How to develop an effective business plan

Everyone knows that a business plan is one of the most effective tools for the successful implementation of a new project. Despite this, many aspiring entrepreneurs do not understand how to properly write a business plan. For some, simple calculations from the “bought and sold” category are enough, others build a complex strategy instead of clear goals and objectives. So does an entrepreneur need a business plan and how to develop it?

Why is a plan needed?

In the practice of doing business, there are a huge number of force majeure circumstances that can affect the course of business. Their list is so huge that it is unlikely to fit into the format of this material. Moreover, it is practically impossible to take into account all the factors in one document and develop a mechanism for responding to them. So does it make sense to have a strategy, or is it enough to limit yourself to basic techniques and apply them as needed? As practice shows, having a business plan is still worth it.

It is needed for two tasks:

1. Business plan for "internal use":

- As the saying goes, 10 minutes of planning saves an hour of hard work. Having a well-designed business plan for small businesses allows you to establish management processes. This is especially important when working in a team. A detailed plan eliminates discrepancies and stipulates the steps that each member of the team takes in a given situation.

- Tracking performance. A well-designed business plan has a number of key milestones that your business must achieve at certain intervals. By how clearly you pass these “marks”, you can draw conclusions about the effectiveness of business processes and “tighten the screws” if necessary. In addition, you can be sure that your team will be focused on the right goals in the event of a temporary lack of leadership.

A well-designed business plan has a number of key milestones that your business must achieve at certain intervals. By how clearly you pass these "marks", you can draw conclusions about the effectiveness of business processes.

— Risk reduction. We have already written that it is impossible to foresee all force majeure circumstances, but the general pattern of actions in a crisis situation is a very useful thing. As a rule, such steps are quite universal and reduce risks. A clause on who, when and under what circumstances will perform them should be present in the business plan.

2. Business plan for investors.

The master plan for business development, however, is needed and not only for internal use. In some cases, it may be presented to third parties. Very often, potential investors study a business plan for evaluation. The decision to invest in your business depends on how well all the nuances are worked out in it. In this case, the document has the status of a conditional "promissory note" and is binding. This may be a business plan for an employment center, receiving grants or subsidies. In order to receive a subsidy to open their own business, the applicant must submit a number of documents to the Employment Center (CZN). Including - a business plan prepared in accordance with the structure that is set by the EPC. Deviations from it are not allowed.

Where can I get a plan?

A business plan can appear in two ways:

1. The first option is to contact a specialized company that will perform this work. As a rule, such a service is provided by various marketing agencies. Specialists will assess the market situation, conduct the necessary research and calculations, formulate the most appropriate development concept and key key indicators. Naturally, ordering the development of a business plan will require certain expenses. The cost of the service depends on the region, the qualifications of the agency and the amount of work. As a rule, individual wishes of the client are also taken into account in the final document.
2. You can write a business plan from scratch on your own. It's free, but the process requires effort and certain knowledge. As a first step along this path, we can recommend downloading a sample with calculations or ready-made examples, adapting them to your own business.

Independent business planning

We offer you a universal step-by-step instruction for self-development of a business plan.

1. Determine the type of document

Business practitioners and theorists in Russia argue that business plans can be divided into four main types:

• Company business plan. This is the most common type. Document "for internal use", which was written above;

• An investment business plan is developed for investors, describes the characteristics of your business and contains market research data;

• A credit business plan is required to get a loan from a bank. Shows the real need for a loan, the possibility of using credit funds and their repayment;

• Business plan for obtaining a grant or or non-state structures. In such a business plan, it is necessary to focus on the benefits of your business for the region or country as a whole, or its social component (for example, environmental projects).

2. We collect and analyze information

• A description of the product or service you intend to sell. Emphasis should be placed on the competitive advantages of the product. If it is cheap, technologically advanced, or has no analogues at all, be sure to mark it;

• Sales market analysis. It is important to carefully study the potential market for your product or service. This can be done using various tools. For example, analyze sales of similar products or launch a trial batch of your product on the market. At the same time, in practice, one can understand how the product will be distributed, its current price, opportunities to stimulate consumers and promotion channels (advertising);

• Assessment of competitors. You need to study your competitors thoroughly. This will help highlight the advantages of your product, as well as predict the actions of other market players;

• Production analysis. Here it is important to evaluate your own production capabilities (know how much product you can supply to the market), their flexibility (the possibility of modernization, expansion, re-profiling, etc.). It is not bad to evaluate the maximum possibilities of uninterrupted supplies of raw materials and consumables. If a business plan is drawn up for a company or an agricultural enterprise, then it is necessary to make a certain adjustment for the risks of a natural nature, and all calculations should be carried out based on a pessimistic scenario for the development of the situation;

• organizational moments. Recruiting a team of professionals and organizing work also requires resources. Analyze these points carefully;

• Estimated financial plan. In this part of the study, you need to calculate the costs of the above items and current activities, as well as evaluate revenue, profit, and payback periods.

Recruiting a team of professionals and organizing work also requires resources. Consider these points carefully.

3. We draw up a business plan

So, all the data is collected, systematized and double-checked. The last point is especially important, since mistakes in a business plan can be fraught with serious problems in the future. The time has come to bring all the data and conclusions into a single document and issue it:

• The title page of the document is drawn up according to certain standards. It should contain information about the address and contact details of the enterprise, to whom the document is intended and whether it is confidential. Be sure to indicate the full and short name of the project, the head of the enterprise and this project, the date of commencement of implementation and its duration. Specify the time period during which the data in the document will be relevant;

• Brief summary. On 2-3 pages, describe the essence of the project and its prospects;

• Main part. To prepare this chapter of the business plan, we use pre-collected and structured information, which we already wrote about above. The main part should include the following:

– a detailed description of the type of activity and services of the company;

– market assessment indicating the competitive advantages of the company;

- marketing strategy;

- promotion of goods on the market.

- the cost of providing services;

- a plan for the technical equipment and activities of the company and production capabilities;

– management structure, personnel search;

– assessment of potential risks;

- financial forecast.

• Appendix. In this part of the business plan, it is worth adding additional materials with the rationale for the theses of the document.

To draw up a business plan, you can use special programs. This will somewhat simplify and automate the process, but the essence of the document will not change from this.

A short algorithm for self-development of a business plan

1. Document type selection: enterprise business plan, investment, loan or grant document.
2. Collection, analysis, verification and systematization of information: description of the product with identified competitive advantages; study and analysis of the market, competitors, production and organizational measures; investments, revenue, profit and payback periods.
3. Making a business plan. Inclusion in the final document of all data and conclusions drawn on their basis. Let's not forget about the application.

1. Check and recheck the data you use when writing your business plan. Incorrect or out of date information can lead to fatal errors. Use data from official and independent sources for comparison. Use research: surveys, focus groups, launching trial batches of goods.
2. Include in the business plan options for the development of negative scenarios and your actions in this case. This approach allows minimizing risks in the implementation of the project.
3. Pay special attention to the design. Errors in the final document are not allowed.
4. The business plan in your company must have the status of law. Deviations from actions and key indicators are possible only if you or your investors decide so.

Remember that any, even the most well-developed business plan, is just one, albeit a very likely, scenario. Be prepared to adjust it if necessary.

From the desires of wealth does not come. They come from a clear plan of action based on equally clear aspirations. Napoleon Hill, philosopher, bestselling author of Think and Grow Rich