Entrepreneurship & SMEs
Final Examination Brief
Learning Outcomes
Build a business plan by designing a strategic plan, conduct a feasibility analysis, understand franchising and how to buy an existing business
Develop a marketing plan and how to use e-commerce, create a successful financial plan.
This is an individual piece of work. The assignment is business plan writing. The length of the assignment should be about 4000 words (+/-10%).
The word limit does not include ‘administrative' sections of the assignment: the cover or title page, table of contents, table of figures, reference list, list of works cited, bibliography, or any appendices. Use Harvard Referencing for all Harvard related purposes.
Task:
You are required to write a business plan which will provide direction and increase the probability for success of a business idea within the today contemporary and very competitive market.
The business plan should include at least the following contents / elements:
Part I - 150-200 words
Company overview
o Mission statement - the purpose of the business
o Vision statement - what the business desires to achieve in the long run
o Business Core Values - the operating philosophy and principles that will guide the intern al business conduct as well its relationship with its customers and partners
Part II - 800-1000 words
Objectives - Specific, Measurable and Motivational, Attainable,Realistic, Time Bound Products
Customers - consumer behavior and customers of the industry
Industry and market analysis
o Industry
o PESTLE - Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental conditions and trends (specify those they are opportunities or threats)
o Customer
o Competition - direct and indirect competitors, market share,strengths and weaknesses
Internal business strengths and weaknesses
Part III - 1500-1800 words
Business differentiation - how it will be achieved and perceived by customers
Competitive advantage - reasons for which customers will choose your business as opposed to other alternatives
Marketing Strategy
o Target markets strategy
o Marketing mix
Product
Price
Promotion and advertising
Placement - distribution system
Sales strategy
o Sales monthly forecasting - 2 years period
Part IV -750- 1000 words
Operations Strategy
o Business operations model
o Buildings, Equipment, Technology, Cars,
o Processes - i.e. Imports, Purchases, Production, Marketing, Sales, Warehouse, Accounting, Human Resource Management
o Organizational structure
o Internal employees and external associates (outsourcing)
Part V - 200 - 300 words
Financial 2 year projected budgets
o Financial model (own capital, loans, external shareholders) - chart o Administrative & Operating expenses - chart
o Selling expenses- chart
o Financial expenses - chart
o Break Even Point Analysis (sales amount, sales units, and period point)
o Cash flow management