On this installment of “Step 1a – Write a Business Plan”, we’re going to look at what a Business Plan is exactly… I’m sure everyone has heard of one, but how many of us have written one before. I’m sure there’s a few of us, but I bet the vast majority of people looking to get into webhosting for the first time are starting it as a side business. They have probably never written one before, and many probably have never seen one either.
So here’s an overview of the parts of a Business Plan.
- Executive Summary - THE most important part of the plan. Who you are, what you do, and where you are and where you are going at a high level overview written in everyday terms.
- Market Analysis - A description of the industry including size and target market, growth rates, etc.
- Company Description -Another high level description but in more detail than the executive summary, this time specifically about your business and what needs you’re going to meet, and who the target is for those needs.
- Organization & Management – Profiles of the key players in your organization and the roles they will be taking on. Also should detail the overall structure and how those players fit together.
- Marketing & Sales Management – Descriptions of sales force, management, and how they will go about getting business.
- Service or Product Line -What you will be selling and how you will distinguish yourself product/service-wise.
- Funding - Regardless of if you are requesting funding, this is where you will say how much you need and/or have, and for what it will be used for…
- Financials – Historical and Prospective financial data. One of the later sections to complete.
- Appendix – All the extra stuff that will be needed based on what you’re going to do with the plan. For example, if you are requesting money from a bank, etc., they will want credit information and resume’s on key management.
Today’s was only an overview of what each section encompasses. Begin to read over them and start thinking about each section, and start making notes or outlines for each section. Next week, we’ll start going into each section one by one and get down and dirty with it.
Last Week: http://hostentrepreneur.com/2009/08/13/step-1a-write-a-business-plan-part-1/
Next Week: Coming soon…
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Robert Porter holds Oracle Certified Professional-Java 6, MCSE, A+, Net+, Project+, Security+, and multiple CIW certifications. He has been in the hosting industry for more than a decade and is founder of Lagniappe Internet L.L.C., a privately owned, completely debt free, hosting company based out of New Orleans. Robert's background includes 25+ years in programming, databases, networking and systems administration. |
August 26th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Nevertheless today business environment demands a continual, ongoing planning system. Business Week