Business Plan Checklist
Many people mistakenly assume that to write a
successful start-up business plan they should
dazzle their readers with complicated technical
jargon, complex corporate structures and fierce
non-disclosure pledges. Yet the truth is that
this type of approach can actually alienate po-
tential investors, who may be neither technical-
ly oriented or knowledgeable about your particu-
lar industry. The purpose of a well-prepared
business plan is not to show how sophisticated
you are as a writer, but how practical and at-
tainable your goals are.
Whether you're trying to raise $20,000 or
$2,000,000, you should be sure to address cer-
tain crucial areas that convince investors your
business is a good risk. Following is a general
approach that you can use as a foundation. How-
ever, you should tailor your plan to meet the
specific circumstances of your business, empha-
sizing its strengths and addressing the poten-
tial problems and challenges to be faced.
Summary
The summary should concisely describe the key
elements of the business plan. For the firm
seeking financing, the summary should convince
the lender or venture capitalist that it is
worthwhile to review the plan in detail. The
summary should briefly cover at least the
following:
* Name of the business;
* Business location and floor plan description;
* Discussion of the product, market and compe-
tition;
* Expertise of the management team;
* Summary of financial projections;
* Amount of financial assistance requested (if
applicable);
* Form of and purpose for the financial assist-
ance (if applicable);
* Purpo ...