Sample Business Plan
THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PLAN
- Cover Page
- Name of company
- Title of Business Plan.
- Company’s address, contact person’s name.
- NAME OF COMPANY
Business Plan
- Address
- Contact Name
- Date
Table of Contents
Mission Statement
- Executive Summary
- Description of proposed business
- Management and staffing
- Market Analysis
- Industry background
- Target market
- Product description
- Market approach strategy
- Marketing
- Operations
- Strengths and weaknesses
- Financial projections
- Conclusion
- Supporting documents
MISSION STATEMENT
- A brief description of the business
- Purpose of the business
- Description of goods or services and
- A statement as to your company’s attitude towards employees and customers.
A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- About one to two pages in length and written after the rest of the plan is completed.
- Provides a concise description of the business
- Markets to be served (export /import markets)
- Business’s competitive advantages
- Projected rate of growth
- Financing
B. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED BUSINESS
- One or two pages in length
- Description of goods or services to be exported or imported
- Description of export or import markets
- Channels of distribution to be used
C. MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING
- One page in length
- Owners of the business
- Management and key employees, duties and responsibilities
- Organizational chart
- Salaries and fringe benefits
- If a corporation, profile of people serving on the board of directors
D. MARKET ANALYSIS
- 3-4 pages in length
- Description of targeted customers
- Description of products and/or services
- Competition
- Planned market strategy
D. 1 Industry Background
- Industry trends: Industry’s products, services, credit policies, rates of growth, exports/import trends, regulations in target countries
- Technological changes
- Trends in the market segment of your interest
D.2 Target Market
- Characteristic of the market: Location, demographics, market trends
- Resources to be used to research the markets
- Size of target market, growth forecast
- Marketing and promotion channels
- Pricing strategies
D.3 Product Description
- Benefits of product/services for customers
- Potential suppliers
- Cost advantages
D.4 Market Approach Strategy
- Ways of entering the market
- Strategies to be adopted
E. MARKETING
- 3-4 pages in length
- Marketing strategy to be used to promote the product
- Products and/or services: Benefits of your product/services for consumers, its uniqueness
- Pricing strategy: Use of competitive pricing strategy
- Sales/distribution plan: Order processing, shipment, billing, methods of payment including credit terms and discounts, distribution channels
- Advertising and promotion plans
F. OPERATIONS
- Description of manufacturing operations
- Description of all aspects of management
- Distribution and logistics services
- Description of existing location and facilities
- Tasks of employees
G. STRENGHTS AND WEAKNESSES
- One page in length
- Competitive advantages: geographical location, overseas suppliers, skilled employees
- Competitive disadvantages: Lack of experience, regulations in the export or import market
- Overcoming competitive disadvantages
H. FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS
- 2-3 pages in length
- Forecasted income statements
- Forecasted cash flow statements
- Forecasted balance sheets
- Forecasted capital expenditures
- All projections to be for 3-5 years
I. CONCLUSION
- Highlight key issues discussed in the business plan
- Summary of future plans for expansion
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
- Copies of the owners’ curriculum vitae
- Copies of tax returns and personal financial statements of the owners for the last three years
- A copy of licenses, certifications, and other relevant legal documents
- Lease or purchase agreement, if you are leasing or buying space
- Copies of letters of intent from suppliers
- Qualifications/ experience of management and key employees
Video: How to write an export Plan