What should a business plan contain?
Here is our recommended outline of what to include when preparing a business plan to present to a bank, for the purpose of securing funding for a small business.
- If an existing business is being taken over, give an overview and history of that business. Include recent accounts and the vendor’s agent’s details of sale.
- Details of the business partners. Their skills, qualifications, business history and experience. Contact details.
- The proposed legal structure and ownership of the new business.
- Location of the business premises and offices. General condition, and how they are organised. Details of leases.
- Overview of the industry and local market. Scope for expansion, and total size of potential market. Main customers, competitors and suppliers.
- The marketing plan.
- Any legal issues or trading risks particular to the industry. What insurance is planned.
- Any copyright, trademark or patent issues.
- Staffing plans. Recruitment plans. Payment rates. Business opening hours. Holiday cover.
- General plans to develop the business (investment in equipment, advertising, new services etc). Refer to the spreadsheet forecasts. Justify the sales that have been forecast.
- A summary of funds invested by the business partners, and further financing required. Whether any security is available for the borrowing. Living expenses needed by the partners.
- A monthly or quarterly cash flow forecast.
- A monthly or quarterly profit and loss forecast.
- A break-even analysis, showing the net profit for varying levels of sales.


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