Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to give you the opportunity to apply all of the major concepts you have covered in the course to a real or made up business concept. A complete and well thought out business plan will provide you with the information you require to proceed with moving a business concept ahead and to access capital from funding organizations.

How to Proceed

1. Review the Business Plan grading rubric below.
2. Download the BDC Business Plan template and Financial Spreadsheet from the assessment information widget on UM Learn.
3. Populate the Business Plan and Financial Spreadsheet, as we progress through the course.
4. Submit your Business Plan and Financial Spreadsheet to the Assignment 4 dropbox on UM Learn.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Your business plan is divided into the following sections:

Business Overview

Description of the Business ..........................................................................................................................................................

Major demographic, economic, social and cultural Factors ....................................................................................................

Major Players ..................................................................................................................................................................................

Trends in the Industry ....................................................................................................................................................................

Government Regulations ..............................................................................................................................................................

The Market

Market Segment .............................................................................................................................................................................

Products & Services .......................................................................................................................................................................

Pricing and Distribution .................................................................................................................................................................

Market trends ..................................................................................................................................................................................

Implications or risk factors ............................................................................................................................................................

The Competition

Competitors and type of competition ...........................................................................................................................................

Competitors' Strengths and Weaknesses ..................................................................................................................................

Competitive advantage ..................................................................................................................................................................

Sales & MarketingPlan

Customers .......................................................................................................................................................................................

Suppliers ..........................................................................................................................................................................................

Advertising & promotion ................................................................................................................................................................

Pricing & distribution ......................................................................................................................................................................

Customer service policy ................................................................................................................................................................

Operating Plan

Business location & requirements / advantages / lease details ..............................................................................................

Equipment / technology / R&D / environmental aspects ..........................................................................................................

Human Resources Plan

Key employees ...............................................................................................................................................................................

Policies & procedures ....................................................................................................................................................................

Action Plan

Action plan & timetable ...............................................................................................................................................................

Executive Summary

A brief description of the project, the financing required, and additional information that help explain the business plan ............................................................................................

APPENDIX: Financial Plan

The company's financial performance both historical and projected (available in the kit Excel spreadsheet). Includes sales cost of goods sold expenses income statement balance sheet cash flow budget financial requirements performance indicators and personal status. ............................................................................................................................................................................................

HOW TO PRINT THESE INSTRUCTIONS

FINANCIAL PLAN (EXCEL SPREADSHEET)

In this section, you give a brief description of your company and where it stand in the marketplace.

Legal name:
Trading name:
Business address:
Phone:		Fax:
E-mail:

Description of the Business

Major demographic, economic, social and cultural Factors

Major Players

suppliers, distributors, clients

Natureof the Industry

Trends in the Industry

Government Regulation

THE MARKET

Market Segment

Products & Services

Pricing and Distribution

Market Trends

Implications or Risk Factors

Planned Response

THE COMPETITION

Competitors and type of Competition

Competitors' Strengths and Weaknesses

Competitive Advantage

If you are a start-upand do not yet have clients or suppliers you should still contact potential clients and suppliers and include letters of intent and market research information to help show your sales potential.

Customers

	NAME \ ADDRESS	TERMS	PRODUCT / SERVICE
1
2
3
4
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Suppliers

	NAME \ ADDRESS	TERMS	PRODUCT / SERVICE
1
2
3
4
5
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Advertising & Promotion

Pricing & Distribution

Customer Service Policy

In this In this section, describe the physical aspect of your business operations: your location, current and future capacity, lease details, your equipment and technological requirements, and any environmental or other regulations that apply.

Location

Size and Capacity

Advantages or Disadvantages

Lease or Ownership Details

Equipment, Furniture & Fixtures

Future Expenditures / Technology Requirements

Research and Development

Environmental Compliance

Additional Information

This section details your human resources plan: key staff, policies & procedures. If your business is expanding, indicate what future resources will be needed.

Key Employees

	NAME OR TITLE (N OF POSITIONS)	KEY RESPONSIBILITIES	QUALIFICATIONS
1
2
3
4
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Hours of Operations

Number of Employees

Vacation Program

Performance Assessment

Training & Development

Remuneration and Benefits

This section details the future action the business plans to take, usually over the next 2 to 3 years.

Action Plan

	ACTION	BY WHEN
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

In this section, you provide a summary of the reasons you are seeking financing, together with a summary of your business operations.

Objectives / Description of the Project

Business History / Nature of Operations K

Products and Services

Project Financing

Management / Advisors

Director 1

Director 2

Risk Assessment & Contingency Plan

Financial Institution

Supporting Documents