HOW TO PRESENT YOUR BUSINESS PLAN?
1. What is a Business plan?
Preparing a solid business plan is the key to securing funding. A robust business plan helps potential lenders or investors understand the vision and goals of the business. It also brings focus to management’s understanding of the business strategy. It helps them understand the risks inherent in the strategy and the impact of any deviations from their plan – particularly
when it comes to funding.
2. Purpose of a business plan
A business plan’s main purpose when raising finance is to market your business proposal. It should show potential investors that if they invest in your business, you and your team will give them a unique opportunity to participate in making an excellent return.
A business plan should be considered an essential document for owners and management to formally assess market needs and the competition; review the business’ strengths and weaknesses, and identify its critical success factors and what must be done to achieve profitable growth. It can be used to consider and reorganise internal financing and to agree and set targets for you and your management team. It should be reviewed regularly
3. How to write a Business Plan
Bear the following points in mind when you are writing your business plan.
(a) Readability
Make the plan readable. Avoid jargon and general position statements. Use plain English – especially if you are explaining technical details. Aim it at nonspecialists, emphasising its financial viability. Avoid including unnecessary detail and prevent the plan from becoming too lengthy. Put detail into appendices. Ask someone outside the company to check it for clarity and “readability”. Remember that the readers targeted will be potential investors. They will need to be convinced of the company’s commercial viability and competitive edge and will be particularly looking to see the potential for making a good return.
(b) Length
The length of your business plan depends on individual circumstances. It should be long enough to cover the subject adequately and short enough to maintain interest. For a multi-million $ technology company with sophisticated research and manufacturing elements, the business plan could be well over 50 pages including appendices. By contrast, a proposal for $500,000 to develop an existing product may be too long at 20 pages. It is probably best to err on the side of brevity – for if investors are interested they can always call you to ask for additional information. Unless your business requires several million pounds of private equity and is highly complex, we would recommend the business plan should be no longer than 25 pages.
(c) Appearance
Use graphs and charts to illustrate and simplify complicated information. Use titles and sub-titles to divide different subject matters. Ensure it is neatly typed or printed without spelling, typing or grammar mistakes – these have a disproportionately negative impact. Yet avoid very expensive documentation, as this might suggest unnecessary waste and extravagance.
