Standard Business Plan Format

by Mark on September 9th, 2007

As a follow up to the Top Ten Tips for Writing Your Business Plan, here are excerpts explaining a Standard Business Plan Format from Business Week “Business Tools and Advice.”

Certainly worth the click-through for a full and complete explanation.

Cover page. The cover page should be professional and informative and should contain an appropriate confidentiality legend.

Executive summary. The executive summary is the introduction to your business plan and the most vital section.

The company description. This should convey a sense of the history of the company, as well as its goals.

Management. The management section of the plan identifies key members of the management team.

The product. If the company is selling a product, this section describes what the product is or will be.

The market. You must convince prospective investors that the company’s market is large, growing, and receptive to your products or services.

Competition. The competition section of the plan identifies competing products and technology.

Marketing. The marketing section of the business plan should describe the company’s marketing plan and strategy in as much detail as possible.

Financial statements and projections. The body of the plan should include a summary of the key aspects of the financial forecasts

Reality check. After you complete your draft business plan, circulate it for comment to friends, professionals, and other trusted advisors.

Write a Mini Business Plan

A two- or three-page business plan can also be useful at times.

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