Did you search business plans for students hoping to learn more about what options there are for students building business plans? If you've been assigned a business plan as coursework in a business school class or as part of your MBA program, but aren't sure where to start on your research, approach the task like an entrepreneur would: what am I passionate about, and how would I make a case for it? If your plan is for a hypothetical business and you don't need to actually have a physical location lined up, for example, then you should have fun with the project. Develop a workable business model that appeals to your interests, and then search for good research in support of the idea. The Census Bureau can be a great place to start for demographic data, and any good Google search will turn up workable information on your market, the industry, and so forth. Make sure your plan accomplishes the following:
• Does it completely describe the business you want to launch?
• Would a reader grasp what the services mean, or what your products look like or how they function?
• Is it clear how many people you would need to employ, and when they get hired?
• Does your plan show how you would market yourself?
• Is an investor or lender going to know at a glance how much capital you need and how you intend to use it?
In addition to a category by category breakdown for your start-up costs and assets, you should complete a financial pro forma showing at least three years of estimated expenses and revenues across all business lines. The SBA format for this information is a series of integrated tables including sales forecast, break-even analysis, personnel plan, profit and loss, cash flow, balance sheet, and an appendix showing the monthly breakdown for these figures. If you have questions about this format or what else your plan should have in it, real or imaginary, call MasterPlans. Our consultants can probably offer the guidance you need. Toll-free: 877-453-2011.
