Thinking of starting your own business? If so, a free sample business plan can be an excellent tool for you to use. Starting a new business and/or owning a business is a huge investment in time and money. By looking at a free sample business plan to get tips and ideas from other successful companies, you will benefit in both the short and long term. A free sample business plan from a well-respected company will guide you and/or give you at least a solid starting point. The following are some features that you can find in a free sample business plan.
Characteristics of a business plan:
1. Introduction: The introduction of the plan is where your company explains the service and/or product that it will offer. The introduction will make the business stand out, above any other potential threat to offer the same or a similar service.
2. The Business – This section of the plan will describe the board members, key players, and a brief introduction or summary about the company’s history. There will be discussion about ownership percentages, how many employees there are, and where the company is located. If it is a new business, this section will be brief; but if it’s a free sample business plan and summary of a company that has been around, this section may cover past successes and achievements.
3. The products and services: This section of the free sample business plan is a detailed description of what product and/or service is offered. The details in this part of the free sample business plan are the key. For example, instead of the free sample business plan saying “ABC offers clothing,” the plan would say “AMC offers designer children’s clothing for boys ages birth to 8 at greatly reduced prices.”
4. Market – This section of the sample plan will discuss (both informally and formally) the target market, whether it is a niche market, and what community needs the business will serve. At this point in the plan, you should use detailed statistics, percentages, and figures to support your statements.
5. Financial and Budget Analysis: The financial and budget analysis section of the sample plan will be a summary of the profits, income, and expenses of an existing organization. As a business just starting out, the section will be projected costs and expenses, as well as profit projections. This is a great way for a business person to assess and visualize that the company is worthwhile. In other words, if it won’t cost more to start/operate than the money it will make.
6. Company Highlights – The free sample business plan will also include a section for you to view that will have various company highlights. The free sample business plan will list highlights such as: a mission statement; value statement; keys to success; desired results; etc They will all show and prove why and how the business will be profitable.
7. Table of Contents and Index – The Table of Contents will guide you through the plan to find exactly what you’re looking for. This is visually appealing to the plan and will help those who see it (potential investors, banks, partners, etc.) to move easily.
There are a wide variety of sample plans you can check out online for most types of businesses (both just starting out and existing ones). You’ll find free samples, as well as some offered to you for a small fee. A business plan is a necessity in the business world. It will help you outline your present tasks and your future projects.