Developing a Business Plan

The outline below is intended as a planning aid. Not everything in this outline may be appropriate for your needs.

Part of a Business Plan

• Cover Letter
• Table of Contents
• Executive Summary
  This is typically written last after you have determined the content for each category. You summarize each component in one or two sentences, hitting the highlights.
• Business Description
• Market Analysis
• Products and Services
• Organization and Management
• Marketing and Sales Plan
• Financial Management
• Summary
  Summarize the information provided in the sections above. This is your final chance to showcase your practice.
• Appendices
  May include items such as your organizational chart, marketing materials, balance sheets, copies of licenses and permits, and more.

Sample Business Plans

This list is not exhaustive and more examples can be found online:

• Small Business Administration Business Plan Template [PDF]
• Sample from .docstoc
• Google docs
• A free online tool is available from NEBS, a small business supplier, which allows you to enter data which is then formatted into a business plan.

Additional assistance with starting a business is available at from the Small Business Administration and SCORE.