3901QCA Commercial Processes

Assessment Item 1 - Business Plan Template

About this document:

This Business Plan Template follows the structure from Neil Willmett’s 2008 How to Start a Successful Aboriginal Business published by Brolga Publishing, Victoria Australia, for students enrolled in 3901QCA Commercial Processes – Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art, Queensland College of Art – Griffith University.

In order to complete this template, you will need to purchase this book which is available from (see my blog for available stockists as at July 2009)

Students Please Note:

1. This document will be a number of pages – think of the trees & only print out when you’re doing your final drafting.

2. Please edit language as necessary – in body & in headings (ie. Make sure you take out the page numbers in the headings)

3. Review your page numbers/pagination & headings & numbering.4. Make sure it looks like a proper business document.5. Remember that in business communication, sometimes the small things matter –

proofread for typos, grammar & understanding6. Don’t forget to edit your footers – your name, business name etc7. The financial tables will be available later in the semester for you to insert.8. This assignment is due in Week 14.9. I think in “real life” you should get this document bound, but during the semester, we’ll

collaboratively decide best how it should be submitted (probably in a display folder).10. In the appendices at the back – please don’t actually make the applications – I don’t

want to see your credit history – but include in your plan, the forms that you must complete in order to include the documentation.

11. This is the first time I’ve used this particular template, so I’m really looking forward to your feedback – which instructions make no sense etc. – that way I can improve it for next year.

Any queries, drop me an email at lwatego@gmail.com

Business Plan [insert your business’s name] [1]

Business Plan

For

[insert business name]

[insert logo]

[insert contact information]

Business Plan [insert your business’s name] [2]

Contents Page

Business Plan [insert your business’s name] [3]

Proposal

Business Plan [insert your business’s name] [4]

Executive Summary

[An executive summary is a brief summary of the findings of the report. You should clearly state what the proposal is for and amount required for funding]

Business Plan [insert your business’s name] [5]

Section 1 – Business Description

1.1 Business Description, Location & Structure (Willmett, 2008, p79)

1.2 Business Mission Statement (Willmett, 2008, p79)

1.3 Industry Knowledge & Expertise/Skills of Key Personnel (Willmett, 2008, p79-80)

1.4 Situation Analysis (Willmett, 2008, pp80-85)1.4.1 External factors

External Environment Opportunity Threat Influence(1-10)

The EconomyStage of the Australian economic cycleCurrent interest rateAverage disposable income

CompetitorsYour main competitors product/serviceCompetitor’s pricing policiesCompetitor’s performance – sales, growth, market, share, profit, cash flowCompetitor’s customer base

TechnologyInnovations in the manufacturing processTechnological developments in the product (ie. Substitute products)

Social PatternsThe population make-up (ie. Age, education, family structure)Percentage of work to leisure timeThe standard of living

Environmental/LegalCurrent environmental issues (ie. Population, recycling, energy costs)Change in legislation

Physical FactorsClimatic conditionsInfrastructure – transport, communications and service

Other factors

Business Plan [insert your business’s name] [6]

1.4.2 Internal factors

Internal Environment Strength Weakness Factor(1-10)

Sales & PerformanceA comparison of your pricing policies to industry practicesMeeting of customer needs & wantsYour project sales level compared to capacity

Your projected market shareThe current sales trend of your marketThe profit level of the businessYour marketing plan & budget

PersonnelThe experience & expertise of your staffTraining provided to your staffUtilization of staff capacityStaff motivation & satisfactionRegular staff meetingsUtilization of professional business advisors

Physical ResourcesWill your premises by adequate (facilities, size, access)?Is your machinery/equipment effective (up to date, fully utilized)?

Financial Resources/MattersDo you have an effective purchasing system (credit, stock control, availability)?Is your cash flow adequate for growth?Do you have access to further funds?Does management have access to timely and useful financial information?Are key financial indicators of the industry & your business analysed regularly?Do you have a strong debt collection system?

PotentialWhat is your potential for growth or improvement (sales, profit, market

Business Plan [insert your business’s name] [7]

share, competitive position)

Other Factors

1.4.3 External & Internal Factors – Summary

[insert a brief summary of your findings – can you summarise & place into SWOT table below in first column?]

1.5 SWOT Analysis (Willmett, 2008, pp85-87)

[Develop strategies to address of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats. You don’t need to have five each – make sure that they’re meaningful & relevant to your business idea]

My Business’s Strengths My Business’s WeaknessesInternal Factors

Strategies1.2.3.4.5.

Strategies1.2.3.4.5.

External Factors

My Business’s Opportunities My Business’s ThreatsStrategies1.2.3.4.5.

Strategies1.2.3.4.5.

1.6 Business Objectives (Willmett, 2008, p87)

[Outline a number of objectives that need to be taken to realize your vision – don’t forget to make them do-able objectives, include timeframes – a table may be the best way to set this section out – but I’ll leave that to you]

Business Plan [insert your business’s name] [8]

Section 2 – Products/Service Analysis (Willmett, 2008, p88-92)

2.1 Product/Service (Willmett, 2008, p89-90)

[Outline each product you will sell – adjust the table to suit your needs]

Cost(Wholesale Price)

Our Sale Price Our Mark up (%) Profit(at full price)

Large Painted Didgeridoo

150

Small Painted Didgeridoo

75

Large Plain Didgeridoo

100

Small Painted Didgeridoo

50

Small Canvas 10Medium Canvas 20Large Canvas 40

2.2 Industry Description and Outlook (Willmett, 2008, p90-91)

My product Competing Products

Product/Service Name

Original Didgeridoo

Price

Strengths

Weaknesses

My product’s most important advantage

[Use the table to describe major industry trends and any specific characteristics of your industry. Remember, the person you are seeking financing from for your business, may have little knowledge about the industry you are seeking to operate in. You may need to educate them about opportunities in your industry]

2.3 Analysis of Market Demand for Product/Service (Willmett, 2008, p91-92)

[Briefly discuss your research, sources]

Business Plan [insert your business’s name] [9]

Section 3 – Market Competition Analysis (Willmett, 2008, p92-104)

3.1 Customer Profile (Willmett, 2008, p94)

[Your customers – who, where, how many, their income, occupation, hobbies, habits, values, what they read etc – see page 95)]

3.2 Competitive Analysis (Willmett, 2008, p95)

Company Name Size of Business Sales Mix (Produt/Service

Years in Business Reputation Rating (1-10)

3.2.1 Competitive Advantage (Willmett, 2008, p97)

Competitor’s Name Factor Yes/N Reason Why?

Business Plan [insert your business’s name] [10]

3.2 Sales Analysis & Forecasts (Willmett, 2008, p98-99)

[identify and define your major targeted market segments in the following table]

Donny’s Didgeridoo Sales

Segment Current Year Year 2 Year 3

(eg. By area, product, store, customer, type,

distribution method)

TOTAL $ Volume

(Units)

%

MARKET

SHARE

TOTAL VOLUME

(UNITS)

%

MARKET

SHARE

TOTAL

$

VOLUME

(UNITS

%

TOTAL SALES

Business Plan [insert your business’s name] [11]

3.4 Selling & Distribution Methods (Willmett, 2008, p98-99)

[How will you get your product to your customer?]

3.5 Pricing Strategy (Willmett, 2008, pp100-102)

[How will you price your product?]

3.6 Advertising & Promotion Strategy (Willmett, 2008, pp102 – 104)

[How will you advertise your product?]

Business Plan [insert your business’s name] [12]

Section 4 – Management & Personnel (Willmett, 2008, pp104 – 107)

4.1 Management & Key Personnel (Willmett, 2008, p104)

[Address the five key areas listed on pg 105]

Business Resource List

Business Resource Contact Phone Contact Address

Accountant

Solicitor

Bank Manager

Insurance Company

Trade Association/Chamber of Commerce

Consultants

Business Advisor

Other

4.2 Employing People (Willmett, 2008, p106

4.3 Staff Details (Willmett, 2008, p106-107)

[What staff/positions need to be filled & how will you find your staff]

Number of Staff Wages $Current

YearNext

Year 1Next Year

2Current

YearNext

Year 1Next Year 2

Administration

Sales/ Marketing

Management

Production

Secretarial

TOTAL

Business Plan [insert your business’s name] [13]

4.4 Training Plan (Willmett, 2008, p107)

4.3.1 External Training Programs

Staff Member Training Details Date Duration Cost

4.3.2 On-the-job Training programs

Staff Member Training Details Date Duration Cost

Section 5 – Financial Information (Willmett, 2008, p108-131)

5.1 Income Projections ((Willmett, 2008, p108-117)

[Develop an income project statement for each month for the first year, and quarterly for the second and third years]

Income Projection – 3 year summary

[add/delete rows as you need them]

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3Sales (Income)

Total Sales

Cost of Goods Sold

Gross Margin

Operating Expenses

Total Expenses

Net Profit (Pre-Tax)TaxProfit (After tax)

Business Plan [insert your business’s name] [14]

5.2 Cash Flow Projections (Willmett, 2008, p117-124)

[see spreadsheet attachments]

5.3 Balance Sheet (Willmett, 2008, p124 - 128)

[see spreadsheet attachments]

5.4 Additional Financial Information Needed (Willmett, 2008, p128-130)

[include a Capital Equipment List and Break Even Analysis if necessary]

Business Plan [insert your business’s name] [15]

Section 6 – Action Plan (Willmett, 2008, p131)

[Include a timeline of actions with dates, details and accountabilities)

Business Plan [insert your business’s name] [16]

PART E Appendices (Willmett, 2008, p131)

Credit History Check [Don’t include an actual credit history check, but download the forms from the credit history company]

ABN [Don’t include your actual ABN, but download the forms from the ATO] Business Name Registration [Don’t get the business name registered, but download the

forms to register a business name]

Business Plan [insert your business’s name] [17]