ABOUT SCORE SCORE - Service Corps of Retired Executives SCORE - Service Corps of Retired Executives Volunteer group works with SBA as counselors to America’s small business Volunteer group works with SBA as counselors to America’s small business provides much useful information for small business provides much useful information for small business

Business Plan Importance Forces an objective view Forces planning Powerful management tool Communicates owner’s ideas Financial tool

Business Plan Contents Title Page Table Of Contents Executive Summary The Business Financial Forecasts Supporting Data

1. Executive Summary Overview of the Business Plan What is the business and its concept? What is the business and its concept? What is strategy and why will it work? What is strategy and why will it work? What is the market - its future? What is the market - its future? What are your competitive advantages? What are your competitive advantages? What are economics – profit potential? What are economics – profit potential? What is the team required for success? What is the team required for success? What is offered to prospective investors? What is offered to prospective investors?

2. The Industry In what industry will this business compete? Its function. In what industry will this business compete? Its function. Details of the business and its concept. Details of the business and its concept. Product or services that will be offered. Product or services that will be offered. How will this business enter the industry? How will this business enter the industry? How will it grow? How will it grow?

3. Market Strategy What is the market for this business? Competition – geography – customers – size – estimated market share What is the market for this business? Competition – geography – customers – size – estimated market share How will product/service be positioned? Pricing – packaging - location How will product/service be positioned? Pricing – packaging - location What sales and distribution channels will be used? What sales and distribution channels will be used? Special marketing strategies. Promotions – web marketing – discounting – service warranty strategy Special marketing strategies. Promotions – web marketing – discounting – service warranty strategy

4. Business Strategy The business model including start-up costs, projections of revenues, profit margins, and break even point. The business model including start-up costs, projections of revenues, profit margins, and break even point. What is the overall schedule from start-up to profitability? (time/event chart) What is the overall schedule from start-up to profitability? (time/event chart)

5. Organization and Operations What is the company’s organizational structure? What is the company’s organizational structure? How will the products and services be designed and developed? How will the products and services be designed and developed? What development costs are expected? What development costs are expected? Proprietary issues – patents, licenses? Proprietary issues – patents, licenses? Manufacturing and/or operations plan – facilities, location, ramp-up Manufacturing and/or operations plan – facilities, location, ramp-up

6. Management Team Key management personnel. Key management personnel. Will the company have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board? Describe. Will the company have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board? Describe. Identify any outside experts, consultants and advisers the company plans to utilize. Identify any outside experts, consultants and advisers the company plans to utilize.

7. Describe any critical risks, problems and assumptions.

8. The Financial Plan Pro forma income statements. Pro forma income statements. Monthly – one year Yearly for three years Pro forma balance sheets. Pro forma balance sheets. Yearly for three year Pro forma cash flow. Pro forma cash flow. Monthly for one year Break even calculations and chart. Break even calculations and chart.

9. Proposed Financial Resources What financing will be needed to fund the business? What financing will be needed to fund the business? What sources of capital will be used? What sources of capital will be used? How will invested funds be used? How will invested funds be used? What return will accrue to investors – three years? What return will accrue to investors – three years?

10. Appendices Supporting schedules. Supporting schedules. Facility layouts. Facility layouts. Product design specifications. Product design specifications. Sample promotional documents. Sample promotional documents. Other supporting materials, such as resumes of team members, etc. Other supporting materials, such as resumes of team members, etc.

SCORE website Template gallery Template gallery Startup business Startup business Existing business Existing business Competitive Analysis worksheet Competitive Analysis worksheet Sample business plans Sample business plans Typical costs and ratios for your business Typical costs and ratios for your business Research resources Research resources Demographics by zip code Demographics by zip code