Wondering about good business plan survey questions? This is an interesting query. The reality is, very few business plans feature any sort of primary market research. Pretty much every plan relies of secondary sources -- the Census Bureau, labor statistics or consumer spending reports, or magazine articles from Inc or Wired, etc. -- but almost no plan demands that you interview potential customers to learn whether they would buy your product or what they feel the shortcomings of the competition might be. You CAN do research like this, but rarely is it expected, particularly by a bank. What you should cover is this:
• Secondary sources showing a strong market opportunity
• Evidence that your geographic region will support the sales you envision
• Census data on spending patterns, demographic trends, and other variables favorable to your price points
• Examples of comparable businesses earning revenues from this model
Bank plans are more about a working revenue model, a solid management team and concept, and sufficient collateral and/or credit history that a major institution will feel comfortable taking on the risk of an SBA-backed loan for you. Rarely will this matrix demand any primary research. But if you have conducted surveys, or have in your possession customer comments that support your business model, integrate them into the plan wherever you wish. Readers will be pleased to see that you already have traction and it will increase your chance of funding to describe it. MasterPlans can help you piece together secondary research or find the best possible use for any surveying you have done. Call us now at 877-453-2011.
