1. Business Plan Writing
-Derek Safko-

2. Business Plan Components
Executive Summary
Company Description
Products
Industry Analysis & Trends
Target Market
Competition
Marketing Plan
Management & Organization
Development, Milestones & Exit Plan
Financials
Appendices

3. Executive Summary Written last Summarizes your entire plan
No more than two pages
Be clear, be concise
Assume readers will only read this
Make them want to read more!
This sets the tone for the rest of your plan

4. Company Description Break into the details of your business:
Company Objectives/Mission Statement
Legal Issues (partners, patents, etc.)
Leadership
Milestones
To know the later details of your business plans, you must know the details about your company

5. Products Describe your products Costs and pricing
Breakdown the margin
Support your numbers!
Benefits & advantages over the competition
Projected volume
Future product development

6. Industry Analysis & Trends
Size & Growth
Economic Sensitivity
Seasonality
Regulations/Certifications
Supply & Distribution Channels

7. Target Market Market Size & Trends Demographics Psychographics
Purchasing Patterns
Buying Sensitivities
Know your customers!!

8. Competition Do you really know your competition?
Don’t downplay your competition!
Competitive Positioning & Differentiation
Global Competition
Future Competition & Barriers to Entry

9. Marketing Plan Marketing Strategy Sales Structure
How will you reach your customers?
Sales Structure
How will you sell your product?

10. Management & Organization
Your people determine your success
Board of Directors/Advisory Committee
Key Employees
Compensation

11. Development, Milestones, & Exit Plan
Development to date
Show off what you’ve done!
Future Milestones
Have a game plan
Exit Plan
Investors want to see this!
Show that you’ve thought of the future and have a plan to follow
Be ready to defend your timeline

12. Financials Revenue Forecast Loans / Investments Sought
Detailed use of funds
Income Statement (monthly & 5-year)
Balance Sheet (1st year & 5-year)
Cash Flow Statement (monthly & 5-year)

13. Financials
Know your numbers!

14. Appendix Anything non-essential, but supportive to your plan
Product Packaging
Location Maps/Details
Technical Information
Not used in total page count
Not required

15. Things To Remember Business plans come in many formats
Viability is key
Clear definition of problem with clear solution
Avoid generalizations. Support statements with facts
Write in 3rd person
Be confident! “If” vs “when”, “hope” vs “will”
Be realistic
The more eyes, the better
Have two pitch formats

16. Recommended Resources
Simmons OneView
Consumer profiles, brand preferences, shopping habits, lifestyles, etc.
Use the tutorial
1 User ON CAMPUS Access
IBISWorld
Detailed industry information (market characteristics, current/future performance, competitive landscape, etc.)
$925 per report!
Access using your CU Denver Login
Successful Business Plan –Rhonda Abrams
$23.99 on Amazon

17. Recommended Resources

18. Questions?