At the beginning of every successful business is a well-thought-out and exceptionally prepared business plan that was written with one audience in mind--investors. But too many budding entrepreneurs have written their business’s bible with a focus on details most important to managers or employees or even themselves, completely avoiding the questions most crucial to those who determine the fate of the business’s genesis . . . its potential backers. The Standout Business Plan is an immensely practical and readable guide that shows readers how to create a business plan that not only speaks directly to investors and lenders but also makes it easy for them to say yes. Featuring case studies and examples of both what to do and what not to do, this invaluable book reveals how to: • Include the vital information backers need, while leaving out extraneous filler that gets in the way • Address key factors such as market demand, competition, and strategy • Spell out the essence of your business proposition • Outline resources and financial forecasts • Assess risk from the backer's perspective • Evaluate and improve the plan to ensure its success Your business plan is too important to not get exactly right from the beginning. With the easy-to-follow guidance in The Standout Business Plan, now anyone can present a clear, concise, and convincing case that will win them the funding they need to succeed.
The Standout Business Plan: Make It Irresistible--and Get the Funds You Need for Your Startup or Growing Business | Vaughan Evans (Author), Brian Tracy (Author)| AMACOM
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Chapter 1. The Groundwork
The Purpose, The End Result, The Gorge Inn Business Plan: Executive Summary, The Preparation, Thinking Out of the Box: Creating Wealth.
Chapter 2. The Business
Background, Thinking Out of the Box: Planning for Success, Business Mix by Segment, The Blues: IBM and Business Mix, Segmentation in a Startup, The Gorge Inn Business Plan: The Business.
Chapter 3. Market Demand
Market Size and Market crafting, Market Growth, Stalling: Movie Theaters and Market Demand, App-reciation: Mobile Apps and Market Demand, Market Demand for a Startup, Thinking Out of the Box: Identifying Your Target Customer, Market Demand Risks and Opportunities, The Gorge Inn Business Plan: Market Demand.
Chapter 4. Competition
Your Competitors, Who Said Mature? Groceries and Industry Competition, Competitive Intensity, Block-Busted: Movie Rentals and Industry Competition, Competition in a Startup, Thinking Out of the Box: Competing Strategically, Industry Competition Risks and Opportunities, The Gorge Inn Business Plan: Industry Competition.
Chapter 5. Strategy
Competitive Position, Tasty: Samuel Adams' Differentiation Strategy, “What Is Your Strategy?“, Cheap and Cheerful: South-west Airlines'" Low-Cost Strategy, Strategy in a Startup, Thinking Out of the Box: Pumping Up Profit, Strategic Risks and Opportunities, The Gorge Inn Business Plan: Strategy.
Chapter 6. Resources
Management Marketing, Thinking Out of the Box: Magical Marketing, Bullish: Red Bulls Marketing Resources, Operations and Capital Expenditure, Confronting China: Rodon's Production Resources, Resource Risks and Opportunities, The Gorge Inn Business Plan: Resources.
Chapter 7. Financials and Forecasts
Historic Financials, Market-Driven Sales Forecasts, Competition-Driven Margin Forecasts, Funding the Plan, Full Financial Forecasts, Forecasts in a Startup, Thinking Out of the Box: Basic Budgeting, Financial Risks and Opportunities, The Gorge Inn Business Plan: Financials and Forecasts .
Chapter 8. Risk, Opportunity, and Sensitivity
Meet the Suns & Clouds Chart, What the Suns & Clouds Tell You, How Material the Girl? Madonna and Risk, Sensitivity Testing, The Gorge Inn Business Plan: Risk, Opportunity, and Sensitivity, Thinking Out of the Box: Succeeding in Business.
Chapter 9. Conclusion and Executive Summary
Conclusion, The Gorge Inn Business Plan: Conclusion, Executive Summary, The Gorge Inn Business Plan: Executive Summary, Investment Highlights, The Gorge Inn Business Plan: Investment Highlights.
Chapter 10. Monitoring and Evaluating
Monitoring Your Plan, Evaluating Your Plan, Beware These Characters!
Epilogue: 12 Hot Potatoes
Appendix A Deriving Competitive Position
Appendix B Structured Interviewing of Customers
Appendix C Templates for Creating Your Own Plan
Appendix D Sample Business Plans
LINK FOR THE BOOK
