The Generic Business Plan :

To start a new business many different aspects need to be considered. Most of them are far away from one's own expertise and therefore are easily forgotten. When asked for this information many young entrepeneurs become frustrated and wonder what they got themselves into.

To lay down everthing in a plan ensures that nothing is missed. Some information will be easily available. Others will be difficult to come by but needs to be retrieved to reduce the risk of failure. And there will be information that cannot be obtained. But knowing about this information to be missing already reduces the risk of running unknowingly into a trap or making major mistakes.

In case third party financing is part of the plan, all of the information will be asked for by the third party evaluating the business risks and the professionalism of the proposer.

• Opening Remarks
• Executive Summary
• Basic Business Information
  • Legal Structure and Financing
  • Professional Partners
• Current Business Situation
  • Current Industry Situation
  • Corporate History / Major Events
  • Current Business and Market Position
  • Core Competencies
  • Current Business Organization
  • Outline of Business Infrastructure
• Strategic Analysis
  • Environmental Analysis - PEST Analysis
    • Political Analysis
    • Economical Analysis
    • Social Analysis
    • Technological Analysis
  • Key Differentiators / USPs
  • Resource Analysis - VRIO Analysis
    • 'Valuable'
    • 'Rare'
    • 'Imitable'
    • 'Organization'
  • Core Competencies
  • Configuration and Resources
  • Value-Add Analysis
  • Value Chain Analysis
  • Value System
  • Resource Audit
    • Operational Resources
    • Human Resources
    • Organizational Resources
    • Financial Resources
  • Industry Life Cycle
  • Industry Structure
  • Competitor Analysis
  • SWOT Analysis
    • Strengths
    • Weaknesses
    • Opportunities
    • Threats
  • Strategic Plan
    • Vision, Mission and Objectives
    • Vision
    • Mission
    • Objectives
    • Sources of Sustainable Competitive Advantage
    • Competitive Position/Profile
    • Market Positioning
    • Brand Strategy
    • Portfolio Strategy
  • Marketing Plan
    • Market Segments, Size and Development
    • Description of Customers and Customer Needs
    • Target Market Segments
    • Product Positioning and Value Proposition
    • Marketing Mix
      • Key Account Management
      • Indirect Promotion
    • Description of Products and Services
    • Pricing and Discounting
    • Advertising and Promotional Plans
    • Channels and Distribution Strategy
    • Guarantees and Warranties
    • After Sales Services and Customer Care
    • Comparison with Competition
    • Performance and Economics
    • Marketing Forecasts
  • Operations/Production
    • Physical Location
    • Area of Activities
    • Make or Buy Considerations
    • The Production Process
    • Facilities and Equipment
    • Scalability of Operations
    • Engineering and Design Support
    • Quality Control Plans
    • Staffing Requirements
    • Source of Supply of Key Materials
  • Research/Development
  • Objectives
  • Organization
  • Plans
  • Resources
  • Management and Organization
  • Organization Chart
  • Top Management
  • Management’s Ability to Deliver
  • Corporate Governance and Shareholder Control
  • Staffing
  • Recruitment
  • Training
  • Labour Relatiojns
  • Office Space and Amenities
  • Employment and Related Costs
  • Forecasts and Financial Data
  • Summary of Performance Ratios
  • KPIs
  • Sales Forecast
  • Assumptions underpinning Financial Forecasts
  • Profit and Loss Account (Income Statement)
  • Balance Sheet
  • Cash Flow Statement
  • Evaluation Criteria and Valuation
  • Discounted Cash Flow
  • Payback
  • Breakeven
  • Benchmarks
  • Sensitivity Analysis
  • Financing
  • Funds Required and Timing
  • Use of Proceeds
  • Deal on Offer
  • Anticipated Gearing and Interests cover
  • Exit Routes
  • Risk Analysis
  • Risk Overview
  • Limiting Factors
  • Critical Success Factors
  • Alternative Scenarios and Strategic Responses
  • Specifics
    • Risks
    • Risk Reduction Strategies
  • Business Control
  • Information Technology
  • Financials
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Operations
  • Others
  • Appendices
  • Glossary
  • Contact Details of People referred to within the Document
  • Details of Market Research
  • Examples for the Visual Concept for Promotion
  • Product Specifications
  • Marketing Collateral
  • Orders in Hand
  • Organization Charts
  • Curricula Vitae
  • Detailed Financial Forecasts
  • Technical Data
  • Copyrights - Trademarks

This term was defined by: Max Beckmann
Status: October 2010