FT Essential Guide to Writing a Business Plan

Postscript: 12 hot potatoes

Here are some final thoughts before you remove the ‘draft’ from your business plan. You have set out your vision and plans for your company’s future over the next few years clearly, crisply, concisely, consistently, coherently, credibly and convincingly.

You have throughout tried to address the questions you think a backer needs answering. That is why your business plan is distinctive. It is geared towards your backer’s concerns, not necessarily yours.

But things change. Your backer’s concerns may change.

Happily, one thing doesn’t change, not at all. The recommended structure of your plan, the fundamental building blocks of market demand, competition, strategy, resources, financials and risk, is economically rational ...