This document provides guidance on authoring an effective business plan in 3 sentences or less: The business plan should include an executive summary that outlines the core business idea, management team, market opportunity, and realistic financial projections to convince investors the company has a chance to be successful. It also needs sections that describe the industry, competition, marketing strategy, financial projections for 5 years, and risks and mitigation plans to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the business concept. The overall goal is to clearly communicate your vision and strategy to attract funding and talent to bring your business idea to life.

1. Authoring your Business PlanA Guidance PresentationOn preparing Impactful Business Plans

2. Imagine yourself to be JK Rowling……and start working on your next biggest best seller!

3. You have money…do you still need a Business PlanYESYou need to know your routeBecause we are not telepathists!Because everyone needs milestones to know that they are on correct pathBecause you have to follow it up with a ‘sought-after autobiography’!

4. Basic ObjectivesBusiness ConceptUnderstanding the marketIndustry health and trendsConsistent business focusClear strategic positionCapable managementAbility to attract and retain talentFinancial controlAnticipating and adapting changeCompany’s values and integrity

5. The PrefaceVisualise…What you want to be heardWho do you want to hear you…and CChallengeControlCreativityCash

6. The Back – PageYour 5 minutes of ‘Make-or-break’ Executive summary / Financials / ManagementYour base concept makes senseThoroughly plannedManagement is capableClear-cut market existsIncorporates significant competitive advantageFinancial projections are realisticInvestors have chance to make money

7. Get ready to play…Industry backgroundWhich ground are you playing on?Who are the teams?OK…so what are you are seeing what others are not?

8. Bring home the Team…Company backgroundList out the team matesSince when are you playing?Rationale for seeking newer groundsWhy should we believe you?

9. The Game…Core business ideaOperational and implementation detailsThe USPThe SWOT AnalysisSustainabilityCompetitionAny strategic partners/technology involved etc.

10. Hoist the flags…Marketing gameplanTarget market sizeMarket research detailsCustomer profiling – existing/potential/pipelineMarketing strategyPricing strategy

11. The Money’s here…Financial analysisPast financials – P&L/Balance sheet/cash flow summaryProjections for next five yearsQuarterly analysis for first three yearsYearly analysis for five yearsHow is cash being raisedCost of raising capitalPromoters’ Contribution

12. The Money’s here…2Financial analysisSensitivity analysisE.g. sales variance of +/- 15%Scenario analysis: optimistic/normal/pessimisticKey RatiosBreak evenExpected IRROther parametersSales over different regionsRequirement of capex/working capital over years

13. The Opponents…Understand competitionUnderstand all possible risksMitigation strategies

14. Warm-up…Other significant informationRegulatory environmentTime linesImplementation schedulesKey information sources

15. The softer skills…Appeal to reader’s interestDo your homework wellGet ready for exigenciesHave you considered cost of hiring external experts?Its your idea…let your dream make others lose their sleep!

16. STAY HUNGRY,STAY FOOLISH“ Hope is your most powerful weapon.Self-Confidence is your greatest asset”Dhirubhai Ambani