to add a core values page to their website. As a tech company they emphasized the values:

•  Prioritize communication.
•  Never stop learning.
•  Be transparent.
•  Start small and grow incrementally.

These values communicate how the owner and the rest of the company operate. They also show a value proposition and competitive advantage because they specifically focus on delivering business value from the start. These values also genuinely show what the company is about and customers recognize the sincerity. Indeed has a great blog about how to identify your core values .

What is a vision statement?

A vision statement communicate the long lasting change a business pursues. The vision helps investors and customers understand what your company is trying to accomplish. The vision statement goes beyond a mission statement to provide something meaningful to the community, customer’s lives, or even the world.

Example vision statements

The Alzheimer’s Association is a great example of a vision statement:

A world without Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementia.

It clearly tells how they want to change the world. A world without Alzheimers might be unachievable, but that means they always have room for improvement.

Business Goals

You have to measure success against goals for a business plan to be meaningful. A business plan helps guide a company similar to how your GPS provides a road map to your favorite travel destination. A goal to make as much money as possible is not inspirational and sounds greedy.

Sure, business owners want to increase their profits and improve customer service, but they need to present an overview of what they consider success. The goals should help everyone prioritize their work.

How far in advance should a business plan?

Business planning should be done at least one year in advance, but many banks and investors prefer three to five year business plans. Longer plans show investors that the management team  understands the market and knows the business is operating in a constantly shifting market. In addition, a plan helps businesses to adjust to changes because they have already considered how to handle them.

Example of great business goals

My all time-favorite long-term company goals are included in Tesla’s Master Plan, Part Deux . These goals were written in 2016 and drive the company’s decisions through 2026. They are the reason that investors are so forgiving when Elon Musk continually fails to meet his quarterly and annual goals.

If the progress aligns with the business plan investors are likely to continue to believe in the company. Just make sure the goals are reasonable or you’ll be discredited (unless you’re Elon Musk).

You did target market research before creating a business plan. Now it’s time to add it to the plan so others understand what your ideal customer looks like. As a new business owner, you may not be considered an expert in your field yet, so document everything. Make sure the references you use are from respectable sources. 

Use information from the specific lender when you are applying for lending. Most lenders provide industry research reports and using their data can strengthen the position of your business plan.

A small business plan should include a section on the external environment. Understanding the industry is crucial because we don’t plan a business in a vacuum. Make sure to research the industry trends, competitors, and forecasts. I personally prefer IBIS World for my business research. Make sure to answer questions like:

• What is the industry outlook long-term and short-term?
• How will your business take advantage of projected industry changes and trends?
• What might happen to your competitors and how will your business successfully compete?

Industry resources

Some helpful resources to help you establish more about your industry are:

• Trade Associations
• Federal Reserve
• Bureau of Labor Statistics

Legal Structure

There are five basic types of legal structures that most people will utilize:

• Sole proprietorships
• Limited Liability Companies (LLC)

Partnerships

Corporations.

• Franchises.

Each business structure has their pros and cons. An LLC is the most common legal structure due to its protection of personal assets and ease of setting up. Make sure to specify how ownership is divided and what roles each owner plays when you have more than one business owner.

You’ll have to decide which structure is best for you, but we’ve gathered information on each to make it easier.

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is the easiest legal structure to set up but doesn’t protect the owner’s personal assets from legal issues. That means if something goes wrong, you could lose both your company and your home.

To start a sole proprietorship, fill out a special tax form called a  Schedule C . Sole proprietors can also join the American Independent Business Alliance .

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

An LLC is the most common business structure used in the United States because an LLC protects the owner’s personal assets. It’s similar to partnerships and corporations, but can be a single-member LLC in most states. An LLC requires a document called an operating agreement.

Each state has different requirements. Here’s a link to find your state’s requirements . Delaware and Nevada are common states to file an LLC because they are really business-friendly. Here’s a blog on the top 10 states to get an LLC.

Partnerships are typically for legal firms. If you choose to use a partnership choose a Limited Liability Partnership. Alternatively, you can just use an LLC.

Corporations are typically for massive organizations. Corporations have taxes on both corporate and income tax so unless you plan on selling stock, you are better off considering an LLC with S-Corp status . Investopedia has good information corporations here .

There are several opportunities to purchase successful franchises. TopFranchise.com has a list of companies in a variety of industries that offer franchise opportunities. This makes it where an entrepreneur can benefit from the reputation of an established business that has already worked out many of the kinks of starting from scratch.

How to Write a Business Plan Step 5. Products and Services

This section of the business plan should focus on what you sell, how you source it, and how you sell it. You should include:

• Unique features that differentiate your business products from competitors
• Intellectual property
• Your supply chain
• Cost and pricing structure 

Questions to answer about your products and services

Mike gave us a list  of the most important questions to answer about your product and services:

• How will you be selling the product? (in person, ecommerce, wholesale, direct to consumer)?
• How do you let them know they need a product?
• How do you communicate the message?
• How will you do transactions?
• How much will you be selling it for?
• How many do you think you’ll sell and why?

Make sure to use the worksheet on our business plan template .

How to Write a Business Plan Step 6. Sales and Marketing Plan

The marketing and sales plan is focused on the strategy to bring awareness to your company and guides how you will get the product to the consumer.  It should contain the following sections:

SWOT Analysis stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Not only do you want to identify them, but you also want to document how the business plans to deal with them.

Business owners need to do a thorough job documenting how their service or product stacks up against the competition.

If proper research isn’t done, investors will be able to tell that the owner hasn’t researched the competition and is less likely to believe that the team can protect its service from threats by the more well-established competition. This is one of the most common parts of a presentation that trips up business owners presenting on Shark Tank .

SWOT Examples

Examples of strengths and weaknesses could be things like the lack of cash flow, intellectual property ownership, high costs of suppliers, and customers’ expectations on shipping times.

Opportunities could be ways to capitalize on your strengths or improve your weaknesses, but may also be gaps in the industry. This includes:

• Adding offerings that fit with your current small business
• Increase sales to current customers
• Reducing costs through bulk ordering
• Finding ways to reduce inventory
•  And other areas you can improve

Threats will normally come from outside of the company but could also be things like losing a key member of the team. Threats normally come from competition, regulations, taxes, and unforeseen events.

The management team should use the SWOT analysis to guide other areas of business planning, but it absolutely has to be done before a business owner starts marketing. 

Include Competitor Data in Your Business Plan

When you plan a business, taking into consideration the strengths and weaknesses of the competition is key to navigating the field. Providing an overview of your competition and where they are headed shows that you are invested in understanding the industry.

For smaller businesses, you’ll want to search both the company and the owners names to see what they are working on. For publicly held corporations, you can find their quarterly and annual reports on the SEC website .

What another business plans to do can impact your business. Make sure to include things that might make it attractive for bigger companies to outsource to a small business.

Marketing Strategy

The marketing and sales part of business plans should be focused on how you are going to make potential customers aware of your business and then sell to them.

If you haven’t already included it, Mike recommends:

“They’ll want to know about Demographics, ages, and wealth of your target market.”

Make sure to include the Total addressable market .  The term refers to the value if you captured 100% of the market.

Advertising Strategy

You’ll explain what formats of advertising you’ll be using. Some possibilities are:

• Online: Facebook and Google are the big names to work with here.
• Print : Print can be used to reach broad groups or targeted markets. Check out this for tips .
• Radio : iHeartMedia is one of the best ways to advertise on the radio
• Cable television : High priced, hard to measure ROI, but here’s an explanation of the process
• Billboards: Attracting customers with billboards can be beneficial in high traffic areas.

You’ll want to define how you’ll be using each including frequency, duration, and cost. If you have the materials already created, including pictures or links to the marketing to show creative assets.

Mike told us “Most businesses are marketing digitally now due to Covid, but that’s not always the right answer.”

Make sure the marketing strategy will help team members or external marketing agencies stay within the brand guidelines .

This section of a business plan should be focused on pricing. There are a ton of pricing strategies that may work for different business plans. Which one will work for you depends on what kind of a business you run.

Some common pricing strategies are:

• Value-based pricing – Commonly used with home buying and selling or other products that are status symbols.
• Skimming pricing – Commonly seen in video game consoles, price starts off high to recoup expenses quickly, then reduces over time.
• Competition-based pricing – Pricing based on competitors’ pricing is commonly seen at gas stations.
• Freemium services –  Commonly used for software, where there is a free plan, then purchase options for more functionality.

HubSpot has a great calculator and blog on pricing strategies.

Beyond explaining what strategy your business plans to use, you should include references for how you came to this pricing strategy and how it will impact your cash flow.

Distribution Plan

This part of a business plan is focused on how the product or service is going to go through the supply chain. These may include multiple divisions or multiple companies. Make sure to include any parts of the workflow that are automated so investors can see where cost savings are expected and when.

Supply Chain Examples

For instance, lawn care companies  would need to cover aspects such as:

• Suppliers for lawn care equipment and tools
• Any chemicals or treatments needed
• Repair parts for sprinkler systems
• Vehicles to transport equipment and employees
• Insurance to protect the company vehicles and people.

Examples of Supply Chains

These are fairly flat supply chains compared to something like a clothing designer where the clothes would go through multiple vendors. A clothing company might have the following supply chain:

• Raw materials
• Shipping of raw materials
• Converting of raw materials to thread
• Shipping thread to produce garments
• Garment producer
• Shipping to company
• Company storage
• Shipping to retail stores

There have been advances such as print on demand that eliminate many of these steps. If you are designing completely custom clothing, all of this would need to be planned to keep from having business disruptions.

The main thing to include in the business plan is the list of suppliers, the path the supply chain follows, the time from order to the customer’s home, and the costs associated with each step of the process.

According to BizPlanReview , a business plan without this information is likely to get rejected because they have failed to research the key elements necessary to make sales to the customer.

How to Write a Business Plan Step 7. Company Organization and Operational Plan

This part of the business plan is focused on how the business model will function while serving customers.  The business plan should provide an overview of  how the team will manage the following aspects:

Quality Control

• Legal environment

Let’s look at each for some insight.

Production has already been discussed in previous sections so I won’t go into it much. When writing a business plan for investors, try to avoid repetition as it creates a more simple business plan.

If the organizational plan will be used by the team as an overview of how to perform the best services for the customer, then redundancy makes more sense as it communicates what is important to the business.

Quality control policies help to keep the team focused on how to verify that the company adheres to the business plan and meets or exceeds customer expectations.

Quality control can be anything from a standard that says “all labels on shirts can be no more than 1/16″ off center” to a defined checklist of steps that should be performed and filled out for every customer.

There are a variety of organizations that help define quality control including:

• International Organization for Standardization – Quality standards for energy, technology, food, production environments, and cybersecurity
• AICPA – Standard defined for accounting.
• The Joint Commission – Healthcare
• ASHRAE – HVAC best practices

You can find lists of the organizations that contribute most to the government regulation of industries on Open Secrets . Research what the leaders in your field are doing. Follow their example and implement it in your quality control plan.

For location, you should use information from the market research to establish where the location will be. Make sure to include the following in the location documentation.

• The size of your location
• The type of building (retail, industrial, commercial, etc.)
• Zoning restrictions – Urban Wire has a good map on how zoning works in each state
• Accessibility – Does it meet ADA requirements?
• Costs including rent, maintenance, utilities, insurance and any buildout or remodeling costs
• Utilities – b.e.f. has a good energy calculator .

Legal Environment

The legal requirement section is focused on defining how to meet the legal requirements for your industry. A good business plan should include all of the following:

• Any licenses and/or permits that are needed and whether you’ve obtained them
• Any trademarks, copyrights, or patents that you have or are in the process of applying for
• The insurance coverage your business requires and how much it costs
• Any environmental, health, or workplace regulations affecting your business
• Any special regulations affecting your industry
• Bonding requirements, if applicable

Your local SBA office can help you establish requirements in your area. I strongly recommend using them. They are a great resource.

Your business plan should include a plan for company organization and hiring. While you may be the only person with the company right now, down the road you’ll need more people. Make sure to consider and document the answers to the following questions:

• What is the current leadership structure and what will it look like in the future?
• What types of employees will you have? Are there any licensing or educational requirements?
• How many employees will you need?
• Will you ever hire freelancers or independent contractors?
• What is each position’s job description?
• What is the pay structure (hourly, salaried, base plus commission, etc.)?
• How do you plan to find qualified employees and contractors?

One of the most crucial parts of a business plan is the organizational chart. This simply shows the positions the company will need, who is in charge of them and the relationship of each of them. It will look similar to this:

Our small business plan template has a much more in-depth organizational chart you can edit to include when you include the organizational chart in your business plan.

How to Write a Business Plan Step 8. Financial Statements 

No business plan is complete without financial statements or financial projections. The business plan format will be different based on whether you are writing a business plan to expand a business or a startup business plan. Let’s dig deeper into each.

Provide All Financial Income from an Existing Business

An existing business should use their past financial documents including the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement to find trends to estimate the next 3-5 years.

You can create easy trendlines in excel to predict future revenue, profit and loss, cash flow, and other changes in year-over-year performance. This will show your expected performance assuming business continues as normal.

If you are seeking an investment, then the business is probably not going to continue as normal. Depending on the financial plan and the purpose of getting financing, adjustments may be needed to the following:

• Higher Revenue if expanding business
• Lower Cost of Goods Sold if purchasing inventory with bulk discounts
• Adding interest if utilizing financing (not equity deal)
• Changes in expenses
• Addition of financing information to the cash flow statement
• Changes in Earnings per Share on the balance sheet

Financial modeling is a challenging subject, but there are plenty of low-cost courses on the subject. If you need help planning your business financial documentation take some time to watch some of them.

Make it a point to document how you calculated all the changes to the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement in your business plan so that key team members or investors can verify your research.

Financial Projections For A Startup Business Plan

Unlike an existing business, a startup doesn’t have previous success to model its future performance. In this scenario, you need to focus on how to make a business plan realistic through the use of industry research and averages.

Mike gave the following advice in his interview:

Financial Forecasting Mistakes

One of the things a lot of inexperienced people use is the argument, “If I get one percent of the market, it is worth $100 million.” If you use this, investors are likely to file the document under bad business plan examples.

Let’s use custom t-shirts as an example.

Credence Research estimated in 2018 there were 11,334,800,000 custom t-shirts sold for a total of $206.12 Billion, with a 6% compound annual growth rate.

With that data,  you can calculate that the industry will grow to $270 Billion in 2023 and that the average shirt sold creates $18.18 in revenue.

Combine that with an IBIS World estimate of 11,094 custom screen printers and that means even if you become an average seller, you’ll get .009% of the market.

Here’s a table for easier viewing of that information.

The point here is to make sure your business proposal examples make sense.

You’ll need to know industry averages such as cost of customer acquisition, revenue per customer, the average cost of goods sold, and admin costs to be able to create accurate estimates.

Our simple business plan templates walk you through most of these processes. If you follow them you’ll have a good idea of how to write a business proposal.

How to Write a Business Plan Step 9. Business Plan Example of Funding Requests

What is a business plan without a plan on how to obtain funding?

The Small Business Administration has an example for a pizza restaurant that theoretically needed nearly $20k to make it through their first month.

In our video, How to Start a $500K/Year T-Shirt Business (Pt. 1 ), Sanford Booth told us he needed about $200,000 to start his franchise and broke even after 4 months.

Freshbooks estimates it takes on average 2-3 years for a business to be profitable, which means the fictitious pizza company from the SBA could need up to $330k to make it through that time and still pay their bills for their home and pizza shop.

Not every business needs that much to start, but realistically it’s a good idea to assume that you need a fairly large cushion.

Ways to get funding for a small business

There are a variety of ways to cover this. the most common are:

• Bootstrapping – Using your savings without external funding.
• Taking out debt – loans, credit cards
• Equity, Seed Funding – Ownership of a percentage of the company in exchange for current funds
• Crowdsourcing – Promising a good for funding to create the product

Keep reading for more tips on how to write a business plan.

How funding will be used

When asking for business financing make sure to include:

• How much to get started?
• What is the minimum viable product and how soon can you make money?
• How will the money be spent?

Mike emphasized two aspects that should be included in every plan, 

How to Write a Business Plan Resources

Here are some links to a business plan sample and business plan outline. 

• Sample plan

It’s also helpful to follow some of the leading influencers in the business plan writing community. Here’s a list:

• Wise Plans –  Shares a lot of information on starting businesses and is a business plan writing company.
• Optimus Business Plans –  Another business plan writing company.
• Venture Capital – A venture capital thread that can help give you ideas.

How to Write a Business Plan: What’s Next?

We hope this guide about how to write a simple business plan step by step has been helpful. We’ve covered:

• The definition of a business plan
• Coming up with a business idea
• Performing market research
• The critical components of a business plan
• An example business plan

In addition, we provided you with a simple business plan template to assist you in the process of writing your startup business plan. The startup business plan template also includes a business model template that will be the key to your success.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of our business hub .

Have you written a business plan before? How did it impact your ability to achieve your goals?

Brandon Boushy

Brandon Boushy lives to improve people’s lives by helping them become successful entrepreneurs. His journey started nearly 30 years ago. He consistently excelled at everything he did, but preferred to make the rules rather than follow him. His exploration of self and knowledge has helped him to get an engineering degree, MBA, and countless certifications. When freelancing and rideshare came onto the scene, he recognized the opportunity to play by his own rules. Since 2017, he has helped businesses across all industries achieve more with his research, writing, and marketing strategies. Since 2021, he has been the Lead Writer for UpFlip where he has published over 170 articles on small business success.

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• August 3, 2022

Free Business Plan Template (With Examples)

• May 3, 2022

How to Get a Business License (In 3 Steps)

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My Name is PRETTY NGOMANE. A south African female. Aspiring to do farming. And finding a home away from home for the differently abled persons in their daily needs.

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Use This Business Plan Format to Expertly Write Your Plan

Written by Dave Lavinsky

In this guide, you’ll learn how to format your business plan professionally. Business plan structure and format helps readers look beyond distracting style to the real meat of your idea.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

How to Format Your Business Plan: The Cover Sheet

Every business plan should begin with a simple business plan cover page including the business name, your name and contact information. An easy to read table of contents should follow.

Example Business Plan Table of Contents

I: Executive Summary      a. Business Overview      b. Success Factors      c. Financial Highlights

II: Company Overview      a. Who is [Company Name]?      b. [Company Name]’s History      c. [Company Name]’s Products & Services

III: Industry Analysis      a. Industry Trends

IV: Customer Analysis      a. Customer Segmentation

V: Competitive Analysis      a. Direct & Indirect Competitors      b. Competitive Advantage

VI: Marketing Plan      a. The [Company Name] Brand      b. Promotions Strategy      c. Pricing Strategy

VII: Operations Plan      a. Functional Roles      b. Goals and Milestones

VIII: Management Team      a. Management Team Members      b. Hiring Plan

IX: Financial Plan      a. Revenue Model      b. Revenue and Cost Drivers      c. Key Assumptions & Forecasts

X: Appendix

The cover sheet should leave no question for readers to be able to identify the business plan when it is in a stack with dozens of others on their desk. The table of contents allows them to easily refer to sections within the plan. For example, after reading the executive summary, some investors with an eye for numbers may turn directly to the financial plan and statements. Proper business plan format allows readers to quickly get the information they want.

Example Business Plan Format

There are 10 business plan components or sections that every entrepreneur and business owner must include in their plan. These include:

• Executive summary
• Company overview
• Industry analysis
• Customer analysis
• Competitive analysis
• Marketing plan
• Operations plan
• Management team
• Financial plan

You should recognize these if you’ve ever worked with a business plan template .

Formatting your business plan with charts and graphs is welcomed to break up long blocks of text. However, charts and graphs shouldn’t be used for their own sake. They must make the information easier to pass on than text would.

The business plan format that investors and lenders expect includes the following 10 sections. You can download our business plan format pdf here, to help you get started. We’ve included important notes in each section specific to business plan formatting to help you as you write your plan.

1. Start with Your Executive Summary

An executive summary gives readers a crisp overview of your business at the start of your plan. This section should not be more than two pages long and should include the following:

• What is the business about?
• Where and why did the idea of the business originate?
• Who are the owners?
• Which industry is it operating in?
• What is its core function?
• Where is it located?
• How is it going to make money?
• How much money (if any) is it already making?
• What are its financial projections?

The best format for your executive summary is paragraphs. Utilizing bullets and headings is also useful formatting within an executive summary, as it aids the reader in scanning the content on the page.

2. Company Overview Section

The company overview is the perfect place to highlight the strengths of your business. This section gives the reader additional information about your products and/or services and describes your company’s past accomplishments.

Including the below in this section will provide further clarity about your business:

• What type of business you are (e.g., C-Corporation, sole proprietor)
• When your business started
• Business’ accomplishments to date

The best formatting to use in this section is paragraphs to describe your company’s strengths and products/services. You should also include a chart that outlines your company’s achievements to date.

3. Industry or Market Analysis

The industry or market analysis gives the reader a clear understanding of your industry and the audience it serves. It includes a detailed explanation of your market size and trends.

Typically, the format of this section should be paragraphs. Feel free to include charts and graphs to best convey the information to the reader.

4. The Customer Analysis States Who Your Customers Are and What They Need

In this section of your plan, explain who your target customers are and identify their specific needs. Doing this will help you better target and attract customers.

5. Competitive Analysis

The Competitive Analysis section identifies your direct and indirect competitors. It discusses who they are and their strengths and weaknesses. It then details your areas of competitive advantages.

Whether your competitors are small or large businesses, describe them. Telling investors there are no competitors (big or small) often gives the impression that a market does not exist for your company.

With regards to formatting, use paragraphs to describe each competitor. As appropriate, adding a competitor matrix to show similarities and differences between your company and the competition can be very powerful.

6. Your Marketing Plan is a Key Section

The marketing & sales section of your business plan should outline how you plan to attract new customers and retain old ones. This section should outline the ways customers can be introduced to and engage with your offerings and describe how you will convert these prospects into paying customers.

Set marketing objectives that include the following (if applicable):

• Introducing new products
• Extending the market reach
• Exploring new markets
• Boosting sales
• Cross-selling
• Creating a long-term partnership with clients
• Increasing prices without affecting sales
• Creating a content marketing strategy

Organize your Marketing Plan into the 4 P’s – Price, Product, Promotions and Place. If you have multiple products or services, include a menu with each key item and its price.

7. The Operations Plan Format

Your Operations Plan identifies your key operational processes and milestones you expect to accomplish. Using a Gantt chart is a great way to show your expected future milestones. You can also format this section with tables that document the dates of future milestones.

8. You Need to Prove Your Management Team Can Execute

“A company is only as good as the people it keeps.” – Mary Kay Ash, American Entrepreneur and Businesswoman

The Management Team section of your business plan focuses on the people who run the business.

Who are the decision-makers, who is the product expert, who is the operations head, and who is running the entire show? A glimpse into the expertise and capabilities of your team members and how their experiences will help grow your business will boost stakeholder confidence.

To improve the formatting and best convey your management team to readers, consider adding an organizational chart that shows your team members and reporting structure.

9. Format Your Financial Plan

The goal of this section is to convince the reader that your business is stable and will be financially successful. Arm this section with past and/or forecasted cash flow statements, balance sheets, profit & loss statements, expense budgeting and sales forecasts.

If you run an operational business, include 3 years of historical data to help investors gain an understanding of how feasible your funding request is and if your business is capable of generating good returns.

Also include your funding request, if applicable, in this section. You should mention how much investment is required to take your business to the next significant milestone and how the money will be spent. You should also define if you are seeking debt or equity funding. If you are seeking debt financing like an SBA loan, ensure your financial projections include the debt and show steady repayments of both the principal and return under reasonable loan terms.

If you are seeking equity financing, you don’t need to include your valuation expectations in the business plan, but you should be aligned within your ownership team on the amount of equity you are willing to exchange before you pitch investors.

Example Financial Plan

Projected sales, gross profit & net income.

5 Year Annual Income Statement

5 year annual balance sheet, 5 year annual cash flow statement, 10. appendix.

This section includes supporting documentation of your business case. This could include renderings of a planned store location, market research reports referenced in the plan, key supplier or buyer contracts that substantiate your financial projections or historical marketing and sales data.

Formatting Your Business Plan

Overall, business plans should use simple and standard formatting. Twelve point font size in a standard font like Arial or Times New Roman is best, as well as the standard margin size of one inch on each side. Pages should be numbered, and the name of the company should appear on each page in the header or footer.

Use charts whenever possible as it makes it much easier for readers to consume the information in your plan.

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Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Business Plan Contents Page: Everything You Need to Know

A business plan contents page will cover the important topics that should be included in a business plan. 3 min read updated on February 01, 2023

A business plan contents page will cover the important topics that should be included in a business plan. A business plan is a strategy for how the business will operate and can also be utilized for the marketing and production of a new product or service. The strategy will look to the future and attempt to figure out what the company or product will be like. A business plan also serves the following purposes:

• Make financial projections
• Establish a budget
• Determine and calculate risk
• Strategize on how to manage risk
• Predict how money will be spent
• Predict how revenue will be earned
• Prioritization of business goals
• Label main assumptions

A business plan should be utilized for any type of company , whether it is a small business or a nonprofit. The type of company will determine what elements should be present in the business plan.

Startups often rely heavily on financial support from investors. Established companies that have been achieving their goals will indicate similar content in their business plan. The business plan, in these cases, is designed to illustrate to investors the following information:

• Good business leads
• Competency of employees
• Employee comprehension of product, the market, and competitors
• Thorough planning and company strategy
• Forecasted investor returns

A company that has not been performing as anticipated should cover these topics in the development of a business plan :

• The company understands why they have performed poorly
• The company has developed a promising game plan on how to improve
• The company the resources and skill to carry out the new game plan

A government agency or nonprofit organization will have a similar business plan to that of a business that offers a service or sells a product. Government agencies and nonprofits also offer a service to a specific market or customer base and must operate within a strict budget. Like a startup that relies on investor dollars, these organizations must find funding to offset the cost of expenses.

Business Case

People are often confused by how a business plan and business case are different and how they work together. Simply put, the business plan is an overview of the company, while the business case focuses on a single action and its consequences. The business case will answer questions such as, what will be the likely financial consequences for choosing this versus that? What are the crucial non-financial results of either choice? Can you rationalize this investment?

To better understand the differences, take a look at the following examples:

• The business plan will predict performance, especially financially. The business case will predict financial and non-financial impacts of a particular action.
• The business plan focuses on the company goals. The business case focuses on the company goals for a specific step and the results of said step.
• The business plan centers on the business model, including company earnings, anticipated market, and competitor behavior. The business case centers on the earnings, market, and competitor behavior of an action.
• The business plan assesses overall performance in sales, margins, and profits. The business case assesses specific fiscal metrics, such as the return of investment or net present value. A business case also assesses the non-fiscal results.

The business plan follows a specific format that is divided into three main sections : the business concept, marketplace, and finances.

Begin with the cover page. The cover page must include the company name, logo, contact person, address, phone number, date of incorporation, state of incorporation, and a confidentiality and nondisclosure statement. The table of contents should include all the sections of the business plan and what page to find a certain section.

Following the table of contents will be the executive summary. This will be the first section read, so ensure that it stands out and is strongly written. The executive summary will describe the company and determine what stage the company is currently in. Also, include details about the company's strategy, customer base, marketing efforts, the background of the management team, and expected revenue and profits.

The body of the plan should include the following sections: background and purpose, market analysis, product or service development, marketing, financial data, organization structure and management, ownership, risk factors, and the conclusion. Each of these sections will include additional subsections where further details can be discussed. A table of appendices, referencing back to key concepts, will be the last section of the business plan.

If you need help developing your business plan contents, you can post your job on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.

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• Creating a Business Plan
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• Sample of a Good Business Plan
• How to Make a Business Plan Format
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• Details of a Business Plan
• Startup Business Plan Presentation Template
• IT Company Business Plan

• What is a Business Plan
• Table of Contents
• Executive Summary
• Mission Statement
• Marketing Section
• Operating Plan
• Management & Staffing Section
• Financial Section
• Business Plan Tips
• Income Statement
• Balance Sheet
• Cash Flow Statement
• Break-even Analysis
• Ratio Analysis
• Sensitivity Analysis
• Notes to Financials
• Financial Budgets
• Forecasting Cash Flow
• Break-Even Analysis
• Operation Issues
• Marketing Issues
• Licenses, Permits, Inspections & Taxes
• Management/Staffing
• Financial Issues

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Creating a Table of Contents for a Business Plan

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Table of Contents of Your Business Plan

The table of contents identifies the "titles" of each section within your business plan. This allows the reader easy and fast access to major sections and subsections through page numbering.

The structure of the table of contents varies depending upon the business venture.  The following "Main Headings", however,  are generally identified:

Please Note:

The Table of Contents is generally the final item completed in the business plan.

Each main heading should have sub-sections and each sub-section should have page numbers. This will provide direction to specific issues outlined in your business plan.  See examples below for details.

EXAMPLES of THE TABLE OF CONTENTS :

J&B Incorporated Scholarship Information Services The Internet Company The XYZ Company

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Business Plan Development Guide

(6 reviews)

Lee Swanson, University of Saskatchewan

Copyright Year: 2017

Publisher: OPENPRESS.USASK.CA

Language: English

Formats Available

Conditions of use.

Learn more about reviews.

Reviewed by Kevin Heupel, Affiliate Faculty, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 3/4/20

The text does a good job of providing a general outline about writing and developing a written business plan. All of the important steps and components are included. However, the text is light on details, examples, and rationale for each element... read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

The text does a good job of providing a general outline about writing and developing a written business plan. All of the important steps and components are included. However, the text is light on details, examples, and rationale for each element of the business plan. Some examples from actual business plans would be helpful.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

For the most part, the content is accurate. The content covers all important aspects of drafting a business plan. I thought the industry analysis could use more information about collecting primary and secondary sources; instead, this information was referenced in the marketing plan section.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Most of the content relies on cites as far back as 2006; however, when it comes to developing and writing a business plan nothing has changed. Thus, the content is current and there is no concern about it becoming obsolete in the near future.

Clarity rating: 4

The text is clear. There are no difficult terms used and the writing is simple. The text uses a lot of bullet points though, which gets tedious to read for a few pages.

Consistency rating: 5

The text does a good job of maintaining consistency in terms of framework and terminology. The text is organized where it's easy to find the information you want in a quick manner.

Modularity rating: 3

The text has a lot of bullet points and the paragraphs are dense. However, the use of subheading is excellent.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The book is organized as if you're writing a business plan from start to finish, which is helpful as a practical guide.

Interface rating: 5

There are no navigation problems, distortion of images/charts, or any other display features that may distract or confuse the reader.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

The text is free of grammatical errors. The sentence structure is simple with many bullet points, which helps to avoid any grammatical issues.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

This book was written by a Canadian professor and provides references to Canadian sources. However, the information in this text can be used for U.S. schools.

This book is very short and provides a good, general overview about the process of creating and writing a business plan. It won't help a reader if he/she is confused about a certain part of the business plan. The reader will have to find another source, such as "Preparing Effective Business Plans" by Bruce Barringer, Ph.D. The book provides links to good resources and a finished business plan that the reader can reference. I would recommend the book for undergraduate courses.

Reviewed by Kenneth Lacho, Professor of Management, The University of New Orleans on 6/19/18

1. Text is relevant to Canada. Not the United States 2. Needs to cover resources available to entrepreneur, e.g., federal government agencies, trade associations, chambers of commerce, economic development agencies. 3. Discuss local economy or... read more

1. Text is relevant to Canada. Not the United States 2. Needs to cover resources available to entrepreneur, e.g., federal government agencies, trade associations, chambers of commerce, economic development agencies. 3. Discuss local economy or economic area relevant to this proposed business. 4. Business model ok as a guide. 5. Suggested mission statement to cover: product/business, target customer, geographical area covered. 6. Need detailed promotion plan, e.g., personal selling, advertising, sales promotion, networking publicity, and social media. 7. How do you find the target market? 8. Chapter 6 too much detail on debt and equity financing. 9. Discuss how to find sources of financing, e.g., angels. 10. Expand coverage of bootstring, crowdfunding. 11. Chapter 4 – good checklist. 12. Chapter 3 - overlaps. 13. Chapter 7 – 3 pages of executive summary – double or single spaced typing. Number all tables, graphs. 14. Some references out-of-date, mostly academic. Bring in trade magazines such as Entrepreneur.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

In my opinion, the content is accurate and error free.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

The material is relevant to writing a business plan. I wonder if the Porter, SWOT VRIO, etc. material is too high level for students who may not be seniors or have non-business degrees (e.g., liberal arts). Porter has been around for a while and does have longevity. The author has to be more alert to changes in promotion, e.g., social media and sources of financing, e.g., crowdfunding.

Clarity rating: 3

As noted in No. 9, the tone of the writing is too academic, thus making the material difficult to understand. Paragraphs are too long. Need to define: Porter, TOWS Matrix, VRIO, PESTEL. A student less from a senior or a non-business major would not be familiar with these terms.

Consistency rating: 4

The text is internally consistent. The model approach helps keep the process consistent.

Modularity rating: 4

The process of developing a business plan is divided into blocks which are parts of the business plan. Paragraphs tend to be too long in some spots.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

The topics are presented in a logical step-wise flow. The language style is too academic in parts, paragraphs too long. Leaves out the citations. Provides excellent check lists.

There are no display features which confuse the reader.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

The text has no grammatical errors. On the other hand, I found the writing to be too academic in nature. Some paragraphs are too long. The material is more like an academic conference paper or journal submission. Academic citations references are not needed. The material is not exciting to read.

The text is culturally neutral. There are no examples which are inclusive of a variety of races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

This book best for a graduate class.

Reviewed by Louis Bruneau, Part Time Faculty, Portland Community College on 6/19/18

The text provides appropriate discussion and illustration of all major concepts and useful references to source and resource materials. read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

The text provides appropriate discussion and illustration of all major concepts and useful references to source and resource materials.

Contents of the book were accurate, although it could have benefited from editing/proofreading; there was no evidence of bias. As to editing/proofreading, a couple of examples: A. “Figure 1 – Business Plan… “ is shown at the top of the page following the diagram vs. the bottom of the page the diagram is on. (There are other problems with what is placed on each page.) B. First paragraph under heading “Essential Initial Research” there is reference to pages 21 to 30 though page numbering is missing from the book. (Page numbers are used in the Table of Contents.)

The book is current in that business planning has been stable for sometime. The references and resources will age in time, but are limited and look easy to update.

Clarity rating: 5

The book is written in a straightforward way, technical terms that needed explanations got them, jargon was avoided and generally it was an easy read.

The text is internally consistent in terms of terminology and framework.

Modularity rating: 5

The book lends itself to a multi-week course. A chapter could be presented and students could work on that stage of Plan development. It could also be pre-meeting reading for a workshop presentation. Reorganizing the book would be inappropriate.

The topics in the text are presented in a logical, clear fashion.

Generally, the book is free of interface problems. The financial tables in the Sample Plan were turned 90° to maintain legibility. One potential problem was with Figure 6 – Business Model Canvas. The print within the cells was too small to read; the author mitigated the problem by presenting the information, following Figure 6, in the type font of the text.

I found no grammatical errors.

The text is not culturally insensitive or offensive in any way.

I require a business plan in a course I teach; for most of the students the assignment is a course project that they do not intend to pursue in real life. I shared the book with five students that intended to develop an actual start-up business; three of them found it helpful while the other two decided not to do that much work on their plans. If I were planning a start-up, I would use/follow the book.

Reviewed by Todd Johnson, Faculty of Business, North Hennepin Community College on 5/21/18

The text is a thorough overview of all elements of a business plan. read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The text is a thorough overview of all elements of a business plan.

The content is accurate and seems to lack bias.

Content seems relevant and useful . It does not help an entrepreneur generate ideas, and is very light on crowdfunding and other novel funding source content. It is more traditional. This can be easily updated in future versions, however. "Social Media" appears once in the book, as does "Crowd Funding".

The book is comprehensive, but perhaps not written in the most lucid, accessible prose. I am not sure any college student could pick this up and just read and learn. It would be best used as a "teach along guide" for students to process with an instructor.

The text seems consistent. The author does a nice job of consistently staying on task and using bullets and brevity.

Here I am not so certain. The table of contents is not a good guide for this book. It does make the book look nicely laid out, but there is a lot of complexity within these sections. I read it uncertain that it was well organized. Yes there are many good bits of information, however it is not as if I could spend time on one swathe of text at a time. I would need to go back and forth throughout the text.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 2

Similar to the above. I did not like the flow and organization of this. An editor would help things be in a more logical order.

Interface rating: 2

The interface is just OK. It is not an attractice interface, as it presents text in a very dense manner. The images and charts are hard to follow.

I did not find any grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

I a not certain of the origins of Saskatchewan, but I do feel this is a different read. It is more formal and dense than it has to be. This would be a difficult read for my students. I do not feel it is insensitive in any way, or offensive in any way.

I would not adopt this book if given the chance. It is too dense, and not organized very well, even though the information is very good. The density and lack of modularity are barriers to understanding what is obviously very good information.

Reviewed by Mariana Mitova, Lecturer, Bowling Green State University on 2/1/18

Though this textbook has a prescriptive nature, it is quite comprehensive. The author strikes a good balance between presenting concepts in a concise way and providing enough information to explain them. Many every-day examples and live links to... read more

Though this textbook has a prescriptive nature, it is quite comprehensive. The author strikes a good balance between presenting concepts in a concise way and providing enough information to explain them. Many every-day examples and live links to other resources add to the completeness of the textbook.

Content seems accurate.

Since the content is somewhat conceptual, the text will not become obsolete quickly. In addition, the author seems to be updating and editing content often hence the relevance to current developments is on target.

The text is very clear, written in clear and straight-to-the point language.

The organization of content is consistent throughout the entire text.

The textbook is organized by chapters, beginning with overview of the model used and followed by chapters for each concept within the model. Nicely done.

The flow is clear, logical and easy to follow.

Overall, images, links, and text are well organized. Some headlines were misaligned but still easy to follow.

No concerns for grammar.

No concerns for cultural irrelevance.

Reviewed by Darlene Weibye, Cosmetology Instructor, Minnesota State Community and Technical College on 2/1/18

The text is comprehensive and covers the information needed to develop a business plan. The book provides all the means necessary in business planning. read more

The text is comprehensive and covers the information needed to develop a business plan. The book provides all the means necessary in business planning.

The text was accurate, and error-free. I did not find the book to be biased.

The content is up-to-date. I am reviewing the book in 2017, the same year the book was published.

The content was very clear. A business plan sample included operation timelines, start up costs, and all relevant material in starting a business.

The book is very consistent and is well organized.

The book has a table of contents and is broken down into specific chapters. The chapters are not divided into sub topics. I do not feel it is necessary for sub topics because the chapters are brief and to the point.

There is a great flow from chapter to chapter. One topic clearly leads into the next without repeating.

The table of contents has direct links to each chapter. The appearance of the chapters are easy to read and the charts are very beneficial.

Does not appear to have any grammatical errors.

The text is not culturally insensitive or offensive.

I am incorporating some of the text into the salon business course. Very well written book.

Table of Contents

Introduction

• Chapter 1 – Developing a Business Plan
• Chapter 2 – Essential Initial Research
• Chapter 3 – Business Models
• Chapter 4 – Initial Business Plan Draft
• Chapter 5 – Making the Business Plan Realistic
• Chapter 6 – Making the Plan Appeal to Stakeholders and Desirable to the Entrepreneur
• Chapter 7 – Finishing the Business Plan
• Chapter 8 – Business Plan Pitches

References Appendix A – Business Plan Development Checklist and Project Planner Appendix B – Fashion Importers Inc. Business Plan Business Plan Excel Template

Ancillary Material

About the book.

This textbook and its accompanying spreadsheet templates were designed with and for students wanting a practical and easy-to-follow guide for developing a business plan. It follows a unique format that both explains what to do and demonstrates how to do it.

About the Contributors

Dr. Lee Swanson is an Associate Professor of Management and Marketing at the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan. His research focuses on entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, Aboriginal entrepreneurship, community capacity-building through entrepreneurship, and institutional-stakeholder engagement. Dr. Swanson’s current research is funded through a Social Sciences Humanities Research Council grant and focuses on social and economic capacity building in Northern Saskatchewan and Northern Scandinavia. He is also actively studying Aboriginal community partnerships with resource based companies, entrepreneurship centres at universities, community-based entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial attitudes and intentions. He teaches upper-year and MBA entrepreneurship classes and conducts seminars on business planning and business development.

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Statistics for the Public Good

2024/25 Strategic Business Plan

National statistician's foreword.

The UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) strategy, Statistics for the Public Good, sets out the need for high quality statistics and data to inform the United Kingdom (UK), improve lives and build for the future. The strategy empowers the statistical and analytical system to step up to inform the country, providing and communicating evidence to inform decisions, while reducing the potential for misrepresentation.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) and wider Government Statistical Service (GSS) produce key statistics which provide insight into the health, society and economy of our nation. These are required to evolve quicker than ever, using new data sources and methods which are more frequent and granular to show how the UK is changing and developing. The ONS is also responsible for key aspects of the Digital Economy Act (DEA), which provides access to data in support of its remit from across the UK. The ONS also has an important role in ensuring that the country’s evidence is inclusive and reflective of the full characteristics of the UK.

The UKSA strategy was published just after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and since then the statistical and analytical system has responded to the challenges of rising cost of living; economic and social impacts of industrial action; inactivity in the labour market; trade disruption in the Red Sea and the Russian invasion of Ukraine among others. We maintained our agility to respond innovatively to this changing environment. To sustain this level of responsiveness to user needs and the quality of our core statistics, we are changing the format, frequency and content of some of our outputs.

However, the work of the statistical and analytical system is also taking place against a tight financial and human resources backdrop – one in which cash budgets are being stretched by inflation and pay pressures, and in which some increasingly important skills are harder and more expensive to attract and retain, for example in data science. This has required tough decisions on prioritisation not only within the Authority but also across the whole system.

User demands for information on new topics and the need to maintain and enhance quality statistics have required us to prioritise and align our ambitions and obligations within our available resources. Over the past three years the ONS has been working at an incredible pace, and like other organisations it has been necessary to review our priorities and spending. Added to this and in line with other countries, the ONS has been facing the challenge of falling response rates for many of our household surveys in recent years.

Despite this, we continue to deliver our suite of core statistics including Gross Domestic Product (GDP), inflation and labour market participation, as well as crucial insight on areas such as the size of the population, migration patterns, health, and crime rates, striving to ensure all outputs are of the highest quality standard.

We have continued to engage our users at a strategic and operational level including identifying priorities and needs through government networks, local engagement, social listening and stakeholder insights research. We have continued to run the ONS Assembly to support regular dialogue on delivering inclusive data with charities and bodies representing the interests of different groups of the population.

Users also inform the ONS’s policy development and delivery through our expert user advisory groups, stakeholder engagement events and through specific consultations.

As we continue to deliver against the strategy in its final year, we have introduced a set of priority outcomes that focus on our statutory functions and provide the nation with the data it most needs, while driving forward innovation using radical and ambitious approaches to modernise how we work. These five priority outcomes form the basis of our 2024/25 Strategic Business Plan and are:

• An enhanced reputation and trustworthiness for delivering independent and high-quality statistics and analysis.
• Top quality published statistics on health, population and migration.
• Top quality published statistics on prices, GDP and employment.
• Greater linked data capabilities that result in faster, evidence-based decisions across government.
• Modernised and sustainable digital infrastructure using a secure, modularised approach.

Professor Sir Ian Diamond National Statistician UK Statistics Authority