How Do I Build a Business Plan?

How Do I Build a Business Plan? (Infographic)

BY NINA ZIPKIN | February 17, 2014|
35 Comments |








You have a powerful idea for the next big thing, but before you sell it to anyone, you have to get it all down on paper. It’s time to make a business plan.

How do you know if you’re headed in the right direction? Washington State Universitycreated an infographic that provides 10 guidelines to help prospective entrepreneurs organize their thoughts and wow potential investors.



Related: When Planning for the Future, Keep Your Past in Perspective

The infographic details some major questions that aspiring CEOS need to ask themselves like, what problem is my business going to solve, what’s my company’s mission, and what do we do better than anyone else in the market?

But you aren’t quite done yet. A thorough business plan includes who your target demographic is, the conditions of the market you’re entering into and accounts for worst-case scenarios. And of course, there’s the money: how much you need to get going, and where it’s going to come from once your business is up and running.

Related: A Business Plan for the Startup Economy

For more information, like how much funding you’ll need before applying for a small business loan (that’s 30 percent), check out the infographic below.
Click to Enlarge+


35 Comments





Ahmad Suffian from Facebook3 hours ago






Deborah Whitehouse from Facebook4 hours ago




I use the business model generator with my clients and it's a great way to go through the entire process for all new businesses, or businesses in change!
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Business Mass Info. - BMI from Facebook4 hours ago




If you aim for Success and Nothing Less , Join us !
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Manelle Chawk from Facebook5 hours ago




Shafiq Gyagenda in light of your career objectives. This page is pretty cool!
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Thomas Manganas from Facebook5 hours ago




Jessica Van-Look
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Ramon Romero from Facebook5 hours ago




Otniel Salcedo C
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Peter Kmec from Facebook5 hours ago




Aric Trak we got the first 3 down so we are on track!
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Bee Positive from Facebook6 hours ago




Jeni Rolsing
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Keira Wally from Facebook6 hours ago




Ahmad Suffian
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Muhammad Hasan from Facebook7 hours ago




Belal M. El Trawy
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Marlon Labay Jr. from Facebook7 hours ago




Jaynie
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Senya V. Santa from Facebook7 hours ago




It appears that WSU does not know what a startup is. These keys are good for an existing business, yet the startup business has other key metrics that really matter. Check udacity's course by Steve Blank (or read A. Osterwalder's book BusinessModelGeneration) for more hints.
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Enolz Az from Facebook7 hours ago




Eh Zack our homework! Remind me!
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Evon Ng from Facebook8 hours ago




Edward Loong
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Lucas Tsr from Facebook8 hours ago




http://www.éclosion.eu
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BEYONDTechedFeb 25, 2014




I found an interesting blog post and biz plan template created by Guy Kawasaki.http://buff.ly/1c4V8TE

He recommends focusing on the executive summary. This compliments the above info graphic. I recently attended a "Startup Weekend" event to learn about new strategies to build companies. It was a fantastic experience.

My question to the group is as follows...would a business plan be instrumental in obtaining additional funding for an already profitable company attempting to expand with new products?

#btek12


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mohammed shorbajiFeb 22, 2014




Thanks a lot..i feel here where i can start.
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Caroline Russell from FacebookFeb 21, 2014




Hummmmmmm.....?
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Satheesh Beemagani from FacebookFeb 19, 2014




Excellent article
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Eddie Sardine from FacebookFeb 19, 2014




youre so right...
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ajishkumarFeb 19, 2014




This is an Excellent one. Very simple, crisp and to the Point. I am looking for something on online marketing plan like this. Does anyone has it?

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Austin Ferraro from FacebookFeb 18, 2014




Any suggestions where to get a software program or template to make a business plan for a new start up?? Any suggestions help
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Charlie Urua from FacebookFeb 18, 2014




Thank you for the knowledge you share. i can use it as a guide to my business plan
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Stephanie Farlow from FacebookFeb 18, 2014




Thank you for this useful visual! First thing - know your brand!
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Secrets of Aussie Online Entrepreneurs from FacebookFeb 18, 2014




Plans should always have a bit of room to move - we believe flexible structures are important in business!
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Jewell Mimms Ridley from FacebookFeb 18, 2014




generate a business model first
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RTS Innovation Marketing from FacebookFeb 18, 2014




Every business needs a plan in order to dictate what works or not. Great post.
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Rajath Paalyam Prasanna from FacebookFeb 18, 2014




I don't believe in b plan (if u want start any thing u just start by small u can do it ) if u think u can u can
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Business Resource Center from FacebookFeb 18, 2014




We like the business model canvas, too!
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Michael Keen from FacebookFeb 18, 2014




Before you start the process of putting this all down, do yourself a favor and spend some quality time with the Business Model Generation canvas... well worth your timehttp://www.businessmodelgeneration.com/
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Travis Huff from FacebookFeb 18, 2014




Great article!!
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Kenneth Tran from FacebookFeb 18, 2014




Interesting concept. It makes sense, I'm going to send this to our engineers to see if we can build this "business plan".
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Kerri Reeves Smith from FacebookFeb 18, 2014



My business is unique and a great business model: upscale children's clothes, classic toys, no products from China, employ developmentally disabled adults. We have our major investor, but we have to raise $10,000 more. Please go here and contribute, share, contribute, share, contribute, share: http://igg.me/at/thepineappleshop/x/6210947
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BizzyLizFeb 17, 2014



Everything looks so less overwhelming in an infographic! Nice post. I get to work with clients on business plans and this provides a great reference tool to break out the key focal points and why they matter.
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