Competition Review – Business Plan

Know Your Audience

• Compile a Business Plan Portfolio from which you extract Business Plan content

• Make sure you effectively address the unique critical factors and expectations of the target audience

• Think like the “investor” in the audience

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Provide Conclusive and Compelling Evidence

• You know the real want/need/opportunity and your target “theater”, not just your “customer”

• You understand the value proposition

• You have the TEAM to execute the plan– Competencies– Experience– Leadership

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Provide Conclusive and Compelling Evidence

• You have the product and/or service to meet the need and clearly define your Unique Selling Proposition

• You have a solid plan to achieve your objectives

• There are the intangible essentials that include passion, drive, vision and values

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Back The Story Up With Facts and Data

• Be appropriately positive and enthusiastic but realistic

• Don’t be afraid to present extraordinary projections but show credible supporting data and material

• When presenting assumptions, provide a sound rationale

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Provide Clean Financials and Data

• Revenues, margins, costs & expenses

• Cash management including historical performance and projected use of funds

• Plot the fastest path to revenue generation, then profitability, then the X-Factor

• Define clear performance milestones

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Face The Challenges, Don’t Try To Hide Them Or Hide From Them

• Clearly identify potential risks and present associated mitigation strategies

• If you don’t have competitors do you have a market?

• If there’s a “Sweet Spot” you need to hit it

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Takeaways

• There are no formulas for perfect business plans

• Assessment of plans will always have a subjective element as well as an objective element

• You may have a different audience next time

• Get an experienced team of independent and qualified eyes to provide honest feedback. $$

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Alan E. HallGrow America Founder

Founding Partners

#GAcomp

Video Uploads

Overview of the Video Requirement

• Why we ask for video content

• What the video should include

• How do I create a video?

• Technical specifications

Why Video?

Visual format better demonstrates:

• Visual products and services

• Immersion in your business

• Your energy, passion, and ability to persuade

What Should the Video Include?

• There are no specific content requirements

• We want to see your creativity

• It does NOT need to repeat everything in your plan, but should supplement it effectively

What Should I Focus on?

• Anything that does not come through well in the written business plan

• Elements that will persuade the judges that your business plan will be successful

• The most critical or valuable elements of your business to effectively communicate

How Could I Focus on this Content?

• Numbers: Charts, graphs, comparisons

• Pressing need: Interview the customer

• Your exceptional skill: Show the judges

• Pitching effectively: Use color, font, audio, transitions, and content that PERSUADES

Images in public domain as of 4/19/2012

Example Content: Demonstrations

Product/Service demonstrations:

• Demonstrate how it works

• Record your physical product/service

• Screencast your software product/service

• Animations, sketches, or photos

Example Content: Meet the Team

Meet the management team or employees:

• Demonstrate your existing management team, employees, or advisers

• Have someone interview you: demonstrate your vision, creativity, and passion

• Show off your workspace or place of business

Tone and Content Restrictions

• Choose a suitable tone for your video that is appropriate for judging by business professionals

• Pay attention to copyright law if using any content you did not create yourself

• No adult or disturbing content is allowed

Technical Specifications

• 2 minute maximum, extra will be cut off

• File must be uploaded in one of these formats:

• Resolution: 720p or 1080p is preferred

• .mp4 H.264• .MPEG-4 AVC• .mov• .mpeg

• .avi• .m4v• .wmv

How Do I Make a Video?

• Learn quickly or find someone who already knows how• Neighbors• Co-workers• That nephew that is always on the computer

• Free and easy-to-use resources to edit your video include:• Apple iMovie• Windows Movie Maker

• Camera: If you don’t have one, borrow one, use your smartphone, or use the webcam in your laptop

Questions?

?

Alan E. HallGrow America Founder

Founding Partners

#GAcomp