【正文】 will be a major factor in the market.) ? Current demand in target market. ? Trends in target market— growth trends, trends in consumer preferences, and trends in product development. ? Growth potential and opportunity for a business of your size. ? What barriers to entry do you face in entering this market with your new pany? Some typical barriers are: o High capital costs o High production costs o High marketing costs o Consumer acceptance and brand recognition o Training and skills o Unique technology and patents o Unions o Shipping costs o Tariff barriers and quotas ? And of course, how will you overe the barriers? ? How could the following affect your pany? o Change in technology o Change in government regulations o Change in the economy o Change in your industry Page 9 of 31 Product In the Products and Services section, you described your products and services as you see them. Now describe them from your customers’ point of view. Features and Benefits List all of your major products or services. For each product or service: ? Describe the most important features. What is special about it? ? Describe the benefits. That is, what will the product do for the customer? Note the difference between features and benefits, and think about them. For example, a house that gives shelter and lasts a long time is made with certain materials and to a certain design。Page 1 of 31 Business Plan for a Startup Business The business plan consists of a narrative and several financial worksheets. The narrative template is the body of the business plan. It contains more than 150 questions divided into several sections. Work through the sections in any order that you like, except for the Executive Summary, which should be done last. Skip any questions that do not apply to your type of business. When you are finished writing your first draft, you’ll have a collection of small essays on the various topics of the business plan. Then you’ll want to edit them into a smoothflowing narrative. The real value of creating a business plan is not in having the finished product in hand。 rather, the value lies in the process of researching and thinking about your business in a systematic way. The act of planning helps you to think things through thoroughly, study and research if you are not sure of the facts, and look at your ideas critically. It takes time now, but avoids costly, perhaps disastrous, mistakes later. This business plan is a generic model suitable for all types of businesses. However, you should modify it to suit your particular circumstances. Before you begin, review the section titled Refining the Plan, found at the end. It suggests emphasizing certain areas depending upon your type of business (manufacturing, retail, service, etc.). It also has tips for finetuning your plan to make an effective presentation to investors or bankers. If this is why you’re creating your plan, pay particular attention to your writing style. You will be judged by the quality and appearance of your work as well as by your ideas. It typically takes several weeks to plete a good plan. Most of that time is spent in research and rethinking your ideas and assumptions. But then, that’s the value of the process. So make time to do the job properly. Those who do never regret the effort. And finally, be sure to keep detailed notes on your sources of information and on the assumptions underlying your financial data. If you need assistance with your business plan, contact the SCORE office in your area to set up a business counseling appointment with a SCORE volunteer or send your plan for review to a SCORE counselor at . Call 18006340245 to get the contact information for the SCORE office closest to you. Page 2 of 31 Business Plan OWNERS Your Business Name Address Line 1 Address Line 2 City, ST ZIP Code Telephone Fax EMail Page 3 of 31 I. Table of Contents I. Table of Contents ................................................................................................... 3 II. Executive Summary ............................................................................................... 4 III. General Company Description............................................................................. 5 IV. Products and Services............................................................................................ 6 V. Marketing Plan ....................................................................................................... 7 VI. Operational Plan................................................................................................... 16 VII. Management and Organization ......................................................................... 21 VIII. Personal Financial Statement ............................................................................. 22 IX. Startup Expenses and Capitalization ................................................................ 23 X. Financial Plan........................................................................................................ 24 XI. Appendices ........................................................................................................... 27 XII. Refining the Plan .................................................................................................. 28 Page 4 of 31 II. Executive Summary Write this section last. We suggest that you make it two pages or fewer. Include everything that you would cover in a fiveminute interview. Explain the fundamentals of the proposed business: What will your product be? Who will your customers be? Who are the owners? What do you think the future holds for your business and your industry? Make it enthusiastic, professional, plete, and concise. If applying for a loan, state clearly how much