Business Plan
See the 4 files for instructions
Project Assignment Stage #1 – Creating an Idea – 50 points
Hello all,
Please click on the enclosed word doc..and download.
This document will help you develop your business idea for your Business Plan. Look for the hyperlinks I’ve posted at the end of the document for websites with help on creating ideas.
Answer all 6 questions. Save. Upload.
50 points possible.
CARDONA BusAd101. Project Stage 1 – Creating an Idea. Winter 2020 Online x
Project Assignment Stage #2 – Developing a SWOT Analysis – 50 Points
Hello all:
1) Please read and grasp the material below then click on this link,
CARDONA BusAd101.Project Stage 2 – SWOT ANALYSIS. Winter 2020 Online Cardona x
Actions
then follow steps 2 and 3.
2) Fill out the SWOT MATRIX in the link. Save your document.
3) Upload your completed SWOT MATRIX.
Prof Bender
Listing Your Internal Factors: Strengths and Weaknesses
Internal factors include your resources and experiences. General areas to consider:
· Human resources – staff, volunteers, board members, target population
· Physical resources – your location, building, equipment
· Financial – grants, funding agencies, other sources of income
· Activities and processes – programs you run, systems you employ
· Past experiences – building blocks for learning and success, your reputation in the community
Don’t be too modest when listing your strengths. If you’re having difficulty naming them, start by simply listing your characteristics (e.g.., we’re small, we’re connected to the neighborhood). Some of these will probably be strengths.
Although the strengths and weakness of your organization are your internal qualities, don’t overlook the perspective of people outside your group. Identify strengths and weaknesses from both your own point of view and that of others, including those you serve or deal with. Do others see problems–or assets–that you don’t?
How do you get information about how outsiders perceive your strengths and weaknesses? You may know already if you’ve listened to those you serve. If not, this might be the time to gather that type of information. See related sections for ideas on conducting
focus groups (Links to an external site.)
, user
surveys (Links to an external site.)
, and
listening sessions (Links to an external site.)
.
Listing External Factors: Opportunities and Threats
Cast a wide net for the external part of the assessment. No organization, group, program, or neighborhood is immune to outside events and forces. Consider your connectedness, for better and worse, as you compile this part of your SWOT list.
Forces and facts that your group does not control include:
· Future trends in your field or the culture
· The economy – local, national, or international
· Funding sources – foundations, donors, legislatures
· Demographics – changes in the age, race, gender, culture of those you serve or in your area
· The physical environment (Is your building in a growing part of town? Is the bus company cutting routes?)
· Legislation (Do new federal requirements make your job harder…or easier?)
· Local, national or international events
Lets, take a step back review pages 181 and 182, look at the Elements of the SWOT analysis;
Project Assignment Stage #3 – Business Plan Rough Draft
Hello all,
Please click on the enclosed word doc..and download.
Answer all applicable questions. Save. Upload. 50 points possible.
BusAD101-1801.businessplan.template. This is basically your outline or rough draft of your final plan.
Actions
IMPORTANT: This document will become your ACTUAL FINAL Business Plan (200 points!). So,treat accordingly.
Final Project Stage #4 – Completed Business Plan
Hello all,
THIS IS YOUR FINAL PROJECT: 200 points possible!!
Just in case, I am re attaching the link to the business plan template if you need it.
BUSAD 101 – 1044 BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE
Actions
IMPORTANT: This is your ACTUAL FINAL Business Plan (200 points!). So, treat accordingly.
Instructor Cardona
DUE FEBRUARY 7 (END OF WEEK 5)!!
Business Plan
Put Business Name Here
MACROBUTTON NoMacro [Click here and type your address]
MACROBUTTON NoMacro [Click here and type your phone number]
MACROBUTTON NoMacro [Click here and type the date]
MACROBUTTON NoMacro [Click here and type the people on the management team]
This document is confidential.
Table of Contents
2
Table of Contents
3
Executive Summary
4
Vision/Mission Statement and Goals
4
A. Vision Statement
4
B. Goals and Objectives
4
C. Keys to Success
5
Company Summary
5
A. Company Background
5
B. Resources, Facilities and Equipment
5
C. Marketing Methods
5
D. Management and Organization
5
E. Ownership Structure
6
G. Internal Analysis
7
Products and/or Services
8
Market Assessment
8
A. External Analysis
8
B. Customers
8
C. Strategic Alternatives
9
Strategic Implementation
11
Financial Plan
11
A. Financial Projections
11
B. Contingency Plan
11
Monitoring
Executive Summary
This section is a summary of the information from the pages that follow. Prepare it last, after the business plan has been written. It should not exceed two pages. Headings to use in the Executive Summary:
A. Vision/Mission Statement
B. Company Summary
C. Products/Services
D. Market Assessment
E. Strategic Implementation
F. Expected Outcomes
Vision/Mission Statement and Goals
A. Vision Statement
The vision/mission statements are clear summaries of where the business is headed. It describes what the business produces, who products are produced for, and unique business characteristics. It will reflect the values of the management team and the type of business culture you are trying to create.
B. Goals and Objectives
What do you want your business to achieve? Be specific in terms of financial performance, resource commitments (time and money) and risk.
When will various milestones be achieved?
C. Keys to Success
What do you need, or must happen, for you to succeed?
Company Summary
The material in this section is an introduction to the firm.
A. Company Background
What does your business do?
Who were the founders of the business?
What were the important milestones in the development of the business?
B. Resources, Facilities and Equipment
With what do you produce your products or services?
What are the land, equipment, human and financial resources?
Who provides them?
How are resource providers rewarded?
C. Marketing Methods
What is your annual sales volume in dollars and units?
Explain how you work with others to improve returns. This may include a strategic alliance with suppliers or customers that you can leverage.
Do you use forward contracting, options, or futures? If so, how?
How much does it cost to produce and deliver your products and services?
How is contracting used?
D. Management and Organization
Who is currently on the management team?
How have management responsibilities been divided among the management team?
What are the lines of authority?
Who acts as the president/CEO? spokesperson? Chief Financial Officer?
Who determines employees’ salaries and conducts performance reviews?
What is the educational background of the management team members?
What is the management team’s reputation in the community?
What special skills and abilities does the management team have?
What additional skills does the management team need?
Who are the key people and personnel that make your business run?
Who do you go to for advice and support?
Do management and employees have avenues for personal development?
Sketch a diagram of lines of authority for your operation.
E. Ownership Structure
Who are the primary stakeholders in your business?
Describe the legal form of your company, such as partnership, proprietorship, or corporation.
Do you need special permits to operate, or a record for inspections? If you do, please describe them.
F. Social Responsibility
What environmental practices do you follow?
What procedures do you use for handling chemicals?
What noise/dust/timing/odor policies do you have?
What will be the roles of management and employees in community organizations?
What will be your involvement at the local/state/national level in commodity organizations?
What training and new employee orientation practices will you offer to insure proper handling of hazardous materials and safe operation of equipment?
G. Internal Analysis
What are the strengths and weaknesses of your firm?
What are the relative strengths of each enterprise or business unit within the firm?
What are the core competencies (things you are doing better than others) of your firm?
What things can you build on? Think only about the things that you can control.
Suggested areas to consider:
· knowledge and work
· financial position
· productivity
· family
· lifestyle
· location
· resources
What enterprise or business unit should be exited?
What enterprise or business unit shows promise?
Products and/or Services
Describe the products and services you plan to sell.
How is your product or service unique?
Are you producing a commodity or a differentiated product?
How does your product or service compare to other products in
Quality? Price? Location?
What experience do you have with this product/service?
Market Assessment
A. Examining the General Market
How is the market characterized?
Are there clear segments in the market? Describe them.
What important customer need(s) is the market not currently fulfilling?
What is the growth potential for each segment of the market?
What opportunities and threats does your firm face?
What does an analysis using the Five Forces model suggest about your industry? Who is your competition (in light of the Five Forces)?
What trends, relevant to your business, do you see?
What are the drivers of change?
What political and legal issues do you face, such as zoning, environmental laws, inspections, etc?
B. Customer Analysis
Who will be your customers?
What do you sell to each of the customers?
How does your product/service solve a key customer problem?
How difficult is it to retain a customer?
How much does it cost to support a customer?
C. Industry Analysis
D. Strategic Alternatives
Strategic Implementation
A. Production
How will you produce your product?
What value will you create and capture with your product?
What is your competitive advantage?
What technology will you use, i.e. reduced tillage, GPS systems, etc.?
What processes will you use to produce products?
What growth options will you use to develop the business unit?
· Enterprise Expansion
· Replicate
· Integrate
· Network
What is the anticipated timeline?
B. Resource Needs
In order to effectively organize your business you need to insure the resources are available. Assess those needs here.
a) Human
What skills are needed?
How will human resources be acquired?
b) Financial
What level of financial resources will be needed?
c) Physical
What type, quantity and quality of physical resources will be required?
C. Sourcing/Procurement Strategy
On what do you base a decision to buy products or services? Price? Quality? Convenience? Extra service? A combination?
By what venue will you find suppliers — local dealer, Internet, direct from manufacturer, etc.?
D. Marketing Strategy
What is your sales plan?
What advertising and promotion will be used to increase sales/awareness?
Where will you sell products/services?
Will you use the open market or contracts?
Do you have a preferred market outlet?
Are you a qualified supplier for a specific processor or buyer?
How will you price the product?
a) Hedging, forward pricing, options
How will you use these to mitigate your risk?
b) Contracting
Will you use production or marketing contracting to reduce risk?
c) Insurance
How will you use crop, liability and other insurance?
E. Performance Standards
What performance standards will be used to monitor this enterprise or business unit?
What are acceptable performance standards?
What yield or output levels could you attain?
What efficiency levels will you reach?
What procedures will be used to monitor performance?
Who is responsible for monitoring performance?
What industry benchmarks will be used to assess performance?
Financial Plan
A. Financial Projections
How will you fund the business?
What is your desired debt and equity position?
Who will provide capital debt funds?
What role will leasing play in your financial strategy?
Will you use outside investors for equity capital?
How will you manage the financial risks your business faces?
What operating procedures, such as developing cash flow budgets or spending limits, will you have to ensure adequate money for debt repayment?
What are the important assumptions that underlie your projections? These assumptions may be associated with both external or internal factors.
What financial aspects of your business (equity, asset growth, ROA, ROE, etc.) will you monitor?
What procedures will be used for monitoring overall business performance?
What level of performance will your business shoot for? These should be targets for next year and in five years. They should be financial performance standards used to monitor the overall business.
What yield and output levels could you attain? What efficiency levels will you reach?
B. Contingency Plan
What will you do if you can’t follow through with your primary plan?
How are you preparing for an emergency in your business?
How will the business function if something happens to one of the key members of the management team?
PAGE
2
BUSAD 101 – Intro. To Business #1038 – Winter
2
020
Project Stage #2: SWOT ANALYSIS – 50 points – Fill out the template as it pertains to your business idea that you created from Project Stage #1. *MINIMUM 3-4 PER ENTRIES PER BOX REQUIRED FOR FULL CREDIT.
SWOT Matrix Analysis Template
Helpful
to achieving the objective
Harmful
to achieving the objective
Internal origin
(attributes of the system)
Strengths
·
Weaknesses
·
External origin
(attributes of the environment)
Opportunities
·
Threats
·
Relevant Link:
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05.htm
Have fun!
Professor Cardona
2
BUSAD101 – Intro. To Business #1038 – Winter
2
020
Project Stage #1: Creating an Idea – 50 points – This is where you start creating your idea for a business you would start. Read and answer each of the items listed here (1 through 6)
|
1. Think about what goods or services would improve your life or those of other(s). List examples: |
|
2. Decide whether you’d like to provide a product or a service. |
|
3. Identify an opportunity with an existing industry. |
|
4. State your business idea or build upon an existing business or idea. |
|
5. Look towards the future. What are industry trend(s)? Is there much growth potential? Why? |
|
6. Conduct preliminary consumer research. Who would buy this product or service? Explain. |
The following are a couple links for your perusal to assist you in creating an idea.
Links to Help Create Ideas:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2013/05/08/what-are-the-best-ways-to-think-of-ideas-for-a-startup/#734d0aeb7b82
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_88.htm
Have fun!
Prof Cardona
2
Running head: CREATING AN IDEA
1
CREATING AN IDEA
2
Project Assignment Stage #1 – Creating an Idea
Name
Institution
Creating an Idea
Project Stage #1: Creating an Idea – 50 points – This is where you start creating your idea for a business you would start. Read and answer each of the items listed here (1 through 6)
|
1. Think about what goods or services would improve your life or those of other(s). List examples: i. Research paper editing ii. Interior designing iii. Dance instruction iv. Photography v. Portable blender machine vi. Laundry basket vii. Yoga mat |
|
2. Decide whether you’d like to provide a product or a service. I would like to provide a service. The reason for choosing services over product is that offering free samples in the case of products will cost my company. The other reason is that services can be customized quickly unlike in the case of products. The cost incurred in the customization process of services is lower when compared to products. |
|
3. Identify an opportunity with an existing industry. There is a high demand for paper editing services in the educational service industry. This is because many learning institutions now require undergraduates to carry out several research studies before graduating. This also applies to those students undertaking their postgraduate studies |
|
4. State your business idea or build upon an existing business or idea. My business idea is research paper editing. My task as a business person will be assisting college students edit their research papers to eliminate all writing mistakes in the papers. The significance of removing the mistakes is that kit will enable the students earn high marks. |
|
5. Look towards the future. What are industry trend(s)? Is there much growth potential? Why? The educational service industry is currently growing and is expected to continue growing tremendously in the future. There is a high growth potential which is due to the increasing population in the country. The effect of the increasing population is that it will increase the demand for more schools and colleges. This means that there will be so many students doing researches. The anticipated high demand for research editing services is more likely to compel me to hire more experts to enable me satisfies the demand. |
|
6. Conduct preliminary consumer research. Who would buy this product or service? Explain. The people that will mainly buy my service are college students who will have finished writing their research proposals and reports. Students in these two categories will seek editing services to enable them eliminate any writing mistakes that they may have made when writing the reports or even the proposals. Many students are usually unable to recognize the mistakes that they have made in their writing. This is because they are usually not aware of grammatical rules. My company will hire experts in writing to enable the students deliver high quality papers. |
References
Eller, F. J., Gielnik, M. M., Wimmer, H., Thölke, C., Holzapfel, S., Tegtmeier, S., & Halberstadt, J. (2020). Identifying business opportunities for sustainable development: Longitudinal and experimental evidence contributing to the field of sustainable entrepreneurship. Business Strategy and the Environment.
Wang, H. B., & Lin, Y. (2017). Designed Opportunity Identification Based on the Context of Big Data and the Business Value Studies. DEStech Transactions on Environment, Energy and Earth Sciences, (icseep).
Developing a Swot Analysis
|
Strengths · Highly motivated workforce · High quality services · Strong brand · Loyal customer base |
Weaknesses · Slow financial growth · Lack of diversification · Negative publicity · High employee turnover |
|
Opportunities · Opportunity to establish long term relationship with students · Chance to create a friendly workplace · Opportunity to enter foreign markets |
Threats · Free online paper editing services · Strict government regulations · Increased competition · Changing user demand |
Business Plan
Put Business Name Here
MACROBUTTON NoMacro [Click here and type your address]
MACROBUTTON NoMacro [Click here and type your phone number]
MACROBUTTON NoMacro [Click here and type the date]
MACROBUTTON NoMacro [Click here and type the people on the management team]
This document is confidential.
Table of Contents
2
Table of Contents
3
Executive Summary
4
Vision/Mission Statement and Goals
4
A. Vision Statement
4
B. Goals and Objectives
4
C. Keys to Success
5
Company Summary
5
A. Company Background
5
B. Resources, Facilities and Equipment
5
C. Marketing Methods
5
D. Management and Organization
5
E. Ownership Structure
6
G. Internal Analysis
7
Products and/or Services
8
Market Assessment
8
A. External Analysis
8
B. Customers
8
C. Strategic Alternatives
9
Strategic Implementation
11
Financial Plan
11
A. Financial Projections
11
B. Contingency Plan
11
Monitoring
Executive Summary
This section is a summary of the information from the pages that follow. Prepare it last, after the business plan has been written. It should not exceed two pages. Headings to use in the Executive Summary:
A. Vision/Mission Statement
B. Company Summary
C. Products/Services
D. Market Assessment
E. Strategic Implementation
F. Expected Outcomes
Vision/Mission Statement and Goals
A. Vision Statement
The vision/mission statements are clear summaries of where the business is headed. It describes what the business produces, who products are produced for, and unique business characteristics. It will reflect the values of the management team and the type of business culture you are trying to create.
B. Goals and Objectives
What do you want your business to achieve? Be specific in terms of financial performance, resource commitments (time and money) and risk.
When will various milestones be achieved?
C. Keys to Success
What do you need, or must happen, for you to succeed?
Company Summary
The material in this section is an introduction to the firm.
A. Company Background
What does your business do?
Who were the founders of the business?
What were the important milestones in the development of the business?
B. Resources, Facilities and Equipment
With what do you produce your products or services?
What are the land, equipment, human and financial resources?
Who provides them?
How are resource providers rewarded?
C. Marketing Methods
What is your annual sales volume in dollars and units?
Explain how you work with others to improve returns. This may include a strategic alliance with suppliers or customers that you can leverage.
Do you use forward contracting, options, or futures? If so, how?
How much does it cost to produce and deliver your products and services?
How is contracting used?
D. Management and Organization
Who is currently on the management team?
How have management responsibilities been divided among the management team?
What are the lines of authority?
Who acts as the president/CEO? spokesperson? Chief Financial Officer?
Who determines employees’ salaries and conducts performance reviews?
What is the educational background of the management team members?
What is the management team’s reputation in the community?
What special skills and abilities does the management team have?
What additional skills does the management team need?
Who are the key people and personnel that make your business run?
Who do you go to for advice and support?
Do management and employees have avenues for personal development?
Sketch a diagram of lines of authority for your operation.
E. Ownership Structure
Who are the primary stakeholders in your business?
Describe the legal form of your company, such as partnership, proprietorship, or corporation.
Do you need special permits to operate, or a record for inspections? If you do, please describe them.
F. Social Responsibility
What environmental practices do you follow?
What procedures do you use for handling chemicals?
What noise/dust/timing/odor policies do you have?
What will be the roles of management and employees in community organizations?
What will be your involvement at the local/state/national level in commodity organizations?
What training and new employee orientation practices will you offer to insure proper handling of hazardous materials and safe operation of equipment?
G. Internal Analysis
What are the strengths and weaknesses of your firm?
What are the relative strengths of each enterprise or business unit within the firm?
What are the core competencies (things you are doing better than others) of your firm?
What things can you build on? Think only about the things that you can control.
Suggested areas to consider:
· knowledge and work
· financial position
· productivity
· family
· lifestyle
· location
· resources
What enterprise or business unit should be exited?
What enterprise or business unit shows promise?
Products and/or Services
Describe the products and services you plan to sell.
How is your product or service unique?
Are you producing a commodity or a differentiated product?
How does your product or service compare to other products in
Quality? Price? Location?
What experience do you have with this product/service?
Market Assessment
A. Examining the General Market
How is the market characterized?
Are there clear segments in the market? Describe them.
What important customer need(s) is the market not currently fulfilling?
What is the growth potential for each segment of the market?
What opportunities and threats does your firm face?
What does an analysis using the Five Forces model suggest about your industry? Who is your competition (in light of the Five Forces)?
What trends, relevant to your business, do you see?
What are the drivers of change?
What political and legal issues do you face, such as zoning, environmental laws, inspections, etc?
B. Customer Analysis
Who will be your customers?
What do you sell to each of the customers?
How does your product/service solve a key customer problem?
How difficult is it to retain a customer?
How much does it cost to support a customer?
C. Industry Analysis
D. Strategic Alternatives
Strategic Implementation
A. Production
How will you produce your product?
What value will you create and capture with your product?
What is your competitive advantage?
What technology will you use, i.e. reduced tillage, GPS systems, etc.?
What processes will you use to produce products?
What growth options will you use to develop the business unit?
· Enterprise Expansion
· Replicate
· Integrate
· Network
What is the anticipated timeline?
B. Resource Needs
In order to effectively organize your business you need to insure the resources are available. Assess those needs here.
a) Human
What skills are needed?
How will human resources be acquired?
b) Financial
What level of financial resources will be needed?
c) Physical
What type, quantity and quality of physical resources will be required?
C. Sourcing/Procurement Strategy
On what do you base a decision to buy products or services? Price? Quality? Convenience? Extra service? A combination?
By what venue will you find suppliers — local dealer, Internet, direct from manufacturer, etc.?
D. Marketing Strategy
What is your sales plan?
What advertising and promotion will be used to increase sales/awareness?
Where will you sell products/services?
Will you use the open market or contracts?
Do you have a preferred market outlet?
Are you a qualified supplier for a specific processor or buyer?
How will you price the product?
a) Hedging, forward pricing, options
How will you use these to mitigate your risk?
b) Contracting
Will you use production or marketing contracting to reduce risk?
c) Insurance
How will you use crop, liability and other insurance?
E. Performance Standards
What performance standards will be used to monitor this enterprise or business unit?
What are acceptable performance standards?
What yield or output levels could you attain?
What efficiency levels will you reach?
What procedures will be used to monitor performance?
Who is responsible for monitoring performance?
What industry benchmarks will be used to assess performance?
Financial Plan
A. Financial Projections
How will you fund the business?
What is your desired debt and equity position?
Who will provide capital debt funds?
What role will leasing play in your financial strategy?
Will you use outside investors for equity capital?
How will you manage the financial risks your business faces?
What operating procedures, such as developing cash flow budgets or spending limits, will you have to ensure adequate money for debt repayment?
What are the important assumptions that underlie your projections? These assumptions may be associated with both external or internal factors.
What financial aspects of your business (equity, asset growth, ROA, ROE, etc.) will you monitor?
What procedures will be used for monitoring overall business performance?
What level of performance will your business shoot for? These should be targets for next year and in five years. They should be financial performance standards used to monitor the overall business.
What yield and output levels could you attain? What efficiency levels will you reach?
B. Contingency Plan
What will you do if you can’t follow through with your primary plan?
How are you preparing for an emergency in your business?
How will the business function if something happens to one of the key members of the management team?
PAGE
2
Business Plan
Put Business Name Here
MACROBUTTON NoMacro [Click here and type your address]
MACROBUTTON NoMacro [Click here and type your phone number]
MACROBUTTON NoMacro [Click here and type the date]
MACROBUTTON NoMacro [Click here and type the people on the management team]
This document is confidential.
Table of Contents
2
Table of Contents
3
Executive Summary
4
Vision/Mission Statement and Goals
4
A. Vision Statement
4
B. Goals and Objectives
4
C. Keys to Success
5
Company Summary
5
A. Company Background
5
B. Resources, Facilities and Equipment
5
C. Marketing Methods
5
D. Management and Organization
5
E. Ownership Structure
6
G. Internal Analysis
7
Products and/or Services
8
Market Assessment
8
A. External Analysis
8
B. Customers
8
C. Strategic Alternatives
9
Strategic Implementation
11
Financial Plan
11
A. Financial Projections
11
B. Contingency Plan
11
Monitoring
Executive Summary
This section is a summary of the information from the pages that follow. Prepare it last, after the business plan has been written. It should not exceed two pages. Headings to use in the Executive Summary:
A. Vision/Mission Statement
B. Company Summary
C. Products/Services
D. Market Assessment
E. Strategic Implementation
F. Expected Outcomes
Vision/Mission Statement and Goals
A. Vision Statement
The vision/mission statements are clear summaries of where the business is headed. It describes what the business produces, who products are produced for, and unique business characteristics. It will reflect the values of the management team and the type of business culture you are trying to create.
B. Goals and Objectives
What do you want your business to achieve? Be specific in terms of financial performance, resource commitments (time and money) and risk.
When will various milestones be achieved?
C. Keys to Success
What do you need, or must happen, for you to succeed?
Company Summary
The material in this section is an introduction to the firm.
A. Company Background
What does your business do?
Who were the founders of the business?
What were the important milestones in the development of the business?
B. Resources, Facilities and Equipment
With what do you produce your products or services?
What are the land, equipment, human and financial resources?
Who provides them?
How are resource providers rewarded?
C. Marketing Methods
What is your annual sales volume in dollars and units?
Explain how you work with others to improve returns. This may include a strategic alliance with suppliers or customers that you can leverage.
Do you use forward contracting, options, or futures? If so, how?
How much does it cost to produce and deliver your products and services?
How is contracting used?
D. Management and Organization
Who is currently on the management team?
How have management responsibilities been divided among the management team?
What are the lines of authority?
Who acts as the president/CEO? spokesperson? Chief Financial Officer?
Who determines employees’ salaries and conducts performance reviews?
What is the educational background of the management team members?
What is the management team’s reputation in the community?
What special skills and abilities does the management team have?
What additional skills does the management team need?
Who are the key people and personnel that make your business run?
Who do you go to for advice and support?
Do management and employees have avenues for personal development?
Sketch a diagram of lines of authority for your operation.
E. Ownership Structure
Who are the primary stakeholders in your business?
Describe the legal form of your company, such as partnership, proprietorship, or corporation.
Do you need special permits to operate, or a record for inspections? If you do, please describe them.
F. Social Responsibility
What environmental practices do you follow?
What procedures do you use for handling chemicals?
What noise/dust/timing/odor policies do you have?
What will be the roles of management and employees in community organizations?
What will be your involvement at the local/state/national level in commodity organizations?
What training and new employee orientation practices will you offer to insure proper handling of hazardous materials and safe operation of equipment?
G. Internal Analysis
What are the strengths and weaknesses of your firm?
What are the relative strengths of each enterprise or business unit within the firm?
What are the core competencies (things you are doing better than others) of your firm?
What things can you build on? Think only about the things that you can control.
Suggested areas to consider:
· knowledge and work
· financial position
· productivity
· family
· lifestyle
· location
· resources
What enterprise or business unit should be exited?
What enterprise or business unit shows promise?
Products and/or Services
Describe the products and services you plan to sell.
How is your product or service unique?
Are you producing a commodity or a differentiated product?
How does your product or service compare to other products in
Quality? Price? Location?
What experience do you have with this product/service?
Market Assessment
A. Examining the General Market
How is the market characterized?
Are there clear segments in the market? Describe them.
What important customer need(s) is the market not currently fulfilling?
What is the growth potential for each segment of the market?
What opportunities and threats does your firm face?
What does an analysis using the Five Forces model suggest about your industry? Who is your competition (in light of the Five Forces)?
What trends, relevant to your business, do you see?
What are the drivers of change?
What political and legal issues do you face, such as zoning, environmental laws, inspections, etc?
B. Customer Analysis
Who will be your customers?
What do you sell to each of the customers?
How does your product/service solve a key customer problem?
How difficult is it to retain a customer?
How much does it cost to support a customer?
C. Industry Analysis
D. Strategic Alternatives
Strategic Implementation
A. Production
How will you produce your product?
What value will you create and capture with your product?
What is your competitive advantage?
What technology will you use, i.e. reduced tillage, GPS systems, etc.?
What processes will you use to produce products?
What growth options will you use to develop the business unit?
· Enterprise Expansion
· Replicate
· Integrate
· Network
What is the anticipated timeline?
B. Resource Needs
In order to effectively organize your business you need to insure the resources are available. Assess those needs here.
a) Human
What skills are needed?
How will human resources be acquired?
b) Financial
What level of financial resources will be needed?
c) Physical
What type, quantity and quality of physical resources will be required?
C. Sourcing/Procurement Strategy
On what do you base a decision to buy products or services? Price? Quality? Convenience? Extra service? A combination?
By what venue will you find suppliers — local dealer, Internet, direct from manufacturer, etc.?
D. Marketing Strategy
What is your sales plan?
What advertising and promotion will be used to increase sales/awareness?
Where will you sell products/services?
Will you use the open market or contracts?
Do you have a preferred market outlet?
Are you a qualified supplier for a specific processor or buyer?
How will you price the product?
a) Hedging, forward pricing, options
How will you use these to mitigate your risk?
b) Contracting
Will you use production or marketing contracting to reduce risk?
c) Insurance
How will you use crop, liability and other insurance?
E. Performance Standards
What performance standards will be used to monitor this enterprise or business unit?
What are acceptable performance standards?
What yield or output levels could you attain?
What efficiency levels will you reach?
What procedures will be used to monitor performance?
Who is responsible for monitoring performance?
What industry benchmarks will be used to assess performance?
Financial Plan
A. Financial Projections
How will you fund the business?
What is your desired debt and equity position?
Who will provide capital debt funds?
What role will leasing play in your financial strategy?
Will you use outside investors for equity capital?
How will you manage the financial risks your business faces?
What operating procedures, such as developing cash flow budgets or spending limits, will you have to ensure adequate money for debt repayment?
What are the important assumptions that underlie your projections? These assumptions may be associated with both external or internal factors.
What financial aspects of your business (equity, asset growth, ROA, ROE, etc.) will you monitor?
What procedures will be used for monitoring overall business performance?
What level of performance will your business shoot for? These should be targets for next year and in five years. They should be financial performance standards used to monitor the overall business.
What yield and output levels could you attain? What efficiency levels will you reach?
B. Contingency Plan
What will you do if you can’t follow through with your primary plan?
How are you preparing for an emergency in your business?
How will the business function if something happens to one of the key members of the management team?
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