This document provides guidance on developing an effective business plan to boost sales and profits. It outlines key sections to include such as developing a business vision, an executive summary, marketing plan, financial projections, operations overview, and technology strategy. The executive summary should compellingly describe the business, growth strategy, and financial expectations in 2 pages or less. A complete business plan aims to convince bankers or investors that the business is viable and deserves funding.

1. Develop a
Business Plan
to Boost Your
Sales & Profits
We’ll start soon
1

2. Develop a Business Vision
What is your vision for your
business?
If you could see into the future
what will your business look
like?
2

3. Write it down
• What will your business
become in 3,5,10 years?
• Are you going to operate
locally, nationally,
internationally?
Developing a clear
business vision makes • Are you going to operate your
developing a
business plan more business from home?
relevant
• What is your exit strategy?
3

4. Presentation
• Your business name and
logo
• Contact details
• Date
• A clear contents page
• Ensure it looks
professional
4

5. Executive Summary
No longer than 2 pages.
• Most important part of your business plan
• Interesting and engaging
Include only relevant information:
• A description of your business and
industry
• Why you believe your business is viable
• Your growth strategy
After reading the executive summary the
5 very busy reader must want to read more

6. Executive Summary
• Summarized sales and
marketing strategy
• Expected gross margin and net
profit
• How much money you require
• Key management and
employees
• Your business vision
6

7. 7

8. Legal Stuff
• Business ownership
• Trademarks
• Patents
• Licenses
8

9. Marketing Plan
• Include
– Primary & secondary research
– Industry, economic information and
market trends
• Target market
• Projected sales & assumptions made
9

10. Marketing Plan
• Strengths – Weaknesses –
Opportunities - Threats
• Who are your competitors?
• What are their strengths and
weaknesses?
• What makes you unique,
different, special, better?
10 Why should people buy from you?

11. Marketing Plan
• Detailed promotional plan
• How are you going to
generate sales?
• Marketing budget
• Include a map if relevant
11

12. Human Resources
• How many people do you
intend employing?
• Include an org chart
• Write brief job descriptions
• Include short resumes
• Have a training plan
It takes good people to • Board of directors
build a good business
12
• Board of advisors

13. Financials
• What prices will you charge?
• Gross margins
• Record keeping
• Financial assumptions
• Income & expense
projections 3 yrs
• Monthly & annual break-even
13
• Cash flow 3 yrs

14. Financials
• Look at different
scenarios
• How much money do you
need?
• What’s your exit strategy?
• Historical financial
statements
14

15. Operations
• Location
• Premises
• Key processes and
techniques
• Outsourcing strategy
• Key suppliers
• Business operations
model
15

16. Technology Plan
• Hardware
• Software
• Cloud
• What special technology
do you have access to?
• Internet strategy
16

17. Include
• Evidence of relationships
• Letters of intent from customers
• Industry quotes
• Layout plans
• Relevant newspaper and
magazine articles, photographs
17

18. Business Plan for Bankers or
Investors
• About 10 – 20 pages
• Use font about 11 and 1.5
spacing
• Make it look professional
• Only include relevant stuff
• Your own business plan
can be as long as you like
18

19. Join Our Community
facebook.com/bizlaunch
twitter.com/bizlaunch
Blog.Bizlaunch.ca
19