ELEMENTS OF A BUSINESS PLAN M. Sc. VALERIO PÉREZ FLORES Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia Ministerio de Educación Viceministerio de Educación Superior Técnica Tecnológica y Lingüística
SECTION 1 Introduction You have to introduce your business Describe the business in a general way State the objectives Write why this business should exist
Mission Write the mission of the business. You have to refer what is the most important to you. Write your purpose; why you are doing it, provide the context of your company. State your company's mission, intentions and motivations. Why your company exists and what it hopes to achieve in the world.
Write a short paragraph, it should answer three key questions: 1. What are the opportunities or needs that exist to address? (the purpose of the company) 2. What are you doing to address these needs? (the business of the venture) 3. What principles or beliefs guide your work? (the values of the venture) Your mission is the beacon for your company.
Example: Our mission involves three interrelated parts: Product, to translate documents of international State agreements with high fidelity, and equivalence of meanings from English - Spanish and Spanish - English; Mandarin Chinese – Spanish and Spanish – Mandarin Chinese. Economically, operate the company on a sustainable financial base of profitable growth, based on the latest generation technologies. Socially, to manage the business in a way that actively recognizes the central role of the translator and keeps the cultural aspect of the source languages intact.
Vision It refers to what you want to achieve in the future. For instance: - Our vision is to become an excellent language translation center based on Artificial Intelligence technologies, so that ambassadors or State employees can find translation with high fidelity, and people can take it as a model of entrepreneurship in the Bolivian State.
OBJECTIVES General objective An objective is what we want to do; it is our aim in the venture; the overall goal of a research or study project. This type of objective is always broad and usually refers to a project goal that would be achieved.
Parts in an objectives: 1. Verb in infinite , to translate. 2. What? Official documents of the Bolivian State and other important documents 3. How? Through artificial intelligence technologies. 4. What for? to offer messages with a high level of equivalence between States. So, the objective is written in this way: - To translate official documents of the Bolivian State and other important documents through artificial intelligence technologies in order to offer messages with a high level of equivalence between States.
Specific objectives The specific objectives state the smaller actionable goals that lead to fulfilling the general objective. These are always more focused, with each new specific objective building from the last to create a clear plan of action. Example: - To implement electronic translation centers based on artificial intelligence with bank financing in order to establish the institution of language translation.
Products and services Readers of your plan will need a description of what your product or service is. Describe in a general way.
SECTION 2. Market analysis What is a market analysis? Market analysis is a detailed assessment of your business's target market and competitive landscape within a specific industry. This analysis lets you project the success you can expect when you introduce your brand and its products to consumers within the market. Here are three steps you should take to ensure a thorough and accurate analysis of your intended market.
Establish the purpose of your market analysis. Identify your target audience and competitors. Gather and analyze market data (poll, survey). Describe the characteristics of the market, the profile of your target customer, the competition, and how you plan to gain an advantage over them to create a successful business.
Market characteristics If your business will be part of an industry, please describe the industry Include information about its size, location, history, competitiveness, profitability, its general condition.
Describe current trends in opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis). Your efforts to reach your potential market and generate profit will be limited by other companies involved in the industry. Emerging as a new company will also create competencies that include the following: Supplier power (bargaining power and leverage of suppliers), income, low income, etc.?
• New competitors (the threat of entry of new rivals), • Substitute products (easiness with which buyers can switch to alternative products and/or outsiders' attempts to attract buyers to their alternative products), • Buying power (bargaining power and leverage of buyers), • Industry rivalry (intensity of rivals' maneuvering for a better market position and competitive advantage), and • Government regulations (government influence through regulations and policies).
Target customer profile Your research should provide demographic information about who you will focus on and the psychographic information to understand why customers buy products. Are your clients local, regional, national and/or international?
Are your customers young, old, male, female, high Are there behavioral characteristics that differentiate Your clients? (for example, price buyers versus convenience buyers) Are there cultural considerations, social connections, or other personal factors that may shape your customers' needs, wants, and buying behaviors?
If your customers are primarily businesses, consider the following. Do the needs of business customers differ by industry? Do business customers in different regions have different needs? Who in the business is involved in the purchase decision? What is your job function? Who influences your decisions? What is their experience and knowledge regarding your product/service?
What are the company's purchasing policies and procedures, financial restrictions, and timing of purchases? You can supplement with interviews with people who are in the industry, as well as with your own experience.
Section 3 Competitor Assessment In the market analysis, write about your specific competitors. First, define who your competitors are Define what are their strengths and weaknesses compared to your venture. Address how your competitors fill those needs and what you will offer. Analyze, Market share, Advertising plan, Price, Distribution, Service feature and length of times in business.
SECTION 4 Marketing Plan A marketing plan address four areas: Product and services, Pricing Distribution system Promotion
a. Product and services Explain the service you are offering. Identify its features and benefits Write down what needs or problems you are addressing in the marketplace. Describe how you will perform the service, by Internet, telephone or some other method
Why what you are offering is different Write what materials or equipment will be needed. Explain why your business will be competitive and profitable.
b. Pricing Pricing is based on the perceived value of your products and services, the cost of doing business, your marketing objectives and expected competitive actions. A wide range of pricing strategies are available, from simple rules of thumb to sophisticated approaches. As you make your pricing decisions, it will be helpful to think about the cost of service.
c. Distribution system Describe how your service will be distributed and in what geographic area. What delivery methods and channels will optimize your sales and profits (face-to-face, radio, television, classroom classes).
d. Promotion The tools for promotion can be a combination of advertising, personal selling efforts and general public relations activities. What is the most effective and efficient way to get your message across to this group? Creativity is very important in promoting the service to be offered.