Business Plan 101 How to Write a Table of Contents

No matter what business you plan to start in your next entrepreneurial endeavor you need to be thinking about writing a business plan. Even if you are not seeking funding for your new business or already have secured funds from family members, angel investor types, personal savings or partners. A business plan helps you start out on the right foot and makes you think about your future strategies. One important thing you need in a business plan is a table of contents that you can use as a guide, as you go thru the hectic and tedious steps to start your new business. There are a myriad of rules, regulations and inane paper work and you must stay focused at all times.

It is recommended that you go and buy yourself a book on "how to write a business plan" and try to find one, which has a sample business plan which is most similar to your business model inside. Below is a sample Table of Contents that you can use to help you, so A.) you do not forget any important items and B.) as a template to help you create your own table of contents. I recommend you print this article and then take the table of contents and modify it to fit your business model. Once you complete this exercise you are well on your way to creating the best possible business plan for your future small business. Now then, below is a table of contents, which we had used in a business for a mobile car wash company. Go ahead and look it over and see if this is something you believe can assist you.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Executive Summary 3

Company Analysis 6

Company Description

Company Mission Statement

Company Analysis

Industry Analysis 10

Trends

Position for Growth

Marketing Analysis 12

Target Markets

Bonzai and Blitz Marketing

Sales

Advertising

Media

Management 22

Operations 25

Inventory

Equipment

Hours

Systems, Procedures, Computer, Credit Card Units

Legal Strategies 30

Licensing

Regulations

Insurance

Financial Strategies 32

Taxes

Capital Requirements

Benefits

Strategic Planning 35

Long Term Goals

Manager Plug-Ins

Financial Projections

Billing

Anticipated Gross Sales from Services

Anticipated Business Expenses

Profit Per Truck

Appendix 38

First Year One Truck ? Anticipated Gross Sales from Services

First Year One Truck ? Anticipated Business Expenses

Net Profit One Truck

Picture and Sketch of Unit and Signage

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

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