Business Plan – What Is A Business Plan and Why Is it Necessary?

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” —- Benjamin Franklin

The business plan is the roadmap to show where you come from and where you are going. It is just a process of planning step by step which guides you in every step of your business operation. Business plan structure gives a complete guide to executing your business operations.

In other words, writing a business plan means you will get a clear picture of how far to go to get to the right destination where you want to be.

9 Questions that Business Plan Answer.

• Who we are? (Company structure, owners, and location)
• What do we sell? (Products, services)
• To whom do we sell? (Clients)
• How do we sell? (distribution network, marketing strategies)
• Who are our competitors?
• What is the timeline? (Key milestones)
• How the product is made? (Manufacturing, process, suppliers, and technology)
• What are the financial needs? (Amount, type of financing)
• What is the return on investment? (Cash flow, forecast)

Main Part of a Business Plan

Operation Plan:

It is the process of producing goods and services. The operation plan in a business plan directs us on how to use and manage all resources to get maximum output. It guides us for inventory, suppliers, quality of product or service

Marketing Plan:

The marketing plan tells us about the market position, branding, packaging, pricing strategies, advertising, and distribution.

Financial Plan:

A financial plan gives us an idea about the startup costs, sources of finance, projected cash flow, income statement, and balance sheet.

Personnel Plan:

This part of the business plan is all about the human resources in the organization; it guides us on what core skills are required, recruiting, firing, development, and salaries of staff.

7 Reasons to Have a Business Plan

1) It is the best tool to get financing

It is most important to have a business plan when you need finance for your business. You can present a well-crafted business plan to any bank or lender to get some finances.

2) It speeds up your growth

Writing your business plan and reviewing it regularly you will find what you need to do at right time to achieve your goals, business planning is a continuous process of setting goals, monitoring operations, and taking corrective actions to meet the goals.

3) It helps you to make better decisions.

When you make a business plan and go with that it will figure out some important points about your business that where you have to cut expenses, when to hire, where you focused more, and when you will expand your business.

4) It helps you to manage your cash flow

When you review regularly your cash flow statement, it will predict the upcoming cash flow challenges and you will be in a better position to deal with cash crises.

5) It minimizes your business risk.

Having your business plan and reviewing it regularly, gives you a way to understand your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) so you will be well prepared for any challenge and reduce your risk.

6) It is an asset to your business.

When you decide to sell your business, it is worthwhile to have a strong business plan which knows your current market situation, target customers, competitors, and market challenges. It puts a value addition to your sale price.

7) It attracts talent.

A good business plan attracts talent from the market and provides the basis for retention in your organization.

2 Types of Business Plan

A good business plan attracts talent from the market and provides the basis for retention in your organization.

Traditional Business Plan

The traditional business plan is the most used and one which is in detail and follows a standard format. It gives the reader complete details about the business entity. It requires a lot of research and time to make it.

Lean Business Plan

A lean business plan is a very short written business plan, this type of business plan is not common in the business world. It can be a one-pager and have very short details about the business. It just captures the overall picture of the business in bullet points and it is only for internal management.

Who Needs Business Plan

When you are planning to do any type of business activity with your idea, product, or service, first you come across the need for a business plan. If you want to be successful as an entrepreneur, then you should have a startup business plan in black and white. Approximately, 70% of businesses across the world are failed within a year or two because of not having a proper business plan.

In short, every entrepreneur or someone who has the intention to be successful in business, in the long run, needs the best business plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are examples of a business plan?

A business plan is a formal document outlining your business idea. It should detail all aspects of your business including the location of your business, your product or service, its market niche, and any financial information you need to make sure your business can run efficiently.

What is in a basic business plan?

A basic business plan can be defined as a formal document that presents the company’s strategy, plans, and objectives. It is generally used as an aid to decision-making in a business, and serves as a guide to the implementation of decisions.

What are the 7 steps of a business plan?

These 7 steps are: 1. Identify your needs. 2. Determine what you want to accomplish. 3. Write down your plan. 4. Develop a budget. 5. Set up an accounting system. 6. Get investors. 7. Take action.

What are the 5 elements of a business plan?

It should include a description of the business you are trying to start, a list of your expected costs and revenues, an outline of your marketing strategy, and a statement of your plan for the long term.

Why a business plan is important?

A business plan is an essential part of starting a business because it provides the first impression of your company to prospective customers, investors, and other stakeholders. A well-written business plan is also a good way to track your progress as you work toward launching your business.

What is a full business plan?

A full business plan is an exhaustive document that tells the story of the business and explains the way it will work. It can also be a comprehensive blueprint of the business that’s ready to go into action.

What Makes a good business plan?

A good business plan helps you define your goals and objectives, outlines the resources needed, and establishes a timeline for reaching those goals. It includes an outline of the marketing strategy and a budget, including a breakdown of expenses and income projections. Finally, it includes the business idea itself and a description of the market to be targeted.

What is the most important part of a business plan?

The most important part of a business plan is the executive summary, which includes information about the following: the company, the management team, the product or service being offered, and how the business will be run. This should be a concise outline that includes what the company is, what its goals are, how it will reach those goals, who the target audience is, and the benefits it offers customers.