COURSE OVERVIEW
This course is designed for business owners and entrepreneurs who are ready to create a business plan. All the essential steps are covered, including drafting the original document; identifying the audience; gathering information; researching; describing product plans; and marketing, sales, and accounting terms. Students will come away from the course energized and prepared to write their business plan.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Research and analyze the individual components needed for a business plan
- Apply skills to create a business plan for different audiences, including investors, banks, and other stakeholders
- Explain the purpose and future of your business in easy to understand terms
- Use accounting terms to describe the future for your business
- Describe your marketing, sales, and planning strategies
COURSE OUTLINE
- Course Overview
- What is a Business Plan For?
- A General Business Plan Framework
- Creating a Framework
- Pre-Assignment Review
- Identifying Your Audience
- Who Are You Writing For?
- The Rules of Writing
- Gathering and Analyzing Information
- GO-PARSE
- PARSE in Action
- Defining Your Company
- Identifying Your USP
- Writing Your Company Description
- Describing Your Products and Services
- Performing a Market Analysis
- Developing an Operations Plan
- Types of Operations
- Getting to Work
- Creating a Marketing Strategy
- Introduction to Marketing
- Analyzing the Competition and Yourself
- Analyzing Distribution Channels
- Creating a Marketing Plan
- Sketching Out the Plan Evaluate, Review, and Revise
- Leveraging Social Media
- Creating the Sales Plan
- Building Your Sales Force
- The Sales Cycle
- Developing Financial Projections
- Accounting Terminology
- General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Key Reports
- Financial Projections
- Putting It All Together
- Writing the Executive Summary
- Making a Strong Presentation
- The Finishing Touches
- Reviewing and Revising
- Personal Action Plan
- Recommended Reading List
- Post-Course Assessment