Business Plan Outline

The following outline of a typical business plan can serve as a guide. You can adapt it to your
specific business. Breaking down the plan into several components helps make it a more
manageable task.

Introduction
• Give a detailed description of the business and its goals
• Discuss the ownership of the business and the legal structure.
• List the skills and experience you bring to the business
• Discuss the advantages you and your business have over your competitors.

Marketing
• Discuss the products/services offered.
• Identify the customer demand for your product/service.
• Identify your market, its size and locations.
• Explain how your product/service will be advertised and marketed.
• Explain the pricing strategy.

Financial Management
• Explain your source and the amount of initial equity capital.
• Provide for the last three financial years
• Net sales and total revenue
• Income from continuing operations
• Net income or loss, in total
• Total Assets
• Develop an expected return on investment and monthly cash flow for the next 12 months.
• Provide projected income statements and balance sheets for the next three years.
• Discuss who will maintain your accounting records and how they will be kept.

Operations
• Explain how the business will be managed on a day to day basis.
• Discuss hiring and personnel procedures.
• Discuss insurance, lease or rent agreements, and issues pertinent to your business.
• Account for the equipment necessary to produce your products or services.
• Account for the production and delivery of products and services.
Concluding Statement
• Summarize your business goals and objectives and express your commitment to the success of
your business
• Once you have completed your business plan, review it to make sure you haven’t left anything
out.
• The business plan is a flexible document that should change as your business grows.

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