Your business plan should be a dynamic document and updated and measured against at pre-determined intervals. A good business plan is not just a spreadsheet or cash flow forecast – it should be your road map.
Start ups can be risky, the minimum start point is to have a current and not over optimistic business plan. Can these questions be answered positively:
- Concept, idea, product fully tested and costed?
- Full market research, including competitors and pricing?
- Sufficient funding, including contingency?
- Premises, staffing, back office procedures, launch marketing materials, credit terms?
To fail to plan is to plan to fail.
It is surprising how many SMEs do not have a business plan.
Relevant experience:
Corporate experience as Commercial Manager at Scott Ltd (makers of Andrex)
Responsible for Finance up to P&L for £35M division – producing annual plan and budgets for submission to EMA Office in Paris and Worldwide HQ. Ensuring agreement between manufacturing, marketing and sales management.
Developed 5 year business plan for Paragon Joinery
“The most comprehensive business plan I have seen from a business this size”
A.H – Corporate Manager, Barclays Bank
Within short timescale launched a joint venture with a German business for a unique and innovative timber product. Produced 2 year detailed business plan with full financial reports with sensitivity version. Analysis of target market and access plan plus SWOT analysis. Created brand name, trade mark application, logo design and brochure printing, briefed PR agency. Culminated in stand at GLASSEX exhibition at NEC Birmingham with full support pack and FAQs for sales personnel.
Freelance launch of Garden Furniture business for Chinese owner. Set up serviced office, established price and discount structure. Arranged photography, brochure design and printing. Commissioned, designed and managed exhibition stand at major NEC exhibition – ALL WITHIN THREE MONTHS.