Writing a Business Plan

Stephen Lawrence
Frank Moyes
Graduate School of Business
University of Colorado
 Writing a Business Plan
 Hard, long work
 Frustrating
– Puzzle pieces keep
changing shape
– Synthesis vs. Analysis –
creative

 Ultimately, very rewarding

– Put your education together
– Excellent resume item
– Satisfying
Ideas vs. Opportunities
 Ideas vs. Opportunities
 What makes a
good opportunity?

Market Size
 Opportunities
– Attractive
– Durable
– Timely
– Adds value
 Scale and scope Time
A great business idea! ($$)

?
 Consider…
 Technical feasibility
 Market acceptance
 Competition
 Resources required
 Experience of management team
 Market growth
 Et cetera …
 u n i t i e s
opp o r t
Your ideas…
 How to write a plan?
Linear Model

Mktg Ops Develop Append Done?

Iterative Model Development

Marketing Operations
Business Plan

Financials
 Elements of a Successful
Business Plan
 Executive Summary  Financial Summary
 Company Overview  Offering
 Industry and  Appendices
Marketplace Analysis – 5-yr P&L
 Marketing Plan – 5-yr Balance Sheet
 Operations Plan – 5-yr Cash Flow
– 1-yr monthly CF
 Management
– Other support docs
 Iterative Approach:
Twelve Steps – Twelve Weeks
1. Assess Concept 1. Revenues & Expenses
2. Industry Analysis 2. Financials
3. Marketing Plan 3. Funding
4. Operations Plan 4. Valuation and Offer
5. Development Plan 5. Publish your Plan
6. Build Strategy 6. Present your Plan
 Business Plan Templates
 We will all use the same business plan
outline and organization
 MS Word templates available on BPlan
web site
 MS Excel financial spreadsheets available
on course website
 Step One – Assess Concept
 Quick feasibility study
 Bring all members of team up to speed
 Review critical plan components
 Identify missing information / research
 Complete all parts of Step One
 Turn in handwritten copy next week