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Make a business plan for your business. How to write a business plan - step by step instructions

Every successful entrepreneur can confidently say that a well-written business plan acts as one of the most important elements in building your own business. Understanding how to correctly design a future enterprise, you can predict a positive result when contacting a credit institution or an investor. Let's consider further the basic rules for writing a business plan.

Purpose of the document

Writing a business plan (an example project will be discussed below) can be done in various ways. There are various aids for this. However, in most of them the information is very specific and understandable only to economists or accountants. Along with this, the need to draw up a business plan arises for all start-up entrepreneurs. The document is necessary for submission to a credit institution, obtaining a loan from an investor to develop the business at the initial stages. In addition, a business plan allows you to see the immediate and upcoming goals, predict capital investments for one or another, foresee the moment when the first profit arrives, and calculate the total income from activities.

The specifics of enterprises

To obtain a loan for the construction of a plant or factory, it is more expedient to contact the relevant organizations that can provide qualified assistance in writing a business plan. In this case, the document will contain economic calculations and be supported by financial documents drawn up in accordance with all the rules for their execution. A business plan drawn up in this way can, without hesitation, be sent to both foreign investors and domestic credit companies. However, in this case, it should be understood that the services for designing a project for a future enterprise will not be cheap. To open a mobile shop or a clothing or shoe repair shop, for example, there is no need to study or calculate industry risks in detail. In this case, it will be quite competent to organize production, determine the sales market, and predict enterprises. The program for writing a business plan for such an activity will be understandable to a novice entrepreneur.

Important point

Entrepreneurs who have a fairly large experience in doing business do not recommend unconditionally relying on the experience of acquaintances or friends and only on their own intuition. Forecasting activity does not appear as an obsolete component of socialist reality. Planning is an essential element of modern business. Analysis of payback periods, determination of periods of investment, development and subsequent returns are the most important aspects even with a relatively small investment. Concepts such as "market" and "plan" are fundamental both in the East and in the West. At the present stage of economic development, it is enough to adopt the experience of successful companies and get positive results.

Business Plan Sample

The project of the future business is necessary for the investor, as well as for the entrepreneur himself. The structure of writing a business plan includes a number of mandatory points. These include, in particular:

  • introduction;
  • a brief description of the future enterprise;
  • assessment of the sales market, competition, investment risks;
  • production formation plan;
  • forecasts for the sale of services / goods;
  • financial plan;
  • management organization;
  • application.

Adaptation to the Russian market

The above plan for writing a business plan is recommended by Western analysts. However, in the practice of domestic entrepreneurship, some of its points require clarification and additional interpretation. So, taking into account the peculiarities of the Russian business sphere, the plan for writing a business plan should include a section that reveals an adequate understanding of the problems and issues related to the quality of services and goods. Here it is necessary to give possible solutions to them. It is also advisable to add a paragraph to the plan for writing a business plan that describes the ability to competently manage and regulate the cost of services / products. In the same section, it is worth revealing ways to ensure its competitiveness. Another additional item will be a clear vision of the prospects for the development of the enterprise, guarantees in the ability to bring the matter to the end.

Plan for writing a business plan: independent work

First of all, it is necessary to clearly assess the competitiveness of the proposed services or goods, analyze the sales market, the timing of the first profit, the time during which the investment will pay off. The next step is to determine the amount of required capital investment. Experts recommend dividing the investment into several parts, backing up the rationale with appropriate calculations. Given the above points, it should be understood that a self-composed business plan may be fundamentally different from the above structure. It should also be noted that there is no project form regulated by norms and standards. Each entrepreneur has the right to independently establish a list of items, the amount of documentation for enterprise planning. However, if outside investment is required to open a business, the above scheme should still be followed.

Introduction

This section of the business plan is a presentation of the future enterprise. It should describe the type of activity in an understandable form in the most optimistic light. It often happens that the introduction is the only section that the investor reads on his own and immediately decides whether to take the project into development or reject it. The study of the remaining parts, which display calculations, marketing research, financial justification, he will entrust to his specialists. However, as practice shows, it is the introduction that decides the fate of the project. This section should be short and concise at the same time.

Characteristics of the industry and enterprise

This is the next important part of the business plan. This section provides a general description of the enterprise and industry:

  • Financial indicators.
  • Personnel composition.
  • Direction of activity.
  • Company structure.
  • List and description of services/products.
  • Development prospects and so on.

The section should contain the characteristics of the proposed production, a number of technological aspects. These points should be described in simple and accessible language. There is no point in delving into terminology, using a professional style. In this case, it is enough to indicate the uniqueness of services or products, the demand in the near and foreseeable future. You can also draw the attention of the investor to the advantages of the products offered.

Marketing research

Here you should describe the conditions under which consumers become customers of the enterprise. The section outlines methods of sales promotion, formation of a positive image, distribution of services / goods. The marketing plan includes a list of advertising costs. In essence, you should justify how and why consumers will purchase a service or product.

Production

This section should be described. Here, the characteristics of the premises are given, the established requirements for equipment and personnel are indicated. The production plan should also describe suppliers and contractors.

Organization of the enterprise and financial component

The business plan should contain a description of the form of management, the tasks of the specialists of the administrative apparatus. For a domestic investor, a resume for each member of the management department is important. In this regard, in this section it is worth listing the partners, noting as truthfully and objectively the contribution of each of them to the development of the enterprise, functional responsibilities and role in the company. The financial part contains economic calculations. In particular, a table of income and expenses is compiled, a balance sheet is forecast, variable and direct costs are indicated, performed, and so on. Three forecasts are usually developed in this section: realistic, optimistic and pessimistic. They are displayed as graphs.

Hello, dear readers of the Internet magazine about money "RichPro.ru"! This article will talk about how to write a business plan. This publication is a direct instruction to action that will allow you to turn a crude business idea into a confident step-by-step plan for realizing a clear goal.

We'll consider:

  • What is a business plan and why is it needed;
  • How to draw up a business plan;
  • How to structure it and write it yourself;
  • Ready-made business plans for small businesses - examples and samples with calculations.

At the end of the topic, we will show the main mistakes of novice entrepreneurs. There will be a lot of arguments in favor of creating quality And thoughtful business plan that will bring the realization of your idea and success affairs in the future.

Also, this article will provide examples of finished works that you can simply use, or you can take as a basis for developing your project. Ready-made examples of submitted business plans can be download for free.

In addition, we will answer the most frequently asked questions and clarify why not everyone writes a business plan, if it is so necessary.

So, let's start in order!

The structure of the business plan and the content of its main sections - a step-by-step guide to compiling it

7. Conclusion + related video 🎥

For every entrepreneur who wants to develop himself and develop his business, a business plan is very important. He performs many responsible functions that no other person is able to do differently.

With it, you can get financial support and open, develop your business much earlier than you can collect a significant amount for the business.

Investors generally react positively to a good, thoughtful, error-free business plan, as they see it as a way to make easy money with all the troubles invented and described.

In addition, even before the establishment opens, you see what awaits you. What risks are possible, what solution algorithms will be relevant in a given situation. This is not only investor-friendly information, but also the right plan if you get into trouble yourself. In the end, if the calculation of risks is too daunting, you can remake a little, transform the general idea to reduce them.

Creating a Good Business Plan is an excellent solution for finding investments and developing your own action algorithms even in the most difficult situations, which are more than enough in business.

That is why, in addition to their own efforts it is worth using "other people's brains". A business plan includes many sections and calculations, research and knowledge, only with successful operation, with which success can be achieved.

The ideal option would be to study all aspects on your own. To do this, it is not enough to sit and read the relevant literature. It is worth changing the circle of contacts, turning to courses and trainings, finding specialists for consultations on certain issues. That's the only way really figure it out in the situation and dispel all your doubts and delusions.

A business plan is worth writing for many reasons, however home is a clear algorithm of actions by which you can quickly get from point A(your current position, full of hopes and fears) to point B(in which you will already be the owner of your own successful business that consistently and regularly generates income). This is the first step towards fulfilling the dream and the confident status of the middle class.

If you still have questions, then perhaps you will find the answers to them in the video: "How to write a business plan (for yourself and investors)".

That's all we have. We wish everyone good luck in business! We will also be grateful for your comments on this article, share your opinions, ask questions on the topic of the publication.

Business plan for small business: 4 main sections of the document + 2 specific examples of business plans.

small business business plan- the document that is the basis of any business.

It performs several important functions:

  • helps to structure information;
  • allows you to see "holes" in planning and identify risks;
  • serves as a presentation for banks or potential investors;
  • becomes a step-by-step guide for the entrepreneur.

Do you have a desire to create your own business, but do not manage to plan and execute the idea properly?

In this article, you will see an overview of the main sections of a standard small business business plan. Use the above structure as a template.

For a better understanding of the material, below are 2 ready-made business plans for implementing various ideas for small businesses.

Do not put off the implementation of the idea for the mythical “later”: in 90% of cases, the “good moment” never comes.

Grab a piece of paper and a pen and start sketching out your plan right now.

What is a small business?

Small business is one of the varieties of entrepreneurship.

This format provides that the number of employees will not exceed 100 people, and the annual revenue will not exceed 800 million rubles.

For a novice entrepreneur without a serious material (financial) base and experience, opening a small business is the only way to “get on their feet”.

A feature of this format is a quick payback + comparative simplicity in the implementation of the organizational plan.

The implementation of any idea requires a clear plan with accurate calculations.

A business plan is a "guide" for an entrepreneur, in which it is necessary to describe each stage of the process of translating your idea into reality.

Small Business Business Plan Structure

So, it is important to follow generally accepted standards when compiling this document.

The point is not at all that there are strict legislative standards for, without compliance with which it will be considered invalid.

But why invent a wheel when you can take into account the many years of experience of others in the small business industry and come up with a general form of a document?

Section 1: Small Business Summary


The summary of the business plan is a brief but meaningful description of the products produced + the timing of the small business project and its financial feasibility.

The main purpose of the resume is to demonstrate the concept of a product (service).

  • Ceiling height from 3 meters + special moisture-resistant coating.
  • The floor is concrete or covered with moisture-resistant durable tiles. If the conditions are not as specified, rubber plates must be used (especially in the storage area).
  • They provide a constant circulation of air, since fermentation processes are accompanied by the release of harmful substances.
  • Wiring must support three phases - 380 V.
  • The sewer system is provided with sufficiently voluminous outlet channels - to drain a large amount of liquid.
  • Water supply is a must. If funds and the location of the brewery allow, it is possible to supply the production with water from its own well.

List of necessary equipment for a private brewery


Staff

Starting investment

Monthly investment

Payback periods


With a stable production of 100 liters of beer per day, you can count on earning 200,000 rubles per month (80,000 net profit per month).

Payback will be from 19 months.

Only the entrepreneur who puts his whole soul into the production of beer will be able to achieve high quality products.

The payback of the enterprise directly depends on the quality of the products sold, since the cost of beer is quite high + this drink is very popular in Russia.

For an aspiring entrepreneur who wants to start his own business, beer production is one of the current options.

To achieve top positions in the market, you will have to go a long way, because there is no such activity that would generate income without any effort.

Small business business plan: "Exit car service"

It is difficult not to pay attention to the growing number of cars on Russian roads.

If you doubt the profitability and feasibility of opening a project, evaluate the following fact: the number of cars is growing on a par with the average age of vehicles.

Just pay attention to the percentage of cars that are over 7 years old!

The fleet of the Russian Federation (“Age breakdown of the fleet”):

In this state of affairs, the situation when the car broke down on the road is not uncommon.

In this case, the qualified assistance of an auto mechanic is necessary.

Where there is a need for people, there is an opportunity to benefit the entrepreneur.

The purpose of such a small business, the idea of ​​which is considered in our business plan, is to provide repair services not in a specific service station, but “on the road”.

The scheme of work is as follows: the secretary receives the client's call, transmits information about the type of breakdown to the mechanics. Those, in turn, go to the scene.

The cost of services in the field is much higher.

This factor also affects the profitability of the enterprise.

Room for an exit car service


To open such a car service, you will need 2 rooms:

  1. Office (about 30 sqm).
  2. Garage (with an area of ​​50 sq. m.) for storing tools and repairing a car in emergency situations, as well as accommodating the company's personal vehicle fleet.

Standard requirements for office space:

  • electricity;
  • stable water supply;
  • telecommunications;
  • office furniture;
  • ventilation system;
  • fire safety at the proper level;
  • stable heating.

Garage Requirements:

  • electricity: 3 phases 380 V;
  • water supply;
  • concrete floor (or tiled floor);
  • ventilation system;
  • stable heating;
  • high level of fire safety;
  • heating;
  • wide entrance gates.

Renting two premises will cost approximately 75,000 rubles. monthly.

Mobile car service equipment


EquipmentQtyPrice per piece (rub.)total amount
Total:26 RUB 1,278,200
Jack (for 2.5 tons)2 1 500 3 000
Jack (for 8 tons)2 4 500 9 000
Compressor (tire inflation)2 7 000 14 000
Compressor (oil suction)2 5 000 10 000
A set of keys (reversible, open-end, socket, cap)2 12 000 24 000
Flashlight (lamp power 100 watts)2 300 600
Lantern (power 300 watts)2 500 1 000
wrench2 5 000 10 000
butter dish4 150 600
car vacuum cleaner2 2 000 4 000
A set of quality cleaning products for the car2 1 000 2 000
Passenger car for visiting mechanic2 600 000 1 200 000

Staff


Initial investment in the project

Attachment articleAmount (rub.)
Total:RUB 1,463,200
Register an enterprise10 000
Premises for rent75 000
Employees80 000
Marketing20 000
Equipment1 278 200

Monthly investment


Depending on the services provided, this type of small business can bring 150,000-300,000 rubles. per month.

Net profit - about 75,000 rubles. per month.

The payback of the enterprise will be from 19 months.

There is one significant nuance: if you can find mechanics who have personal vehicles, you can refuse to buy cars.

In this case, the payback will be reduced to 6 months.

Once again about why you need a business plan for organizing a small business, in the video:

The main thing in entrepreneurship is the desire to think and develop.

Are you ready to strive to become a successful person today?

Or will you wait for the mythical "tomorrow"?

Create your small business business plan and start taking action.

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Many financiers and entrepreneurs are wondering how to write a business plan. A step by step guide with an example would be very helpful. We wrote it. Enjoy. You can also download samples and examples.

How to write a business plan: preparatory stage

The success of a company is related to its ability to develop and readiness to move towards new goals. Like red blood cells that are formed in the body every second, supporting the life of the human body, new ideas should fuel the activity of any, even the most conservative organization. In order for these updates to bring profit to the company, without negatively affecting its sustainability, it is necessary to seriously prepare for the preparation of the document.

So how do you get started writing a business plan? First you need to find and collect the following information:

  • texts of UNIDO recommendations. There are no uniform standards in Russia, therefore it is customary to use the standards of UNIDO - the United Nations Industrial Development Organization;
  • requirements of the Ministry of Economic Development;
  • requirements of the regional and regional administrations of Russia (if the project is submitted to these structures for participation in a competition or grants);
  • requirements of potential investors to the project;
  • certified software products for drawing up plans, assessing the financial condition of an enterprise, calculating the project budget;
  • copies of contracts, agreements, licenses, etc.;
  • copies of the documents on which the data of the plan will be based;
  • price lists of suppliers;
  • financial information of the company for several years (calculations of financial indicators);
  • list of experts to help before presenting the document to investors.

It is also necessary to form a working group and appoint a leader.

How will the bank rate your business plan?

There are no officially approved requirements. Everything is determined by the rules of a particular bank, its credit policy and approaches to working with clients. It is possible that the original version of the business plan (or its equivalent) will undergo significant changes. The editors of the Financial Director magazine interviewed bankers and found out that bankers judge the prospects of a project by no means by traditional indicators of investment efficiency.

For a credit institution, the business plan of a potential borrower is by no means an empty formality, but the main source of data for risk assessment. That is why the bankers almost unanimously noted that there are several most important sections of the document, on the basis of which they judge the prospects.

Step. 1. Define the goals of the business plan

First of all, it is necessary to determine the goal - whether the document will be required only for internal use, or the circle of potential readers will be wider. For example, whether investors will consider it for financial design. It is desirable, in any case, to compose it as if it would be studied by experienced heads of investment funds or heads of large banks ( ). If you were them, would you give personal money for this project? How much do you personally need what will become the goal of the project - as a leader, specialist or ordinary person? What is the material value of your proposal? Be the most strict reader, only from this point of view can be seen. Then, a list of sources of information is compiled, the structure of the document is developed.

Step 2. Gather all the necessary information

In order to understand how to make a business plan from scratch, you will need to collect the necessary information - about the sales market, price forecasts for services / goods, legislative acts that may affect the operation of the company, and other precise data that each business should rely on. from statements and predictions. Some can be collected independently, from industry media, scientific periodicals, stock news, ready-made marketing research, information about similar projects of other companies. If this information is not enough, you should conduct or order your own marketing research from specialized firms.

In what case is it worth writing a business plan yourself, and when to turn to professionals

Expert comment

Ksenia Shvetsova, business trainer

The higher the significance of the project and the requirements for it, and the larger the amount involved, the higher the likelihood that the company will turn to third-party specialists. If the company has competent employees in management, marketing and financial planning, it is quite possible to cope with the task on your own. If they are not available, it is advisable to order the development of a document from professionals.

Appeal to third-party specialists is also relevant when an investment project is drawn up for certain competitions or government programs. Specialized firms have experience in this business and know the subtleties and nuances that may not be known to entrepreneurs. If the business plan is created for internal use, then it is more efficient to first write it yourself, and then, if necessary, turn to professionals for help.


How to write a business plan for which you will definitely get a loan

In an effort to get a loan, companies often draw up a business plan formally and adjust it to the requirements of the bank. As a result, they do not take into account the features of the project and make mistakes. See six tips that will help you objectively assess the effectiveness of a future project and increase your chances of financing.

Step 3: Develop a Marketing Plan

Now consider the main sections of the business plan. The marketing plan is one of the most important sections. First, you need to conduct a marketing study in which to evaluate the profitability and payback in different situations, depending and not depending on the activities of the company, including the volume of financial investments. Then, make a marketing plan. It is he who will determine the direction of the development of the project and will give an understanding of the most appropriate tools and means to achieve the goals. Include the following items in it:

1. Marketing strategic planning:

  • Company's mission;
  • company goals;
  • company's competitive advantage;
  • marketing strategy, its characteristics;

2. Product Description:

  • product description and assortment;
  • the main characteristics of the product, operational characteristics;
  • attractiveness for the client, the benefits of using the product;
  • requirements for consumer properties of the product;
  • competitive advantages of the product and competitiveness of the product;
  • patents, licenses, certificates for the product;
  • product packaging;
  • delivery conditions;
  • guarantees and service;
  • features of taxation.

3. Pricing policy:

  • factors affecting pricing;

4. Sales of products:

  • volume and level of development of the industry;
  • main categories of clients;
  • target markets and their comparative characteristics;
  • barriers to entry and development in the market;
  • product marketing strategy;
  • product distribution scheme;
  • sales channels;

5. Promotion:

  • sales promotion methods;
  • advertising.

6. Scheduling of the planned strategic plan:

  • dates of achievement of intermediate goals;
  • date of achievement of the final goal.

7. Detailing the plan to specific executors and appointed responsible persons. Answers to the questions of who, what, when, where, with what resources should be done and how it affects the final result.

8. Formation of the marketing budget:

  • sales forecast;
  • cost forecast;
  • determining the budget for marketing activities.

Marketing planning will help determine the price bar for a product or service - the maximum amount that a buyer is willing to pay for your offer. The more accurate this forecast is, the more stable the profit will be and the more effective the promotion costs.

It is equally important to correctly identify the choice of suppliers of equipment, tools, services and other things that are necessary in the implementation of the project. Do not chase cheapness, find even a smaller number, but those companies that do not fail with supplies and quality. You also need to determine the sales market, potential buyers or users of services. No matter how reliable a small number of them may seem, the disappearance of the need for your product will reduce all efforts and costs to zero. Therefore, expand your customer base in advance. At the same time, it is important to correlate the search for customers with the costs of promotion. The budget of a business plan is not infinite, advertising agencies promise a lot, but be realistic, even a large audience coverage does not always lead to targeted customers.

Reflect in the marketing plan the sales methods you will use - direct to the consumer, through a network of distributors, otherwise.

Step 4: Make a Production Plan

The next part of creating a business plan is the production plan. Here you need to answer the following questions:

  1. Where is the production located?
  2. Is it provided with transport routes?
  3. Are all necessary communications available?
  4. Is construction of production facilities required?
  5. How are the equipment delivery issues resolved?
  6. Is the company staffed with qualified personnel?
  7. What technologies are planned to be used?
  8. Is there cooperation with suppliers, subcontractors?
  9. How is the problem of waste disposal solved?

Answering these questions should be based on the information provided in the marketing research.

Production control

Particular attention should be paid to the description of the production of goods and the quality control system at each stage. for this, a TQM control chart (Process Quality Control Line Chart) and an Economic Order Quantity model are applied.

The key point of the production plan is to prove the need for the chosen production technology (service provision). If there is a choice of production processes, then you need to mention all of them, listing the serious shortcomings, so that the advantages of the technology company needed look justified. You can consider at each point of the plan the possibility of saving budget funds: the use of leasing, rental of equipment, cooperation with freelancers instead of permanent employees, transfer of some functions to outsourcing. It is very important to highlight the most effective and low-cost opportunity to conquer an economic niche in the market.

Recruitment

Recruitment is another important part of the production system, because the success of the project depends on the skills and reactions of the project managers. The description of the skill level and the company's availability of the right specialists should reflect the real picture. If there is a need for additional recruitment of personnel and a managerial core, it is important to clarify whether it is possible to find them at the location of the production or whether they will have to bear the cost of motivating them to move from other cities. It is not necessary to spend many words on the biography of the leadership. It is necessary to show that each of the managers is really a professional in his field, devoted to him and the team believes in the leader. For this, specific data on his role in participation in other projects is sufficient, while it is not necessary to describe exclusively successes. An adequate analysis of your past mistakes and the ability to draw the right conclusions are positively perceived by investors.

Production loading

The next item is production load or production capacity (PM). It contains data on the volume of products (services rendered) that the company is able to produce (render) for a specific time period. This paragraph considers the company's PM in several categories: project, current, reserve, and from the point of view of its possible increase and decrease. Here you also need to provide information on how flexible production will be - whether it is possible to quickly increase or reduce the output of goods without significant losses and breaks in the production-supply chain.

The production plan must contain a layout of equipment and its justification.

Aggregate plan and work schedule

An aggregate production plan for the sale of products is created to compare marketing data and production capacities for a period from one year to 5–7 years. It is characterized by the clarity of definitions of goods / services that must be produced to fulfill the business plan. The production and sales plan is usually broken down into periods up to a year. Every month it can be adjusted, depending on the current situation in the company. The very concept of "aggregate" means to enlarge. In this case, we mean the generalization of individual indicators and bringing them into one position.

The next steps are scheduling work and planning material requirements. For this it is convenient to use .

Step 5. Prepare a financial plan

This part of the business plan is designed to evaluate the project in terms of cost and profitability. It should justify the need for finance, outline ways to replenish the project budget, and guarantees. It also provides a description of the economic situation in the area of ​​interest of the project, difficult to predict factors and possible options for financial behavior under several scenarios. Preparation for work on the financial plan consists in drawing up an estimate, and the degree of its accuracy.

It is important to list in detail all the planned costs for the project and justify their need for years, breaking them down into quarters. And the first year is desirable to plan monthly.

For each month (quarter, year) of the project, you need to reflect:

  • taxes and their rates;
  • inflation;
  • information on methods of capitalization;
  • loan repayment schedule.

Take data from:

  • ;
  • documents on the movement of money;
  • balance sheet.

How to draw up a business plan so that investors and bankers like it

It depends on how the business plan is designed, what issues are covered in it and how, whether it will be possible to get money for the idea. We have prepared recommendations that will help you create a business plan that investors and bankers can understand and not miss anything really important.

Tips to help you write a good business plan

  1. Reflect in the plan the approximate period when the invested funds will return and what specific steps are provided for this.
  2. When making forecasts, check project performance indicators.
  3. Experts advise, after accurate calculations of the costs of the project, to double this figure. Lack of funds can ruin the most promising project.
  4. Compare the timing of the receipt of funds with the timing of the regular expenses of the company.
  5. Build a financial reserve while project revenue growth is only on paper.
  6. Create sound profitability forecasts. It is better to expect less than to be captured by illusory expectations and create a difficult financial situation for the enterprise.
  7. Tightly control costs until operating payback occurs.

A business plan is a project that allows an entrepreneur to display all the moments of organizing his future business. A competent and convincing business plan makes it possible to attract large investors, creditors and start a promising business.

Careful study of each item of the business plan is the key to drawing up a competent and promising project. Initial points worth paying attention to.

Key PointsDescription
Line of businessDetermining the direction of work is the starting point in drawing up a business plan. It is important to clearly describe the type of activity that the entrepreneur plans to engage in. It is necessary not only to determine the direction of development, but also to justify why this particular type of activity, in the opinion of the compiler of the business plan, will bring him profit. Here is a list of goods and services that will be the products of the entrepreneur
Business locationIn modern conditions, a business can be located not only in a real room, but also on the Internet. In the second case, the business plan indicates the address of the site and the residential premises from which the entrepreneur plans to access the Internet. In the first case, it is important to indicate not only the location of the retail space, but also the method of its operation (purchase, rent, leasing). Justify the choice of business location
ControlThe entrepreneur must determine for himself who will be the manager. This can be directly the owner of the business, or an outsider who is empowered by the manager.
StaffPersonnel plays an important role in the formation and development of any business. The more qualified specialists working in the company, the more profit they will bring. The desired number and quality of employees is indicated in the business plan, along with the calculation of the approximate costs of maintaining this team and the justification for the need for these costs.
The target audienceThe entrepreneur must decide which categories of citizens will be his clients. The business plan provides a description of these categories of consumers, as well as ways to attract them (advertising, marketing strategy of the business)
CompetitorsIt is important to soberly assess the situation in the market for the provision of similar services, or the sale of similar products. In the business plan, you need to list all major competitors, study their activities and describe possible ways to fight
Amount of costsIn the business plan, you must specify the total amount of costs that will have to be incurred in the implementation of this project. It takes into account the cost of equipment, salaries of employees, rental and advertising costs, the cost of purchasing goods, contingencies, etc.

In order to draw up a competent business plan, you need to carefully study the factors presented in the table.

Research highlightsDescription
Market ConditionThe area of ​​residence of potential customers, age and gender of potential buyers, current prices, volatility in demand (for example, for seasonal goods), etc. All these data can be found in the media, on the Internet, with the help of observations and surveys, in statistical reports.
Activities of competitorsName of companies, location, characteristics of goods and services, distinctive features, price level, ways to promote products, pace of development. Analysis of competitors makes it possible to adjust your plans at the initial stage and focus on goods and services that compare favorably with what competitors offer
Price for similar productsTo calculate the estimated price, you can take into account: competitors' prices, demand for goods, production costs, expected profit, uniqueness markup, etc.
Existing risksThreat of falling demand, unreliability of suppliers, inflation, activity of authorities, increase in the cost of equipment, etc.
Sources of financingPossible subsidies, investments, loans, leasing.
Methods of taxationIt is important to study all the ways to pay taxes and choose the best option. There are three types of taxation in Russia: general, simplified, imputed.

When drawing up a business plan, it is desirable to consider the following recommendations:

  • at the beginning of the business plan, make a short discussion of it, which will concisely state the essence of the document;
  • describe the future company in as much detail as possible (name, actual address, legal address, description of the direction of activity, area of ​​​​the premises, landlord, etc.);
  • give a detailed analysis of the sales market (market segments, consumers, development trends, possible risks, expected profit, etc.);
  • tell about future goods, services (reasons for choosing this particular product, target audience, advantages over competitors, the process of production of goods, etc.);
  • describe the chosen strategy (a way to conquer the market and find your niche);
  • carefully study the activities of dozens of the closest competitors, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses;
  • make a complete description of the production, paying attention to even the most insignificant at first glance moments (method of delivery of goods, the procedure for writing off debts from debtors, the process of training and training personnel, equipment, technologies, licenses, legal aspects of activity, etc.);
  • describe the workflow. You can attach resumes and letters of recommendation of key employees (for example, the manager and key managers), describe job descriptions, calculate the approximate costs of staff salaries;
  • attach all relevant documents to the business plan. In addition to documents describing the duties and qualifications of employees, it is necessary to attach accounting documents, loan documents, lease or leasing agreements, statistical reports, etc.


At the initial stage of drawing up a business plan, it is important to avoid common mistakes. These errors include:

  • excess information. The business plan should be devoted exclusively to the description of the planned business activity. The presence of a large amount of secondary information (personal merits of the author, professional terms, too detailed description of the production process, etc.) can make a negative impression on future investors;
  • blurry and unattainable goals. The tasks that the entrepreneur sets for himself must be realistically achievable;
  • adequate financial performance. Indicating an unnecessarily high percentage of a venture's return in order to impress investors can lead to the opposite result. Financial indicators should be based on real research and calculations, as well as take into account possible risks;

Thus, when drawing up a business plan at the initial stage, it is important to decide on the direction of activity, to collect all the necessary information. A competent project will be the key to building a successful business.