Building a Business Plan From Scratch
GCSE Business Studies Year 10 & 11 Component 1: Investigating Small Business
Why do new businesses need a plan before they start?
Think about what could go wrong without planning Consider what investors might want to see Brainstorm with your partner for 2 minutes
What is a Business Plan?
A detailed document outlining how a business will operate Shows the business idea, target market, and financial projections Essential for securing investment and bank loans Helps identify potential problems before they happen Provides a roadmap for business growth
The Four Main Components of a Business Plan
Executive Summary & Marketing Plan
{"left":"Executive Summary: Brief overview of the entire business idea\nDescribes what the business does and why it will succeed\nUsually written last but appears first in the plan\nShould grab the reader's attention immediately","right":"Marketing Plan: Identifies target customers and their needs\nExplains pricing strategy and competitive advantages\nOutlines promotion and advertising methods\nDetails how products/services will be distributed"}
Financial Plan & Operations Plan
{"left":"Financial Plan: Shows how much money is needed to start\nIncludes sales forecasts and profit predictions\nDetails break-even analysis and cash flow\nDemonstrates return on investment for investors","right":"Operations Plan: Explains day-to-day running of the business\nCovers location, equipment, and staffing needs\nOutlines suppliers and production processes\nAddresses quality control and customer service"}
Case Study Analysis: Coffee Cart Business
Work in groups of 5 students Analyse the sample business plan provided Identify how each of the 4 components is addressed Discuss: What's missing? How clear is the information? Record your findings on A3 paper Prepare a 2-minute presentation of key findings
Create Your Own Business Plan Outline
Choose your own product or service idea Create a brief outline for each component: • Executive Summary (What is your business?) • Marketing Plan (Who are your customers?) • Financial Plan (How much will it cost?) • Operations Plan (How will it work daily?) Use bullet points and diagrams on A3 sheets Focus on clear, realistic ideas