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
Twice a year, Bill Gates goes to a remote island... Read More
Want to become more strategic? Add these traits to your... Read More
How often does your company make a quantum leap forward?... Read More
Many companies are reluctant to dive into outsourcing ocean because... Read More
When in doubt, cut that out! Yeah, yea, doubting Thomas... Read More
Writing a business plan is no easy task, sure you... Read More
This will make some people angry as hell, but it's... Read More
Many cities have home pages on the Internet. Many of... Read More
If you own a mobile franchise business and wish to... Read More
A piano tuner recently moved to Buffalo, NY, and would... Read More
ACTION PLANNING: Action Planning is a process to develop strategies... Read More
Every new business owner knows that a business plan is... Read More
"Most great plans aren't. They are just nice, high-level ideas."That's... Read More
One Research Scientist at the Hewlett-Packard (HP) Imaging Systems laboratory... Read More
When you start your program to purchase your "ideal" company,... Read More
Writing a business plan to help you direct and manage... Read More
Mobile auto detailing equipment becomes very inexpensive around March each... Read More
No "meme" isn't a typo and Got Milk, the more... Read More
The boom of the dot-com era in 1999 brought the... Read More
I love the excitement of starting up a new home... Read More
It's easy to lose sight of what needs to be... Read More
Six Sigma is becoming a proven approach for businesses and... Read More
In this small article we'll concentrate on farmers associations and... Read More
Many very successful business owners may never have had a... Read More
Every business experiences slower periods. For some, they sell more... Read More
If you are a successful franchise of a large franchise... Read More
Imagine spending the same amount of money on marketing and... Read More
Ask a small business owner about their strategic plan and... Read More
If you are in the parking business and own or... Read More
So what makes a vision successful? Everyday companies try to... Read More
"Begin with the end in mind," says Stephen Covey in... Read More
Growing your own small business can be one of the... Read More
In most business plans, no matter how striking the idea,... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains fits horizontal markets clientele and in case... Read More
Can you imagine going on a road trip without knowing... Read More
Mobile auto detailing equipment becomes very inexpensive around March each... Read More
While writing an article recently on effective ways to bridge... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains does wonderful ERP job for horizontal markets... Read More
The decision to sell, or not to sell your business... Read More
If you're a solo professional like I am, you know... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains fits multiple services market niche and healthcare... Read More
Six Sigma is becoming a proven approach for businesses and... Read More
Here's a really simple way to make sure your plans... Read More
Does the competition drive you crazy?Are they relentless about taking... Read More
Imagine spending the same amount of money on marketing and... Read More
With the help of balanced scorecard strategy map, it is... Read More
( * - the word 'product' can be substituted to... Read More
How important is a vision statement to your company or... Read More
Every new business owner knows that a business plan is... Read More
Ask a small business owner about their strategic plan and... Read More
We all agree Strategic Planning is a critical part of... Read More
Conventional wisdom has it that there are only three ways... Read More
"Most great plans aren't. They are just nice, high-level ideas."That's... Read More
I've either been involved with or held a process-related role... Read More
In this small article we'll concentrate on farmers associations and... Read More
Q: A key investor in my business has suggested that... Read More
As a franchisor it is imperative that you seek, find... Read More
Please take a moment before you read any further and... Read More
If you own a mobile franchise business and wish to... Read More
Twice a year, Bill Gates goes to a remote island... Read More
Let us look at a few of the big distribution... Read More
Many of Ohio's downtown areas are in need of upgrading... Read More
American Eagle Outfitters and Wet Seal Stores have issued statements... Read More
The University of Exeter in the United Kingdom recently published... Read More
Making money doesn't make your reputation... your reputation makes you... Read More
It's easy to lose sight of what needs to be... Read More
Strategic Planning |