Business Plan OutlineBuild your business plan by viewing this SlideShare

and watching the video blog.

1. Executive Summary

2. Company Description

3. Industry Analysis & Trends

4. Target Market

5. Competition

6. Strategic Position & Risk Assessment

7. Marketing Plan & Sales Strategy

8. Operations

9. Social Responsibility

10. Development, Milestones & Exit Plan

11. Financials

Business Plan Outline

• 50,000 view of your business including your mission, vision and purpose

• Think of the scenario that your CEO is giving a high-level explanation of your business in 60 seconds

Executive Summary

• 10,000 view of your business including strengths, weakness and executive level staff

• Detail the leadership team, resources and how you plan to go to market

Company Description

• Highlight the direction of your industry including current trends in growth and decline. This analysis may give you an idea of current opportunities available to your business

Industry Analysis & Trends

• Identify your target audience and how you can focus on the customers that have a need for your products or services. This should include demographics, geographics and socioeconomic status

Target Market

• Review your competition including success and failures, and how you can leverage them to increase your opportunities

Competition

• Differentiate yourself from your competition – why are you different or better?

• Review of risks including legal repercussions, governing policies, insurance needs and coverage

Strategic Position & Risk Assessment

• Once your target marketing is identified, hone in on specific socioeconomic, demographic and geographic information to ensure your marketing efforts make a positive impact and lasting impression

• Channel marketing focus to reach your audience where they spend the most amount of time – social media, direct-mail, telephone, email, etc.

Marketing Plan & Sales Strategy

• Define the infrastructure of your business including technology, facility and location, equipment, staff and accounting

• Create a management structure to identify which executives are required to achieve your business goals

Operations

• What social responsibilities does your business abide by; eco-friendly, paperless, sustainability?

• Think about your carbon footprint and how it impacts your business, community and customers

Social Responsibility

• 1, 3 and 5 year plans to achieve milestones set by the business so your staff has something to work towards

• Develop an exit plan that details, no matter how far down the road, what happens when the business transitions ownership. Will it be handed to a family member, will an employee be groomed to take over or will an outside hire be brought in to carry on the business? All valid considerations

Development, Milestones & Exit Plan

• If you have an existing business, review past financials as a starting point to create future financial goals including operations and sales goals

• If you’re starting a new business, start with any available industry financials to give you an idea of revenues and expenses

Financials

• SWOT Analysis– Internal – Strengths & Weaknesses– External – Opportunities & Threats

• PRIME Analysis– Product– Resources– I – meaning, you, the business owner– Marketing– Economics

BONUS!

With over 35 years of experience, Proforma remains clearly focused on providing graphic communication solutions to businesses across the globe. A leading provider of promotional products, printing services, business documents and eCommerce solutions, Proforma has received numerous awards and is recognized as one of the top five largest companies in our industry.

Proforma serves over 50,000 clients through more than 750 member offices worldwide. The Proforma Worldwide Support Center is located in Cleveland, OH.

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