Business Plan (DP IB Business Management)
Revision Note
Written by: Lisa Eades
Reviewed by: Steve Vorster
Business Plan
A business plan sets out key aspects of a business and how the owners intend it to develop
The main aim of producing a business plan is to reduce the risk associated with starting a new business and help the owners raise finance
Producing a business plan forces the owner to think about every aspect of the business before they start, which should reduce the risk of failure
Diagram: elements of a business plan
Having carried out research to support the plan, the business will be well-informed about the potential problems and chance of success and can select the most appropriate source of finance based on this information
A well-written business plan can help a business obtain finance
Lenders (e.g. banks) and other investors will be able to explore the plan and make an informed decision about whether the business is credible and worth the financial risk
Investors (e.g. venture capitalists) will use the business plan to explore whether there is an opportunity to increase the value of their investment and make a worthwhile profit
The business, having carried out research to support the plan, will be well-informed about the potential problems and chance of success and can select the most appropriate source of finance based on this information
A business plan should be a regularly-updated working document
As the business grows plans are likely to change as it faces new threats and opportunities
Key Elements in a Business Plan
Element | Explanation |
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Executive Summary |
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Company Description |
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Market Analysis |
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Products or Services |
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Marketing & Sales Strategy |
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Organisation & Management |
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Operations & Implementation |
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Financial Projections |
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Risk Analysis |
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