A good business plan can be used as a tool - not just to gain financial backers - but it can also become a key management tool. While the type of business will determine exactly what is in your business plan, many have similar components. The cover page and table of contents will help your readers find their way through it to those sections in which they are most interested.
An executive summary is needed to provide a concise, over-all plan in brief so that readers can know within a few reading minutes whether it is something they are interested in. A business background will provide the answer to legal issues, history of key backers and personnel and product information.
The Marketing section should include all data relevant to pricing, distribution, sales support and an analysis of the competition. The Action plans section will detail management and operational issues, compliance with regulations etc. And the Financial section will include a cash flow prediction, expected profits and debts - and how they will be managed. Last but not least is the Appendix where key personnel resumes should be listed, along with marketing materials and statistical analysis and details of supporting research.
