Your Business Plan is a reflection of your professionalism. While readers evaluate the business concept you present to them in the final document, they will also be evaluating you based on how well your plan is put together. They will assess the Business Plan on how easy it is to:

1. Find information quickly.
2. Determine the strengths of the business concept.
3. Understand your overall goals and objectives.
4. Read the plan.

A logical order and complete document are also critical if you are seeking outside funding. When reviewing a Business Plan, lenders and investors learn more than the details about the proposed business venture; they learn about the person or team who prepared the  plan. They look for attention to detail, thoroughness, and professionalism in addition to a credible plan. These indicators help them assess if the person or team who put the plan together has the professionalism to manage the money that they will lend or invest. The Business Plan is the lender’s first indication of the kind of work the team can do.

As you lead your business from conception to start-up to ongoing success, consider your role in it. In addition to operating your business by following your plan, you need to consider ways to avoid pitfalls, stay in touch with key advisors, and evaluate opportunities to give back to the people and communities who have helped you succeed.

Plan outlines:

1. Cover Page - an effective Business Plan Cover Page will do two things: create a positive first impression and communicate key information. The cover page can be creative but should be simple, useful, and easy to read.
2. Executive Summary – a brief overview of the entire Business Plan.
3. Table of Contents – an organized accurate table of contents will help you and the readers of your plan find information quickly.
4. Management and Organization Plan
5. Product/Service Plan
6. Marketing Plan
7. Financial Plan
8. Appendix – the main section of your Business Plan should not include excessive details or technical specifications. An appendix is the appropriate place to put all supporting information for the details discussed in the Business Plan.

1. Business Plan – without a plan, the business is run by default, whatever happens each day becomes the plan. Following a plan helps decision-making, motivation, goal-setting, and hiring. It also provides the basis for mid-course corrections.
2. Sharing the Plan – Whether the plan is on paper or in your mind, sharing it with others in the business is essential.
3. Standardization – develop processes to standardize quality, cost, and customer service.
4. Documentation – a business can be the most substantial investment you own, but if you never document its functions, processes, and operational procedures, it is as if you own stock you can’t prove exists.
5. Revenue versus Investment – your mindset and view of your business can make a big impact on how it is build and run.
6. Key Measurements – can quickly reveal the financial impact of a variety of business activities.
7. Control – job descriptions and performance standard are in place to control the flow of work.
8. Management team - works best when it is made up of people with complementary styles and skills.

Planning can change the top ten reasons for businesses fail into success:

1. Experience in entrepreneurship and business planning and developing a personal network of peers, mentors, and advisors.
2. Raise the money through equity sources.
3. Understand the opportunities and threats that the competition presents and have clearly identified your competitive advantage.
4. Have a plan to control and manage inventory to make the most of your money.
5. Plan for growth.
6. Research to seek the best location or distribution channel for your business.
7. Purchase only the assets needed to produce the revenue projected.
8. Seek good credit terms with your suppliers and give standard terms to your customers.
9. Implement your Marketing Plan to achieve the projected level of sales.
10. Complete and implement your Business Plan for success.