Business Plan Development
Developing a plan is a commitment to yourself and your business. Research has shown that founders who follow this approach realize a smoother path to execution and success, avoid pitfalls that can lead to fatal errors, and often uncover new elements, prompting them to pivot to a better business model.
Perspectives
Ideally, a plan is developed while still in the Ideation stage of development. That allows you to properly set up your business for launch and operation. However, a plan can be made at any time in your business journey. If you’ve already launched and started operations and need to address questions or roadblocks while still at an early stage, it’s not too late. The research and redevelopment of strategies needed to resolve your problems is very much the same process and effort you’ll use to complete a business plan. Your time spent can result in more significant benefits.
I strongly advise against using online templates, samples, or artificial intelligence to complete your plan. These are notoriously generic and are easily recognized as such by any professional reading them. That greatly diminishes their perception of your real understanding and ability to operate your business. An investor needs to trust that you and your business will be able to fulfill their Return on Investment (ROI) objectives.
Unfortunately, a Business Plan is often misconstrued as a necessary document to secure financing while overlooking the far-reaching benefits of a management tool. A Business Plan enhances strategic thinking, facilitates effective decision-making, and serves as a dynamic tool for adapting to an ever-changing business-as-usual landscape.
A key objective when researching and writing your plan is to anticipate any questions that might be asked of you. A Business Plan is a communication document first. It must be presented as objectively as possible, while highlighting the business concept and potential in the most positive light. Your weaknesses should be presented as honestly as your strengths, but with definitive plans to overcome them. An investor then has a better understanding of your funding request.
Process
Please review the Processing Procedure
Methodology
Please note that we will work together to complete your plan. I will coach, suggest content, edit, make suggestions, and guide you in the research and writing to understand all facets of your business. I’ll also provide presentation suggestions.
It is never advisable to have a consultant or ghostwriter write your Business Plan for you—that prevents you from having a full understanding of your business and how it will operate. If someone else writes your plan, you will not be able to intelligently discuss or defend your propositions and decisions with investors, onboarding partners/managers, and other interested parties.
I will guide and coach you through the process of developing the plan from scratch, step by step.
Through a series of video meetings and emails, I will
Provide and explain an appropriate outline for your specific business
Work with you to create the narrative sections
Review, edit, and offer tips so your narrative avoids internal conflicts
Suggest research, charts, and references to include to establish credibility
Suggest missing concepts relative to positioning in your industry
Suggest collateral data and positioning to support the plan directly and indirectly
Ensure that your finished product is readable, defensible, and ethically places you in the best possible light
Narrative Section of the Plan
Based on your intended use of the plan for internal or external purposes, I will suggest an appropriate format and outline. I will then guide you through the writing process to enhance the presentation and integration of each element in the plan.
While writing ability and style are considerations, you don’t need to be a writing expert. There are many word, grammar, and spelling programs available to assist you in this process. Sentence structure and style can also be edited.
While using Artificial Intelligence is a useful tool, it needs to be used judiciously. If your plan appears to have been written using AI extensively, it will backfire in its main mission to communicate your intentions.
Writing Tip: Don’t be afraid to continually jot down anything that comes to mind about your business—anytime, anywhere. It’s much easier to have an abundance of information, however disheveled, that can be edited rather than have a blank page glaring at you.
Financial Section of the Plan
Every Business Plan needs to include a forward-looking financial analysis that supports the business model and relates to strategic and tactical execution planning. Specifically, this includes Proforma Profit and Loss, Cash Flow, and Balance Sheet statements, along with qualitative supporting data.
If you need Proforma Financial Statements for your business, I can provide these as follows:
If you are starting from scratch, I can provide this service in conjunction with developing your Business Plan at a discounted price.
If you have a Business Plan but do not have the accompanying proforma financials, I can provide these separately.
If you already have a forward-looking financial analysis, I can critique and suggest revisions.
Timeline
The time to develop and complete a Business Plan will vary based on the criteria mentioned above.
If you are starting from scratch, this project can take from 1 month, if you are motivated to work consistently, to 3 or more months if you have many other responsibilities. In practice, you will get the greatest value if you spend about 3-4 hours of your time for each hour we spend together.
There are numerous variables to consider, and some information may be compromised due to inadequate or no explanation. In my experience, plans are more accurate and read better when completed on a consistent schedule, such as three to four times per week. In doing so, the internal connections of the plan make it easier to understand your reasoning and strategies. Meaningful, logical communication is key.
Deliverable
Your completed document will represent the project deliverable. You will then be able to use it to support applications for funding and share it with prospective investors, team members already on board or being recruited, prospective board members or advisors, strategic partners, or any other potential stakeholders.
The Business Plan is your property and copyrighted accordingly.
Benefits
A Business Plan provides a myriad of benefits to the founder and management team:
Strategic Direction: Outlines the company's mission, vision, goals, and objectives.
Decision Making: Allows management to evaluate options and risks and make strategic choices.
Resource Allocation: Effectively allocate resources through financial projections, resource requirements, and budgeting, and optimally helps allocate funds, personnel, and other resources.
Risk Management: Develop risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
Communication: Both internally and externally. Convey the company's goals and strategies to employees, investors, lenders, and other stakeholders.
Performance Monitoring: This involves setting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and benchmarks to monitor and evaluate performance over time.
Attracting Investors and Financing: Investors and lenders often require a detailed plan to assess the viability and potential returns on an investment.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the company operates in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and outline steps to meet legal obligations and obtain necessary licenses.
Continuous Improvement: Business plans are not static documents. They can be updated and revised as circumstances change. This allows management to adapt to evolving market conditions, technological advancements, and other factors affecting the business environment.
Pricing And Billing
The cost of this service is $1,500. If you are using my Proforma Financial Analysis service, I will provide the Business Plan Development Proforma Financial Statement service at a 10% discount. The billing for the combined services will be included in the invoicing and your payment plan.
Payments are made as follows:
A deposit of $500 when our Agreement is signed (this payment will be considered part of the initial payment if the Proforma service is included in one of the Business Plan services)
Two equal payments of $500 each are then made in 30 and 60 days.
Your initial invoice will specify the future payment dates.
If the plan is completed earlier, the final payment of the balance is due within 5 business days of completion.
This payment plan will effectively stagger predictable, affordable payments over a manageable time frame.
Free And Discounted Update Service
Up to one year after the final invoice payment, I will provide an additional 60-minute call at no charge to answer follow-up questions or assist you with new situations that may have evolved since our initial engagement. Simply email me to request an appointment time.
If additional assistance is needed beyond the free update call, I will provide any additional time at a 25% discount off my hourly rate.
Guaranty
If any service I provide does not meet your satisfaction and expectations of the stated deliverable, I will work with you to rectify the situation to an amicable resolution.