5 steps to present your business plan

Before starting to work on your business plan, it is important to formalize the outlines, to describe it first. A priori, all this is already in your head. So, do not panic: by following the 5 steps we propose to present your project, you will ask the right questions and you will answer as precisely as possible; You may realize that certain points need to be consolidated: it is quite normal and that is the whole point of this exercise. This work is the foundation of any good business plan. So, to your keyboard and good job!

Step 1 of your business plan: Present your offer

Which service (s) do you want to offer?

Whether you sell a product or service, your business plan should describe your offer as accurately as possible:

• Clearly describe its characteristics. If the field is technical, it is all the more important to be clear (glossaries, illustrations are quite recommended).
• Specify what the features are, what benefits can be gained, its strengths and weaknesses.
• Is this an existing offer or is it under development? And in this case, at what stage of development are you (design, prototype ...)?
• On what technologies does your offer rely? What are its performances?
• Do you have suppliers and what are they?
• What problem do you solve with this offer? What is its use?
• What is the price ?

Step 2 of your business plan: What means are needed?

In your business plan, you will have to indicate what material, intangible and financial means are essential to the functioning of your business. List them as exhaustively as possible.

• Do you need to buy a business
• Do you need a local vehicle?
• On which working tool do you support yourself, will you have to acquire material?
• Which communication actions are you going to take (website, personalized vehicles, point-of-sale advertisements, business cards ...)?
• Have you estimated a launch budget and what is it?

Step 3 of your business plan: What teams do you need?

For your business to work, your business may require that you surround yourself with the right people. This should also appear in your business plan.

• What skills do you need to develop your offer (types of qualifications required)? To promote and sell it? How many people do you need in each category?
• Which partners will you need (wholesalers, retailers, prescribes, business contributors ...)? Do you already know of them or what actions do you plan to take to identify them?

Step 4 of your business plan: Who are your customers?

Your business plan will be almost incomplete when you present the market you are addressing. It is therefore necessary to establish as precisely as possible the portraits of your customers.

• Are they companies (specify sector of activity, size ...)? Individuals (specify age, socio-professional category, sex, geographical location ...)? Communities?
• What are their motivations, their interests, their expectations, their purchasing behavior? What are their barriers to purchase (degree of technicality, means of payment ...)?
• What is the volume and evolution of demand? Is it seasonal?

Step 5 of your business plan: What is your competition?

Finally, last but not least, you must show in your business plan that you know precisely against whom you are fighting; Because, as you know, the development of your project will be at the expense of your competitors.

• Who are your competitors?
• What products or services do they offer? At what prices?
• What are their strengths? Their weaknesses?
• What is their strategy (communication, distribution, development ...)?
• What is their reputation? How long have they been on the market?
• Where are they located?
• What results do they achieve (CA, market shares ...)?

Even if you have clarified your project, you may still have unanswered questions? No worries. Note them for later and let your reflection mature. You will come back to it as you build your business plan.