Skip to main content

The Beginner’s Guide to Writing a Good Business Plan

TABLE OF CONTENT
The actual complete structure of your business plan will look like the following:
  • Cover Letter
  • Title Page
  • Table of Contents
  • Executive Summary
  • Company Profile
  • Industry Research
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Operations
  • Financials
Now, let’s go into real business…
The cover letter, title page, table of contents, and executive summary make up the opening section of your business plan. This section is the last thing you will work on, but it is the first thing anyone looking at your business plan will see. And because it can make or mar your fund-raising quest, it is very important to use it to create a good first impression in the reader’s mind. Now, let’s discuss each component of the opening section in more detail, giving tips on how best to craft each.
  •  The Business Plan Cover Letter
  The cover letter serves the same purpose as it does when you submit one along with a resume as a job candidate; it introduces your business plan to the reader. Because your goal is to market your idea to prospective investors, creditors, partners, employees, and other stakeholders, all the parts of your plan must appeal to the reader. Here are the elements that you need to include in the cover letter:
  •  Address of recipient
  • Date
  •  Your address
  •  Salutation (you must include a specific name as in, “Dear Mr James.”)
  • Body (state clearly that you are submitting a business plan for your business, which you can describe in one sentence; state clearly that you are seeking financial support for your business idea. Tell the reader what to expect in the following pages, and express your eagerness to hear back from them. Don’t forget to add your contact details)
  •  Appreciation
  •  Signature

 The Business Plan Title Page

 Remember, you will never get a second chance to make a first impression. So, you certainly don’t want to overdo this aspect. Since nobody will blame you for simplicity, stick with that option; which means you should avoid bright or contrasting colors and unnecessary fancy borders. The following are what to include on your title page:
  • Your business logo (if you have one)
  • The name of your business
  • Founder’s name
  • The words “Business Plan”
  • Date

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Kenya Economic Outlook

Economic growth is estimated at 4.9% in 2013 and is projected to accelerate to 5.7% in 2014.   Having witnessed drastic currency depreciation and rapid inflation in 2011, the economy experienced stability for both indicators in 2012 and 2013 with inflation dropping to a single digit. This stability is expected to continue in 2014. Kenya’s economy continued to recover in 2013 from the slowdown experienced in 2011. Real GDP growth in the year accelerated to 5.2%, 4.3% and 4.6% in the first three quarters of 2013 primarily driven by financial intermediation, tourism, construction and agriculture. Real GDP growth is estimated at 4.9% and 5.7% in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Similarly CPI inflation is expected to remain single digit over the same period. The economy’s short- to medium-term forecast is for sustained and rising growth based on: increased investor and business confidence in the wake of peaceful March 2013 elections; increased rainfall; a stable macroecon...

THE LOOMING CRISIS

The Implications of a Drier, Hotter and More Crowded Future   Why is this issue important? The Horn of Africa is one of the world's most food-insecure regions. The eight countries – Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda – have a combined population of 160 million people, 70 million of whom (or nearly 44 per cent) live in areas prone to extreme food shortages (1). Between 1970 and 2000, these countries were threatened by famine at least once each decade (1). In the future, the impacts of climate change, as well as growing populations and declining per capita agricultural capacity, are expected to further threaten food security¹. As one of the least developed areas in Africa, there is limited capacity to respond to drought or food crises. To prevent humanitarian emergencies, the Horn of Africa needs to strengthen its ability to build long-term resilience and tackle the root causes of ...

Nigeria's economy is under pressure from oil price drop

Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer, pumping over two million barrels a day. For decades, the country has relied heavily on the oil sector to bring in taxes and foreign exchange. But the drop in the oil price has knocked the value of the local currency - the naira - by nearly 20%. Those immediately affected are ordinary people, and also the new generation of investors who only entered the oil and gas businesses in recent years.