FINANCIALS
The financial strategy of ComputerEase emphasizes reinvestment of income for growth during the first few years of operation, with the company reaching profitability within the next three years. Annual revenue projections for the current year are $466,000; for year two, $987,750; and for year three, $1,637,230.
FUNDS SOUGHT AND USES
The company is currently seeking $160,000 in investment financing. These funds will be used for expansion, primarily opening an additional Training Center, hiring new staff, and increasing marketing activities. Long-term plans are for the company to aggressively expand its online business; work with customers to develop interactive online custom training programs for employees; and either develop a franchise operation or expand to become a regional company-owned chain, adding at least one training location annually.
Provides specific numbers and uses of funds. Hints at exit opportunity
My Executive Summary
What is your business all about? What are its most compelling qualities? Answer the questions on this worksheet, summarizing conclusions you’ve reached in the worksheets in Steps 2-9 of this book. Organize the information in a way that most appeals to your target reader. Combine related topics if that improves the flow.
THE COMPANY
What are the basic details of your business? (See worksheets on pages 15 and 17.)
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
What products or services do you offer or plan to offer? (See worksheet on page 21.)
TARGET MARKET
Who are your customers? (Include a summary of any market research results.) (See worksheet on page 43.)
THE COMPETITION
Who are your competitors? How is the market currently divided? What gives your company its competitive edge? (See worksheet on page 60.)
MARKETING AND SALES STRATEGY
How will you market and sell your product? (See worksheet on page 76.)
OPERATIONS
What are your most important operational features? (See worksheet on page 92.)
MANAGEMENT
Who are your founders? Who are the key members of your management team and what are their qualifications? (See worksheet on page 106.)
DEVELOPMENT
What is the company’s current stage of development? What are your long-term goals? What are some of the milestones you’ve met or plan to meet? What is your potential exit strategy? (See worksheet on page 120.)
FINANCIALS
What are the expected financial highlights or performance of your company? What are your company’s expected gross sales and net profits? (Use gross sales and net profit figures from the worksheets on pages 132-133.)
FUNDS SOUGHT AND USES
How much money are you seeking, from what sources, and how will the money be used? (See worksheets on pages 25 and 147.)
2
STEP 5: Marketing and Sales Plan
Accomplishments
In this step you’ll:
List your company’s name(s) and location(s)
Provide information about your company’s ownership and legal structure
Describe your company’s history, development stage, and milestones
Describe your product(s) and service(s)
Give an overview of your industry
Explain how your company has been funded to date and how much money you are seeking
Pulling it all together: Company Description
Time-Saving Tools
You’ll complete this section more quickly if you have any of the following handy:
Business license(s), incorporation papers, or other key business documents
Legal and financial agreements
Product or service descriptions
Dates of key developments in your company’s history
Industry research data