The business plan on Startup - Key issues to consider

 

At the request of some readers, here are some basic tips for writing a good business plan for a Start up and sell our project achieve an optimal way. When confronted with the need to develop a business plan for a group of investors or to a private investor, and certainly more experience one has, the tension takes over in a way our senses (If not, perhaps you should find another project that excites you more). But many of these "tips" are based on the most common of the senses and the empathy or the ability of diplomacy that are always those who see a problem from the outside.

 I will not write them must be the strengths of the plan, which its structure, the elements that should be made and what are the financial ratios of most interest to investors because of this has been talked too much. We will focus on basic considerations or advice of "common sense", but because common sense often obviate entrepreneurs in their business plan.

1. - Induction

From general to particular is absolutely necessary to make any project successful at what I mean by this? That when you're going to expose something must sit down and put all the cards on the table.

Start by having all the information at hand on the table or any documentation that will need on your desktop computer.

2. - Classification

Sort in a scheme or form of brainstorming the key points of the project to "attack" separately.

No good business plan can be formulated by a single person (Financial, Legal, Technology, Marketing, etc), so it's good that at this point, people assume team members work according to their specialization.

3. - Structure and Hierarchy

Before each piece of equipment takes its task to your job, start with something. A structure of each point of the business plan so that all the team members agree. Here is the time to prioritize, give value and location to integrate the points that each point or section of the project.

4. - Consistency and review

Here is where you need to dedicate time and Thoroughly methodology, all members must submit results of its work in several follow up meetings, and finally as necessary to give business plan. The reality is that the suggestion and change, it can take too. One tip is to suggest the change and not to criticize the existing point, that is to propose something better and avoid the mere nonconformity.

Well, this seems to be a set of steps to shape any team project, but in the case of a Business Plan for a Startup, consider that:

Investors tend to arouse their interest in Startup lines are restless because their time is very limited so it is good that the format of the presentation is short (very important to make a good executive summary). We must avoid dwell too much on any points of the plan and avoid adding information that is not relevant (If an investor needs additional information or details on a point, ask us and we will have opportunity to send it and argue).

Notwithstanding this, one should not forget that a project like this should be an important "Touch of Brilliance": A date, a comparison of figures that no one could forget, a good analogy to that presented or something away from what standard to ensure that he read us, do not forget us. "The project comparing the biological model used to explain the expected growth" or "mentioned by Marek Fodor", etc..

Use images, if you put graphics, can work to a simplified chart-size: Prevents 100% white background, background colors according to your company or your project and start to build brand, use a color that you define and is always the same: if you have a logo, "abuses" of the same tone of your logo in your presentations, banners, graphics or boxes funds, to help customize and visual memory. It is very well put the graphic small extensions on the sides, either a "zoom" or a more detailed or complementary graph.

We must never take for granted the 100% viability of the project in the business plan, we will discuss objectives, methods, comparisons and without underestimating the ability or opinion and advice they offer the investor. Attempt to create a plan for the potential investor discover the high viability.

Do not skimp efforts in the design and presentation, "food and business plans often come by sight." If you have a good presentation and a nice design according to the level of your project, the better to seek professional help outside.

Do not forget to include forecasts of sales and revenue account credible and based on good market research prior to already be in a "market test". An extremely positivistic business plan, can be ruled by an investor to the first hurdle. It is also advisable to include a contingency plan, to ensure that potential investors have planned strategies and actions to overcome obstacles that may arise in the development of our business plan.

the Start up will not be successful if not brought "life and soul", especially in the beginning, we must try to express the passion with which one faces this project in the plan above but avoiding personalities and arguing with the head.

If necessary, use professional help to correct and polish the grammar and spelling of the plan, always seek the opinion of a third party, not the team to read and reread. One can often overlook an error if own.

If you are going to present in Spanish, should be accompanied by a translation into English well achieved. Mandar business plan translated by a professional, do not save on presentation, design or translation.