BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE

PARTICULARS, PROVISIONS AND OBJECTIVES

1. Business name:

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2. Business address:

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3. In which industry/industries will the business operate?

____________________________________________________________________________________Retail, Farming and agriculture, Construction, Business support/Professional services, Manufacturing, Food and accommodation, Finance and insurance, Real estate, Wholesale trade, Information technology, Art, entertainment, and recreation, or Other.

4. What specifically will the business provide?

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5. Describe the goals and objectives of the business:

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6. Describe the planned timeline for reaching the objectives:

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7. Describe any plans to develop additional services:

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8. Describe the target market of the business:

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PERSONAL GOALS

9. What is the company vision?

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10. How will you measure success?

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11. Why do you want to go self-employed?

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12. How much money do you NEED to earn monthly?

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13. How much money do you WANT to earn monthly?

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14. Do you have any alternative sources of income? If so, what are they?

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15. Are there any sources of funding? If so, what are they?

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BUSINESS STRUCTURE

16. Type of business:

____________________________________________________________________________________Sole trader, Partnership, Limited Company, Limited Partnership, Other

17. Who owns the business?

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18. Describe the skills, experience and qualifications of the owners:

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19. Describe the structure of the business:

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20. How many staff does the business require?

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LOCATION

21. Where will the business operate?

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22. Where will the business be located?

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23. Does the location of the business provide a competitive advantage? If so, how?

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CUSTOMERS

24. Describe the typical customers:

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25. Why will customers choose your business?

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26. How will the customers find your business?

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27. Does the business have any customers already? If yes, describe their needs:

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28. Describe the marketing strategy for the business:

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29. How will the business attract new clients?

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COMPETITORS

30. Describe the competitors of the business (five or more):

Who are they?

1. ______________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________________________________________

Where are they?

1. ______________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________________________________________

What do they provide?

1. ______________________________________________________________________________

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2. ______________________________________________________________________________

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3. ______________________________________________________________________________

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4. ______________________________________________________________________________

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5. ______________________________________________________________________________

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MARKET POSITIONING

31. SWOT Analysis

Identify the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

Concentrate on turning weaknesses into strengths and eliminating the threats.

32. Identify the actions to be taken:

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OPERATIONS

33. Describe the day-to-day operations:

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34. Describe the operational facilities:

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SUPPLIERS

35. Describe any contractors or suppliers, and what they will be used for:

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FINANCES - EQUIPMENT

36. What equipment does the business need:

At Startup?

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In the first year?

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In the first three years?

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37. Describe the assets of the business at Start-up:

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38. Will the business hold any patents, trademarks licences or other proprietary rights?

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FINANCES – START-UP

39. Start-up expenses – describe and estimate the required expenditure before becoming operational:

OFFICE

Communication bills ____________________________________________________________________

Postage ____________________________________________________________________

Stationery ____________________________________________________________________

Printing ____________________________________________________________________

Consumables ____________________________________________________________________

Software (subs) ____________________________________________________________________

Premises rent ____________________________________________________________________

Business rates ____________________________________________________________________

Water rates ____________________________________________________________________

Utility bills ____________________________________________________________________

Property insurance ____________________________________________________________________

Security ____________________________________________________________________

If you’re using your home as an office, you might be able to offset expenses for part of your bills – seek professional advice.

TRAVEL

Vehicle fuel ____________________________________________________________________

Vehicle hire ____________________________________________________________________

Vehicle repairs ____________________________________________________________________

Vehicle service ____________________________________________________________________

Parking ____________________________________________________________________

Insurance ____________________________________________________________________

Fares ____________________________________________________________________

Hotel ____________________________________________________________________

Meals ____________________________________________________________________

If you’re using the family car for business, you might be able to offset expenses for part of your bills – seek professional advice.

CLOTHING

Protection ____________________________________________________________________

Uniform ____________________________________________________________________

You cannot claim for everyday clothing, even if you wear it to work. You can only claim for protective clothing or a specified uniform.

STAFF

Salaries ____________________________________________________________________

Bonuses ____________________________________________________________________

Pensions ____________________________________________________________________

Employer’s NI ____________________________________________________________________

GOODS

Stock ____________________________________________________________________

Materials ____________________________________________________________________

Production ____________________________________________________________________

LEGAL & FINANCIAL

Accountant ____________________________________________________________________

Solicitor ____________________________________________________________________

PI Insurance ____________________________________________________________________

Bank charges ____________________________________________________________________

Card charges ____________________________________________________________________

Loan interest ____________________________________________________________________

Leasing ____________________________________________________________________

MARKETING

Advertising ____________________________________________________________________

Mailshots ____________________________________________________________________

Samples ____________________________________________________________________

Website ____________________________________________________________________

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Journals ____________________________________________________________________

Membership ____________________________________________________________________

FINANCES – PRICING AND PAYMENTS

40. Payment policy:

Bills from suppliers:

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Invoices to clients:

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41. Describe the pricing structure and rationale:

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FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS

42. Draft Income Statement (P&L) Y1.

Detail the projected monthly income:

ITEM Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Gross Profit

43. Financial Year End Date (Month/Day):

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44. Business start date:

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45. Draft Expenditure Statement (P&L) Y1

Detail the projected monthly expenditure:

INCOME Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Gross Profit

EXPENSES

Office

Travel

Clothing

Staff

Goods

Legal/Financial

Marketing

Subscriptions

TOTAL

NET PROFIT

TIMETABLE

46. What to do BEFORE the business can start operating:

Decide on the company name __ hours

Determine the type of business __ hours

Assess business bank account options __ hours

Calculate Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) __ hours

Calculate Operating Expenditure (OPEX) __ hours

Finalise the business plan including the timetable __ hours

Make the big decision

Get an accountant __ hours

Secure a business address __ hours

Register with Companies House __ hours

Open a business bank account __ hours

Start financial records __ hours

Get a phone __ hours

Get an office space __ hours

Get office equipment __ hours

Assess all opportunities for advertising __ hours

Get domain name __ hours

Design a logo __ hours

Determine website/marketing keywords __ hours

Plan website/marketing structure __ hours

Draft website/marketing content __ hours

Secure email addresses __ hours

Develop a website __ hours

Develop a social media presence __ hours

Research potential clients __ hours

Develop a simple CRM system __ hours

Contact potential clients __ hours

Get Insurance __ hours

Register as self-employed __ hours

Register for VAT __ hours

TOTAL: __ hours