Feature: Sample Business Plan Outline.

Title Page
Executive Summary
Table of Contents

1. Business Description:

  • Mission Statement; Business Goals; Business Background (History of the Business, New Opportunities and Key Success Factors for the Business).
  • Business Structure (Management Team, Management Organization Chart, Board of Directors, Member-owners, Business Advisors).

2. Marketing Plan

  • Product or Service Description (Specifications; Development Stage; Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks; Research and Development Activities).
  • Market Research and Analysis (Industry Analysis; Target Market Analysis, Description and Size; Sales Volume Potential; Secondary Target Markets and Key Characteristics).
  • Product or Service Testing.
  • Competitive Analysis (Description of Competition; Strengths and Weaknesses of Competitors, Competitive Advantage).
  • Political/Regulatory/Legal Factors (Trade and Tariff Regulations; Relevant Provincial/Federal Legislation).
  • Marketing Activities (Product or Service Strategy; Merchandising; Pricing Strategy; Price Determination; Risk Assessment of Price Strategy; Distribution Strategy, Communication Strategy; Sales Force Strategy, Market Penetration and Growth Strategy).

3. Production Plan

  • Land, Buildings and Facilities; Site Location; Equipment; Materials and Supplies.
  • Production, Procedures and Cycles; Production Strategies; Risk Management for Production.
  • Facility Construction or Expansion Schedule; Environmental Assessment and Safety Plan.
  • Political, Legal and Community Aspects of Production.

4. Human Resources Plan

  • Employee Plan; Organizational Chart.
  • Staff Hiring and Training Policy.
  • Member and Board Education and Training Policy.

5. Financial Plan

  • Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement; Net Worth or Balance Sheet Statement.
  • Break-even and Sensitivity Analysis.
  • Source of Capital and their Uses; Loan Summary.
  • Financial Indicators.
  • Plan of Action Schedule Appendices.

Source: Rural Business Planner CD-ROM, Canadian Farm Business Management Council; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada