Tips on writing a business plan from an investor's perspective.
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Standing Out From The Crowd How many business plans are circulating right now? How will yours stand out?
Model on Success Look for a business plan in your industry that was successful– Use that as your benchmark
Key Drivers What are the key success factors? Top 5 Only Use the perspective of each stakeholder What is most important to them Make sure your plan focuses on these drivers
Structure… List the contents and the respective page numbers Topic 1……………. 4 Topic 2……………. 7 Topic 3…………….12 Topic 4…………….15 Topic 5…………….16 Topic 6……...……..24 Table Of Contents
Writing Tips - Natural What do you understand by natural? Simple shorter words arranged in a conversational way
Writing Tip - Positive What do you understand by being positive? Only using words which make the reader feel good – or at least feel neutral Negative Neutral Positive
Writing Tips - Conclusions What happens when we jump to conclusions? What is jumping to conclusions? Making statements not supported by facts Could loose good will
Writing Tips - Sentences Word Choice Sentence Length What is a good length for a sentence? Maximum 15 – 20 words Depending on the number of syllables. “ Keep sentences simple – one idea per sentence”
Writing Tips - Style What do you understand by write the way you speak? Write what you would say to your reader if they were in front of you. Use this as your first draft Write the way you speak! Style & Tone Write the way you speak
The Promoter’s Perspective Why Should I give you my money? Because I have a great idea? Because I am a nice person? Because I am honest? Because I work hard?
The Investor’s perspective How do I know you will grow my money? Because I have a great idea? Because I am a nice person? Because I am honest? Because I work hard?
The Investor’s perspective Because I have done it before! Directly or indirectly How do I know you will grow my money?
The Promoter’s Perspective Only when I cannot show past success do I rely on the usual arguments… Because I have a great idea? Because I am a nice person? Because I am honest? Because I work hard?