Starting a company requires a lot of organization and preparation. For young entrepreneurs, it can seem like a steep hill to climb.
A business plan is an essential tool for managing your company. But what is it for, exactly? Why create it before starting your business? What should it include?
Find answers to all of these questions below!
A simple business plan definition
The business plan is an essential tool for any start-up company. A good business plan includes all the information needed to outline a new business project.
The information must be reliable in order to show potential investors that there is a real demand for the project and that you are capable of making good management decisions.
Uses of a business plan when starting a company
When starting a company, a business plan can have many uses. A well-thought-out business plan can help a new company with accounting and taxation, and it remains useful after launch.
Financing
First, as mentioned above, you can present your business plan to investors and lenders in order to secure financing.
A company with a good business plan has a much better chance of obtaining financing. Investors prefer to put their money on projects that have real potential. With a document that presents the project in detail, investors can see how dedicated and serious you are about your project and will be more inclined to finance you.
Identifying problems before they happen
Presenting your business plan to different investors comes with yet another advantage—they can give you their opinion of your project and help you identify any flaws you might have missed.
That way, you can fine-tune your business plan and catch mistakes and problems before they happen.
Setting new goals for your company
Your business plan can also be useful as your company grows. It can help you set new strategic and tax-related goals for continued growth. Your business plan can be a key resource to refer to during the decision-making process.
What to include in an effective business plan
So, how do you write an effective business plan? What information do you need to include for it to be comprehensive? Here are a few tips to give you a better idea.
A description of your business venture
A business plan always begins with a concise description of your venture. The description should include your target market, industry, the products or services you offer, and your plans for growth.
This step is the foundation of your business plan. It must be sound in order to determine whether the venture is viable.
An analysis of your target market
An analysis of your target market is another essential aspect to include in your business plan. If your goal is to secure financing, you must be able to prove that there is real demand for the service or product you offer.
Create a summary of the key data to demonstrate your project’s financial relevance and show that you are ready to take on the market.
A description of the company’s organizational structure
The purpose of a section describing the company’s organizational structure is to present the leadership and their roles. This gives an overview of how the company is run and whether the structure is viable long-term.
Your equipment, infrastructure and personnel needs
The business plan is also used to establish your equipment, infrastructure and personnel needs. This gives potential investors and lenders an idea of where their money will go. It also helps you estimate how much money you will need to allocate for rent, salaries, buying or leasing equipment, etc.
Financial data and forecasts
Finally, every good business plan contains financial data and forecasts. In this section, you can include:
- How you plan to make a profit
- Cash flow forecasts
- Realistic budgets and deadlines
- The financial control systems you want to use
- Your personal net worth and that of your company
- Etc.
These numbers support what you present to investors and lenders, who rely on hard data to make decisions about whether or not to provide financing. Make sure your estimates are realistic.
A well-organized business is a successful business
So, why should you create a business plan before launching your company?
Creating a business plan helps you organize the way your company will be managed before you get it started. It can also help you secure financing by presenting informed data to potential investors and lenders.
Contact us if you need a tax specialist to help you start or grow your business.
Frédéric Roy-Gobeil
CPA, M. TAX
As President of T2inc.ca and an entrepreneur at heart, I have founded many start-ups such as delve Labs and T2inc.ca. A former tax specialist at Ernst & Young, I am also a member of the Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés CPA and have a master's degree in taxation from the Université de Sherbrooke. With a passion for the world of entrepreneurship and the growth mindset, I have authored numerous articles and videos on the industry and the business world, as well as on accounting, taxation, financial statements and financial independence.
