What is a Business Plan?

  • It is a guide which provides a roadmap for your business that frames the goals and a detailed plan that helps to achieve those goals.
  • It is generally asked by either of parties such as, prospective investor, a Bank, a Joint Venture partner, Government agency, Venture Capitalist, Private Equity Investor etc.
  • It consists of details such as an Executive Summary, Company Overview, information about the products/services, marketing plan, Key Management persons, financial plan etc.

Benefits of a Business Plan

  • The startups can showcase their prospective success quotient to their investor or banker.
  • It can be used as an easy guide to see the big picture and also frame strategies to align your business.
  • Build a roadmap and set milestones for the Company and create a strategic focus point
  • Frame performance indicators that are customised as per the requirements of your business model.
  • Industry specific parameters to define the business product or solution.

Structure of the Business Plan

  1. Elevator Pitch Deck with a short description of an idea, product or company that gives the gist of your solution.
  2. First Mover Advantage (FMA) describing the competitive advantage by being the first in the market.
  3. Market Analysis that gives an insight into the market, the competition and the solution.
  4. USP (Unique Selling Proposition) that concisely outlines the key selling point.
  5. Business Model which defines the method adopted to ensure effective topline.
  6. Founding Team Members
  7. Current Traction that includes the business that is currently generated.
  8. Hockey Stick Curve representing the growth rate of the Company.
  9. Return on Investment (ROI) to compare the company’s performance in terms of profitability with the efficiency of different investments.
  10. Value Prop that demonstrates the unique feature of your business, product or service that attracts consumers or users.