Business Plan template to 'Grow a business'

Posted by rajanand on Wednesday 19th of August 2009 | 0 Comment(s)

: Image by Raymond Yee via Flickr

I have been getting several requests to point friends to a business plan template to help them growing their business. I thought it would be a great opportunity to dig out a business plan which I wrote in 2007.

What's a business plan ?

A business plan is a formal statement of a set of business goals, the reasons why they are believed attainable, and the plan for reaching those goals. It may also contain background information about the organization or team attempting to reach those goals (source Wikipedia).

Business plan is essential tool for any entrepreneur looking to start a business. The document should be aimed at helping you plan your journey from start to finish. My top tip when developing a business plan is to keep it simple to give anyone a quick overview of your business ambitions. You are encouraged to use this document as a guide, I would strongly discourage you to copy it blindly. Remember the business plan is primarily for you.

Content of the Business Plan

Content of the business plan and page numbers:
Executive Summary................................................. 4
Mission Statement................................................. 5
Background and Strategic Vision................................................. 5

Strategy for Growth................................................. 8
Technology................................................. 9
Trademark and IP................................................. 9
Software................................................. 10
Benchmark................................................. 10
Market................................................. 12
Growth of Social Networks................................................. 12

Social Networking Phenomenon................................................. 12

For Corporate Clients................................................. 13

3rd party Social Networks................................................. 14

Market Share................................................. 14
Sales Strategy................................................. 16
Marketing................................................. 17
Global expansion................................................. 17
Exit Strategy................................................. 18
Organisation Structure................................................. 18
Current Structure................................................. 18
Structure in 6 months................................................. 19
Structure in 1 year................................................. 19
Structure in 2 years................................................. 19

<Company Name>’s Journey................................................. 20

Management Team................................................. 20

Finance................................................. 21
Evaluation................................................. 21
Advertising................................................. 22
User Generated Content / Users................................................. 22
Setup/Monthly cost................................................. 22

Appendix ................................................. 22