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A Winning Business Plan Template

April 16, 2010 by Frank Goley, Business Consultant

I have been writing business plans for over twenty years and have perfected a business planning process that works for most businesses and business plan purposes. The result of that process is an eight section business plan. Here is the winning template for that business plan. You can adapt it for your business planning purposes and change the order of the sub-sections to meet your particular requirements. My business planning process is detailed in my book: The Comprehensive Business Plan Workbook – A Step by Step Guide to Effective Business Planning.

1.0 Executive Summary

1)     Company Information

2)     Business Plan Purpose & Objectives

3)     Company Goals & Vision

4)     Company Mission Statement

5)     Company Description

6)     Company Purpose

7)     Company Situation

8 )     Founders, Management & Principals Capabilities

9)     Products & Services

10)  The Competition

11)  Keys to Success

12)  Finance

13)  Growth & Expansion Goals

14)  Sales Forecast

15)  Return on Equity / Return on Investment

2.0 Company Overview

1)     Company Establishment

2)     Company History

3)     Company Structure

4)     Company Ownership & Legal Formation

5)     Facilities & Locations

6)     Products & Services Overview

7)     Trends Affecting the Company

8 )     Customers

9)     Competitive Strategy

10)  Company’s Strengths & Weaknesses

11)  Company Performance

12)  Company Finance

13)  Company Assets

3.0 Management and Operations

1)     Employees

2)     Management Philosophy

3)     Management Requirements

4)     Management Gaps

5)     Organizational Structure

6)     Founders / Directors / Principals / Management / Key People

7)     Management Administrative Procedures & Controls

8 )     Decision Making Teams & Processes

9)     Company and Management Objectives, Goals and Strategy

10)  Compensation Structure

11)  Human Resources

12)  Outsourcing

13)  Consultants and Advisors

14)  Products and Services Production and Delivery

15)  Distribution System

16)  Order Turn Around

17)  Suppliers and Vendors

18)  Service Standards

19)  Customer Service Plan

20)  Quality Control

21)  Costs Minimization

22)  Technology

23)  Production and Operation Advantages

24)  Capacity

25)  Safety Procedures

26)  Inventory

27)  Environmental Considerations

4.0 Products and Services

1)     Products and Services Description

2)     Awards, Honors & Achievements

3)     Case Studies

4)     Product and Service Mix and Price Points

5)     Life Cycle6)     Production Strategy

7)     Research and Development Strategy

8 )     Space Utilization

9)     Departments Descriptions

10)  Future Products and Services

11)  Effects of Technology

12)  Computerization Requirements

13)  Company Sales Literature and Brochures

14)  Internet Strategies15)  Electronic Ordering and Fulfillment

16)  Inventory Method and Management

17)  Regulatory Compliance

18)  Product and Service Liabilities

5.0 Marketing Plan

1)     Industry Overview

2)     Industry Distribution

3)     Market Segments Description

4)     Market Segment Needs

5)     Market Segmentation Strategy

6)     Market Trends

7)     Market Growth

8 )     General Nature of the Competition

9)     Customer Choice Factors10)  Product and Service Competitive Comparison

11)  Competitive Analysis

12)  Competitive Positioning

13)  Competitive Edge

14)  Marketing Strategy

15)  Marketing Programs

6.0 Strategic Plan

1)     Company Objectives

2)     Potential Problems and Risks

3)     Risk Analysis

4)     Company Strategies, Strategic Tactics and Strategic Programs

5)     Sales Strategy

6)     Sales Programs

7)     Strategic Alliances and Joint Ventures

8 )     Operating Budget

9)     Sales Forecast

10)  Milestones

11)  Control Mechanisms

7.0 Financials

1)     Sources and Uses of Funds

2)     Financial Strategy

3)     Capital Equipment Valuation

4)     Company Collateral

5)     Assumptions

6)     Financials / Valuations / Financial Analysis / Budgets

7)     Exit Strategy

8 )     Harvesting Value Strategy

9)     Venture Risk

10)  Effects of Investment and Finance on Cash Flow

11)  Tax Strategies

8.0 Appendix

1)     Resumes

2)     Customer Testimonials / Recommendation Letters

3)     Letters of Intent and Interest / Memorandums of Understanding

4)     Reference Letters

5)     Joint Venture and Strategic Alliance Agreements

6)     Land Purchase Agreements

7)     Product and Service Agreements

8 )     Other Agreements9)     Contracts, Leases and Pre-Sale Commitments

10)  Patents, Trademarks, Service Marks, Copyrights and License Agreements

11)  Brochures and Advertising Materials

12)  Industry and Marketing Analysis and Studies

13)  Market Research and Supporting Articles

14)  Product Line Pictures, Renderings and Illustrations

15)  Facilities and Equipment Pictures and Layouts

16)  Maps and Photos of Business Locations

17)  Construction Plans, Timelines and Disbursement Schedule

18)  Engineering Studies

19)  Company Registration and Charter

20)  Company and Principals’ Credit Reports

21)  Tax Returns

22)  Quarterly and Annual Reports

23)  Appraisals and Valuations

24)  Feasibility Studies

Posted in Business Planning.