Business plan part 1: the checklist

Generally the items that constitute a business plan should include the following:

• a list of contents
• an executive summary
• values and mission statement (SEED option)
• a list of the management team
• your goals
• your products
• marketing strategy (including competition)
• action plan/timeline
• financial strategy (including risk elements)

As you think about writing each of these sections of your business plan, don't panic, or, as I often can when faced with this kind of task, glaze over. The SEED business plan should be as easy to write as it is easy to read; it's simply a matter of putting the necessary points over in your own style.

As a fun way of visualising how your plan will work, print out the SEED Daisy and fill it in. If the daisy doesn't fit on the printed page, you may have to adjust your Page Set Up settings. Go to File, then Page Set Up and reduce the margins to create more space on the page for the daisy.

Write a brief description of your enterprise in the centre of the flower. Then write a word or two in each petal, describing a different quality that you want to see represented in your business plan. These may include your values or some practical aspect of the business. You don't have to use the daisy; use any visual design.

Business plan part 2

Read more from Lynne Franks' SEED Handbook: the feminine way to create business.