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Review: 'Bankable Business Plans' by Edward Rogoff

Business plans serve two primary purposes: (A) clarifying your value proposition and revenue model; (B) convincing others that your business is sound enough to justify an investment or a loan.

Bankable Business Plans is a step-by-step guide that will teach you everything you need to know to create a clear, comprehensive, and compelling business plan.

Dr. Edward Rogoff has helped hundreds of prospective entrepreneurs create business plans as a professor at the City University of New York, and his advice in this book is straightforward and clear. Each chapter will guide you through a specific section of your business plan:

• Value definition
• Needs assessment
• Differentiation and competitive assessment
• Market analysis
• Marketing planning
• Sales and promotion strategy
• Organization design
• Financing needs
• Financial projections
• Risk analysis

Bankable Business Plans also features a rare bonus: it explains how to use data from the Risk Management Association (RMA) to increase the accuracy of your financial projections, and thereby increasing the likelihood of obtaining funding for your entrepreneurial venture. Using Dr. Rogoff's approach, you'll be able to think through every aspect of your business and use RMA data to ensure your assumptions are accurate. Several complete business plans are included as examples to help you get started.

If you're planning to start a business, you can't afford to skip Bankable Business Plans .

(Note: special thanks to Dr. Rogoff, who came across the Personal MBA through a colleague and generously sent me a copy of this book. It's a gem I wouldn't have otherwise found among the thousands of sub-par business planning books currently in the market.)

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Josh Kaufman is an acclaimed business, learning, and skill acquisition expert. He is the author of two international bestsellers: The Personal MBA and The First 20 Hours . Josh's research and writing have helped millions of people worldwide learn the fundamentals of modern business.

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Bankable Business Plans

Bankable Business Plans is a step-by-step guide that will teach you everything you need to know to create a clear, comprehensive, and compelling business plan tailored to bank lending.

Dr. Edward Rogoff has helped hundreds of prospective entrepreneurs create business plans as a professor at the City University of New York, and his advice in this book is straightforward and clear. Each chapter will guide you through a specific section of your business plan:

• Value definition
• Needs assessment
• Differentiation and competitive assessment
• Market analysis
• Marketing planning
• Sales and promotion strategy
• Organization design
• Financing needs
• Financial projections
• Risk analysis

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Here’s How To Write A Bankable Business Plan

• 11 mins read
• 28 July 2023

I have had experience coaching and training numerous companies, government-linked corporations (GLCs), government agencies, and entrepreneurs. Among the most crucial challenges is creating and developing a bankable business plan or business proposal.

While many have taught the criteria for preparing a business plan, few have delved into the specifics of crafting a bankable one. I will not only cover the criteria for a bankable business plan but also go deep into the reasons why many companies face rejections of their proposals. Understanding these reasons is crucial in order to effectively counter them and increase the chances of success.

I analyzed the common pitfalls and shortcomings that often lead to proposal rejections, such as lack of market research, weak financial projections, inadequate competitive analysis, or insufficient clarity in the value proposition. By addressing these issues head-on, we equip you with the tools and strategies to strengthen your proposal and overcome potential obstacles.

My aim is to empower you with the knowledge and insights necessary to develop a compelling and persuasive business plan that not only meets the criteria but also impresses stakeholders and potential investors. Through our in-depth discussions and guidance, you will gain the confidence and understanding needed to navigate the challenges of creating a bankable business plan.

When seeking a loan from a bank to fund your business venture, a well-crafted and bankable business plan is crucial. A strong business plan not only demonstrates your vision and potential but also instills confidence in lenders that your venture is worth investing in.

In this article, we will guide you through the critical steps to writing a bankable business plan that will increase your chances of securing a loan for your entrepreneurial journey.

• Executive Summary: The executive summary sets the stage for your business plan and provides a concise overview of your company, its objectives, and the amount of funding you are seeking. Keep it compelling and to the point, highlighting the most critical aspects of your business.
• Company Description: This section provides a comprehensive overview of your business. Describe your company’s mission, vision, legal structure, ownership details, and key milestones achieved. Explain the industry in which you operate, its potential for growth, and the target market you intend to serve.
• Market Analysis: Conduct a thorough market analysis to demonstrate your understanding of the industry and its trends. Identify your target audience, analyze competitors, and highlight your unique selling proposition. Show the bank that you have conducted market research and understand your customers’ needs and preferences.
• Products and Services: Describe your business’s products or services. Explain how they address market demand and provide value to customers. Highlight any competitive advantages or intellectual property you possess that differentiates your offerings from others in the market.
• Marketing and Sales Strategy: Outline your marketing and sales approach to attract customers and generate revenue. Explain your pricing strategy, distribution channels, and promotional activities. Include a sales forecast and projections to demonstrate the potential profitability of your business.
• Management and Organization : Detail the structure of your management team and their qualifications. Emphasize their relevant experience and expertise, as this will give the bank confidence in your ability to lead the business successfully. Include an organizational chart and highlight any key advisors or board members.
• Financial Projections: This section is crucial, as it demonstrates the financial viability of your business. Include projected income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets for at least three years. Use realistic assumptions and provide detailed explanations for your financial projections.
• Funding Request: Clearly state the amount of funding you are seeking and explain how it will be used to support your business goals. Provide a breakdown of the loan requirements, including working capital, equipment purchases, or expansion plans. Show the bank that you have a solid repayment plan in place.
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Acknowledge the risks and challenges your business may face and outline your strategies for mitigating them. Address potential industry or market risks and demonstrate your ability to adapt and overcome obstacles.
• Appendix: Include any supporting documents, such as resumes, legal contracts, permits, licenses, or market research data, in the appendix. These documents will provide additional credibility and support to your business plan.

People often write business plans that may not be considered bankable due to various reasons. Banks may reject a business plan or business proposal for a loan due to various reasons. Understanding these common issues can help you avoid them and increase your chances of approval.

Normal issues that can lead to a bank rejecting a business plan or proposal

• Inadequate Financial Projections: Banks assess the financial viability of a business and its ability to generate sufficient cash flow to repay the loan. If your financial projections are unrealistic, lack supporting data, or show inconsistencies, the bank may consider your business plan unreliable and reject your loan application.
• Insufficient Collateral or Guarantees: Banks often require collateral or personal guarantees to secure a loan. If the value of the collateral is insufficient or if the personal guarantees provided are not strong enough, the bank may reject the loan application due to perceived higher risk.
• Poor Credit History: Banks review the credit history of the borrower, both personal and business. A low credit score, a history of late payments, or defaults on previous loans can lead to loan rejection. Maintain a good credit history by making payments on time and managing your debts responsibly.
• Lack of Business Experience or Expertise: Banks consider the experience and expertise of the management team crucial to the success of a business. If the management team lacks relevant industry experience or fails to demonstrate the necessary skills to manage the proposed venture, the bank may reject the loan application.
• Weak Business Model or Market Analysis: If the business plan fails to convince the bank of the viability of the business model or lacks a thorough market analysis, it may be seen as high risk. Banks want assurance that your business has a solid market demand, a competitive advantage, and a well-defined target audience.
• Insufficient Cash Flow or Profitability: Banks assess the cash flow and profitability of a business to ensure it can generate enough income to repay the loan. If your business plan demonstrates weak cash flow projections or a lack of profitability, the bank may consider it financially unstable and reject the loan application.
• Inadequate Documentation: Failing to provide the required supporting documents or submitting incomplete or inaccurate information can result in loan rejection. Banks rely on these documents to assess the credibility and feasibility of your business proposal, so ensure they are well-prepared and up-to-date.
• Regulatory or Legal Issues: Banks require businesses to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. If your business plan raises concerns about legal compliance or if there are any pending legal issues, the bank may reject the loan application to mitigate potential risks.
• Over-reliance on a Single Customer or Supplier: If your business heavily depends on one customer or supplier, it can be seen as a risk. Banks prefer diverse and stable customer bases and supply chains to ensure the sustainability of their business.
• Lack of Repayment Plan: If your business plan fails to outline a clear and feasible repayment plan for the loan, including repayment sources and timelines, the bank may reject the loan application. Banks need assurance that you have considered how the loan will be repaid.

It’s important to address these issues when preparing your business plan and loan proposal. Conduct thorough research, seek professional advice if needed, and ensure your business plan addresses these potential concerns to maximize your chances of loan approval.

To increase the chances of your business plan being considered bankable by banks, it is important to fulfill certain prerequisites and provide supporting documents that demonstrate the viability of your business.

Here is a list of prerequisites and supporting documents commonly required by banks when submitting a business plan for a loan

The prerequisites.

• Clarity of Purpose: Clearly state the purpose of the loan and how it will be used to support your business’s growth, such as working capital, equipment purchase, expansion, or inventory management.
• Realistic Financial Projections: Develop realistic and well-supported financial projections that include projected income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets for at least three years. Use accurate assumptions based on thorough market research and industry analysis.
• Repayment Plan: Present a solid repayment plan, including the proposed loan term, interest rates, and the expected cash flow generated by the business to cover loan repayments.
• Strong Management Team: Highlight the qualifications and experience of your management team to instill confidence in the bank regarding their ability to successfully lead and manage the business.
• Collateral or Guarantees: Be prepared to provide collateral or personal guarantees, such as property, inventory, or other assets, to secure the loan. Banks often require some form of security to mitigate their lending risk.
• Credit History: Maintain a good personal and business credit history. Banks typically review credit scores and credit reports to assess the borrower’s creditworthiness.
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that your business complies with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. This includes licenses, permits, registrations, and any necessary certifications.

The supporting documents for loan submission

• Business Plan: A comprehensive business plan that includes all the essential sections mentioned in the previous response. This document should be well-structured, clearly written, and professionally presented.
• Financial Statements: Provide the latest financial statements of your business, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. These statements should be prepared by a qualified accountant.
• Personal and Business Tax Returns: Submit personal and business tax returns for the previous few years to demonstrate the financial health and stability of your business.
• Bank Statements: Provide recent bank statements for your business accounts to showcase cash flow patterns and financial stability.
• Legal Documents: Include copies of legal documents such as business licenses, permits, registrations, contracts, leases, or partnership agreements to establish the legitimacy and legality of your business.
• Resumes: Attach resumes or curricula vitae (CVs) of key members of your management team, highlighting their relevant experience, skills, and qualifications.
• Market Research and Analysis: Include market research data, competitor analysis, and industry reports to support your understanding of the market, its potential, and your competitive advantage.
• Contracts or Purchase Orders: If applicable, provide any signed contracts or purchase orders from customers or clients that demonstrate existing demand for your products or services.
• Insurance Policies: Include copies of insurance policies relevant to your business, such as general liability insurance, property insurance, or professional liability insurance.
• References: Provide references from clients, suppliers, or industry experts who can vouch for your business’s credibility and potential.

These specific requirements and supporting documents may vary depending on the bank and the nature of your business. It’s always recommended to consult with the bank or a financial advisor to ensure you meet their specific prerequisites and provide all the necessary supporting documents when submitting your business plan for a loan.

If an entrepreneur does not have sufficient collateral or the necessary documentation to support their loan application, there are still several actions they can take to increase their chances of obtaining a loan.

Strategies for entrepreneurs in such a situation

• Build a Strong Business Case: Focus on developing a compelling business plan that clearly outlines the viability and potential profitability of your venture. Highlight your unique selling points, market demand, competitive advantage, and growth projections. Demonstrating a well-thought-out and promising business model can help compensate for the lack of collateral.
• Seek Alternative Financing Options: Explore alternative financing options beyond traditional bank loans. Consider options such as crowdfunding, angel investors, venture capital, or peer-to-peer lending platforms. These alternative sources of funding may have different requirements and may be more flexible regarding collateral.
• Find a Co-Signer or Partner: If you lack collateral, you could consider bringing on a co-signer or business partner who has the necessary assets or creditworthiness to act as a guarantor for the loan. This individual would share responsibility for loan repayment and provide additional security for the bank.
• Build Relationships with Local Banks: Develop relationships with local community banks or credit unions that may have more flexibility in their lending criteria compared to larger institutions. Local banks often have a deeper understanding of the local market and may be more willing to work with entrepreneurs without extensive collateral.
• Opt for Government-backed Loan Programs: Investigate government-backed loan programs or Small Business Administration (SBA) loans or grants that offer support and assistance to entrepreneurs. These programs often have more lenient collateral requirements and provide guarantees to lenders, reducing their risk.
• Improve Personal and Business Credit: Work on improving your personal and business credit scores by paying bills and debts on time, reducing outstanding debts, and establishing a positive credit history. A strong credit profile can help compensate for the lack of collateral and increase your chances of loan approval.
• Provide Additional Documentation : Even if you don’t have traditional collateral, providing additional documentation that showcases the stability and potential of your business can be beneficial. This could include contracts or purchase orders from clients, letters of intent, supplier agreements, or evidence of strong customer demand.
• Demonstrate Personal Investment: Show your commitment and belief in your business by investing your funds into the venture. Banks appreciate entrepreneurs who have a stake in their own success and are willing to invest their resources.
• Seek Expert Assistance: Consider seeking guidance from a small business advisor, consultant, or mentor who can help you navigate the loan application process. They can provide valuable insights, review your business plan, and assist in identifying alternative funding options.

Please bear in mind that each situation is unique, and the availability of options may vary depending on your location, industry, and specific circumstances. It’s essential to carefully evaluate your options, research available resources, and consider seeking professional advice to determine the best course of action for your specific situation.

Writing a bankable business plan requires thorough research, strategic thinking, and a clear understanding of your business model. By following these key steps, you will be well-equipped to create a compelling business plan that increases your chances of securing the loan you need to turn your entrepreneurial vision into a reality.

A strong business plan helps you secure funding and serves as a roadmap for your business’s success.

So, writing a bankable business plan is an essential step for entrepreneurs who are looking to start or expand their ventures. A well-crafted business plan serves as a roadmap that outlines your goals, strategies, and financial projections, making it easier to secure funding and attract potential investors.

Throughout this process, it’s important to thoroughly research your market, identify your target audience, and clearly articulate your unique value proposition. By demonstrating a thorough understanding of your industry, competition, and customer needs, you increase the likelihood of developing a compelling business plan that resonates with stakeholders.

Furthermore, a bankable business plan should address potential risks and challenges while providing realistic and achievable financial projections. This demonstrates your ability to analyze and mitigate risks, which gives confidence to investors and lenders.

Remember, a bankable business plan is not a static document but an evolving blueprint that should be regularly reviewed and updated as your business progresses. Flexibility and adaptability are key in the ever-changing business landscape. By investing time and effort into crafting a comprehensive and persuasive business plan, entrepreneurs can position themselves for success, navigate obstacles, and maximize their chances of turning their ideas into thriving businesses.

Hence, start today and embark on the journey of writing a bankable business plan that will set the foundation for your entrepreneurial aspirations. With careful planning, diligent research, and a clear vision, you can increase your chances of building a successful and sustainable business.

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In 2012, banks and angel investors gave 5.9 million small businesses, start-ups and early-stage companies over $228 billion in funding to grow their companies. The money is flowing. Is it flowing your way?

Cheree Warrick helps businesses create bankable business plans. She explains that there are five parts to a bankable business plan:

1. Market opportunity , where you tell them the problem you’re solving in the marketplace, how many people have that problem, and how many your company could service.

2. Customer acquisition and retention , where you describe how you will: Attract prospects, convert those prospects into customers, service those customers, upsell new products/services to those customers, retain those customers, and get referrals to new customers.

3. Team , where you illustrate that your company has great leadership and a cohesive team that can not only attract and serve customers but also take care of operational issues including accounting, legal and technology.

4. Competitive advantage , where you explain what sets you apart.

5. Financial projections including an Income Statement and Cash Flow Statement

What may be the most intimidating parts of the business plan is also one of the most important. The #1 item that a bank is looking for is cash flow. You have to show that you can pay all your business expenses (payroll comes first, then rent for office space, etc.) plus your home bills (housing costs, food, etc.), plus be prepared to handle an emergency or two. On top of all that a lender wants to see that you can pay back that commercial loan, month after month, year after year.

When reviewing your financial statements and considering your request, investors must answer yes to all of these questions:

• Is this investment something that would go well in our portfolio?
• Are they asking for enough money? Too much money?
• Do we believe there’s truly a market opportunity?
• Do we believe the marketing plan will attract, convert, and retain paying customers?
• Do we believe this team can take advantage of the market opportunity and earn the cash flows and margins they state?
• Do we believe we’ll get our money back?

Seems fairly straightforward, Cheree. So how do people fall short when they’re trying to apply these recommendations?

They don’t have anyone to talk with or strategize with or review their plan. OR they bring it to the banker and expect the banker to review it and tell them what’s right or wrong. Bankers don’t have the time to do this extensive strategizing to take this information and apply it to their business. Bankers tell me they want to lend money, but entrepreneurs come to them so unprepared, they don’t believe the entrepreneur will take the capital the bank gives them and do the right things with it – or make their business grow.

Second, people want to use a fill-in-the-blank template and get bankable results. It doesn’t work that way. You must be able to speak about your business in such a way that it causes the bank to say, “Wow! What this person is doing is dynamic.” And you won’t get that from a fill-in-the-blank template. You get it from being able to speak or write about your business in a unique way that draws people in.

The final point I have is this: People only lend to you when you don’t need the money. If you’re desperate for money, there are alternate sources of funding. If you’re keeping up with your bookkeeping, you should know that a cash crunch is coming. Keep your head out of the sand. A great business owner pays attention to every part of the business, not just the new customer who’s coming through the door.

When you’re doing well and you know you could grow your business 10X with a more aggressive budget, that is the time for a bankable business plan.

Thank you to Cheree Warrick of 1 Billion in Financing for these practical tips. Cheree writes business plans that banks approve. The goal of 1 Billion in Financing is to help 1,000 entrepreneurs raise over $1 billion in capital for their growing enterprises. For more information, please visit http://1billioninfinancing.com/ .

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Is Your Business Bankable?

• Tags: banking relationship , business plan , collateral , financial jargon , KPIs , profitability , working capital
• September 28, 2018

Before we answer the question “is your business bankable?”, what does bankable even mean? Bankable is a financial jargon that indicates that a business is sufficiently healthy to receive interest from lenders to loan . It’s a basic indicator of a company’s success. If a bank is willing to loan a business cash and/or support a business , then the risk of it failing or not paying is low. A bankable company has significant assets , profits , liquidity ( cash ), and collateral . An article from Forbes says it like this, “ The bank is your cheapest, but often most difficult, source of capital with which to operate and grow your company .” So, is your business bankable? There are several things to consider. Financial health will be the primary focus of determining if your business is bankable. There are other things, such as collateral and the character of the person, behind the loan .

Financial Things to Look for

Financial things to look for:

• Are you cash flow positive and can you service the debt ?
• Do you have positive net working capital ?
• Does your company have collateral ?
• Do you have audited financial statements ?

Non-Financial Things to Look for

Non-financial things to look for include the following:

• Do you have a strong management team?
• What does your industry or segment look like (strong, declining, etc.)?
• Do you have a business plan ?
•  The character of the people behind the company and signing the loan documents
• Will you provide a personal or corporate guarantee?

If you are unsure, then just ask your banker .

The Need to be Bankable

We deal with companies that are both highly successful or maybe in a distress situation. If you are successful, then you may want to acquire another company, have a distribution, or invest in CAPEX . In today’s market of relatively cheap access to capital , why would you use your own cash? If you are growing, then you really need to consider a line of credit to help you grow. We see very successful companies in a high growth scenario bleed out of cash and working capital . In those cases, a line of credit would make life so much easier.

Bankable Business Plan

Now, that you have determined if you are bankable or not bankable, it’s time to put together a bankable business plan . There are several things that banks (and investors ) want to see before they invest in your and your company. There are ten sections to a bankable business plan. (HINT: If you do not have a good banking relationship with your banker , then even the most perfect business plan will not guarantee you will get the capital or line of credit you need/want.)

Value Definition

What ares in your business create value ? In a bankable business plan, you need to define your value-generating centers (core-business activities). A successful business will continue to come back to the value that they provide to customers ; however, an unsuccessful business will continue to get distracted by other areas of the business that are not generating any or as much value.

Needs Assessment

A Needs Assessment identifies the company’s priorities. It also defines what needs to be accomplished and the steps that need to be taken to achieve the goals. This is a great tool to use to identify what you know and don’t know about your business. Use this process to analyze every part of your business. Score.org provides a Needs Assessment that will gage how well you know your business and your needs.

Differentiation and Competitive Assessment

Porter’s Five Forces of Competition is used in the differentiation and competitive assessment to identify competing products /services  and to start the process of differentiating yourself from the competitors. For example, there are 3 companies in Houston that provide the exact same product; however, ABC Co. is working to be bankable. So ABC Co. works to position their product differently and to provide more value than their competitors. Without conducting a differentiation and competitive assessment, ABC Co. risks loosing valuable market share.

Market Analysis

Bankers want to mitigate their risk. Conduct a market analysis to explain exactly that your market is doing. Is it new and expanding? Or is it saturated and declining? This will help explain your company’s growth potential.

Marketing Planning

Put together a marketing plan . Identify how you are going to market your product or service, what your target market is, and how you are going to continue to grow.

Sales and Promotion Strategy

Now, that you have built out your marketing plan, identify your sales and promotion strategy . For example, if a $1 trial for a subscription is critical to your sales strategy , then write that out and explain how it has contributed to your company’s growth .

Organization Design

What does your organization look like? Are you bombarded with too many non-essential personnel or administrative functions? Or is your company designed to optimize all positions to cover both value-adding functions and administrative functions?

Financing Needs

Identify your financing needs. How much do you need to sustain your company? How quickly do you need financing ? Answer all this questions

Financial Projections

Next, build out your financial projections . Be sure not to have optimistic projections that are hard to near impossible to accomplish. They need to be realistic, detailed and logical.

Risk Analysis

Finally, what risk does your company have? For example, a company who relies heavily on the oil and gas industry needs to identify what risk they will face if that industry declines.

In conclusion, being bankable is a measurement of success. As previously stated, there are several things you need to watch to remain bankable and profitable . Measure and track those KPIs. Click here to download our free  KPI Discovery Cheatsheet .

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What Is a Business Plan?

Understanding business plans, how to write a business plan, common elements of a business plan, the bottom line, business plan: what it is, what's included, and how to write one.

Adam Hayes, Ph.D., CFA, is a financial writer with 15+ years Wall Street experience as a derivatives trader. Besides his extensive derivative trading expertise, Adam is an expert in economics and behavioral finance. Adam received his master's in economics from The New School for Social Research and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in sociology. He is a CFA charterholder as well as holding FINRA Series 7, 55 & 63 licenses. He currently researches and teaches economic sociology and the social studies of finance at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

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A business plan is a document that outlines a company's goals and the strategies to achieve them. It's valuable for both startups and established companies. For startups, a well-crafted business plan is crucial for attracting potential lenders and investors. Established businesses use business plans to stay on track and aligned with their growth objectives. This article will explain the key components of an effective business plan and guidance on how to write one.

Key Takeaways

• A business plan is a document detailing a company's business activities and strategies for achieving its goals.
• Startup companies use business plans to launch their venture and to attract outside investors.
• For established companies, a business plan helps keep the executive team focused on short- and long-term objectives.
• There's no single required format for a business plan, but certain key elements are essential for most companies.

Investopedia / Ryan Oakley

Any new business should have a business plan in place before beginning operations. Banks and venture capital firms often want to see a business plan before considering making a loan or providing capital to new businesses.

Even if a company doesn't need additional funding, having a business plan helps it stay focused on its goals. Research from the University of Oregon shows that businesses with a plan are significantly more likely to secure funding than those without one. Moreover, companies with a business plan grow 30% faster than those that don't plan. According to a Harvard Business Review article, entrepreneurs who write formal plans are 16% more likely to achieve viability than those who don't.

A business plan should ideally be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect achieved goals or changes in direction. An established business moving in a new direction might even create an entirely new plan.

There are numerous benefits to creating (and sticking to) a well-conceived business plan. It allows for careful consideration of ideas before significant investment, highlights potential obstacles to success, and provides a tool for seeking objective feedback from trusted outsiders. A business plan may also help ensure that a company’s executive team remains aligned on strategic action items and priorities.

While business plans vary widely, even among competitors in the same industry, they often share basic elements detailed below.

A well-crafted business plan is essential for attracting investors and guiding a company's strategic growth. It should address market needs and investor requirements and provide clear financial projections.

While there are any number of templates that you can use to write a business plan, it's best to try to avoid producing a generic-looking one. Let your plan reflect the unique personality of your business.

Many business plans use some combination of the sections below, with varying levels of detail, depending on the company.

The length of a business plan can vary greatly from business to business. Regardless, gathering the basic information into a 15- to 25-page document is best. Any additional crucial elements, such as patent applications, can be referenced in the main document and included as appendices.

Common elements in many business plans include:

• Executive summary : This section introduces the company and includes its mission statement along with relevant information about the company's leadership, employees, operations, and locations.
• Products and services : Describe the products and services the company offers or plans to introduce. Include details on pricing, product lifespan, and unique consumer benefits. Mention production and manufacturing processes, relevant patents , proprietary technology , and research and development (R&D) information.
• Market analysis : Explain the current state of the industry and the competition. Detail where the company fits in, the types of customers it plans to target, and how it plans to capture market share from competitors.
• Marketing strategy : Outline the company's plans to attract and retain customers, including anticipated advertising and marketing campaigns. Describe the distribution channels that will be used to deliver products or services to consumers.
• Financial plans and projections : Established businesses should include financial statements, balance sheets, and other relevant financial information. New businesses should provide financial targets and estimates for the first few years. This section may also include any funding requests.

Investors want to see a clear exit strategy, expected returns, and a timeline for cashing out. It's likely a good idea to provide five-year profitability forecasts and realistic financial estimates.

2 Types of Business Plans

Business plans can vary in format, often categorized into traditional and lean startup plans. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) , the traditional business plan is the more common of the two.

• Traditional business plans : These are detailed and lengthy, requiring more effort to create but offering comprehensive information that can be persuasive to potential investors.
• Lean startup business plans : These are concise, sometimes just one page, and focus on key elements. While they save time, companies should be ready to provide additional details if requested by investors or lenders.

Why Do Business Plans Fail?

A business plan isn't a surefire recipe for success. The plan may have been unrealistic in its assumptions and projections. Markets and the economy might change in ways that couldn't have been foreseen. A competitor might introduce a revolutionary new product or service. All this calls for building flexibility into your plan, so you can pivot to a new course if needed.

How Often Should a Business Plan Be Updated?

How frequently a business plan needs to be revised will depend on its nature. Updating your business plan is crucial due to changes in external factors (market trends, competition, and regulations) and internal developments (like employee growth and new products). While a well-established business might want to review its plan once a year and make changes if necessary, a new or fast-growing business in a fiercely competitive market might want to revise it more often, such as quarterly.

How to Write a Winning Bankable Business Plan in 2024

What is a business plan, who needs a business plan, why do i need a business plan, how to make a business plan template, how can i write a business plan, 1. executive summary, 2. company overview, 3. market analysis, 4. marketing plan, 5. operational/production plan, 6. organizational and management plan, 7. financial plan, 8. business risks and swot analyses, 9. appendix, 10. business model canvas, business plan writing, revising your business plan, hire a professional for writing a business plan.

Some fail because they don’t have a business plan. Others should have done better with it. In 2024 and beyond, you need to have a solid plan for your business; I mean, a bankable business plan.

We have seen a lot of fallen heroes in the past. They fell with their businesses due to a lack of plans and quality strategies. When it comes to business, I never welcome overconfidence. I will show you how to write a business plan that matches the future.

If you don’t aim it, you can’t hit it Onifade Azeez

A business plan is a written document that summarizes the details of a business including the nature of the product, target market, marketing strategies, and financial projections. Whether it’s to provide direction, seek a loan, or attract investors, a business plan is vital for the success of your organization. A business plan is an indispensable business tool for every startup.

It shows a company’s goals and the way it plans to realize them. It also contains several other aspects of a company’s future agenda and may function as a tool for decisive decision-making or as a business proposal to pitch for funding purposes. Every business must have a written Business plan. Let’s check Wikipedia ‘s definition.

A  business plan  is a formal document containing the goals of a business, the methods for attaining those goals, and the time frame for the achievement of the goals. It also describes the nature of the business, background information on the organization, the organization’s financial projections, and the strategies it intends to implement to achieve the stated targets.

Those who are 

• Starting a new business from scratch
• Who have an existing business with the aim of expanding 
• Sole proprietors
• Partnerships
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) members

A Business Plan is a planning tool. It will often build a framework for your new or existing enterprise and align goals for your business.

It also can be employed by your startup as how to present your ideas, sales projections, and plans for achieving your objectives to potential investors for funding purposes.

Ultimately, whether you propose to launch a corporation, transition from being a freelancer to a little business owner, or wish to recreate, improve, and organize your current business, it may be a helpful document for steering your business forward and informing others of your plans.

A Business Plan helps you generate new ideas for decision-making. It also gives you an action plan after a reality check. In short, a bankable business plan is a must for any successful aiming business .

Begin with a clear idea of the target niche for your template. Since the Business plan template will be used across the chosen niche, you need to do well-detailed and generalized research. You will follow the steps to write a business plan that will be discussed below, after which you will write one. The written template can later be modified to your client’s taste or to suit the purpose of another business venture entirely. Moreover, identifying your audience allows you to establish the language you’ll need to convey your ideas, as well as the level of detail you’ll need to provide to enable readers to complete due diligence.

It’s alright, this is how to write a business plan; Writing a Business plan is easy and also tasking at the same time. All you have to do is follow these simple steps. A business plan format and its organization determine what section will be included. Let’s have a glance:

• Executive summary
• Company Overview
• Products and services description
• Market analysis
• Marketing Plan
• Operational/Production plan
• Organizational and management plan
• Financial plan
• Business risks/SWOT Analyses
• Business Model Canvas

Moreover, the last 2 are optional. We want to take them one after the other. Points stated under each section should be used as subsections.

But wait! You can make money with this skill even if you don’t have a business by writing for people or teaching people how to write.

What is the business plan outline?

Summarize the company profile, problem, solution, product/service, competitive edge, market potential, financials, management, vision, and conclusion. It is a general overview of your business. Anyone who reads it should be able to make a decisive decision about your business I will advise you to write this section last since it is the summary of all.

Here, You will write concisely about the Business description, Target market, Vision and Mission Statement, Goals, and objectives, including your Current milestones if it is an existing business. Goals can include both short-term goals and long-term goals.

This section should include the Industry analysis, Potential challenges and how to handle them, Opportunities, Competitive Analysis, and Effect on the local and national/international economy.

Before you start writing a business plan. You ought to have done a strategic market survey and feasibility study It will help you have a smooth Marketing strategy. In this section, you want to write about Promotional strategies Distribution strategies or sales methods.

The existing Office location description or proposed office locations should be written and discussed. Other subsections include a list of consumables Equipment, Capital Expenses of Production/Services, Process technique or methodology, pricing strategy, Proposed/Existing price list, and Record/stock control process.

The human effort behind your organization should be made known. That is why you have to write about the Ownership of the business, the Promoter profile and management team, details of employees, and details of the salary schedule.

The Promoter, which might also be the founder or a sole proprietorship Identity, should be revealed. Details like full name, Address, academic or professional qualifications with a valid means of Identification.

Majorly, assumptions and financial projections. In other words, you have to be realistic when writing this section. The Present worth and Asset Valuation will be discussed as well. Expansion capital estimation for existing business and give loan details if your business will survive on loan.

Financial projections are necessary for any business, whether it’s a start-up or an established company. They are the key to success for any company because they provide an overall view of where the business is now, where it is going, what its needs are, and how to make sure the company will be profitable in the future.

Financial projections may seem difficult to create at first glance, but there are plenty of free templates available online that can be modified depending on your personal preference.

Business risks and mitigation; Highlight, the risks and possible ways of reducing or eliminating them

SWOT (Strength, weakness, opportunities, and threat) ; Write about them one after the other, but make sure your strength is always more than your weakness. Note: You must have at least a weakness and a threat.

You want to attach additional documents or sheets to your business plan. Especially documents that have to do with financial analyses.

It is a tool that helps you put your business on one page. It can be called the one-page business plan, See the example below.

• Keep it short
• Make it simple to read
• Divide your content into sections
• Use high-quality design and printing

When confronted with challenging problems, conducting additional research and changing your approach may give solutions. As time goes on, the need to revise your business plan could arise. It’s a good idea to examine your business plan regularly even before that time comes, especially if you’re planning to expand or to adjust to meet a long-term goal. So you have to Refocus, Realign, and Repurpose your plan.

You most likely established your unique business and personal goals when you developed your original business plan. Take some time now to evaluate and see if you’ve met your objectives. A need to refocus might arise.

Check your instincts to see whether all of your hard work is still aligned with your initial aims and mission statement. Are they still in use? Have you forgotten about the broader picture?

Consider packaging your existing products or services differently if your time is being spent on little tasks instead of actual development and establishing a lucrative customer base.

You may like to read: How Social Media Marketing Agency Can Boost Your Business

Key marketing, production, and financial challenges differ amongst businesses. Their plans must depict these differences, highlighting relevant areas.  Understand that investors see a plan as a reflection of the goals and personalities of the company and its management. They will be turned off by a plug-and-play, fill-in-the-blanks business plan to even worsen the situation, a computer-generated plan. That is why business plan template software should be discouraged.

Instead of looking inside to see what suits you best, write your plan with an eye outside to your major audiences. You will save time and energy this way, as well as increase your chances of attracting investors and clients to your side. Investors are uncomfortable with poorly drafted documents. You want your business plan to be as appealing and easy to read as feasible.

Creating a business plan might be done with a business plan template, by self-writing, or by hiring a professional. Get the best Business Plan Writing and Business Proposal . Contact Onifade Azeez via [email protected]

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How to Write a Business Plan, Step by Step

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What is a business plan?

1. write an executive summary, 2. describe your company, 3. state your business goals, 4. describe your products and services, 5. do your market research, 6. outline your marketing and sales plan, 7. perform a business financial analysis, 8. make financial projections, 9. summarize how your company operates, 10. add any additional information to an appendix, business plan tips and resources.

A business plan outlines your business’s financial goals and explains how you’ll achieve them over the next three to five years. Here’s a step-by-step guide to writing a business plan that will offer a strong, detailed road map for your business.

LLC Formation

A business plan is a document that explains what your business does, how it makes money and who its customers are. Internally, writing a business plan should help you clarify your vision and organize your operations. Externally, you can share it with potential lenders and investors to show them you’re on the right track.

Business plans are living documents; it’s OK for them to change over time. Startups may update their business plans often as they figure out who their customers are and what products and services fit them best. Mature companies might only revisit their business plan every few years. Regardless of your business’s age, brush up this document before you apply for a business loan .

» Need help writing? Learn about the best business plan software .

This is your elevator pitch. It should include a mission statement, a brief description of the products or services your business offers and a broad summary of your financial growth plans.

Though the executive summary is the first thing your investors will read, it can be easier to write it last. That way, you can highlight information you’ve identified while writing other sections that go into more detail.

» MORE: How to write an executive summary in 6 steps

Next up is your company description. This should contain basic information like:

Your business’s registered name.

Address of your business location .

Names of key people in the business. Make sure to highlight unique skills or technical expertise among members of your team.

Your company description should also define your business structure — such as a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation — and include the percent ownership that each owner has and the extent of each owner’s involvement in the company.

Lastly, write a little about the history of your company and the nature of your business now. This prepares the reader to learn about your goals in the next section.

» MORE: How to write a company overview for a business plan

The third part of a business plan is an objective statement. This section spells out what you’d like to accomplish, both in the near term and over the coming years.

If you’re looking for a business loan or outside investment, you can use this section to explain how the financing will help your business grow and how you plan to achieve those growth targets. The key is to provide a clear explanation of the opportunity your business presents to the lender.

For example, if your business is launching a second product line, you might explain how the loan will help your company launch that new product and how much you think sales will increase over the next three years as a result.

» MORE: How to write a successful business plan for a loan

In this section, go into detail about the products or services you offer or plan to offer.

You should include the following:

An explanation of how your product or service works.

The pricing model for your product or service.

The typical customers you serve.

Your supply chain and order fulfillment strategy.

You can also discuss current or pending trademarks and patents associated with your product or service.

Lenders and investors will want to know what sets your product apart from your competition. In your market analysis section , explain who your competitors are. Discuss what they do well, and point out what you can do better. If you’re serving a different or underserved market, explain that.

Here, you can address how you plan to persuade customers to buy your products or services, or how you will develop customer loyalty that will lead to repeat business.

Include details about your sales and distribution strategies, including the costs involved in selling each product .

» MORE: R e a d our complete guide to small business marketing

If you’re a startup, you may not have much information on your business financials yet. However, if you’re an existing business, you’ll want to include income or profit-and-loss statements, a balance sheet that lists your assets and debts, and a cash flow statement that shows how cash comes into and goes out of the company.

Accounting software may be able to generate these reports for you. It may also help you calculate metrics such as:

Net profit margin: the percentage of revenue you keep as net income.

Current ratio: the measurement of your liquidity and ability to repay debts.

Accounts receivable turnover ratio: a measurement of how frequently you collect on receivables per year.

This is a great place to include charts and graphs that make it easy for those reading your plan to understand the financial health of your business.

This is a critical part of your business plan if you’re seeking financing or investors. It outlines how your business will generate enough profit to repay the loan or how you will earn a decent return for investors.

Here, you’ll provide your business’s monthly or quarterly sales, expenses and profit estimates over at least a three-year period — with the future numbers assuming you’ve obtained a new loan.

Accuracy is key, so carefully analyze your past financial statements before giving projections. Your goals may be aggressive, but they should also be realistic.

NerdWallet’s picks for setting up your business finances:

The best business checking accounts .

The best business credit cards .

The best accounting software .

Before the end of your business plan, summarize how your business is structured and outline each team’s responsibilities. This will help your readers understand who performs each of the functions you’ve described above — making and selling your products or services — and how much each of those functions cost.

If any of your employees have exceptional skills, you may want to include their resumes to help explain the competitive advantage they give you.

Finally, attach any supporting information or additional materials that you couldn’t fit in elsewhere. That might include:

Licenses and permits.

Equipment leases.

Bank statements.

Details of your personal and business credit history, if you’re seeking financing.

If the appendix is long, you may want to consider adding a table of contents at the beginning of this section.

How much do you need?

with Fundera by NerdWallet

We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

Here are some tips to write a detailed, convincing business plan:

Avoid over-optimism: If you’re applying for a business bank loan or professional investment, someone will be reading your business plan closely. Providing unreasonable sales estimates can hurt your chances of approval.

Proofread: Spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors can jump off the page and turn off lenders and prospective investors. If writing and editing aren't your strong suit, you may want to hire a professional business plan writer, copy editor or proofreader.

Use free resources: SCORE is a nonprofit association that offers a large network of volunteer business mentors and experts who can help you write or edit your business plan. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Development Centers , which provide free business consulting and help with business plan development, can also be a resource.

On a similar note...

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Business Plan Example and Template

Learn how to create a business plan

What is a Business Plan?

A business plan is a document that contains the operational and financial plan of a business, and details how its objectives will be achieved. It serves as a road map for the business and can be used when pitching investors or financial institutions for debt or equity financing .

A business plan should follow a standard format and contain all the important business plan elements. Typically, it should present whatever information an investor or financial institution expects to see before providing financing to a business.

Contents of a Business Plan

A business plan should be structured in a way that it contains all the important information that investors are looking for. Here are the main sections of a business plan:

1. Title Page

The title page captures the legal information of the business, which includes the registered business name, physical address, phone number, email address, date, and the company logo.

2. Executive Summary

The executive summary is the most important section because it is the first section that investors and bankers see when they open the business plan. It provides a summary of the entire business plan. It should be written last to ensure that you don’t leave any details out. It must be short and to the point, and it should capture the reader’s attention. The executive summary should not exceed two pages.

3. Industry Overview

The industry overview section provides information about the specific industry that the business operates in. Some of the information provided in this section includes major competitors, industry trends, and estimated revenues. It also shows the company’s position in the industry and how it will compete in the market against other major players.

4. Market Analysis and Competition

The market analysis section details the target market for the company’s product offerings. This section confirms that the company understands the market and that it has already analyzed the existing market to determine that there is adequate demand to support its proposed business model.

Market analysis includes information about the target market’s demographics , geographical location, consumer behavior, and market needs. The company can present numbers and sources to give an overview of the target market size.

A business can choose to consolidate the market analysis and competition analysis into one section or present them as two separate sections.

5. Sales and Marketing Plan

The sales and marketing plan details how the company plans to sell its products to the target market. It attempts to present the business’s unique selling proposition and the channels it will use to sell its goods and services. It details the company’s advertising and promotion activities, pricing strategy, sales and distribution methods, and after-sales support.

6. Management Plan

The management plan provides an outline of the company’s legal structure, its management team, and internal and external human resource requirements. It should list the number of employees that will be needed and the remuneration to be paid to each of the employees.

Any external professionals, such as lawyers, valuers, architects, and consultants, that the company will need should also be included. If the company intends to use the business plan to source funding from investors, it should list the members of the executive team, as well as the members of the advisory board.

7. Operating Plan

The operating plan provides an overview of the company’s physical requirements, such as office space, machinery, labor, supplies, and inventory . For a business that requires custom warehouses and specialized equipment, the operating plan will be more detailed, as compared to, say, a home-based consulting business. If the business plan is for a manufacturing company, it will include information on raw material requirements and the supply chain.

8. Financial Plan

The financial plan is an important section that will often determine whether the business will obtain required financing from financial institutions, investors, or venture capitalists. It should demonstrate that the proposed business is viable and will return enough revenues to be able to meet its financial obligations. Some of the information contained in the financial plan includes a projected income statement , balance sheet, and cash flow.

9. Appendices and Exhibits

The appendices and exhibits part is the last section of a business plan. It includes any additional information that banks and investors may be interested in or that adds credibility to the business. Some of the information that may be included in the appendices section includes office/building plans, detailed market research , products/services offering information, marketing brochures, and credit histories of the promoters.

Business Plan Template

Here is a basic template that any business can use when developing its business plan:

Section 1: Executive Summary

• Present the company’s mission.
• Describe the company’s product and/or service offerings.
• Give a summary of the target market and its demographics.
• Summarize the industry competition and how the company will capture a share of the available market.
• Give a summary of the operational plan, such as inventory, office and labor, and equipment requirements.

Section 2: Industry Overview

• Describe the company’s position in the industry.
• Describe the existing competition and the major players in the industry.
• Provide information about the industry that the business will operate in, estimated revenues, industry trends, government influences, as well as the demographics of the target market.

Section 3: Market Analysis and Competition

• Define your target market, their needs, and their geographical location.
• Describe the size of the market, the units of the company’s products that potential customers may buy, and the market changes that may occur due to overall economic changes.
• Give an overview of the estimated sales volume vis-à-vis what competitors sell.
• Give a plan on how the company plans to combat the existing competition to gain and retain market share.

Section 4: Sales and Marketing Plan

• Describe the products that the company will offer for sale and its unique selling proposition.
• List the different advertising platforms that the business will use to get its message to customers.
• Describe how the business plans to price its products in a way that allows it to make a profit.
• Give details on how the company’s products will be distributed to the target market and the shipping method.

Section 5: Management Plan

• Describe the organizational structure of the company.
• List the owners of the company and their ownership percentages.
• List the key executives, their roles, and remuneration.
• List any internal and external professionals that the company plans to hire, and how they will be compensated.
• Include a list of the members of the advisory board, if available.

Section 6: Operating Plan

• Describe the location of the business, including office and warehouse requirements.
• Describe the labor requirement of the company. Outline the number of staff that the company needs, their roles, skills training needed, and employee tenures (full-time or part-time).
• Describe the manufacturing process, and the time it will take to produce one unit of a product.
• Describe the equipment and machinery requirements, and if the company will lease or purchase equipment and machinery, and the related costs that the company estimates it will incur.
• Provide a list of raw material requirements, how they will be sourced, and the main suppliers that will supply the required inputs.

Section 7: Financial Plan

• Describe the financial projections of the company, by including the projected income statement, projected cash flow statement, and the balance sheet projection.

Section 8: Appendices and Exhibits

• Quotes of building and machinery leases
• Proposed office and warehouse plan
• Market research and a summary of the target market
• Credit information of the owners
• List of product and/or services

Related Readings

Thank you for reading CFI’s guide to Business Plans. To keep learning and advancing your career, the following CFI resources will be helpful:

• Corporate Structure
• Three Financial Statements
• Business Model Canvas Examples
• See all management & strategy resources
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How to write a business plan

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Every business owner can benefit from writing a business plan, including those in the early stages of launching a business . A well-crafted business plan communicates the business’s strategy for growth to key leaders and investors. It’s also an important step to getting a business loan since many lenders require it.

Let’s walk through the steps and elements of writing your ideal business plan.

Key takeaways

• A business plan outlines how you plan to bring products or services to market
• Many lenders require a business plan be included with a loan application
• You can choose to write a lean or traditional business plan
• It covers everything from market research to your marketing and financial plan.

What is a business plan?

A business plan is a document that outlines a business’s strategy for bringing a product or service to market. It describes the company, product idea and goals or steps that the business will take to achieve growth. The document includes multiple sections that provide insight into each part of the strategy.

The business plan can be a simple document called a lean business plan or a more detailed traditional business plan. The lean business plan covers the basics of the company, product, target customers and how it will get revenue. It may only be one page with short descriptions for each part.

The traditional business plan includes more depth on the goals, measurements, research and marketing strategies to get the business where it’s going. Here are key differences in the information written for each type of business plan:

Although there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, follow these steps to create a strong business plan.

Write an executive summary

An executive summary is the introduction to a business plan, giving the key details about your business model and the product or service you’re offering. While there’s no strict formula for writing this section, you should include all the relevant details that you’d want a key partner or investor to know.

It should describe your product or service idea, target market and key objectives for growth within the next few years. It may also summarize your marketing and sources of revenue or funding.

You can adjust what to include based on the exact business you’re starting and its business model. Most business plans keep the executive summary to one to two pages.

Create a company description

The company description should overview important details about your company. It can state your company’s name, location and type of entity as well as describe its history. It should also clearly define the vision that you have for your company’s future in the form of a mission or vision statement.

You may also outline the structure for managing the business, listing key roles and responsibilities and the people filling those roles. Depending on the details you included in the executive summary, you might include information about your product or service.

Describe your value proposition

The value proposition is your chance to pitch what makes your business stand out. It identifies the customer’s problem or gap in the market for the product or service you’re offering. It then goes into detail about how your business will solve the problem.

The value proposition can also explain major barriers that customers have before making a decision and what your business will do to break through those barriers. It shows leaders and investors that you have a thoughtful purpose behind the business you’re creating.

State your business goals

The path to achieving success starts with knowing what success looks like. Many business plans state its main objectives in the company description. Others describe those goals in a separate part of the business plan to dive deeper into the specific goals.

You can also include key measurements you’ll use to gauge whether your business is achieving its goals. You would then use these goals in other business planning documents, further breaking them down into defined short-term steps that ladder up to the larger goals.

Outline your product and service

Next, you want to dive into the main product or service that your business is offering. Explain what the product is, how it works and the benefits that it brings to customers. If you’re planning to make multiple products, you can include a description of each product line. Show how this product or service is set apart from similar products from competitors.

You can also use this section to show how the product or service is produced, including cost of supplies and the price at which you plan to sell. Let the investors and stakeholders know if you have a trademark or patent for the products you’re creating.

Give a summary of market research

Next comes market research, the part of the plan where you do your due diligence to gather information and understand your target customers and competitors. First, you want to understand your target customers’ needs and any barriers they might have to buying your product.

You want to look for information about their demographics and how they might respond to the product you’re offering. This information will help you when designing your product and marketing it in a way that resonates with customers.

Then, you can look at the economy around your product, such as average pricing and sales revenue. This also includes research about your competitors, the market share that they hold and the barriers to entering your market. This section may include data from data research companies, surveys, focus groups and interviews.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration , the questions you’re trying to answer include:

• Market size, or how many people may want to buy your product
• What people are willing to pay for your product
• Similar products already available
• Who your competitors are
• How your industry is doing
• Typical revenue gained by small businesses in your industry

Summarize a marketing strategy

Once you’ve clearly defined your product and who you’re selling to, you can come up with a strategy for how you’ll reach and sell to customers. In this section, you’ll include the different marketing channels you’ll use to promote your products and services.

These may include direct mailers, social media, traditional or online advertising or media events. The exact channels you use will depend on where you can easily find your target customers.

You can also describe the key messaging that you plan to use during marketing, which will pinpoint the value that it offers to customers. The marketing plan should also include the cost of marketing to different channels and your marketing budget. You can then outline the marketing goals and measurements you’ll use to see if you’re meeting those goals.

Create a logistics and operations plan

The logistics and operations section of your business plan is a detailed description of how your business will bring products and services to market. It explains how the business will run on a day-to-day basis. It should highlight your company’s management structure, give an overview of processes and describe the workflow from end to end. It can also include data on how many products you can make or how long it will take to make products or offer services.

Create a financial plan

Now that you’ve laid out the research, goals and planning, you can use that information to forecast revenue and build a financial plan. Use any past revenue or sales history as a starting point. Then, refer to your company’s recent growth and goals to calculate future financial growth.

If you’re a startup , you can use market research to estimate revenue for a startup in your industry. You can either forecast revenue manually or find software that projects revenue for you.

In your financial plan, you also want to create and track your business budget . You’ll track your estimated and actual revenue, updating regularly to keep the revenue forecast accurate and realistic. Next, you’ll list all expenses and their amounts, including one-time, variable, fixed or seasonal expenses. Here are some examples of different business expenses:

• One-time or capital expenses: Equipment, real estate, furniture, commercial vehicles, business licenses
• Variable expenses: Inventory, utilities, fuel, office supplies, shipping services, card processing fees
• Fixed expenses: Employee salaries and benefits, software, web hosting, office or equipment leases, business loan repayments

Business plan resources

Writing your business plan will take more than putting pen to paper. Try these resources to help you gather data, set up your finances and more:

• Business plan templates. Creating a business plan for the first time? Learn by looking up examples of other business plans or templates like these from Smartsheet .
• Software for accounting and financial planning. Many small businesses use Quickbooks, Xero or Netsuite to track revenue and expenses. These may also forecast revenue based on sales history.
• Business loan resources. To cover your funding needs, think through the types of business loans that would best serve your business. Once you’ve landed on a loan, compare features and interest rates to help you make a decision.
• Survey tools. For in-depth market research, you can build a survey and send to your target customers through a data research company like GWI.

Small business mentoring

Experienced mentors can guide you to making effective business decisions and unlock new potential for growth. Where to find small business mentors:

• SBA. You can find resources and free or low-cost mentors through the SBA’s local assistance tool .
• Small Business Development Centers. SBDCs provide specialized training programs in your local area covering specialized topics like marketing, data research and business management.
• Community Development Financial Institutions. CDFIs   are financial organizations like banks and credit unions that are built to develop the community. Alongside banking and lending services, CDFIs offer training programs and resources.
• SCORE. SCORE is an organization that partners with the SBA to bring resources to small business owners. Mentorship is at the core of what the organization does, and it can match you with a local mentor through its online locator tool.
• Local Chamber of Commerce. These local organizations are known for supporting business networking. They may help you find a mentorship program, or you may build a relationship with another successful entrepreneur through networking events.
• Nonprofit organizations. Some nonprofit organizations are dedicated to supporting small business owners with funding, trainings and mentorship programs. These are typically local programs. For example, NYPACE is a nonprofit that offers free consulting to underserved entrepreneurs in New York.

Bottom line

Your business plan should outline key information about your company, products and the strategy for getting those products in the hands of your customers. Every business plan looks different, but there is essential information to include in every plan, such as who your target customer is and your expected revenue. The business plan serves to help you get business funding and outline exact goals and steps to growing your company.

Frequently asked questions

Do i need a business plan to apply for a business loan, how do i write a simple business plan, what basic items should be included in a business plan, related articles.

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How To Write A Business Plan (2024 Guide)

Updated: Apr 17, 2024, 11:59am

Table of Contents

Brainstorm an executive summary, create a company description, brainstorm your business goals, describe your services or products, conduct market research, create financial plans, bottom line, frequently asked questions.

Every business starts with a vision, which is distilled and communicated through a business plan. In addition to your high-level hopes and dreams, a strong business plan outlines short-term and long-term goals, budget and whatever else you might need to get started. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to write a business plan that you can stick to and help guide your operations as you get started.

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Drafting the Summary

An executive summary is an extremely important first step in your business. You have to be able to put the basic facts of your business in an elevator pitch-style sentence to grab investors’ attention and keep their interest. This should communicate your business’s name, what the products or services you’re selling are and what marketplace you’re entering.

Ask for Help

When drafting the executive summary, you should have a few different options. Enlist a few thought partners to review your executive summary possibilities to determine which one is best.

After you have the executive summary in place, you can work on the company description, which contains more specific information. In the description, you’ll need to include your business’s registered name , your business address and any key employees involved in the business. 

The business description should also include the structure of your business, such as sole proprietorship , limited liability company (LLC) , partnership or corporation. This is the time to specify how much of an ownership stake everyone has in the company. Finally, include a section that outlines the history of the company and how it has evolved over time.

Wherever you are on the business journey, you return to your goals and assess where you are in meeting your in-progress targets and setting new goals to work toward.

Numbers-based Goals

Goals can cover a variety of sections of your business. Financial and profit goals are a given for when you’re establishing your business, but there are other goals to take into account as well with regard to brand awareness and growth. For example, you might want to hit a certain number of followers across social channels or raise your engagement rates.

Another goal could be to attract new investors or find grants if you’re a nonprofit business. If you’re looking to grow, you’ll want to set revenue targets to make that happen as well.

Intangible Goals

Goals unrelated to traceable numbers are important as well. These can include seeing your business’s advertisement reach the general public or receiving a terrific client review. These goals are important for the direction you take your business and the direction you want it to go in the future.

The business plan should have a section that explains the services or products that you’re offering. This is the part where you can also describe how they fit in the current market or are providing something necessary or entirely new. If you have any patents or trademarks, this is where you can include those too.

If you have any visual aids, they should be included here as well. This would also be a good place to include pricing strategy and explain your materials.

This is the part of the business plan where you can explain your expertise and different approach in greater depth. Show how what you’re offering is vital to the market and fills an important gap.

You can also situate your business in your industry and compare it to other ones and how you have a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Other than financial goals, you want to have a budget and set your planned weekly, monthly and annual spending. There are several different costs to consider, such as operational costs.

Business Operations Costs

Rent for your business is the first big cost to factor into your budget. If your business is remote, the cost that replaces rent will be the software that maintains your virtual operations.

Marketing and sales costs should be next on your list. Devoting money to making sure people know about your business is as important as making sure it functions.

Other Costs

Although you can’t anticipate disasters, there are likely to be unanticipated costs that come up at some point in your business’s existence. It’s important to factor these possible costs into your financial plans so you’re not caught totally unaware.

Business plans are important for businesses of all sizes so that you can define where your business is and where you want it to go. Growing your business requires a vision, and giving yourself a roadmap in the form of a business plan will set you up for success.

How do I write a simple business plan?

When you’re working on a business plan, make sure you have as much information as possible so that you can simplify it to the most relevant information. A simple business plan still needs all of the parts included in this article, but you can be very clear and direct.

What are some common mistakes in a business plan?

The most common mistakes in a business plan are common writing issues like grammar errors or misspellings. It’s important to be clear in your sentence structure and proofread your business plan before sending it to any investors or partners.

What basic items should be included in a business plan?

When writing out a business plan, you want to make sure that you cover everything related to your concept for the business,  an analysis of the industry―including potential customers and an overview of the market for your goods or services―how you plan to execute your vision for the business, how you plan to grow the business if it becomes successful and all financial data around the business, including current cash on hand, potential investors and budget plans for the next few years.

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How to get started creating your business plan, a successful business plan can help you focus your goals and take actionable steps toward achieving them. here’s what to consider as you develop your plan..

Regardless of whether or not you’re pitching to investors and lenders, starting a business requires a plan. A business plan gives you direction, helps you qualify your ideas and clarifies the path you intend to take toward your goal.

Four important reasons to write a business plan:

• Decision-making:  Business plans help you eliminate any gray area by writing specific information down in black and white. Making tough decisions is often one of the hardest and most useful parts of writing a business plan. 
• A reality check:  The first real challenge after deciding to launch a new venture may be writing the business plan. Through the process, you may realize your business idea is a bit flawed or not yet fully developed. This may feel like extra work, but the effort you put into improving your idea during this step can bolster your chance of future success. 
• New ideas: Discovering new ideas, different approaches and fresh perspectives are invaluable parts of the business planning process. Working closely with your concept can lead to unexpected insights, shifting your business in the right direction. 
• Developing an action plan: Your business plan is a tool that will help you outline action items, next steps and future activities. This living, breathing document shows where you are and where you want to be, with the framework you need to get there.

Business plan guide: How to get started

Use this exercise to gather some of the most important information. When you're ready to put an outline together, follow our standard business plan template (PDF) and use this business plan example to use as a guide as you fill in your outline. Once your outline is finalized, you can share it with business partners, investors or banks as a tool to promote your concept.

• Vision: Your vision statement sets the stage for everything you hope your business will accomplish going forward. Let yourself dream, pinpointing the ideas that will keep you inspired and motivated when you hit a bump in the road. 
• Mission: A mission statement clarifies the purpose of your business and guides your plan, ultimately answering the question, "Why do you exist?" 
• Objectives: Use your business objectives to define your goals and priorities. What are you going to accomplish with your business, and in what timeframe? These touchstones will drive your actions and help you stay focused. 
• Strategies: Your objectives describe what you’re going to do, while your strategies describe how you’re going to do it. Consider your goals here, and identify the different ways you’ll work to reach them. 
• Startup capital: Determine what your startup expenses will be. Having a clear idea will allow you to figure out where the money is coming from and help you spend what you have in the right areas. 
• Monthly expenses: What do you estimate your business’ ongoing monthly expenses will be? This may change significantly over time — consider what your expenditure could be immediately after launch, in three months, in six months and in one year. 
• Monthly income: In order to cover your expenses (and hopefully make a profit), you will need to estimate your income. What are your revenue streams? It's always wise to diversify your income. That way, you won’t be tied to one stream that might not be lucrative as quickly as you need it to be. 
• Goal-setting and creating an action plan: Once you have all the specifics outlined, it's time to set up the step-by-step action items explained in the companion guide, a standard business plan outline. This process will utilize the hard work you've already done, breaking each step down in a way that you can follow.   

A business plan isn’t necessarily a static document that you create once and then forget about. You can use it as a powerful tool by referencing it to adjust your priorities, stay on track and keep your goals in sight.

Business plan: An outline

Use this exercise to gather important information about your business.

Answer these questions to start your planning process. Your responses will provide important information about your business, which you can use as an overview to develop your plan further.

• What is your dream? 
• What do you feel inspired to do or create?
• What keeps you motivated, even in the face of uncertainty?  
• Why does this business exist? 
• What purpose(s) or need(s) does it fulfill for customers?   

Objectives 

• List the goals of your company, then number them in order of importance. 
• What will the business accomplish when it’s fully established and successful? 
• How much time will it take to reach this point?  
• For each goal or objective listed above, write one or more actions required to complete it.   

Startup capital 

• List any and all startup expenses that come to mind. 
• Next to each: 
• Estimate the cost of any expenses you can. 
• List the most likely source of the funding. 
• Circle the high-priority expenses. 
• Assess whether your available capital is going toward the high-priority items. If not, reconsider the way you will allocate funds.  

Monthly expenses

• If you can, estimate your business’ ongoing monthly expenses immediately after launch, in three months, in six months and in one year. 
• If you can’t, what information will you need in order to estimate your expenses?  

Monthly income 

• What are your revenue streams? Estimate your monthly income accordingly. 
• Which revenue sources deliver fast or slow returns? Are there other sources you could consider to diversify assets?  
• After completing your outline, reference your responses as you work through a traditional business plan guide. This next step will allow you to expand and add more detailed information to your plan. 
• When you’re ready to make your formal plan, reference this companion guide, a standard business plan outline  (PDF). We've also included a  business plan example  to help as you fill in your outline. 

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