| You have an idea, but no money yet. | | | | catering company, producing luxury food |
| Whether it comes from a loan or from | | | | for special occasions such as birthdays |
| investors doesnt really make too much | | | | and weddings. We will provide a |
| difference, since theres one thing that | | | | comprehensive catering service, with a |
| they all need to see before theyll give | | | | special line in cakes, that have a |
| you a cent. This is called a business | | | | higher profit margin than other foods. |
| plan. | | | | Target Market: |
| 1. Whats a Business Plan? | | | | The business is to focus on catering who |
| Think of your business plan as being | | | | want luxury but still care about cost. |
| like a list of answers to questions that | | | | To begin with, our target area is within |
| people might have about your home | | | | a ten-mile radius of Anytown, to include |
| business. You will not get outside | | | | the affluent area of Othertown. |
| funding without one, because the people | | | | Key Factors: |
| giving you the funding want to know that | | | | We will use industrial-quality |
| youve thought through what youre doing. | | | | ingredients but provide bespoke-quality |
| A business plan says to them Ive | | | | design and service. This will allow us |
| considered this from every angle, and | | | | to provide food that looks excellent and |
| heres what Ive come up with. | | | | tastes acceptable, while keeping costs |
| 2. But What Should Your Business Plan | | | | low. |
| Include? | | | | Expenses: |
| What is Your Service? This is the first | | | | Since I will be using my kitchen for the |
| question every business plan should | | | | business and making the food myself, |
| answer. Just what is it that you plan to | | | | there are only two real expenses: the |
| do? Tell them that industry youre going | | | | one-off cost of a larger cooker, and |
| to be in, and why youve chosen it. | | | | then the day-to-day cost supplies. A |
| Who are Your Customers? Once you know | | | | suppliers letter listing prices is |
| what you do, the next thing you need to | | | | attached enquiries with others in the |
| know is who youre going to be doing it | | | | catering industry have shown this |
| for, and so thats the next thing that | | | | supplier to be the best value for my |
| should be written on the business plan. | | | | business. |
| You should also include your area here. | | | | To finish it all off, you should include |
| What Makes You Different? You need to | | | | a breakdown of projected profit and loss |
| say what the key factors are that make | | | | per month for the first year of the |
| your business different to other | | | | business, in the form of a graph. You |
| businesses in its sector. What is it | | | | would work this out by working out a |
| that youre planning to do to make the | | | | reasonable repayment of any one-off |
| business succeed? | | | | expenses and adding this repayment to |
| What are Your Expenses? Your start-up | | | | the day-to-day expenses, before graphing |
| expenses include any equipment that you | | | | day-to-day expenses against projected |
| need before you can get up-and-running, | | | | sales. Your business plan should show |
| while your day-to-day expenses are staff | | | | you making enough of a profit each month |
| costs and supplies. | | | | to live if you doesnt, then it will be |
| 3. An Example | | | | considered unfeasible by anyone you show |
| Note that this is a very short and sweet | | | | it to. |
| business plan: in real life, each one of | | | | 5. Find Real Business Plans |
| these sections would be closer to a page | | | | Why not look at a real business plan? |
| in length. That said, it is a bad idea | | | | They're out there on the Internet. Once |
| to go into too much detail in your plan. | | | | youve seen a few, you can start to get |
| Youre not trying to tell the reader | | | | some idea of how much work is going to |
| everything, just the basics of the | | | | be involved to write one of your own. |
| business and why they should give you | | | | Remember, until your business exists for |
| money to help you build it. Always focus | | | | real, the business plan is a tool you |
| on profit. | | | | need to constantly rethink and improve |
| 4. The Catering And Cake Company | | | | when new ideas come up to make the best |
| Nature of Business: | | | | out of it when it comes into reality. |
| The business will be a home-based | | | | |