Click Printer to Print
Click Printer to Print  | 1. Cover sheet |
| 2. Statement of purpose |
| 3. Table of contents |
| 4. The Business
|
| 5. Financial Data
|
| 6. Supporting Documents
|
What goes in a business plan?
This is an excellent question. And, it is one that many new and potential small business
owners should ask, but oftentimes don't ask. The body of the business plan can be divided
into four distinct sections: 1) the description of the business, 2) the marketing plan, 3)
the financial management plan and 4) the management plan. Addenda to the business plan
should include the executive summary, supporting documents and financial projections.
THE BUSINESS PLAN - DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS
In this section, provide a detailed description of your business. An excellent question to ask yourself is: "What business am I in?" In answering this question include your products, market and services as well as a thorough description of what makes your business unique. Remember, however, that as you develop your business plan, you may have to modify or revise your initial questions.
The business description section is divided into three primary sections. Section 1 actually describes your business, Section 2 the product or service you will be offering and Section 3 the location of your business, and why this location is desirable (if you have a franchise, some franchisors assist in site selection).
| 1. Business Description |
When describing your business, generally you should explain:
| 1. Legalities - business form: proprietorship, partnership, corporation. The licenses or permits you will need. |
| 2. Business type: merchandizing, manufacturing or service. |
| 3. What your product or service is. |
| 4. Is it a new independent business, a takeover, an expansion, a franchise? |
| 5. Why your business will be profitable. What are the growth opportunities? Will franchising impact on growth opportunities? |
| 6. When your business will be open (days, hours)? |
| 7. What you have learned about your kind of business from outside sources (trade suppliers, bankers, other franchise owners, franchisor, publications). |
A cover sheet goes before the description. It includes the name, address and telephone number of the business and the names of all principals. In the description of your business, describe the unique aspects and how or why they will appeal to consumers. Emphasize any special features that you feel will appeal to customers and explain how and why these features are appealing.
The description of your business should clearly identify goals and
objectives and it should clarify why you are, or why you want to be, in business.
THE BUSINESS PLAN - 2. Product/Service
Try to describe the benefits of your goods and services from your customers' perspective. Successful business owners know or at least have an idea of what their customers want or expect from them. This type of anticipation can be helpful in building customer satisfaction and loyalty. And, it certainly is a good strategy for beating the competition or retaining your competitiveness. Describe:
| 1. What you are selling. |
| 2. How your product or service will benefit the customer. |
| 3. Which products/services are in demand; if there will be a steady flow of cash. |
| 4. What is different about the product or service your business is offering. |
THE BUSINESS PLAN - 3. The Location
The location of your business can play a decisive role in its success or failure. Your location should be built around your customers, it should be accessible and it should provide a sense of security. Consider these questions when addressing this section of your business plan:
| 1. What are your location needs? |
| 2. What kind of space will you need? |
| 3. Why is the area desirable? the building desirable? |
| 4. Is it easily accessible? Is public transportation available? Is street lighting adequate? |
| 5. Are market shifts or demographic shifts occurring? |
It may be a good idea to make a
checklist of questions you identify when developing your business plan. Categorize your
questions and, as you answer each question, remove it from your list.
THE BUSINESS PLAN - The Marketing Plan
Marketing plays a vital role in successful business ventures. How well you market you business, along with a few other considerations, will ultimately determine your degree of success or failure. The key element of a successful marketing plan is to know your customers-their likes, dislikes, expectations. By identifying these factors, you can develop a marketing strategy that will allow you to arouse and fulfill their needs.
Identify your customers by their age, sex, income/educational level and residence. At first, target only those customers who are more likely to purchase your product or service. As your customer base expands, you may need to consider modifying the marketing plan to include other customers.
Develop a marketing plan for your business by answering these questions. (Potential franchise owners will have to use the marketing strategy the franchisor has developed.) Your marketing plan should be included in your business plan and contain answers to the questions outlined below.
| 1. Who are your customers? Define your target market(s). |
| 2. Are your markets growing? steady? declining? |
| 3. Is your market share growing? steady? declining? |
| 4. If a franchise, how is your market segmented? |
| 5. Are your markets large enough to expand? |
| 6. How will you attract, hold, increase your market share? If a franchise, will the franchisor provide assistance in this area? Based on the franchisor's strategy? how will you promote your sales? |
| 7. What pricing strategy have you devised? |
Appendix I contains a sample
Marketing Plan and Marketing Tips, Tricks and Traps, a condensed guide on how to market
your product or service. Study these documents carefully when developing the marketing
portion of your business plan.
THE BUSINESS PLAN - 1. Competition
Competition is a way of life. We compete for jobs, promotions, scholarships to institutes of higher learning, in sports-and in almost every aspect of your lives. Nations compete for the consumer in the global marketplace as do individual business owners. Advances in technology can send the profit margins of a successful business into a tailspin causing them to plummet overnight or within a few hours. When considering these and other factors, we can conclude that business is a highly competitive, volatile arena. Because of this volatility and competitiveness, it is important to know your competitors.
Questions like these can help you:
| 1. Who are your five nearest direct competitors? |
| 2. Who are your indirect competitors? |
| 3. How are their businesses: steady? increasing? decreasing? |
| 4. What have you learned from their operations? from their advertising? |
| 5. What are their strengths and weaknesses? |
| 6. How does their product or service differ from yours? |
Start a file on each of your
competitors. Keep manila envelopes of their advertising and promotional materials and
their pricing strategy techniques. Review these files periodically, determining when and
how often they advertise, sponsor promotions and offer sales. Study the copy used in the
advertising and promotional materials, and their sales strategy. For example, is their
copy short? descriptive? catchy? or how much do they reduce prices for sales? Using this
technique can help you to understand your competitors better and how they operate their
businesses.
THE BUSINESS PLAN - 2. Pricing and Sales
Your pricing strategy is another marketing technique you can use to improve your overall competitiveness. Get a feel for the pricing strategy your competitors are using. That way you can determine if your prices are in line with competitors in your market area and if they are in line with industry averages.
Some of the pricing strategies are:
| retail cost and pricing | ||||||||
| competitive position | ||||||||
| pricing below competition | ||||||||
| pricing above competition | ||||||||
| price lining | ||||||||
| multiple pricing | ||||||||
| service
costs and pricing (for service businesses only)
|
The key to success is to have a well-planned strategy, to establish your policies and to constantly monitor prices and operating costs to ensure profits. Even in a franchise where the franchisor provides operational procedures and materials, it is a good policy to keep abreast of the changes in the marketplace because these changes can affect your competitiveness and profit margins.
Appendix 1 contains a sample Price/Quality Matrix, review it for ideas on pricing strategies for your competitors. Determine which of the strategies they use, if it is effective and why it is effective.
How you advertise and promote your goods and services may make or break your business. Having a good product or service and not advertising and promoting it is like not having a business at all. Many business owners operate under the mistaken concept that the business will promote itself, and channel money that should be used for advertising and promotions to other areas of the business. Advertising and promotions, however, are the life line of a business and should be treated as such.
Devise a plan that uses advertising and networking as a means to promote your business. Develop short, descriptive copy (text material) that clearly identifies your goods or services, its location and price. Use catchy phrases to arouse the interest of your readers, listeners or viewers. In the case of a franchise, the franchisor will provide advertising and promotional materials as part of the franchise package, you may need approval to use any materials that you and your staff develop. Whether or not this is the case, as a courtesy, allow the franchisor the opportunity to review, comment on and, if required, approve these materials before using them. Make sure the advertisements you create are consistent with the image the franchisor is trying to project. Remember the more care and attention you devote to your marketing program, the more successful your business will be.
A more detailed explanation of the marketing plan and how to develop an effective marketing program is provided in the Workshop on Marketing. See Training Module 3 - Marketing Your Business for Success.
THE BUSINESS PLAN - THE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Managing a business requires more than just the desire to be your own boss. It demands dedication, persistence, the ability to make decisions and the ability to manage both employees and finances. Your management plan, along with your marketing and financial management plans, sets the foundation for and facilitates the success of your business.
Like plants and equipment, people are resources-they are the most valuable asset a business has. You will soon discover that employees and staff will play an important role in the total operation of your business. Consequently, it's imperative that you know what skills you possess and those you lack since you will have to hire personnel to supply the skills that you lack. Additionally, it is imperative that you know how to manage and treat your employees. Make them a part of the team. Keep them informed of, and get their feedback regarding, changes. Employees oftentimes have excellent ideas that can lead to new market areas, innovations to existing products or services or new product lines or services which can improve your overall competitiveness.
Your management plan should answer questions such as:
| How does your background/business experience help you in this business? |
| What are your weaknesses and how can you compensate for them? |
| Who will be on the management team? |
| What are their strengths/weaknesses? |
| What are their duties? |
| Are these duties clearly defined? |
| If a franchise, what type of assistance can you expect from the franchisor? |
| Will this assistance be ongoing? |
| What are your current personnel needs? |
| What are your plans for hiring and training personnel? |
| What salaries, benefits, vacations, holidays will you offer? If a franchise, are these issues covered in the management package the franchisor will provide? |
| What benefits, if any, can you afford at this point? |
If a franchise, the operating procedures, manuals and materials devised by the franchisor should be included in this section of the business plan. Study these documents carefully when writing your business plan, and be sure to incorporate this material. The franchisor should assist you with managing your franchise. Take advantage of their expertise and develop a management plan that will ensure the success for your franchise and satisfy the needs and expectations of employees, as well as the franchisor.
THE BUSINESS PLAN - THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
Sound financial management is one of the best ways for your business to remain profitable and solvent. How well you manage the finances of your business is the cornerstone of every successful business venture. Each year thousands of potentially successful businesses fail because of poor financial management. As a business owner, you will need to identify and implement policies that will lead to and ensure that you will meet your financial obligations.
To effectively manage your finances, plan a sound, realistic budget by determining the actual amount of money needed to open your business (start-up costs) and the amount needed to keep it open (operating costs). The first step to building a sound financial plan is to devise a start-up budget. Your start-up budget will usually include such one-time-only costs as major equipment, utility deposits, down payments, etc.
The start-up budget should allow for these expenses.
| personnel (costs prior to opening) |
| legal/professional fees |
| occupancy |
| licenses/permits |
| equipment |
| insurance |
| supplies |
| advertising/promotions |
| salaries/wages |
| accounting |
| income |
| utilities |
| payroll expenses |
An operating budget is prepared when you are actually ready to open for business. The operating budget will reflect your priorities in terms of how your spend your money, the expenses you will incur and how you will meet those expenses (income). Your operating budget also should include money to cover the first three to six months of operation. It should allow for the following expenses.
| personnel |
| insurance |
| rent |
| depreciation |
| loan payments |
| advertising/promotions |
| legal/accounting |
| miscellaneous expenses |
| supplies |
| payroll expenses |
| salaries/wages |
| utilities |
| dues/subscriptions/fees |
| taxes |
| repairs/maintenance |
The financial section of your business plan should include any loan applications you've filed, a capital equipment and supply list, balance sheet, breakeven analysis, pro-forma income projections (profit and loss statement) and pro-forma cash flow. The income statement and cash flow projections should include a three-year summary, detail by month for the first year, and detail by quarter for the second and third years.
The accounting system and the inventory control system that you will be using is generally addressed in this section of the business plan also. If a franchise, the franchisor may stipulate in the franchise contract the type of accounting and inventory systems you may use. If this is the case, he or she should have a system already intact and you will be required to adopt this system. Whether you develop the accounting and inventory systems yourself, have an outside financial advisor develop the systems or the franchisor provides these systems, you will need to acquire a thorough understanding of each segment and how it operates. Your financial advisor can assist you in developing this section of your business plan.
The following questions should help you determine the amount of start-up capital you will need to purchase and open a franchise.
| How much money do you have? |
| How much money will you need to purchase the franchise? |
| How much money will you need for start-up? |
| How much money will you need to stay in business? |
Other questions that you will need to consider are:
| What type of accounting system will your use? Is it a single entry or dual entry system? |
| What will your sales goals and profit goals for the coming year be? If a franchise, will the franchisor set your sales and profit goals? Or, will he or she expect you to reach and retain a certain sales level and profit margin? |
| What financial projections will you need to include in your business plan? |
| What kind of inventory control system will you use? |
Your plan should include an explanation of all projections. Unless you are thoroughly familiar with financial statements, get help in preparing your cash flow and income statements and your balance sheet. Your aim is not to become a financial wizard, but to understand the financial tools well enough to gain their benefits. Your accountant or financial advisor can help you accomplish this goal.
Sample balance sheets, income projections (profit and loss
statements) and cash flow statements are included in Appendix 2, Financial Management. For
a detailed explanation of these and other more complex financial concepts, contact your
local SBA Office. Look under the U.S. Government section of the local telephone directory.
THE BUSINESS PLAN - SELF-PACED
ACTIVITY
During this activity you will:
| Briefly describe what goes into a business plan. |
| Identify advantages of developing the marketing, management and financial management plans. |
| List financial projections included in the financial management plan. |
| Sketch an outline for a business plan. |
THE BUSINESS PLAN - APPENDIX 1
| 1. THE MARKETING PLAN |
| 2. PRICE/QUALITY MATRIX |
| 3. MARKETING TIPS, TRICKS & TRAPS |
_________________________________________________________________
| 1. We will be selling primarily to (check all that apply): |
| Total Percent |
| of Business |
a. Private sector _______ ______
b. Wholesalers _______ ______
c. Retailers _______ ______
d. Government _______ ______
e. Other _______ ______
| 2. We will be targeting customers by: |
| a. Product line/services. |
We will target specific lines ________________
b. Geographic area? Which areas? ________________
c. Sales? We will target sales of ________________
d. Industry? Our target industry is ________________
e. Other? ________________
| 3. How much will our selected market spend on our type of product or service this coming year? |
$________________
| 1. Who are our competitors? |
NAME ________________________________________
ADDRESS _________________________________________
_________________________________________
Years in Business ___________________
Market Share ___________________
Price/Strategy ___________________
Product/Service
Features ___________________
NAME _________________________________________
ADDRESS _________________________________________
_________________________________________
Years in Business ____________________
Market Share ____________________
Price/Strategy ____________________
Product/Service
Features ____________________
| 2. How competitive is the market? |
High ____________________
Medium ____________________
Low ____________________
| 3. List below your strengths and weaknesses compared to your competition (consider such areas as location, size of resources, reputation, services, personnel, etc.): |
Strengths Weaknesses
1._______________________ 1._____________________
2._______________________ 2._____________________
3._______________________ 3._____________________
4._______________________ 4._____________________
| 1. The following are some important economic factors that will affect our product or service (such as trade area growth, industry health, economic trends, taxes, rising energy prices, etc.): |
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
| 2. The following are some important legal factors that will affect our market: |
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
| 3. The following are some important government factors: |
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
| 4. The following are other environmental factors that will affect our market, but over which we have no control: |
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
| 1. Describe here what the product/service is and what it does: |
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
| 1. What advantages does our product/service have over those of the competition (consider such things as unique features, patents, expertise, special training, etc.)? |
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
| 2. What disadvantages does it have? |
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
| 1. Where will you get your materials and supplies? |
__________________________________________________
| 2. List other considerations: |
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
| A. Image |
| 1. First, what kind of image do we want to have (such as cheap but good, or exclusiveness, or customer-oriented or highest quality, or convenience, or speed, or ...)? |
__________________________________________________
| B. Features
|
| C. Pricing
|
a. Markup on cost ____ What % markup? _____
b. Suggested price ____
c. Competitive ____
d. Below competition ____
e. Premium price ____
f. Other ____
| 2. Are our prices in line with our image? | ||||
| YES___ NO___ | ||||
| 3. Do our prices cover costs and leave a margin of
|
| D. Customer Services
| ||||||||||||||||
| a. ____________________________________________ | ||||||||||||||||
| b. ____________________________________________ | ||||||||||||||||
| c. ____________________________________________ |
| E. Advertising/Promotion
|
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
| 2. We will use the following advertising/promotion sources: |
1. Television ________
2. Radio ________
3. Direct mail ________
4. Personal contacts ________
5. Trade associations ________
6. Newspaper ________
7. Magazines ________
8. Yellow Pages ________
9. Billboard ________
10. Other___________ ________
| 3. The following are the reasons why we consider the media we have chosen to be the most effective: |
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
| Classifying Your Customers' Needs | ||||||||
| Targeting Your Customer(s) | ||||||||
| Examining Your "Niche" | ||||||||
| Identifying Your Competitors | ||||||||
| Assessing and Managing Your Available Resources
|
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
| Follower versus Leader |
| Quality versus Price |
| Innovator versus Adaptor |
| Customer versus Product |
| International versus Domestic |
| Private Sector versus Government |
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
| Use Customer-Oriented Selling Approach - By Constructing |
| Agreement
|
| Emphasize Customer Advantage |
| Must be Read: When a competitive advantage can not
|
Must be Important
to the Customer: When the perception of competitive
advantage varies between supplier and customer, the customer wins.
Must be Specific: When a competitive advantage lacks
specificity, it translates into mere puffery and is ignored.
Must be Promotable: When a competitive advantage is
proven, it is essential that your customer know it, lest it not exist at all.
________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
| The six "O's" of organizing Customer Buying Behavior |
ORIGINS of purchase: Who buys it?
OBJECTIVES of purchase: What do they need/buy?
OCCASIONS of purchase: When do they buy it?
OUTLETS of purchase: Where do they buy it?
OBJECTIVES of purchase: Why do they buy it?
OPERATIONS of purchase: How do they buy it?
| Convert features to benefits using the "...Which Means..." |
| Transition |
| Sales Maxim: "Unless the proposition appeals to their INTEREST, unless it satisfies their DESIRES, and unless it shows them a GAIN-then they will not buy!" |
| Quality Customer Leads: |
Level of need Ability to pay
Authority to pay Accessibility
Sympathetic attitude Business history
One-source buyer Reputation (price or
quality buyer)
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
FEATURES "WHICH
MEANS" BENEFITS
Performance Time Saved
Reputation Reduced Cost
Components Prestige
Colors Bigger Savings
Sizes Greater Profits
Exclusive Greater
Convenience
Uses Uniform Production
Applications Uniform Accuracy
Ruggedness Continuous Output
Delivery Leadership
Service Increased Sales
Price Economy of Use
Design Ease of Use
Availability Reduced Inventory
Installation Low Operating Cost
Promotion Simplicity
Lab Tests Reduced Upkeep
Terms Reduced Waste
Workmanship Long Life
RATIONAL EMOTIONAL
Economy of Purchase Pride of
Appearance
Economy of Use Pride of Ownership
Efficient Profits Desire of Prestige
Increased Profits Desire for
Recognition
Durability Desire to Imitate
Accurate Performance Desire for Variety
Labor-Saving Safety
Time-Saving Fear
Simple Construction Desire to Create
Simple Operation Desire for
Security
Ease of Repair Convenience
Ease of Installation Desire to Be
Unique
| Space-Saving Curiosity |
| Increased Production |
| Availability |
| Complete Servicing |
| Good Workmanship |
| Low Maintenance |
| Thorough Research |
| Desire to be Unique |
| Curiosity |
_________________________________________________________________
PRICE/QUALITY HIGH
MEDIUM LOW
HIGH "Rolls Royce" "We Try Harder" "Best Buy"
Strategy Strategy Strategy
MEDIUM "Out Performs" "Piece of the Rock" "Smart Shopper"
Strategy Strategy Strategy
LOW "Feature Packed" "Keeps on Ticking" "Bargain
Strategy Strategy Hunter"
Strategy
THE BUSINESS PLAN - APPENDIX 2
| Instructions for Income Projection Statement |
| Instructions for Balance Sheet |
| Instructions for Monthly Cash Flow Projection |
_________________________________________________________________
Industry J F M A M J J A S O N D Annual Annual
% total %
| Total net sales (revenues) |
| Costs of sales |
| Gross profit |
| Gross profit margin |
| Controllable expenses |
| Salaries/wages |
| Payroll expenses |
| Legal/accounting |
| Advertising |
| Automobile |
| Office supplies |
| Dues/Subscriptions |
| Utilities |
| Miscellaneous |
| Total controllable |
| expenses |
| Fixed expenses |
| Rent |
| Depreciation |
| Utilities |
| Insurance |
| License/permits |
| Loan payments |
| Miscellaneous |
| Total fixed expenses |
| Net profit (loss) |
| before taxes |
Net profit (loss) after
taxes
_________________________________________________________________
The income projections (profit and loss) statement is valuable as both a planning tool and a key management tool to help control business operations. It enables the owner/manager to develop a preview of the amount of income generated each month and for the business year, based on reasonable predictions of monthly levels of sales, costs and expenses.
As monthly projections are developed and entered into the income projections statement, they can serve as definite goals for controlling the business operation. As actual operating results become known each month, they should be recorded for comparison with the monthly projections. A completed income statement allows the owner/manager to compare actual figures with monthly projections and to take steps to correct any problems.
In the industry percentage column, enter the percentages of total
sales (revenues) that are standard for your industry, which are
derived by dividing
___________________________
total net sales
These percentages can be obtained from various sources, such as trade associations, accountants or banks. The reference librarian in your nearest public library can refer you to documents that contain the percentage figures, for example, Robert Morris Associates' Annual Statement Studies (One Liberty Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103).
Industry figures serve as a useful bench mark against which
to compare cost and expense estimates that you develop for your firm. Compare the figures
in the industry percentage column to those in the annual percentage column.
Total Net Sales (Revenues)
Determine the total number of units of products or services you realistically expect to sell each month in each department at the prices you expect to get. Use this step to create the projections to review your pricing practices.
| What returns, allowances and markdowns can be expected? |
| Exclude any revenue that is not strictly related to the business. |
The key to calculating your cost of sales is that you do not overlook any costs that you have incurred. Calculate cost of sales of all products and services used to determine total net sales. Where inventory is involved, do not overlook transportation costs. Also include any direct labor.
Subtract the total cost of sales from the total net sales to obtain gross profit.
The gross profit is expressed as a percentage of total sales
(revenues). It is calculated by dividing
gross profits
______________
total net sales
| Salary expenses-Base pay plus overtime. |
| Payroll expenses-Include paid vacations, sick leave, health insurance, unemployment insurance and social security taxes. |
| Outside services-Include costs of subcontracts, overflow work and special or one-time services. |
| Supplies-Services and items purchased for use in the business. |
| Repair and maintenance-Regular maintenance and repair, including periodic large expenditures such as painting. |
| Advertising-Include desired sales volume and classified directory advertising expenses. |
| Car delivery and travel-Include charges if personal car is used in business, including parking, tools, buying trips, etc. |
| Accounting and legal-Outside professional services. |
| Rent-List only real estate used in business. |
| Depreciation-Amortization of capital assets. |
| Utilities-Water, heat, light, etc. |
| Insurance-Fire or liability on property or products. |
| Include workers' compensation. |
| Loan repayments-Interest on outstanding loans. |
| Miscellaneous-Unspecified; small expenditures without separate accounts. |
Net Profit (loss)
(before taxes) - Subtract total expenses from gross profit.
Taxes - Include inventory and sales tax, excise
tax, real estate tax, etc.
Net Profit (loss)
(after taxes) - Subtract taxes from net profit (before
taxes)
Annual Total - For each of the sales and expense items in
your income projection statement, add all
the monthly figures across the table and
put the result in the annual total column.
Annual Percentage - Calculate the annual percentage by
dividing
Annual total x 100%
___________________
total net sales
| Compare this figure to the industry percentage in the first column. |
_________________________________________________________________
| Current assets |
Cash $_______
Petty cash $_______
Accounts receivable $_______
Inventory $_______
Short-term investment $_______
Prepaid expenses $_______
Long-term investment $_______
| Fixed assets |
Land $_______
Buildings $_______
Improvements $_______
Equipment $_______
Furniture $_______
Automobile/vehicles $_______
| 1. $_______ |
| 2. $_______ |
| 3. $_______ |
| 4. $_______ |
| Total assets $______ |
Liabilities
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable $______
Notes payable $______
Interest payable $______
Federal income tax $______
State income tax $______
Self-employment tax $______
Sales tax (SBE) $______
Property tax $______
Payroll accrual $______
Long-term liabilities
Notes payable $______
Total liabilities $______
Net worth (owner equity) $______
Proprietorship
or
(name's) equity $_____
(name's) equity $_____
or
| Corporation |
Capital stock $_____
Surplus paid in $_____
Retained earnings $_____
Total net worth $_____
| Total liabilities and |
| total net worth $_____ |
(Total assets will always equal total liabilities and total net worth)
________________________________________________________________
Figures used to compile the balance sheet are taken from the previous and current balance sheet as well as the current income statement. The income statement is usually attached to the balance sheet. The following text covers the essential elements of the balance sheet.
At the top of the page fill in the legal name of the
business, the type of statement and the day, month and year.
List anything of value that is owned or legally due the business. Total assets include all net values. These are the amounts derived when you subtract depreciation and amortization from the original costs of acquiring the assets.
| Cash-List cash and resources that can be converted into cash within 12 months of the date of the balance sheet (or during one established cycle of operation). Include money on hand and demand deposits in the bank, e.g., checking accounts and regular savings accounts. |
| Petty cash-If your business has a fund for small miscellaneous expenditures, include the total here. |
| Accounts receivable-The amounts due from customers in payment for merchandise or services. |
| Inventory-Includes raw materials on hand, work in progress and all finished goods, either manufactured or purchased for resale. |
| Short-term investments-Also called temporary investments or marketable securities, these include interest- or dividend-yielding holdings expected to be converted into cash within a year. List stocks and bonds, certificates of deposit and time-deposit savings accounts at either their cost or market value, whichever is less. |
| Prepaid expenses-Goods, benefits or services a business buys or rents in advance. Examples are office supplies, insurance protection and floor space. |
Also called long-term assets, these are holdings the business intends to keep for at least a year and that typically yield interest or dividends. Included are stocks, bonds and savings accounts earmarked for special purposes.
Also called plant and equipment. Includes all resources a business owns or acquires for use in operations and not intended for resale. Fixed assets may be leased. Depending on the leasing arrangements, both the value and the liability of the leased property may need to be listed on the balance sheet.
| Land-List original purchase price without allowances for market value. |
| Buildings |
| Improvements |
| Equipment |
| Furniture |
| Automobile/vehicles |
List all debts, monetary obligations and claims payable within 12 months or within one cycle of operation. Typically they include the following:
| Accounts payable-Amounts owed to suppliers for goods and services purchased in connection with business operations. |
| Notes payable-The balance of principal due to pay off short-term debt for borrowed funds. Also includes the current amount due of total balance on notes whose terms exceed 12 months. |
| Interest payable-Any accrued fees due for use of both short- and long-term borrowed capital and credit extended to the business. |
| Taxes payable-Amounts estimated by an accountant to have been incurred during the accounting period. |
| Payroll accrual-Salaries and wages currently owed. |
Notes payable-List notes, contract payments or mortgage payments due over a period exceeding 12 months or one cycle of operation. They are listed by outstanding balance less the current position due.
Also called owner's equity, net worth is the claim of the owner(s) on the assets of the business. In a proprietorship or partnership, equity is each owner's original investment plus any earnings after withdrawals.
The sum of these two amounts must always match that for total assets.
______________________________________________________________
Pre-start- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Total
up position Columns 1-6
Year Month
Est.* Act.* Est.Act. Est.Act. Est.Act. Est.Act. Est.Act. Est.Act. Est.Act.
month)
| (a) Cash sales |
| (b) Collections from credit |
| accounts |
| (c) Loan or other cash |
| injections (specify) |
(2a+2b+2c=3)
(before cash out) (1+3)
| (a) purchases (merchandise) |
| (b) Gross wages (excludes withdrawals) |
| (c) Payroll expenses (taxes, etc.) |
| (d) Outside services |
| (e) Supplies (office and |
| operating) |
| (f) Repairs and maintenance |
| (g) Advertising |
| (h) Car, delivery and travel |
| (i) Accounting and legal |
| (j) Rent |
| (k) Telephone |
| (l) Utilities |
| (m) Insurance |
| (n) Taxes (real estate, etc.) |
| (o) Interest |
| (p) Other expenses (specify |
| each) |
| (q) Miscellaneous |
| (unspecified) |
| (r) Subtotal |
| (s) Loan principal payment |
| (t) Capital purchases |
| (specify) |
| (u) Other start-up costs |
| (v) Reserve and/or escrow |
| (specify) |
| (w) Owner's withdrawal |
through 5w)
month) (4 minus 6)
| Essential operating data | ||||||||||||||||||
| (non-cash flow information)
|
_________________________________________________________________
| 1. Cash on hand (beginning of month) -- Cash on hand same as (7), | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash position, pervious month | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. Cash receipts-
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. Total cash receipts (2a+2b+2c=3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4. Total cash available (before cash out)(1+3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5. Cash paid out -
|
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Unexpected expenditures may be included here as a safety
factor________________________________________
Equipment expenses during the month should be included
here (non-capital equipment)__________________________
When equipment is rented or leased, record payments here
| (q) Miscellaneous (unspecified)--Small expenditures for which separate accounts would be practical |
| (r) Subtotal-This subtotal indicates cash out for operating costs |
| (s) Loan principal payment-Include payment on all loans, including vehicle and equipment purchases on time payment |
| (t) Capital purchases (specify)--Nonexpensed (depreciable) expenditures such as equipment, building purchases on time payment |
| (u) Other start-up costs-Expenses incurred prior to first month projection and paid for after start-up |
| (v) Reserve and/or escrow (specify)-- Example: insurance, tax or equipment escrow to reduce impact of large periodic payments |
| (w) Owner's withdrawals-Should include payment for such things as owner's income tax, social security, health insurance, executive life insurance premiums, etc. |
| 6. Total cash paid out (5a through 5w) |
| 7. Cash position (end on month) (4 minus 6)-- Enter this amount in (1) Cash on hand following month- |
Essential operating data (non-cash flow information)--This is basic information necessary for proper planning and for proper cash flow projection. Also with this data, the cash flow can be evolved and shown in the above form.
| A. Sales volume (dollars)--This is a very important figure and should be estimated carefully, taking into account size of facility and employee output as well as realistic anticipated sales (actual sales, not orders received). |
| B. Accounts receivable (end of month)-- Previous unpaid credit sales plus current month's credit sales, less amounts received current month (deduct "C" below) |
| C. Bad debt (end on month)-- Bad debts should be subtracted from (B) in the month anticipated |
| D. Inventory on hand (end on month)-- Last month's inventory plus merchandise received and/or manufactured current month minus amount sold current month |
| E. Accounts payable (end of month) Previous month's payable plus current month's payable minus amount paid during month. |
| F. Depreciation-Established by your accountant, or value of all your equipment divided by useful life (in months) as allowed by Internal Revenue Service |
THE BUSINESS PLAN - APPENDIX 3: INFORMATION RESOURCES
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA offers an extensive selection of information on most business management topics, from how to start a business to exporting your products.
This information is listed in "Resource Directory for Small Business Management." For a free copy contact your nearest SBA office.
SBA has offices throughout the country. Consult the U.S.
Government section in your telephone directory for the office
nearest you. SBA offers a number of programs and services,
including training and educational programs, counseling services,
financial programs and contract assistance. Ask about
| Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), a national organization sponsored by SBA of over 13,000 volunteer business executives who provide free counseling, workshops and seminars to prospective and existing small business people. |
| Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), sponsored by the SBA in partnership with state and local governments, the educational community and the private sector. They provide assistance, counseling and training to prospective and existing business people. |
| Business Information Centers (BICs), offering state-of-the-art technology, informational resources and on-site counseling for start-up and expanding businesses to create business, marketing and other plans, do research, and receive expert training and assistance. |
For more information
about SBA business development programs and services, call the SBA Small Business Answer
Desk at 1-800-U-ASK-SBA (827-5722).
Many publications on business management and other related topics are available from the Government Printing Office (GPO). GPO bookstores are located in 24 major cities and listed in the Yellow Pages under the "bookstore" heading. You can request a "Subject Bibliography" by writing to Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, Washington, DC 20402-9328.
Many federal agencies offer publications of interest to small businesses. There is a nominal fee for some, but most are free. Below is a selected list of government agencies that provide publications and other services targeted to small businesses. To get their publications, contract the regional offices listed in the telephone directory or write to the addresses below:
| Consumer Information Center (CIC) |
| P.O. Box 100 |
| Pueblo, CO 81002 |
The CIC offers a consumer information catalog of federal publications.
| Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) |
| Publications Request |
| Washington, DC 20207 |
| The CPSC offers guidelines for product safety requirements. |
| U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) |
| 12th Street and Independence Avenue, SW |
| Washington, DC 20250 |
The USDA offers publications on selling to the USDA. Publications and programs on entrepreneurship are also available through county extension offices nationwide.
| U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) |
| Office of Business Liaison |
| 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW |
| Room 5898C |
| Washington, DC 20230 |
DOC's Business Assistance Center provides listings of business opportunities available in the federal government. This service also will refer businesses to different programs and services in the DOC and other federal agencies.
| U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - Public |
| Health Service |
| Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health |
| Administration |
| 5600 Fishers Lane |
| Rockville, MD 20857 |
Drug Free Workplace Helpline: 1-800-843-4971. Provides information on Employee Assistance Programs.
National Institute for Drug Abuse Hotline:
1-800-662-4357. Provides information on preventing substance abuse in the workplace.
The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information:
1-800-729-6686 toll-free. Provides pamphlets and resource materials on substance abuse.
| U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) |
| Employment Standards Administration |
| 200 Constitution Avenue, NW |
| Washington, DC 20210 |
| The DOL offers publications on compliance with labor laws. |
| U.S. Department of Treasury |
| Internal Revenue Service (IRS) |
| P.O. Box 25866 |
| Richmond, VA 23260 |
| 1-800-424-3676 |
The IRS offers information on tax requirements for small businesses.
| U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |
| Small Business Ombudsman |
| Crystal Mall - No.2 |
| Room 1102 |
| 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway |
| Arlington, VA 22202 |
| 1-800-368-5888 except in DC and VA |
| 703-557-1938 in DC and VA |
The EPA offers more than 100 publications designed to help small businesses understand how they can comply with EPA regulations.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
| 200 C Street, SW |
| Washington, DC 20204 |
The FDA offers
information on packaging and labeling requirements for food and food-related products.
A librarian can help you locate the specific information you need
in reference books. Most libraries have a variety of directories,
indexes and encyclopedias that cover many business topics. They
also have other resources, such as
| Trade association information |
| Ask the librarian to show you a directory of trade associations. Associations
provide a valuable network of resources to their members through publications and services
such as newsletters, conferences and seminars.
| ||
| Many guidebooks, textbooks and manuals on small business are published
annually. To find the names of books not in your local library check Books In Prints, a
directory of books currently available from publishers.
| ||
| Business and professional magazines provide information that is more current than that found in books and textbooks. There are a number of indexes to help you find specific articles in periodicals. |
In addition to books and magazines, many libraries offer free workshops, lend skill-building tapes and have catalogues and brochures describing continuing education opportunities.
