Features

• A business plan will include an executive summary. This is a brief summary of the entire plan and should catch the investor's attention. It also will include detailed information about your management team, information about the products or services you intend to offer, a market analysis of your industry, your marketing strategy and a risk analysis. You should include a number of charts detailing financial projections over the next one to five years. These may include reports of profits and losses, break-even analysis, cash flow and balance sheets. You also may include personal financial statements and tax returns.
  
  

Lenders

• If you intend to seek financing for your business, you must have a business plan. Investors will pay close attention to your personal financial statements and financial projections. In particular, investors want to see that you've set milestones and implemented realistic tools to measure your success, when determining whether you've reached your goals. Investors may also want to know how much you intend to spend on marketing. Furthermore, investors are particularly interested in your management team and ensuring the team members have the right skills to help run your business.
  
  

Property Managers

• Landlords and property managers may want to review your business plan before leasing to you. While you don't need to divulge all of your financial information to a potential landlord, you will need to prove that you are capable of paying your rent. Personal financial statements and proof that your business will produce a positive cash flow may be enough to satisfy their needs.
  
  

Suppliers

• A business plan can help you when applying for business credit from suppliers. A supplier who feels confident that your business will succeed will be much more likely to extend credit. In particular, they may be interested in reports about your projected sales. In addition, suppliers may want to ensure their products are being represented in the right way.
  
  

Considerations

• A business plan will help you identify what works and what doesn't, allowing you to track your success and adjust accordingly. It allows you and your team the ability to prioritize your objectives, establish time lines and tools to measure your success, and find ways to reduce costs, change marketing strategies or increase profits. A strong business plan also can help you attract top-level employees.