Today, we will focus on the
difference between an average business plan and a great Business Plan that can
make a difference with investors. Nowadays investors prefer short business
presentations to start off with and then follow it up with a comprehensive
Business Plan. Therefore, the first thing to articulate in front of investors
is the Business Presentation. It is a 10-12 deck graphically rich slide with
quantifiable numbers that can cut ice with the investors. Once the investors
are convinced that there is a sound business case then they will move to the
next round with a business plan.
Business plan writing requires
comprehensive and diverse skill sets. There are 3 key areas that should be
focused upon. These are:
·
- Business Concept or products
- Available Market
- Financial forecasts
Start-up activity is picking up
in emerging areas like Middle East where there has been a great focus on building
great companies. Start-ups and newer companies that are changing the business landscape
in the region. In my discussions with many Feasibility
Study Consultants in Saudi Arabia I have seen an impetus on investments in
different sectors that include both online and manufacturing projects. The UAE
is also doing major investments in new age industries with initiative such as
the Dubai Technology Entrepreneurship Center and several others.
We need to understand that what
is more important even before we get started with the business plan is to get
the business model right. If you are convinced that the business model is
correct then that is ½ of the job done. Next comes the pitch deck. Entrepreneurs
can create the pitch deck themselves or they can work with an expert
consultant. The cost of a pitch deck design cost in Saudi Arabia or Middle East
varies between $500 to $750 for a 10 slide deck. The pitch deck should have
excellent graphics and rich graphs which are very well quantified and mapped
with the business forecast. This can help to get to the next stage of
submission of the detailed business plan.
Now coming to the business plan,
it has to be very comprehensive but at the same time not very lengthy. My
experience says a business plan between 35-40 pages can capture the essence of
the business. The difference between an average and great business plan is in
the quantification of the business model, accurate financial forecasts,
understanding of the market and layout and design of the plan. Yes, the
investor wants to read your plan in details but please do not give him a plan
with 100 pages of write-up and no clear storyline to follow. He may have shown
interest initially but the length of the plan can turn him off. Details like large tables, any data elements
set should ideally be plugged in the Appendix. The plan should be structured in
a way so that it captures the essence of the business, market requirements and
the financials in a crisp fashion. The flow of the Business Plan should be such
that the investor finds it interesting to read.
Finally, if I were to speak on
the layout of the plan, I think it is one of the most important aspects. I have
seen investor presentations of large well funded companies and they really
stand-out in terms of their layout and design. The designer should create a
visually attractive design and render the final output in .pdf. Tools like
InDesign are great to create the final product.
All these above factors when they
come together can create a great business pan and make a difference between
funding and rejection.
The success of some of the leading
companies that we know by name today started from a great business plan. Therefore,
we should always take this task on highest priority and deliver a great looking
plan to investors.We are
working with different companies across segments to help them with creating their business plan. If you are looking for a professional business plan that can get the discussion going with investors, drop in a line at info@intelligentq.co.in
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