Structure of a business plan
If you want to start your own business and need a loan from the bank or the If you want to claim a start-up grant from the Federal Employment Agency, you need a convincing one Business plan. But not only the content has to be right, the structure of the business plan is also important.
This is how your business plan should be structured
A business plan consists of a text and a number part. In principle, there are no fixed regulations regarding the structure of a business plan. The following points are intended to give you an overview and must be adapted to your company.
- Make a cover sheet with the name of your company and your contact details.
- Create a table of contents so that the examiner can get an overview of your documents.
- Your business plan should start with a summary, which should not be longer than two pages. This is particularly important because it is read first and has to convince the reader directly.
- The summary includes the company name, the location and the legal form of the company as well as a brief description of your business idea, your services or products. You should also name your target group and describe how you want to reach your potential customers. Also briefly describe yourself and state your previous knowledge. State your business goals for the next three to five years and say what profit you are aiming for. A little tip: It is best to write the summary after you have dealt with all the other points of the business plan.
- Now comes the part in which you can go into detail about your project. Start with a detailed description of your business idea and name your services or products. Also explain the customer benefits and explain what makes you special and what sets you apart from the competition (unique selling point).
- In the next part, the market analysis, you should describe the general market situation, introduce some of your competitors and your target group.
It is important that you can substantiate all statements about the market situation.
Take a closer look at the competition and shed light on the negative and positive sides of the competitors. What are these doing well? What would you do better?
Also explain who your target audience is. How old are the potential customers? What is your income? What needs or problems do they have? Also describe where you would like to offer your products or services - locally, regionally or nationwide? - In the next step, go into the marketing strategy. Answer these questions: How do you want to win your first customers? Are there any inquiries? What advertising measures have you planned and how much money do you want to spend on them? You can also describe the pricing here, but you do not need to provide exact prices.
- The next point introduces the founder and the employees. Describe your commercial qualifications and professional experience here, also mention your technical and personal qualifications as well as the reasons for your self-employment. If you would like to hire employees, introduce them here as well.
- State your legal form and the location of the company.
- Now comes the part in which you describe your opportunities and risks. Here you should make it clear that you do not see everything as positive, but also know the risks. Describe them and explain how you will encounter them.
- Finally, the financial section follows. This consists of a capital requirement and financing plan. Present in a table how much capital you need and how you would like to finance the errands for the company. Are your own funds sufficient or do you need outside capital? In another table, compare your private income with expenses and create it based on these numbers, another table with a profitability forecast for the next three to five Years. Be realistic here too.
- Certificates should be attached to your business plan curriculum vitae, Possibly. the extract from the commercial register or the business registration.
How do I create a business plan? - You should keep these basics in mind
You want to start your own company, you have a wonderful idea, just ...
A well-structured business plan is important - it is pleasing to the eye and easier to read.
Important points for your business plan
Here are a few things to keep in mind when structuring your plan.
- The business plan, including text and numbers, should not be longer than 20 pages.
- Avoid repetitions and get to the point.
- Pay attention to a consistent layout.
- Write simply and understandably and avoid technical terms. Remember, those reading your business plan are most likely not familiar with your job.
- Your ambition, enthusiasm and qualifications should show up in the business plan.
Remember that you are primarily creating the business plan for yourself. It gets you to deal carefully with your independence and to reconsider all the individual points.
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