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Create a One Page Business Plan

By Shane Woods On June 22, 2007 Under Ramblings

It’s crazy but Small business owners get overwhelmed when it comes to the necessity of writing their business plan. It doesn’t have to be as hard as it may seem. Unless you are looking for major financial funding from a bank or other loan institutions, a simple business plan that includes answers to the following questions will be perfect for your small business purposes.

1. Where am I now with my business?

2. Where do I want to be with my business? If you see your deadlines in front of you as you work your business, you’ll be more likely to meet them. Break this answer down into a timeline to make it easier, using 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, or whatever times work for your particular business.

If you are looking for a way to get a bit more detailed with your plan or you forsee needing it to request funding later, you may want to devote more time and attention. You can still easily do this by devoting no more than one page to each section of your business plan.

Page 1 - Overview

Include your vision (possibilities) for the company, the purpose (why you started your business) of creating the company and the mission (plans for achieving) of the company.

Page 2 - Business Information

Here is where you would include information about yourself including name, business name and entity, address and phone number.

You’ll also want to summarize your business objectives on this page. List your goals and how you plan to reach them. Including what you’ll do to create a profit and what tools and resources you plan to use to do so.

Page 3 - Market & Customers

Answer the following questions in this section of your plan.
- Target market - Who are they? Where are they? How many? What do you need to know about them? Why do they need your service? Is the market growing? Give specifics about growth and spending habits. Do as much research on your market as you can and put it in this section, including any barriers or hard to overcome issues.

Page 4 - Competition

Who are your competitors? What makes you different and the same as those competitors? How are you competing with them? With price, quality, etc? How will your market feel about you compared to your competitors.

Page 5 - Marketing

This is a bit like your competition section because you’ll want to discuss how you will market your business products or services. What makes your business unique?

No matter which method you use to create your business plan, be sure you are answering each of the questions to make it efficient for it’s purpose. Whether it’s for you or someone else, the ulitmate goal of a business plan is to keep you on track and focused and working toward growth. As your business grows don’t forget to update your plan to grow with it as well.

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2 comments - add yours
Thomas Franz

June 22, 2007

MLM owners need to consider what you have written to develop a business plan for new members… spell it out with actions, options and costs. Why leave their development to chance. Here is an example:

What are my options?
What are the costs?
How do I begin?
What can it do for me?

Option 1 - One month free trial with Automatic Builder – Cost $2.95

Step 1 -You begin by reviewing the Automatic Builder Website by Submitting First Name, Last Name, Email Address and Phone Number – Take your initial Tour; Return as often as you like to complete your review by simply submitting your Email Address.
Be sure to note what you get for your $2.95. This is a “No-Brainer.” 30-day supply of Sublingual B-12, Membership in Nutronix International with Business and Customer Websites, a Automatic Builder Website with a cost of $9.95 per month after your free trial, Business building comprehensive training information, and a Personal Support Coach.

The $2.95 shipping and handling serves to confirm your proper financials for us; that is, a valid credit card in your own name.

Step 2 – Joining is easy. Fill out the form to Enroll Now. You literally are now in your own business with everything you need to succeed. Decide on an advertising budget that you can afford. This can range from $0 to $100 or more per month depending on your means and how quickly you want to build your business.

Step 3 – Enjoy the learning process this first month by connecting to your sponsor and all your up line team coaches. Sign up for their Newsletters and Co-op advertising ventures. Call them often with your questions and concerns.

Step 4 – Within your first trail month, your business will begin to grow with others who will join you. This is often automatic and averages 3-6+ new members. It is a time to consider upgrading your free membership to enable you to receive quick start bonuses for all your new members and their new members.

Step 5 – Upgrading to Jr. Executive, Executive or Sr. Executive Director status is an option, each with relative costs and benefits. Now is the time to become familiar with these options and review the Compensation Plan in general. Take your business to an affordable level to match your specific goals of achievement.

Option 2 – Upgrading to Jr. Executive Director – Cost

Creating a Simpler Business Plan » Franchise Opportunities: The Franchise Advice Blog

July 6, 2007

[...] Templates are good way to get the framework down, but as Shane Woods points out in his article, Create a One Page Business Plan, unless you’re looking for lending you may not have to build such a detailed [...]

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