The document discusses key elements to include in an operations plan. It provides examples of areas to describe for both back-stage and front-stage operations. Approaches for articulating the operations plan include outlining general approaches, describing a day in the business, or using an operations flow diagram. Other areas that may be important to cover include location, product/service lifecycle, intellectual property protection, and research and development activities. The overall goal is to adequately describe operations while focusing on essential or differentiating aspects.

1. Module 12.7
The Operations Plan
Jim Beach & Chris Hanks

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Remember - Details
• Overall sense of how
business will be run
and your product
developed
• Adequately describe
vs. detail
• Degree of
importance varies
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• Evidence vs. Claims
Remember
Slide 12.7-3

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Most Important Rule of Thumb
Focus on the aspects of each areas that are either
essential to the success of your business or that
set you apart from competitors
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Remember
Vast difference between
thinking up a new
product idea and
actually designing a
business to
manufacture, market,
and sell it.
Slide 12.7-5

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Product / Service Description (user)
• Specific benefits
• Ability to meet needs
• Competitive advantages
• Present stage
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Approach 1
• Articulate your general approach to operations in
terms of what’s most important and what the
make-or-break issues are.
• Frame the discussion in terms of “back stage” or
“front stage”
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Back Stage
• Staff Selection
• Operations Manual
• Exercise Classes and Programs
• Exercise Machines
• Member Motivation
• Employee Orientation
• Education
• Emergency Plan
• Waivers Slide 12.7-8

9. Front Stage
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• Member Tours
• Orientation
• Operating Hours
• Staff Assistance
• Fitness Classes & Programs
• Workshops
• Family Swims
• Multipurpose Room Rental
• Game Room
• Newsletter Slide 12.7-9

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Approach 2
• “A day in the life of the business”
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Approach 3
• Operations flow diagram –
shows the key steps in the
production of a product or
the delivery of a service.
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Location Critical
• Proximity to qualified labor force
• Closeness to suppliers
• Access to transportation
• Access to international shipping alternatives
• Proximity to customers
• Access to favorable tax rates / economic incentives
• Proximity to high quality community
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13. Life Cycle
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• Current position within
life cycle
• Factors that may change
life cycle
• How do you lengthen it?
• Who do you shorten it?
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Protection
• Existing or pending copyrights or
patents
• Anticipated copyright or patent
filings
• Key aspects that cannot be
copyrighted or patented
• Key aspects that qualify as trade secrets
• Legal agreements with owners and employees Slide 12.7-14

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Research & Development
• Activities in progress
• Further activities (include milestones)
• Anticipated results of
these efforts
• Activities of others
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THANKS!
Buy or Review!
Next: Lesson 12-8
The Management Plan
Slide 12.7-16