What the Business Plan should include

•The Mission:
•This defines the business, what it is, what it is aiming to deliver, to whom, why it makes a difference and what it aspires to.
•Overview of Key Objectives:
•Financial Objectives: Turnover, profit targets and Capital appreciation
•Strategic Objectives: achievements in the market and gains in market positioning
•The Market Environment:
•Background to the market: Market definition, size, sectors, niches, consumer behaviour and buying habits

•Competitors; Strengths and weaknesses
•Competitive Conditions: Basis of competition, pricing, product differentiation and branding
•Competitive Advantages Main strengths linked to the of the venture: venture compared to competitors. Source of competitive advantage
•Definition of Product offering: Venture offering to the market
•Definition of Target markets: Sectors and Niches targeted for exploitation


•Financial Forecasts:
•Income: Revenue from trading activities
•Routine Expenditure: Salaries, utilities, interest payments
•Capital Expenditure: Major investments in new assets
•Cash Flow: Monthly records of revenue and expenditure
•Activity:
•Major Projects: Projects that will drive the venture, forward and deliver the objectives e.g. new product development, sale drives or new market entry