The+business+planning+process

For this module,
>.
 * 1) view the Powerpoints,
 * 2) read the business plan outline (.docx),
 * 3) view the annotated Google Docs outline (you will use a document similar to this for collaborating on writing your plan),
 * 4) read the sample business plans link (optional but recommended),
 * 5)  then watch the two videos embedded below (optional but recommended)

After you have completed these tasks,

 * 1) //**read**// the Autoshop business plan posted below and
 * 2) //** if you have not already done so this semester, answer the posted questions about their plan using the link at the bottom of this page to the discussion area. **//
 * Business Plan Powerpoints || [[file:The Business Plan.pptx]] ||
 * Business Plan Outline || [[file:Business Plan Outline.docx]] ||
 * Annotated Google Docs business plan template || Business plan template ||
 * Business Plan Segment Information Worksheet || [[file:Business Plan Segment Information Worksheet.xlsx]] ||
 * Sample Business Plans from Business Resource Software, Inc. ||  ||
 * media type="custom" key="12813600"

Jim Ellis talks about the elements of a successful business plan as well as common mistakes related to its development and use. Recorded: January 31, 2007 (53:59) From Stanford GSB || media type="custom" key="12813652"

Business plans: Jim Goertz of Sequoia Capital presents at the Stanford Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Feb 2008 (1:10 hours) || //** Discuss your answers to these questions [|with this link] **//
 * **General criteria for evaluating a business plan**
 * 1) Comprehensiveness – use a template to help
 * 2) Analysis – resource, industry, competitor and product analysis; financial projections with percentages, returns, and comparisons with analogs
 * 3) Reasonableness – assumptions are comparable to benchmarks and facts
 * 4) Writing and presentation – well written and organized || **Specific criteria for evaluating a business plan**
 * 5) Management – experience, honesty, integrity
 * 6) Resources – rare, valuable, hard to copy, unique
 * 7) Projections and returns – all data must have solid foundation in reality, yet optimistic enough to attract investors
 * 8) Exit – how and when will investors recoup money? ||
 * Assignment - Critique a business plan (Autoshop)[[file:AutoShop.pdf]]**
 * How well does the plan address key issues?
 * What changes and improvements would you make to the plan?
 * How well done is the presentation and writing?
 * Would you invest in this business? Why or why not?
 * Would you invest in this business? Why or why not?