Quick Lubes, Java Joints, and Pet Parlors: The Keys to Writing an Effective Business Plan

Disclaimer

Annual BRASS program
June 23, 2003
Toronto, Ontario


Introduction to Business Plans for SMEs

Maggie Weaver
Shaftesbury Associates


View the webcast!


The SME Business Plan

  • What’s it for
  • What’s in it
  • How do we contribute
  • How do we benefit


What’s a Business Plan for?

  • "Selling" tool for getting financing
  • First payoff: encourages realism
  • Determine product or market niche
  • Long-term payoff: management tool


Business plan websites

  • Descriptive
  • Table of contents
  • Template
  • Interactive (online)
  • Software
  • Sample plans


What’s in an SME business plan?

  • Business overview
  • Products/services
  • Industry overview
  • Marketing strategy
  • Management & staffing
  • Regulatory issues
  • Risks
  • Implementation plan
  • Financial plan
  • Executive summary


Interactive Business Planner
http://www.cbsc.org/ibp
[screen shots]

Section 1 – Business Overview

  • Business history
  • Vision & mission statement
  • Objectives
  • Ownership
  • Location & facilities


Section 2 – Products/services

  • Products/services description
  • Key features
  • Production process
  • Future products/services
  • Comparative advantages in production


Business Overview – ownership
http://bsa.cbsc.org
[screen shot]

Section 3 – Industry overview

  • Research sources
  • Size of industry
  • Key product segments
  • Key market segments
  • Purchase process & buying criteria
  • Description of industry participants
  • Key industry trends
  • Industry outlook


Industry overview – getting lucky
ISA Reports http://www.stat-usa.gov
[screen shot]

Industry overview – getting lucky
InfoExport http://infoexport.gc.ca
[screen shot]

Section 4 – Marketing strategy

  • Target markets
  • Key competitors
  • Analysis of competitive position
  • Pricing strategy
  • Promotion strategy
  • Distribution strategy


Section 5 – Management & staffing

  • Organizational structure
  • Management team
  • Staffing
  • Labour market issues


Section 6 – Regulatory issues

  • Intellectual property issues
  • Other regulatory issues


Staffing – labour market issues
[screen shot - Human Resources Development Canada website]

Regulatory issues – example
{screen shot - Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety website]

Section 7 – Risks

  • Market risks
  • Other risks


Section 8 – Implementation plan

Section 9 – Financial plan

  • Balance sheet
  • Pro-forma income statement
  • Monthly cash flow statement
  • 3-year cash flow forecast


Section 10 – Executive summary

How do we contribute?

  • Information resources
  • Examples
  • Educate/promote
  • Imagination


How do we benefit?

  • Understand a client group
  • Knowledge of the local business environment
  • Contribute to economic growth
  • Template to build our own business cases


bulletQuick Lubes, Java Joints, and Pet Parlors: The Keys to Writing an Effective Business Plan
BRASS Program, ALA Annual Conference, June 23, 2003
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Disclaimer : This publication has been placed on the web for the convenience of BRASS members. Information and links will not be updated. Posted 22 September 2003.