SMEAC Business Plan Template

Executive Summary (1Page) A Summary of Your:

  • Company Name and Contact Info
  • Business Concept
  • The Market for Your Product
  • Unique Value Proposition and Strategy
  • Managerial Expertise
  • Financial Forecasting
  • Financing Being Requested

Business Plan Body:

  1. Situation
  2. Problem in Need of Solving
  3. Factual Evidence
  1. Mission
  2. Mission Statement- Should Answer in 25 Words or Less:
  3. What Business Are You In?
  4. Who is Your Target Market?
  5. What is the General Nature of Your Business?
  6. What CommonBeliefs and Values Attract Your:
  7. Customers?
  8. Employees?
  9. Investors?
  10. Do They Believe What You Believe?
  1. Execution
  2. Company History (If Company Already Exists)
  3. Company Founding
  4. Financial and Operational Highlights
  5. Significant Achievements
  6. Product/Service Description
  7. Features
  8. Benefits or Transformations
  9. Intellectual Property if Applicable
  10. Profit Centers
  11. Primary
  12. Secondary and Peripheral
  13. Marketing Plan
  14. Market Research and Analysis
  15. Industry Profile
  16. Size
  17. Growth/Decline?
  18. Emerging Developments and Trends
  19. Barriers to Entry and Exit
  20. Seasonal Trends
  21. State of Development (Start-up, growth, maturity)
  22. Target Market
  23. Clearly Defined Customer Segment
  24. Demographics of that Segment
  25. Geography
  26. Who, What, Where, When, and Why do they buy?
  27. Positioning
  28. Unique Sales/Value Proposition and Niche
  29. Pricing Tier
  30. Customer Experience Spectrum
  31. CompetitiveAnalysis (Existing and Potential)
  32. Existing Competitors
  33. Market Share
  34. Strengths
  35. Weaknesses
  36. Price Comparison
  37. Impact on You
  38. Potential Competitors
  39. Potential Impact on You
  40. Market Strategy
  41. Communications Channels
  42. Ideal Methods to Reach Target Market
  43. Media Type
  44. Frequency of Use
  45. Costsand Impressions for Each Media Type
  46. Distribution Channels
  47. Sales Force
  48. Size and Recruitment
  49. Sales Staff or Intermediary Compensation Model
  50. Sales Metrics
  51. Market Budget
  52. Summary of Marketing Key Performance Indicator Tracking
  53. Market Intelligence Gathering
  54. Surveys
  55. Customer Feedback
  56. Focus Groups
  57. Ongoing Market Pricing and Trend Analysis
  58. Operations Plan and Organizational Chart
  59. Production Process (If Applicable)
  60. Financial Controls
  61. SMART Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s), Goals and Objectives:
  62. Financial
  63. Operational
  64. Other
  65. Customer Service Plan
  66. Follow-up
  67. Referral Programs
  68. Repeat Customer Plans
  69. Company SWOT Analysis
  70. Strengths
  71. Weaknesses
  72. Opportunities
  73. Threats
  1. Admin and Logistics
  2. Quantity and Type of Key Resources
  3. People
  4. HR Needs and Supply of Quality Labor
  5. Wage Rates/Compensation Packages
  6. Equipment
  7. Licensing
  8. Insurance
  9. Legal and Ownership Structure
  10. Real Estate
  11. Traffic Count
  12. Lease/Rental Rates
  13. Location Demographic DataVs Target Customer Profiles
  14. Size and Layout Requirements
  15. ADA Compliance
  16. Ergonomics
  1. Time to Major Milestones
  2. Minimum Product Viability
  3. Breakeven Cashflow (Crossing the Chasm)
  4. Profitability
  5. Exit Strategy
  1. Financial Forecasting (Estimate Based on Previous 7Needs + Buffer)
  2. Cost Structures
  3. Fixed Cost Estimates
  4. Variable Cost Estimates
  5. Gross Profit Margin
  6. Discounts
  7. Breakeven Analysis
  8. Pro Forma
  9. Past Performance Using The 4 Financial Statements (For Existing Companies)
  10. Income Statement
  11. Balance Sheet
  12. Statement of Cashflows
  13. Owner’s Equity Statement
  14. Projections of the 4 Financial Statements
  15. Ratio Analysis Compared to Industry Standards
  16. Types of Financing Proposed
  17. Personal
  18. Debt
  19. Repayment Schedule
  20. Use of Funds
  21. Equity
  22. Use of Funds
  23. Exit Strategy
  24. Combo
  25. Timetable for Launch
  1. Command and Signal
  2. Organizational Structure
  3. Decision Making Authority
  4. Descriptions of Key:
  5. Founders
  6. Managers and Employees
  7. Suppliers
  8. Board of Advisors
  9. Investors
  10. Outsourcing Partners
  11. Any External Business/Entity Vital to Success

Appendices: Tack Appendices onto the end of the business plan. These can include

  • Important Market Research
  • Supporting Documentation
  • Financial Statements
  • Org Charts
  • Resumes, And Other Large Datasets that might otherwise interrupt the flow of the business plan if inserted somewhere else the plan.

Good Business Plans:

  • Avoid anecdotal evidence whenever possible (opinions with no facts to back them up).
  • Are Simple and Concise and avoid generalizations, jargon, cliché wording, buzzwords whenever possible.
  • Have simple and relevant color illustrations and graphs.
  • Are Clean and Visually Appealing
  • Are Free of Spelling Errors and Typos
  • Are Interesting
  • Show realistic cashflow projections and a path to profitability.
  • Only long enough to communicate all the relevant facts.