The business plan – the foundation of your foundation
Regardless of whether for partners, investors, banks, or offices: no founder can ignore creating a sensible business plan.
Successful start-up? Only with a real business plan!
It should contain all the relevant information about your project and can be roughly divided into two blocks:
Only when the two blocks flow into one another will a concept emerge: your business plan for your business start-up.
Structure of the business plan – you should consider that
To put it simply: The business plan structure is based on the design of an essay: introduction, central part, and conclusion. Of course, there is no single solution for all business plan consultant. But you can’t go wrong with the following structure:
Sales and earnings planning
This section deals with the calculation of your project. Here it is shown in detail which sales the company generates monthly, which costs (personnel costs, cost of goods, other operating costs) arise, how high the financing requirements and your equity are, and how good the whole thing is in the end. The liquidity and profitability forecast should cover the first three financial years.
Market analysis
The market analysis in which your company will operate should include a competitive situation, industry details, market conditions, and marketing. Here you should make sure that you provide the correct source information!
Summary and conclusion
At the end of the business plan, you can, for example, insert a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and risks) of your company. You should also describe the whole project in a nutshell with an outlook for the next few years.
References and appendix
In the appendix, you can, for example, insert images. At least source information should be available.
Create a business plan – how you should proceed
You will now surely ask yourself how and where to start with all this information. Yes, it is not easy, and we are happy to help you with any questions. If you still want to try it on your own, here are a few essential tips for creating a business plan. By the way, you can have your business plan drawn up here.
Before creating
Before creating it, you should know exactly what defines your company and how you want to start and develop it. Ideally, get free advice from professionals in advance – we will be happy to help you in a free initial consultation.
The numbers of the business plan, i.e., calculating your liquidity and profitability, is one of the essential parts. A competent reader always pays attention to this. Ideally, create a calculation in advance that contains a 3-year plan of your liquidity and profitability. If you need help with the preparation of the analysis, it is best to get advice from professionals here as well. If the calculation is not correct, the business plan as a whole is not very credible!
During creation
When creating it yourself, you should first start with the company description. The part that you should be able to master best.
You can develop the description of the project simultaneously. Above all, you have to describe why you are qualified for the company and how you imagine the whole thing.
After creation
Reread the entire document and correct any spelling mistakes. The more errors the business plan contains, the more negatively the whole thing rubs off on you and your project.
Adjust the formatting so that everything looks clean and legible.
Also, check all sources for accuracy again.
Business plan template
Many business plan templates are circulating on the net; however, most of them are not very useful. Caution is advised with templates that you first fill out at length and are then asked to pay when you download the finished business plan. Many supposedly free business plan templates quickly turn out to be of no quality. Always be aware that your business plan presents you and your entire project to the outside world.
Five tips for your business plan
We have created the ultimate tips for making your business plan. It would help if you heeded them and read them carefully before you start writing. The business plan tips could save you a lot of time for rework!
Talk to professionals about your idea before you write the business plan
It is always good if you, as a business start-up, have the back-up of your environment – but very few people in your environment are trained consultants, business economists, or full-blooded entrepreneurs. Therefore, it is much better to seek expert advice before starting the actual work. Consultants help you realistically assess the situation and put ideas on paper. Often, one overlooks important details or even risks in advance or is too euphoric to evaluate realistically. To avoid this, we would be happy to talk to you about the business idea in advance, give impulses and other essential tips to get you started with your business plan.
Keep the calculation more conservative
The best idea is of no use if it is not mathematically comprehensible. How high is your sales volume? What is the daily or monthly turnover? What is the underlying cost of the sales quota? How do sales develop between the individual quarters? All of this must be economically understandable and correctly calculated!
Formatting – do not underestimate the presentation!
Nobody wants to read 30 pages of continuous text without images and with poor formatting. Never underestimate the subconscious effect of your presentation. Because your business plan is nothing more than a sales presentation, even the best business idea of all time is degraded if it is poorly presented in the business plan!