Writing A Business Plan

Writing a Business Plan

Stephen Lawrence Frank Moyes Graduate School of Business University of Colorado

Writing a Business Plan  Hard, long work  Frustrating – Puzzle pieces keep

changing shape – Synthesis vs. Analysis – creative

 Ultimately, very rewarding – Put your education together – Excellent resume item – Satisfying

Ideas vs. Opportunities

 What makes a good opportunity?  Opportunities – – – –

Attractive Durable Timely Adds value

 Scale and scope

Market Size

Ideas vs. Opportunities

Time

A great business idea! ($$)

?

Consider…  Technical feasibility  Market acceptance  Competition  Resources required  Experience of management team  Market growth  Et cetera …

s e i t i n u t r o opp Your ideas…

How to write a plan? Linear Model Mktg

Ops

Develop

Iterative Model

Append

Development

Marketing

Operations

Business Plan

Financials

Done?

Elements of a Successful

Business Plan  Executive Summary  Company Overview  Industry and Marketplace Analysis  Marketing Plan  Operations Plan  Management

 Financial Summary  Offering  Appendices – 5-yr P&L – 5-yr Balance Sheet – 5-yr Cash Flow – 1-yr monthly CF – Other support docs

Iterative Approach:

Twelve Steps – Twelve Weeks 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Assess Concept Industry Analysis Marketing Plan Operations Plan Development Plan Build Strategy

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Revenues & Expenses Financials Funding Valuation and Offer Publish your Plan Present your Plan

Business Plan Templates  We will all use the same business plan outline and organization  MS Word templates available on BPlan web site  MS Excel financial spreadsheets available on course website

Step One – Assess Concept  Quick feasibility study  Bring all members of team up to speed  Review critical plan components  Identify missing information / research  Complete all parts of Step One  Turn in handwritten copy next week