I.  Table of Contents

The Table of Contents of a Business Plan is one of the most important elements of the plan.  The Table of Contents should be very detailed, so that the person reading and using the Business Plan ^[1] can find and access the information needed very easily and quickly.  You can write a great Business Plan with all the necessary information in it, but if you can’t easily find or access that information, then the Business Plan ceases to be a useful tool. 

How to Organize the Table of Contents

The Table of Contents should be organized by each section of the Business Plan and the specific page numbers of each section and sub-section.  It is strongly recommended that a Business Plan be organized as an online document, with the sections and sub-sections hyperlinked to the page where that information resides.  This way you can access information very quickly on a computer online versus having to flip through the paper document to find the information.

II.  Organization

The Organization of the Business Plan is quite important.  The 8 Section Business Plan is in a specific order from which each section builds on the previous section. There is fluid thought and reasoning employed to achieve a Business Plan which reaches its specified purpose- i.e. to run a business, to buy a business, to expand a business, to enter a joint venture, to finance a business, to complete a particular project.  Although the Executive Summary is the first section of a Business Plan, the Executive Summary should be written last.  With the exception of the Executive Summary, all the other sections should be written in the order they are listed. 

Business Plan Format

Remember that a Business Plan is a Business Document; you are NOT writing prose.  It should contain a very precise and concise format and be organized into numbered sections and sub-sections, which contain specific information in short, paragraph form. Business Plans should be written in paper form, computer format and online format.  Computer Format means the Table of Contents are hyperlinked so you can easily access certain information quickly and precisely in one click on your computer.

Sharing the Business Plan

You should have your Business Plan published securely, online (via password access) so that certain key managers or employees can access and manage remotely.  Also, you can use an online Business Plan to attract funding for your venture. You can have different versions accessible online for particular purposes. For example, you could have your Marketing Plan ^[2] accessible remotely so your Sales Manager can update it or refer to it while in the field or on an important sales call.  You could have a funding version of your Business Plan accessible online for angel investors or venture capitalists to view your opportunity. 

The Business Plan is a Living Document

A Business Plan is a dynamic document, as it changes on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.  By being able to access it on your company computer network and / or online, the CEO, Executives, Management and Key Employees can update it easily and effectively.  For a Business Plan to be successful, it must be intertwined into the fabric of your business and implemented through the Strategic Plan ^[3].  Having the Business Plan organized with Hyperlinks with highly organized sections and uploaded on your company’s computer network and accessible online, allows the Business Plan to become a “living” document which can effectively:

1.     Run a business 

2.     Be readily changed, adapted and updated

3.     Be a sales tool

4.     Obtain funding

5.     React quickly to market changes

6.     Give you the ability to make realistic forecasts and projections

7.     Seize opportunities

8.     Keep your Competitive Advantage. 

Keep Your Audience in Mind

Organization of your Business Plan is KEY to its effectiveness and utility.  It is important to remember that too many Business Plans are written from the perspective of the Business Owner.  When writing your plan, remember your audience extends beyond you, the Owner.  Don’t neglect your Managers, employees, customers, the marketing aspects and the potential investor elements.  This is also why I suggest writing one Comprehensive Business Plan ^[4] to run your business and develop other Specific Purpose Plans for different audiences, i.e. a Customer Plan, an Investor Plan, a Lender Plan, a Strategic Management Plan, a Marketing Plan, Supplier Plan and so forth.

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