FormFactory

  • Home  / 
  • Blog  / 
  • Business Planning  / 

Download a Free Business Plan Template

What is a business plan.

The written plan of goals you want to achieve with your business, and how you want to achieve them, is called a business plan. It is a decision-making tool used when beginning or extending a venture.

Any new business requires a business plan to ensure that the business can make a profit. Fund-seeking entrepreneurs use a formal business plan to convince investors to contribute towards the capital of the business.

Existing businesses – looking to expand or change the business – also use business plans to prospect for new business, attract key employees or deal with suppliers. By revising their business plan regularly, existing companies can devise strategies to manage their companies better.

Most commonly, a business plan is used to apply for a bank loan to fund a business. To learn how to create a business plan for a bank in South Africa, see FNB and Standard Bank’s business plan guidelines. You can also download Standard Bank’s free business plan template in Word or PDF format.

A business plan consists of three primary parts:

  • The business concept – details about the industry, the structure of the business, the product or service and the strategy for the success of the business.
  • The marketplace section – an analytical description of potential customers and the strategy for achieving success against competitors.
  • The financial section – the income and cash flow statement, balance sheet and other financial information.

The length of a business plan varies depending on the nature of the business and the purpose of the business plan. Typically, a business plan is 15 to 20 pages long. It usually details the goals for the business for the next three to five years.

An important part of compiling a business plan is in-depth research into the market and industry. Try to gain as much insight into the market you are targeting by talking to business owners, suppliers, potential customers, existing customers, staff members, business experts, etc. Also, research the industry online.

Business plan format

Although there are several types, the key components of all business plans are essentially the same. The format varies based on who the intended reader of the business plan is. Here is an example of a standard business plan format:

1. Table of Contents (1 page)

The table of contents page should include the correct page numbers of the sections of the business plan. Therefore, it is best to write this page last. In addition to the table of contents page, the plan must also have a cover and a title page.

2.  Executive Summary (2 pages)

The purpose of the executive summary of a business plan is to entice the reader to read the rest of the plan. The executive summary is an overview of the key aspects of the plan. It should be compelling but also concise.

The executive summary should include:

  • the business concept (a description of the business, product, market and target market);
  • key financial aspects (sales, profits, cash flows, investment returns and capital requirements); and
  • a short company overview (type of company, date formed, owners and key personnel and achievements).

3. Company Overview (1 – 2 pages)

This section is a high-level overview of the company and the industry in which it operates. It is a description of the business, the product and the industry.

The following should be included in the company overview:

  • The name of the company and the type of ownership and registration;
  • Details about the business location (address, zoning, reason for choosing location, monthly rentals, etc.)
  • Significant assets and financial contributions to the business;
  • The mission statement of the business;
  • Company objectives and goals;
  • The main features of the industry in which the business will operate;
  • The most important company strengths and core competencies;
  • An explanation of the product, target market and profitability of the plan.

4. The Opportunity, Industry and Market Description (2 – 3 pages)

The research you conducted will come into play in this section. This section offers a detailed explanation of the market and industry and the business’ position therein.

They key is to determine who your target market is through a market analysis. Then clearly explain how your products/services will fulfil the needs of your target market. A market analysis also helps to determine pricing, distribution strategies and growth potential within the industry.

Describe the following:

  • The opportunity – the gap in the market;
  • The industry – the forces affecting the industry (i.e. obstacles to entry, customers, suppliers, substitute products and competition); and
  • The market – insights into the target market (i.e. size, growth and trends).

5. Strategy (1-2 pages)

Detail your positioning strategy and how the business will compete in the chosen market. In other words, what is unique about your product/service and how will the target market benefit from what you have to offer.

6. Business Model Explanation (1 page)

The business model depicts how the business will make money/profit. A business model covers the following aspects:

  • Sources of revenue;
  • Costs involved in generating the revenue;
  • The profitability of the business (revenue minus costs);
  • The investment required to get the business up and running; and
  • Success factors and assumptions for making the profit model work.

7. Management and Organisation (2 pages)

The biographies of the members of your management team and their roles in the business. Who will be responsible for running the business and why are they well-suited to the task?

This section should include:

  • The founders of the company and their qualifications and experience;
  • The day-to-day management team and their individual competencies and responsibilities;
  • The type of support staff needed to run the business; and
  • An organisational chart to show the management hierarchy.

8. Marketing Plan (2 – 3 pages)

The marketing plan is a comprehensive explanation of your marketing strategy. In other words, how will you sell your service/product to your target market?

Your marketing plan should include:

  • The value of your product/service to customers;
  • A detailed description of the target market;
  • How you want your target market to perceive your product/service;
  • The pricing strategy for the product/service;
  • Sales and distribution channels that will be used to get the product/service to the customer; and
  • The promotion strategy (budget, public relations activities, promotions, advertising, etc.).

9. Operational Plan (2 pages)

The operational plan is a description of how the business will function. Include a description of the following:

  • The operating cycle – how the business will deliver the service or create and sell the product;
  • How skills and materials will be sourced;
  • Which tasks will be outsourced and how business relationships will be managed; and
  • The cash payment cycle of the business.

10. Financial Plan (3 – 5 pages)

A very important part of any business plan is the financial plan. It is a reasonable projection of the company’s financial future.

A good financial plan will determine how much capital the business needs to launch and/or grow. This section is especially important to potential investors and banks – who will determine the odds for the continued survival of the company based on this information.

A financial plan should include:

  • Start-up expenses and capital: What it would cost to start/grow the company and how the money will be generated.
  • Profit and loss projections/income statement : Financial sales and expenses projections (i.e. income, cost of goods, gross profit margin, net profit, total expenses, etc.).
  • Cash flow projection: Reflects how much cash will be needed to cover expenses and when it will be needed. The cash flow projection amounts to a profit or loss at the end of each month or year.
  • A balance sheet: A summary of the business’ equity, assets and liabilities.
  • A break-even calculation

Income statements and cash flow projections must be generated for every month of the first year, every quarter of the second year and annually for every year thereafter. The balance sheet is only generated on an annual basis.

Short summaries of the analyses of the income statement, cash flow projection and balance sheet must also be included. Do not include too much detail in this section. Additional projections, charts and calculations must be added to the Appendix.

11. Appendix

Additional reference documents are included in the appendix. This could include:

  • Brochures and advertising materials;
  • Industry studies and market research;
  • Plans and blueprints;
  • Photos and maps of location;
  • Magazine or other articles;
  • Detailed lists of equipment owned or to be purchased;
  • Copies of leases and contracts;
  • Letters of support from future customers;
  • List of assets available as collateral for a loan; and/or
  • Detailed financial calculations and projections.

Find more business plan examples and templates from Entrepreneur Magazine .

Related Documents

Download a Free Research Proposal Template

Download a Free Project Plan Template

Download a Free Competitor Analysis Template

Download a Free Gap Analysis Template

Download a Free SWOT Analysis Template

Download a Business Case Template

Download a Budget Template (Excel)

Download a Marketing Plan Template

Download a Free Business Proposal Template

Download a Free Company Profile Template

Download an Organogram Template (Organisational Chart)

  • Starting a Business
  • Growing a Business
  • Small Business Guide
  • Business News
  • Science & Technology
  • Money & Finance
  • For Subscribers
  • Write for Entrepreneur
  • Tips White Papers
  • Entrepreneur Store
  • United States
  • Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
  • United Kingdom
  • South Africa

Copyright © 2024 Entrepreneur Media, LLC All rights reserved. Entrepreneur® and its related marks are registered trademarks of Entrepreneur Media LLC

A Free Business Plan Example to Launch Your South African Business This free Business Plan example provides you with a sample business plan as well as guidance on how to write a business plan and important sections to include in your plan.

By Catherine Bristow Scott May 28, 2019

You're reading Entrepreneur South Africa, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

It pays to plan.

Research conducted by Harvard Business Review found that "entrepreneurs who write formal plans are 16% more likely to achieve viability than the otherwise identical non-planning entrepreneurs."

Simply put, writing a business plan could make the difference between business success and failure – which is why planning now could pay dividends as your business gets off the ground.

But where do you start when writing a business plan? In this comprehensive business plan example, we provide you with what to include in your business plan and a sample business plan to help you to create a compelling plan for your start-up.

1. Executive Summary

If you have seven seconds to make a strong first impression in person, an Executive Summary will be the make-or-break section of your business plan – so make this section count.

As a brief outline of your company's purpose and goals, the Executive Summary should generally take up 1 to 2 pages of your business plan. Some key components to include in your business plan are:

  • A company description
  • A brief summary of your products or services
  • The company objectives
  • A short but thorough overview of the market
  • A justification for viability, particularly "why now?"
  • A snapshot of your business's growth potential
  • A short description of the organisation team
  • Your marketing plan
  • Financial projections

Importantly, your Executive Summary must clearly depict the Problem, the Solution, and carry a sense of timeliness – why now should your business be considered as the solution to solve this problem.

NOTE: The following Business Plan Example is based on a fictional company. Figures will not reflect the exact financials of a similar company.

Example of a Business Plan Executive Summary

business plan south africa template

Snug Sneakers is a sneaker shoe range based in Cape Town that currently focuses exclusively on selling locally produced men's and women's custom sneakers.

The business was founded by David Smith and Stewart Bruce, who have both been working within the retail industry for over 20 years, David Smith, a serial entrepreneur has also founded successful brands – Creative Caps and women's cycling brand Pedal Power.

The brand is currently selling online, however has also recently diversified to selling in independent shoe shops.

The company is projecting to sell R2 million in year 1 and R8 million in three years' time. Additionally, there are expansion plans within year 2 to set up distribution networks in Johannesburg, and Durban in the early part of year 3.

Both David and Stewart are social entrepreneurs at heart and believe in providing sustainable jobs for impoverished communities.

As such, the company has started a recycling and training academy in Khayelitsha, where consumers can return old sneakers that are then repaired by Khayelitsha residents and donated to those in need of shoes. This also provides learners within the academy with shoe-making and recycling trade skills.

Industry research has shown that, on average SA consumers own 4 pairs of sneakers, with 4 in 4 consumers indicating that shoe fit and sizes vary across brands.

3 in 4 consumers indicated that their number one concern when purchasing is having to "settle' for the best fitting shoe, despite the fit not being 100% correct.

Based on these and additional industry research statistics, the company's sneaker products are driven to provide the best shoe fit, with the tagline of "shoes that fit so good, you'll never go barefoot again.'

The main competition to Snug Sneakers comes from 1 local brand, SuperStars, and 2 overseas brands Sassy Sneakers and Rock Your Sneakers.

Although SuperStars supports sustainable use of local manufacturers, the competitor does not provide custom fit sneakers. Sassy Sneakers and Rock Your Sneakers both offer custom fit sneakers, both brands are manufactured in China and do not promote sustainable, social conscious value propositions.

The primary means of marketing will mainly be focused on digital marketing, through evidence-based approaches, including search engine optimisation, Google Ads, Facebook Advertising as well as utilising social media channels that have proven very popular for the company, including Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

The locally sourced raw materials, which include cotton, rubber and leather, will be supplied from a sustainable cotton mill and tannery in the Limpopo Province.

Funding for the company was derived through the 2 founders, as well as private investment.

2. Business Overview and Objectives

business plan south africa template

Creating an overview of your business when you are already established makes it easier, but it may be a little harder when you're either just starting out or haven't even kicked off your operations yet.

When you're just starting out, think about your products and services as your starting point.

  • What will you be providing your market with?
  • How will you be sourcing/ producing these items?
  • What do you need to have in place before you can start selling your products?
  • Who will be distributing/ manufacturing your products?
  • Importantly, who will your target market or customer be?

In our example business plan, Snug Sneakers serves both retail and online customers, although the bulk of the business is through their online clientele.

This means that Snug Sneakers will need a secure e-commerce platform and a website that has carefully considered the user journey when buying custom sneakers.

The company will also need employees to assist with technical challenges, customer support, and warehouse staff for the packing and distribution of their products.

Similarly, you would need to consider the following when identifying their business objectives:

  • What industry will you operate in?
  • Who will be your customer?
  • What is the problem that you will be solving?
  • How will you solve this problem?
  • Where will my business be located?
  • What equipment and resources will I need within my business?
  • What type of employees do I need?
  • How will I differentiate my offering from my competitors?

After answering these questions, you will have a better understanding of what it is that you will be offering and what you need to make it happen. A summary of these points will make up your Business Overview and Objectives for your Business Plan.

Example of a Business Overview and Objectives

Snug Sneakers, based in Cape Town South Africa, is focused on providing sustainable, locally produced custom footwear to South Africa, and internationally through its e-commerce platform and local distributor network.

Founded by entrepreneurs David Smith and Stewart Bruce in December 2017, from Stewart's garage, Snug Sneakers grew exponentially within 1 year from 5 online purchases a month to an average of 200 per month within 12 months.

From the company's rapid growth, it became very clear to the founders that there is a gap in the South African market for locally produced, quality sneakers.

The founders' vision for Snug Sneakers is to become a socially conscious, sustainable brand that supports the South African economy by buying 80% locally produced raw materials.

Additionally, the duo noticed a gap in the market where consumers were looking for custom-fitted shoes and remain loyal to the brand that fit them best. To this end, Snug Sneakers offers a wide range of shoe sizes including quarter and half sizes to ensure that all customers find the right snug fit for their feet.

The overarching philosophy and ethos for the company are:

  • "Soul sneakers' that allow customers to purchase sneakers that promote social consciousness.
  • "South African sourced' sourcing locally produced raw materials that provide job sustainability.
  • Superior sneakers' ensuring that customers still get a high-quality product that outmatches popular brands in workmanship and quality.

Company Status

Snug Sneakers was registered as a PTY (Ltd) on 1 December 2017. The main directors are David Peter Smith and Stewart Owen Bruce. Company shares are held by the founders.

The company currently operates out of rented commercial property in Blackheath, Cape Town.

Company Objectives

Snug Sneakers is currently selling custom sneakers primarily through its online store https://www.snugsneakers.co.za , with market penetration nationally, and highest market penetration in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Sporadic orders have also been received from the USA and the United Kingdom.

The company has also partnered with 3 independent shoe and clothing retailers focused on selling locally-sourced South African apparel.

The company has identified a 2 phased upscaling approach for growing sales and operations:

  • Increase online sales by 40% within a 6-month period of 2019
  • Increase brick-and-mortar retail partnerships from 2 stores in Cape Town to an additional 4 stores in Johannesburg by year end.
  • Increase online sales by 50% by end of year 2020
  • Explore opening up a brick-and-mortar store in the Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Cape Town
  • Increase brick-and-mortar retail partnerships to include 1 store in Durban.

3. Products and Services

business plan south africa template

In this section, you will be unpacking your product and services offering, especially your key product differentiation from your competitors. Importantly, in this section you will also need to validate why your product is needed by your customers.

If you have applied for any patents, copyrights, or trademarks, you would also include these in this section.

Products and services that already exist may not need a deep analysis of what they are within your business plan.

However, if you're creating a completely new product or service (if you were the first Uber of the world), carefully detail in this section what your product is about, it's uses and the value it brings to the market so your readers will be able to evaluate the value of your product and services.

Some important aspects to cover include:

  • The anticipated timeline to bring your new product to the market.
  • What differentiates your product or service from those already available in the market.
  • What will your operating costs be and profit margins.
  • How will you source/ manufacture your product.
  • How will the product be distributed to customers.

Example of Products and Services

Snug Sneakers will provide a line of custom sneakers for both men and women. The main product lines include:

  • Casual Range: Everyday sneaker footwear
  • Active Range: Active gym range of sneakers
  • Fashion Forward Range: Formal but funky range of sneakers

Current pricing of the sneakers as follows:

  • Casual Range: R550
  • Active Range: R950
  • Fashion Forward Range: R850

Competition

There are three main competitors that have been identified within the market. These include:

Local competitor:

1. SuperStars 40% locally made raw materials, with 60% of the raw materials originating from China. The brand however does not provide custom-fit sneakers.

Foreign competitors:

2. Sassy Sneakers are based in Australia, with the product line produced in China. The company offers custom fit sizes, however customers have to pay extra for the custom fit and product quality is low.

3. Rock Your Sneakers is a US based company, with the product line produced in China. The company offers some custom fit sizes, however the sizes are limited and the product is only available to South African's online and with a long lead time to delivery.

Snug Sneakers products have a unique differentiator within the market:

  • A greater range of custom fit sizes ranging from ¼ - to half sizes as well as broad and narrow width ranges.
  • The company will be the only brand within South Africa to offer 80% locally manufactured sneakers.
  • Quality of the products is superior to the current locally-made competitor, due to locally sourced high-quality raw materials.

Future Products

The company has also been looking into introducing a line of sneaker care products to assist customers in increasing the longevity of their purchases.

4. Competitive and Market Analysis

business plan south africa template

Providing evidence that there is demand for your product or service is one of the most critical components of your business plan. Key to this is understanding your market and your competition within that market.

Embarking on market research requires you to have a deep understanding of what your market is and the opportunities inherent within it. You should be able to define:

  • Target Market. The types of customers you will be targeting with your product or service.
  • Market Need. If there is demand for your products and services and whether this is increasing or declining.
  • Competition. The positioning of your competitors in the market and how you will differentiate your offering from them.
  • Barriers to Entry. What will prevent someone else from providing the same offering or better.
  • Regulation. Regulations that will be applicable to the industry that your business will be operating in.

Example of a Market Analysis

Target market.

With our initial line of casual, active and fashion forward sneakers, we're looking to target the following consumer segment:

  • Age: 16 -36
  • Digital Savvy: Researching and shopping online is part of this customer's DNA. The target market is also very active on social media platforms such as Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.
  • On Trend: Fashion forward and looking to illustrate their unique personalities, the target market is always looking for fashion to express their uniqueness.
  • Social Consciousness: The target market is proudly South African and are highly conscious of the socio-economic issues and have a keen desire to take part in improving the SA economy, uplifting communities and supporting local initiatives.

Market Need

According to a Global View Research Marketing Report, the global athletic and leisure footwear market size was valued at USD 67.8 billion in 2017. The report found that this value is expected to expand at a CAGR of over 8.0% from 2018 to 2025.

The ever-growing awareness with regards to the health benefits of sports and fitness activities, as well as an expanding retail e-commerce sector globally, including increasing levels of disposable income amongst millennials are estimated to be the key reasons for increasing market growth in this market.

Additionally, the Global Sneaker Market 2018 Industry Trends and Sales report found that although the global brands reported increased profit margins in 2017, these have decreased by 1.5% from 2016.

On the other hand, independent Sneaker retailers have reported a 15% increase in sales, particularly online, in 2017, indicating that consumers are moving away from global brands to pursue lesser known boutique footwear retailers.

  • SuperStars is based in Johannesburg and provides sneakers with 40% locally made raw materials, with 60% of the raw materials originating from China. The brand however does not provide custom-fit sneakers.
  • Sassy Sneakers are based in Australia, with the product line produced in China. The company offers custom fit sizes, however customers have to pay extra for the custom fit and product quality is low.
  • Rock Your Sneakers is a US based company, with the product line produced in China. The company offers some custom fit sizes, however the sizes are limited and the product is only available to South African's online and with a long lead time to delivery. (Repeated above)

5. Marketing/Sales Strategy

business plan south africa template

You're on the right track when you have established that there's a market for your product and service and you have identified who your target market is quantifiably, but how will your market segments know to look out for or even buy your product and services?

This is where your marketing and sales strategy comes into play.

A well-defined marketing strategy goes beyond simply advertising your product and service – it includes a deeper understanding of how your customers will view your brand, what is the best way to reach your customers, the benefits that your customer will receive from using your service or buying your product.

Your marketing strategy must also include the budget for your marketing and sales efforts, whether you will require sales staff to sell your products and offer post-sales support, as well as how you will measure your marketing and sales efforts to evaluate their effectiveness.

Example of a Marketing Strategy

Marketing plan.

  • Search Engine Optimisation : Our website pages will be optimised for search engine rankings, with the objective to rank within the top 3 search positions for keywords "custom sneakers", "custom size sneakers" and "custom made sneakers".
  • Paid Search : Snug Sneakers will be investing in Google Ads and Facebook Advertising and well as Programmatic Advertising to increase landing page conversion rates.
  • Social Media : We will be establishing a targeted social media strategy to increase followers across the social media platforms that have shown the highest engagement with the target market. High frequency posts will be created target at highest engagement times to increase engagement and brand awareness.
  • Business Network : We will partner with independent apparel and footwear retailers to drive link building and link sharing both on website and on social media.

Customer Value Proposition and Value Differentiator

Although there is one locally produced sneaker competitor within the market, the founders believe that the customer value proposition being brought to the market is a unique offering and therefore a strong differentiator within the market.

The founders are cognisant that without this differentiator, the only differentiator will be price, which will ultimately have a negative impact on profit margins.

As a unique differentiator and value proposition, Snug Sneakers provides customers with Sneakers with South African Sole, leveraging the Proudly South African heritage and support for local initiatives to help grow South Africa's job economy and promote community upskilling and learnership programmes.

Additionally, Snug Sneakers will ensure that the quality of the products far outweighs those of global brands manufacturing in China. The most important differentiator, however is the ability to custom size shoes to each individual's unique size requirements.

6. Staffing and Operations

business plan south africa template

Strategy is irrelevant without execution – which is where your Operations Plan comes into play in your business plan. How will you serve your customers, while keeping your operating costs low enough to make sufficient profitability?

Your Operations Plan will detail how you will manufacture, staff, fulfil and stock your products, including your day-to-day operational requirements. Ultimately, this section describes how you will run your business.

Some questions to answer in this section include:

  • Where will your operations be based?
  • What is your management structure?
  • What are your staffing requirements?
  • What equipment, facilities and supplies will you need?
  • How will you establish your suppliers?
  • What will be the operational changes required should your company grow?
  • What will your production methods entail?
  • How will you service/ deliver goods to customers?
  • What regulatory requirements must be in place? (Licences, permits etc.)
  • How will you manage your inventory levels?

Example of Staffing and Operations

Management team.

David Smith is a serial entrepreneur who founded successful and well-known brands Creative Caps and women's cycling apparel Pedal Power.

David graduated from Stellenbosch University with a B Comm in Economics and went on to study an MBA at GIBS Business School. David heads up Snug Sneakers as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Stewart Bruce has worked in the retail industry as a Senior Designer for well-known retail brands, including Puma and Sketchers.

With over 20 years' experience in designing active and casual footwear, as well as sourcing and overseeing materials for the product range, Stewart brings excellent experience to the management mix as Chief Design Officer.

7. Financial Projections

business plan south africa template

The bottom line counts the most when it comes to writing your business plan.

Without the numbers to prove whether your business will be profitable or not, potential investors or lenders will have a difficult time objectively deciding if your business will be a sound investment.

Aside from persuading potential investors, crucially, the numbers that you have crunched will also indicate whether you have a viable business.

There are five basic reports or cash projections to include in your business plan:

  • Income Statement
  • Balance Sheet
  • Cash Flow Statement
  • Operating Budget
  • Break-Even Analysis

It's important to come up with credible financial projections for your business to illustrate that it is feasible.

One way to tackle this section is to break down the figures into various components, such as by sales channel or target market segment.

At this stage, you won't be able to supply exact figures, because you're still estimating your future financials, but by breaking down your guesses into components you will be able to determine a more realistic figure for each component, rather than hazarding guesses as a whole.

The business plan should be an ongoing, living document that can be used as your guide for running your business. It requires continuous adjustment as your business changes and grows.

Entrepreneur Staff

Sales Enablement - Content Division Manager

Catherine Bristow Scott is the Content Division Manager for Entrepreneur South Africa. With specialist expertise in developing SEO content, effective sales enablement content to drive lead generation, as well as digital strategy, Catherine brings an in-depth understanding of developing both written and video content to assist businesses in remaining competitive and growing their revenue.

Most Popular Red Arrow

A pool scouts franchise offers a low investment and highly scalable opportunity.

The pool service industry is a high growth market with more than 10 million residential pools in the USA.

This Couple's Weekend Side Hustle Began With a $50 Facebook Marketplace Purchase — Now It Earns Millions of Dollars a Year: 'You Don't Need Money to Start'

Doug and Sara Taylor just wanted to make the perfect chocolate chip cookie — but it led to multimillion-dollar dessert business.

How to Motivate Your Sales Team to Keep Your Customers Happy and Business Growing

From the acquisition right through to the point of sale, the process of building an impenetrable sales team isn't complex but it is calculated.

17 Essential Tools for Entrepreneurs

Powerful, low-cost technology is readily available to make starting and growing your business if not easy, at least possible.

What Is Elon Musk's New Master Plan For Tesla? Original Blueprint Disappears From Tesla's Website After 18 years

Tesla seems to have removed Musk's original master plan (and the follow-up) from its website.

How Successful People Work Less and Get More Done

Shifting gears on the weekend to relaxing and rejuvenating activities is essential for any successful entrepreneur.

Successfully copied link

business plan south africa template

BizBolts

  • Business Plans
  • Business Ideas
  • Business News
  • Business Tips
  • Testimonials
  • Terms And Conditions
  • REFUND POLICY
  • DELIVERY POLICY
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • WHATSAPP SUBSCRIPTION

Select Page

PRE-WRITTEN BUSINESS PLANS FOR SOUTH AFRICA (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL): COMPREHENSIVE VERSION, SHORT FUNDING/BANK LOAN VERSION AND AUTOMATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Posted by BizBolts | All Articles , Business Plans

PRE-WRITTEN BUSINESS PLANS FOR SOUTH AFRICA (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL): COMPREHENSIVE VERSION, SHORT FUNDING/BANK LOAN VERSION AND AUTOMATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We have several payment methods which you can use to buy the business plans.

Payment Method 1 (Visa card, Mastercard, Credit card, Debit Card) – R500

To purchase the business plans using Visa Card/Master Card click here: Business Plans Store . After you have purchased, you will instantly see the download link for the business plan package on the screen. We will also email you the download link. Click the button below to purchase business plans using Visa Card/ Mastercard.

South Africa Business Plans

The business plan package is a zipped compressed file containing the PDF, Word and Excel documents. To open the package after downloading it, just right click, and select Extract All. If you have any problems in downloading and opening the files, email us on [email protected] and we will assist you.

Payment Method  2 – (Instant EFT – FNB, Absa, Standard Bank, Nedbank, CapitecBank, Investec, TymeBank and African Bank. )

500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
850.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00

Other Payment Methods

  • Cash deposit into our FNB Company Bank Account
  • EFT Transfer to our FNB Company Bank Account

Call/Whatsapp us on +27606334830 for the other payment methods. (Whatsapp us by clicking the link https://wa.me/27606334830 ). Email: [email protected] .

Testimonial 3

The business plan has a highly professional look and feel. The research really helps me look deep into the market that I am targeting, it’s well suited for the South African market. The business plan clearly outlined everything I need to start the business and the costs. It’s now easier to budget and plan. Thank you very much.

Testimonial 4

The business plan was very helpful, you did a great job of taking ideas and putting them into words as well as pointing out other aspects of the business plan I wouldn’t have thought of. I got funding using your business plan and it’s now 4 months since I started my poultry business, and everything is going well.

Testimonial 1

Many thanks to the BizBolts team for putting together a fantastic business plan, I could not have done this business plan on my own. I managed to get funding from investors to start my butchery business using your business plan.

Testimonial 5

The BizBolts poultry business plan led us down the path from start to finish. Contact details of suppliers of key requirements were included in the business plan. It helped us crystallize our strategy, and the business plan was well received by the bank.

Testimonial 7

Thank you BizBolts for the business plan. I received the business plan immediately after payment, it was money well spent ! I was able to easily edit the business plan. After using the BizBolts business plan, I can wholeheartedly recommend their products and skills.

Testimonial 2

I am extremely pleased with the business plan and financial statements. The business plan is very detailed & it meets my requirements. I feel better equipped with tools that can help me secure funding.  I would have no hesitation of recommending your business plans to other people.

Testimonial 6

It is with excitement and pleasure to inform you that I have been successful in securing a loan from my bank. This would not have been possible if not for the BizBolts Business Plan. Thank you for your help, my dreams are now coming true.

About the Business Plans

We decided to introduce the South African business plans after noting that many South Africans were venturing into businesses without a full understanding of the industry, market, how to run the businesses, the risks involved, profitability of the businesses and the costs involved, leading to a high failure rate of the start-ups.

Our business plans will make it easier for you to launch and run a business successfully, fully knowing what you are going into, and what’s needed to succeed in the business. It will be easier to plan and budget as the business plans will lay out all the costs involved in setting up and running the business. They are designed uniquely for the South African market.

USES OF THE BUSINESS PLANS (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL)

These business plans can be used for many purposes including:

  • Raising capital from investors/friends/relatives
  • Applying for a bank loan
  • Start-up guide to launch your business
  • As a project proposal
  • Assessing profitability of the business
  • Finding a business partner
  • Assessing the initial start-up costs so that you know how much to save
  • Manual for current business owners to help in business and strategy formulation

CONTENTS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS PLANS (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL)

All our pre-written plans include, but not limited to:

  • Market Analysis
  • Industry Analysis
  • 5 Year Automated Financial Statements [ Income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, monthly cash flow projections (3 years monthly cash flow projections, the remaining two years annually),break even analysis, payback period analysis, start-up costs, financial graphs, revenue and expenses, Bank Loan Amortisation]
  • Marketing Strategy
  • Risk Analysis
  • SWOT & PEST Analysis
  • Operational Requirements
  • Operational Strategy
  • Why some South Africans in that type of business fail, so that you can avoid their mistakes
  • Ways to raise capital to start your business in South Africa

All our agriculture pre-written business plans include technical aspects of how to keep and rear the animals / farm the crops. They also include a mini-directory with contacts which will prove to be helpful in launching and running the business. E.g. for broiler poultry we will provide the contact details for South African suppliers of feeds, equipment, day old chicks, abattoirs, training companies etc)

The Business plan package consist of 4 files

  • Business Plan – PDF file (Comprehensive – Between 70-105 pages)
  • Business Plan – Editable Word File (Comprehensive – Between 70-105 pages)
  • Business Plan Funding Version – Editable Word File (Short version for applying for a loan – between 35-50 pages)
  • Business Plan Automated Financial Statements – (Editable Excel file)

The financial statements are automated. This implies that you can change an item eg unit price, and all the other financial statements will automatically adjust to reflect the change.

Advertisement

About The Author

BizBolts

BizBolts (Pty) Ltd is a business research company based in Johannesburg, South Africa. We sell prewritten business plans for various industries including livestock production, crop farming and retail businesses. BizBolts also publishes articles on business ideas, business news, business tips, personal finance, and entrepreneur profiles.

Related Posts

Profitable Education Business Ideas In South Africa

Profitable Education Business Ideas In South Africa

April 29, 2022

Starting Cabbage Farming Business in South Africa – Business Plan (PDF, Word & Excel)

Starting Cabbage Farming Business in South Africa – Business Plan (PDF, Word & Excel)

November 10, 2023

Basetsana Kumalo Entrepreneur profile

Basetsana Kumalo Entrepreneur profile

July 31, 2019

How To Register A Small Business In South Africa

How To Register A Small Business In South Africa

February 7, 2021

Follow Us On Facebook

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Save up to 500 Hours on Paperwork 🙌 50% Off for 3 Months. BUY NOW & SAVE

50% Off for 3 Months Buy Now & Save

Wow clients with professional invoices that take seconds to create

Quick and easy online, recurring, and invoice-free payment options

Automated, to accurately track time and easily log billable hours

Reports and tools to track money in and out, so you know where you stand

Easily log expenses and receipts to ensure your books are always tax-time ready

Tax time and business health reports keep you informed and tax-time ready

Track project status and collaborate with clients and team members

Organized and professional, helping you stand out and win new clients

Set clear expectations with clients and organize your plans for each project

Client management made easy, with client info all in one place

FreshBooks integrates with over 100 partners to help you simplify your workflows

Send invoices, track time, manage payments, and more…from anywhere.

  • Businesses With Employees
  • Businesses With Contractors
  • Self-Employed
  • Accounting Partner Program
  • Reports Library
  • Help Center
  • 1-888-674-3175

Download a Business Plan Template

bigboss-freshbooks-logos

Business Plan Template by Being Boss and FreshBooks

So, you’re ready to take the first steps in starting your business – congratulations!

Though you have a lot of work ahead of you, starting and growing a company from the ground up is a bold endeavor. And, if set up correctly it will deliver many things you want out of your professional career, as well as help you achieve some life goals.

Freedom, creativity, control, impact… all of these things are possible with a small business. But only if you start with a clear understanding of yourself, your offering, and the customers you serve.

So, how do you make sure that the business you start will be everything you want it to be? To put you on the right path towards the business you’ve always dreamed of, you need to start with a business plan.

business plan south africa template

To many, building a business plan sounds like a daunting task, but with big ideas and even bigger goals, it’s an important step to ensure you have a clear picture of what kind of company you’re building. A business plan helps you lay a foundation and iron out the details so you have a succinct short-term and long-term idea of what you’re building. If you’re not sure where to start business plan template documents can help.

business plan south africa template

What Is a Business Plan Template and How Can It Help You?

A business plan template is a basic framework for building a powerful business plan document for your new company. With a business plan template, you get a head start on identifying key elements of your business. By identifying these key elements, your path becomes clear and easier to navigate. A business planning template can take many forms, from a series of questions about your skills, offering, customers, and goals to a sample document where you can store information for the kind of company you wish to build.

Whatever the format, a business planner template guides your business planning to keep you focused, help you get clear, and creates a structure for bringing your new ideas into a concise document to guide your actions, as well as present your plans to people you might approach for help, such as investors.

business plan south africa template

Why Do You Need a Business Plan?

To begin, simply writing a business plan is a wonderful way to find clarity, purpose, and a path for your new company, because if we know anything about entrepreneurs, it’s this: you have a gazillion ideas and goals for your new venture. A business plan helps you hone in on the most important and relevant ideas for your new company, and helps you organize those thoughts into a usable plan.

Beyond finding clarity and organizing your ideas, your business plan is a place where you set goals for yourself and your business, as well as predict any struggles you may face to reach those goals. Additionally, business plans lay out a clear strategy for reaching those goals, setting you on the right path from the very beginning.

sign up for freshbooks

Also, there are several key elements you must understand about your new business before you begin. You need to have a clear understanding of the products and services you offer, who your dream customers are (aka your target market), and who your competitors are (through doing a market analysis). You also need to see if your business idea is even viable by doing financial projections, which will determine if the product or service you offer is actually capable of creating enough income (aka revenue) to cover expenses (aka cost).

Because an offering that doesn’t make money isn’t a business, it’s a hobby. With all of this information laid out, business plans act as a concise rundown of all the major parts of your business, which you’ll use to go from idea to small business and beyond. This detailed summary of the business you’re starting includes a plan for actually making it happen. Trust us: there’s a bit of magic that comes from getting clear on these aspects of your new business because from clarity comes power, and with power… nothing will stand in your way.

How to Structure a Business Plan

A business plan that you’re using for your own clarity and purposes can look like anything you want – include the elements that are important to you, write it on a series of napkins if you want to, or add as much creative flair as you need to inspire you to get it done. Then get started with your business. The important thing is that you simply get it down “on paper” so that you have the information you need to effectively provide the product or service of your business to those in your target market so that you can begin reaching your goals.

But, if you’re wishing to seek funding for your new business, whether that’s from a bank, from an investor, or even from your family, it’s very important that you have a plan with a clear structure and with key elements presented. That way not only you will find clarity in the direction and purpose of your new business, but others can see it as well.

A traditional business plan begins with a broad overview of your new company, including your business mission and goals, and moves into being more detailed, with your first steps of action, along with plenty of information in between. Your plan is a product of lots of research about your industry, your ideal customer, and your offerings. It also represents in-depth planning, by outlining your skills and how you’ll grow them, how much it’s going to cost to get started, and financial projections for your first years. This plan will come together in a single document with clear organization that you can access anytime to keep you focused on taking just the right next step on your path.

business plan south africa template

What Goes Into a Business Plan?

There are several key elements that go into a complete and thorough business plan. With these elements, you have a complete picture of the company you’re here to start, which will become an invaluable resource as you begin taking your first steps, as well as when you begin checking-in in the coming months and even years. These elements include:

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Think of your executive summary as your birds-eye view of your company. It’s a summary of all other elements included in your business plan, and is the first (and sometimes only) element looked at by investors.

2. MISSION + VISION

Why are you starting your business? What do you imagine it being in 5 years? In this section of your business plan you share the reasons behind your business and where you see it going in the near and distant future.

Laying out clear goals for your business will give you context for all the work ahead. Think about business and life goals, and create goals for the short-term (6-12 months), mid-term (12-24 months), and long-term (24 months +).

Business Plan Template

4. SKILLS + EXPERIENCE

Think of this section as a personal resume; what skills and experience do you have that will be relevant for this venture, but also what skills do you need to grow or gain to make you a valuable asset to your new business?

5. PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Now we begin getting to the meat of business plans: a clear description of your products and/or services, including what they are and how you will be delivering them to your clients or customers. This should include description, deliverables, benefits for your customers, and price.

6. TARGET MARKET

You know what you’re doing, but who are you doing it for? Getting very clear on your dream customers, the group or groups of people you will be serving with your business is an important element for shaping your product or service correctly, as well as marketing effectively.

7. INDUSTRY/COMPETITION

An understanding of your industry (24-hour gyms, or bakeries, or web developers) and your competition is important to crafting the right product or service, and making sure your idea is viable.

8. OPERATIONAL PLANS

In order to get your business off the ground, what do you need? Perhaps it’s a few hires, or sourcing some information or products; whatever you need, this is where you lay it out.

9. MARKETING PLAN

With a full layout of what you’re selling and who you’re selling it to, it’s time to get an understanding of how you’ll get your offering in front of the right people with a clear marketing plan.

10. SALES FORECAST/FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS

How effectively do you think your marketing will be? How long will it take for you to meet your goals? Through financial projects, you’re able to see the work you have to do to meet your version of success.

11. START-UP EXPENSES

Finally, what do you need to get the ball rolling? A clear understanding of your start-up expenses is imperative for jumpstarting your business towards success.

business plan south africa template

Find Your Community

You’re on your way! Being the boss of a business you built for yourself is highly gratifying, especially when your actions align with your values, which is what this business plan template will help you do. And if you need help fleshing it out, let me walk you through it step-by-step in this special episode of the Being Boss podcast.

You’re almost there, complete the form below.

Smallstarter Africa Logo

100 Free Sample Business Plan Templates for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses

business plan south africa template

Looking for free sample business plan templates? You’ll find plenty here. For FREE! 🙂

It’s one thing to have brilliant business ideas or be keen to explore interesting business opportunities . But until you have a good business plan, you may never be taken seriously.

The biggest problem most entrepreneurs have with writing a business plan is that they don’t know where or how to start.

If you’re one of those who’s looking for a simple, effortless and straightforward way to write a great business plan, today’s your lucky day!

This article contains a long list of free sample business plan templates that will give you the easy start you really need to write your own business plan. Just look for a sample that suits your business and tweak it until it’s yours!

Copy, edit and use; it’s that easy!

In my experience, a business plan is not always the long, complex and scary document you think it is. Depending on your target audience (banks, investors, business plan competition), a business plan can be as simple or complex as you want it.

The list below covers a wide range of businesses. Whether you’re planning for a night club, used car sales, wedding planning or child day care services , you’ll find a business plan sample for any kind of business you can think of.

If in the end, you don’t find a sample plan for the business you want, visit the 500+ Business Plan Samples to see more.

— — — — — —

Your journey starts here; just scroll down the page to see all the plan titles and a summary of the businesses. When you find a sample you like, click on the ‘ Read Full Business Plan ’ link to view the full plan on our affiliate site.

1.    Night Club Business Plan

The Spot is a new night club that will focus on attracting the students of State University, with a student population that exceeds 22,000 and growing by 15% each year. The night club will be located one block away from the main campus. Read Full Business Plan  

2.    Hair & Beauty Salon Business Plan

Trend Setters is a full-service beauty salon dedicated to consistently providing high customer satisfaction by rendering excellent service, quality products, and furnishing an enjoyable atmosphere at an acceptable price, value and relationship.  Read Full Business Plan

3.    Spa Health Club Business Plan

Visions (VS) is a socially and environmentally conscious health club that is concerned not only with physical beauty but also with mental well being. It is a health club with environmental and social concerns that sets it apart from other clubs; all products used are plant safe and cruelty free.  Read Full Business Plan   

4.    Bed and Breakfast Hotel Business Plan

The long-term goal of Coach House Bed and Breakfast (Coach House) is to become the best choice on Tybee Island, Georgia for temporary lodging by creating a differentiated experience capitalizing on personal service, the historical nature of the Coach House building, and its unique location in one of the most attractive parts of the Old South.  Read Full Business Plan  

5.    Plumbing Business Plan

Water Tubes Plumbing is a plumbing company that has chosen residential new homes as its preferred niche. Water Tubes will be able to handle any service request for plumbing of volume home builds or custom new homes.  Read Full Business Plan  

6.    Painting Contractors Business Plan

Barnum Painters will provide top-quality interior and exterior residential and commercial painting services. The principal officers of Barnum Painters believe that most companies in this industry suffer two major problems : poor scheduling of job projects and poor retention of quality employees. We intend to change the way these are done and excel in both areas.  Read Full Business Plan 

7.    Home Interior Design Business Plan

Hamlin and Park Design will offers a wide range of interior design services to meet any client’s needs in our business area. Our services will include : On-site consultations; Project survey & analysis; Space planning & furniture arrangement; Design concepts; Finishes & furnishings; Custom designs; Purchasing, delivery, & installation; Project coordination & management.  Read Full Business Plan  

8.    Furniture Manufacturer Business Plan

Trestle Creek Cabinets will be formed as a cabinet company specializing in custom cabinets for the high-end residential, resort, and commercial market. Its founders have extensive experience in the construction and cabinet industry.  Read Full Business Plan  

9.    Equipment Rental Sales Business Plan

Equipment Rental, Inc. (ER) is a company that sells and rents heavy equipment such as bulldozers, backhoes, excavators, and trenchers as well as small home use and construction equipment such as tillers, augers, and chain saws.  Read Full Business Plan 

10.    Building Construction Business Plan

Concrete Installation LLC plans to become the leading provider of concrete formwork services in the area. This means always having the best and most efficient facilities, processes, and people. Read Full Business Plan  

business plan south africa template

11.    Construction Repair Business Plan

HodgePodge Sealcoating Company is a service provider that offers crack filling and sealcoating to residential customers. Sealcoating protects asphalt driveways by filling the cracks and coating the surface of the driveway, protecting it against the weather.  Read Full Business Plan

12.    Computer Consulting Business Plan

Calico Computer Consulting shall provide fast and reliable technical assistance to small office computer users. The keys to success for CCC are marketing and networking, responsiveness, quality, and generating repeat customers. The initial primary service offered will be hourly technical aid, although retainer contracts and projects will be considered in the future growth.  Read Full Business Plan   

13.    Wedding Consultant Business Plan

TLC Wedding Consultants is a full service company that provides complete consulting services for weddings , holy unions and anniversaries. Our services include weddings, honeymoons, receptions, anniversary consultations, budget planning, answers to etiquette questions, as well as full-service referrals to florists, hair stylists, entertainers, musicians, etc.  Read Full Business Plan  

14.    Business Consulting Business Plan

Growth Management and Strategies (GMS) is an ambitious innovative new company that is attempting to turn the small business consulting business on its head. With an experienced consultant at the helm as President, GMS intends to grow at more than 50 percent per year through solid customer service, a great sales plan, proven competitive strategies, and a group of people that bring dynamic energy to the company and the sales process.  Read Full Business Plan  

15.    Seminar & Training Business Plan

Advanced Linguistic Pontificators is a leading seminar and training program company led by a best-selling author. Advanced Linguistic Pontificators will be targeting medium- and large-size companies and corporations. Pontificators will quickly reach profitability and achieve $79,000 of net profit by Year Two.  Read Full Business Plan 

16.    Marketing Strategy Consultant Business Plan

The Cambridge Strategy Group (CSG) , is dedicated to providing marketing and management consulting services to small and emerging businesses looking for opportunities to increase their potential for success. Unlike traditional management consulting firms that focus on analyzing problems for large customers, CSG works exclusively with small business clients to develop concrete, practical, short-term action plans that will start moving their businesses in the right direction.  Read Full Business Plan

17.    Day Care Business Plan

Safe Kids Child Care is a start-up organization that provides day care services to families living in the surburbs of a large city. This mid-sized child care facility serves children from three months to six years of age. Safe Kids’s services are safe and secure, providing the parents with an excellent place where their children can be taken care of.  Read Full Business Plan

18.    Child Care Business Plan

The Toddler Warehouse is a full-service child care/development facility that cares for toddlers from age three to five. The Toddler Warehouse will be concentrating on the upper end of the market: which is made up of double-income professional parents.  Read Full Business Plan 

19.    Diaper Manufacturer Business Plan

Baby Nappies World plans to enter and penetrate the baby nappies and sanitary pads market. Baby Nappies World is poised to take advantage of the impressive growth rate and minimal local competition in this market. It will have a dedicated and experienced staff, excellent order procurement, and effective management and marketing.  Read Full Business Plan

20.    Movie Theater Business Plan

The Falls River Theatre will provide the residents of Falls River with a long-awaited, hometown movie theatre. The films shown will be second run releases of the most popular movies in two target markets: families and young adults.  Read Full Business Plan 

21.    Parenting Centre Business Plan

A Mother’s Place is a new company targeted to open in downtown Santa Cruz. We will provide a family-friendly environment with high quality customer service to meet the daily emotional, physical and social well-being needs of mothers, young children and other family members. Read Full Business Plan

22.    Recreation Center Business Plan

Play Time for Kids has identified the family entertainment industry as its primary interest and the company has focused its efforts on the development of one or more family entertainment centers (FEC) to provide quality family entertainment activities to the communities in the Our County, Big City area.  Read Full Business Plan

23.    Tutoring Service Business Plan

Bryan’s Tutoring Service offers a wide range of academic subjects. Sessions can be set up as private or students may form groups for tutoring. Private sessions offer intense individual assistance, but groups sessions can also be beneficial with decreased economic costs and the use of team-based approach that the business program encourages. Read Full Business Plan 

24.    Educational Software Business Plan

Third Degree I.D. designs, develops, and markets instructional products and services for the corporate, education , government, and healthcare e-learning industries. It provides a core deliverable of programs, courses, and learning objects for the distance education, distributed learning, and e-learning markets.  Read Full Business Plan  

25.    Driving School Business Plan

Markam Driving School (MDS) offers a wide range of driver services. It is ultimately the goal of the company to be a one-stop facility for all driver needs, including registration, licensing, etc., but at this time Markam mainly offers private and commercial driver education in the Seattle, WA area. MDS is positioned as a low-cost facility with excellent service. Read Full Business Plan  

26.    Computer Software Business Plan

FoodFun Lifeskills Instructional Software (FoodFun LIS) is a start-up organization whose vision is to create the finest education/entertainment software for non-reading individuals with developmental disabilities. The software product is designed and created for the special education industry. It will be constructive by teaching certain lifeskills and will be fun to use, encouraging the student to use it as often as possible.  Read Full Business Plan  

27.    Teachers Employment Agency Business Plan

Teacherafterschooljobs.com is a new job search website that is designed to provide teachers with part-time or seasonal employment, supplementing their current income. The site will be effective in matching educated, mature, responsible educators with employers in need of their part-time or summer assistance. Read Full Business Plan  

28.    Agriculture Farm Business Plan

Botanical Bounty is working hard to become a leading producer of botanical plants for the natural supplement industry as well as plant nurseries. By leveraging a well thought-out business plan executed by a skilled management team, Botanical Bounty will generate over $216,000 in sales in the next three years.  Read Full Business Plan  

29.    Agriculture Fruit Farm Business Plan

Farmers Group is a company whose mission is to provide high quality, nutritional, and flavourful vegetables and strawberries for consumption in both near and remote areas. Additionally, the company will provide high quality planting materials for use nationwide.  Read Full Business Plan 

30.    Coffee Export Business Plan

Silvera & Sons prepares green Arabica coffee beans grown in Brazil for exportation to American specialty roasters and sells to wholesalers on the Brazilian market. Our coffee stands out from the competition. We prepare the top five percent, in terms of quality standards, of all Arabica beans on the market. Our customers seek this product as it provides them with a point of differentiation to specialty roasters. Read Full Business Plan  

31.    Wholesale Juice Business Plan

Oasis Juice is planning to expand its operation to include distribution to stores within the entire state.  Owner funding and internally generated cash flow will enable most of the expansion plans.   The company will also secure a $100,000 short-term loan.  Sales projections for the next three years are based on current sales success with the target customer base.  This plan will result in sales revenues growing to $1.2 million by Year 2.  Read Full Business Plan  

32.    Feed and Farm Supply Business Plan

Latheethen Feeds , Inc. is a well-established custom feed store. The company is engaged in the production of custom livestock feeds , bird feed, deer feed, and other animal products in relation to livestock animals, pets, etc. Latheethen Feeds, Inc. has recently expanded its production facility (custom mill) and is well-positioned to market its workroom production beyond its present client base.  Read Full Business Plan 

33.    Workout Gym Business Plan

The Mountain Brook Fitness Center is a thriving business-person’s club but is also one of the only family-focused clubs in the Monroe area. Fifty percent of our members are under the age of 45 and have young children. Currently, the center has 900 members. A center membership is $800 a year. The Mountain Brook Fitness Center wants to add an additional 300 members with families over the next three years.  Read Full Business Plan  

34.    Fitness Equipment Business Plan

Circuit Fitness Importing is a start-up business that has become the exclusive importer of the Wega Corporation’s innovative Esercitazione Diritta (Exercise Standing) fitness equipment. Circuit Fitness Importing is poised to receive the exclusive license to sell this patented equipment, already very popular in Europe, in the U.S.A.  Read Full Business Plan  

35.    Martial Arts School Business Plan

Cents and Sensibility will be a value-priced taekwondo martial arts school serving its customers in our community by providing several programs for a variety of purposes, ranging from basic martial arts, to self defense, to esteem and life skills building, and more.  Cents and Sensibility Martial Arts School plans to enhance its programs as it expands, developing new programs to ensure the students have as much access to the different aspects of Songahm Taekwondo as possible.  Read Full Business Plan 

36.    Physical Fitness Gym Business Plan

Ladies Only Fitness is a women-only health club that creates a personalized environment for women to pursue their fitness goals.  We have the best equipment and the best training program in this arena. We prepare our clients for success because we have the best weight-management program.  Positive Lifestyle Systems is a truly responsible and effective weight-management program. We offer this program with confidence. It is unbeatable.  Read Full Business Plan  

37.    Wholesale Bicycle Distributor Business Plan

Wheelie Deals is a wholesale distributor that serves the retail bicycle industry.  Wheelie Deals will carve out a focused niche within this industry, providing closeouts, last-year models, and fairly-used bicycles.  Currently, most of the large wholesalers will occasionally have a closeout to offer, however, the availability of special deals is spotty.  Wheelie Deals will quickly become the #1 source to provide retail shops with above average margins. Read Full Business Plan  

38.    Clothing Manufacturer Business Plan

New Look is a recent start-up manufacturer of an upscale clothing line targeted at males between the ages of 20 and 40. New Look not only develops the clothing line , but supports it with advertising and promotion campaigns. The company plans to strengthen its partnership with retailers by developing brand awareness. New Look intends to market its line as an alternative to existing clothing lines, and differentiate itself by marketing strategies, exclusiveness, and high brand awareness.  Read Full Business Plan 

39.    Cosmetics Manufacturing Business Plan

Bluespa is a company that has created a brand concept consisting of both skin care and athletic apparel utilizing multiple channels of distribution. We are seeking recurring investment to fund the growth of the brand, and position the company for an IPO. This plan shows how Bluespa will reach profitability in our third year of operation and generate shareholder return on equity within five years.  Read Full Business Plan  

40.    Plastics Recycling Business Plan

The growing utilization of plastics in industrial and consumer applications, combined with increased consumer awareness surrounding solid waste recycling , has led to an increased demand for recycled plastic resins and products. One of the fastest growing types of collected plastic materials for recycling is polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) from post-consumer beverage and water bottles. Replay Plastics will capitalize on the opportunities in the recycled resin and packaging markets through two main divisions: a Recycling Division and a Packaging Division.  Read Full Business Plan  

41.    Cleaning Products Business Plan

The marketplace for janitorial products and services is changing, both in nature and scope. The consumer is becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of cleaners as the market expands. ChemSafe offers a innovative line of biodegradable, environmentally safe, citrus cleaners to janitorial services, retail outlets and consumers. The product line includes: Automotive cleaners; Industrial cleaners; Degreasers; Hand cleaners; Odour control; Tar remover; Concrete cleaners; Vehicle wash and wax products.  Read Full Business Plan 

42.    Office Furniture Manufacturer Business Plan

Willamette Furniture helps create pleasant and productive office environments with well-designed furniture that incorporates new technology into the classic office mode in which real people can work happily. We are sensitive to the look and feel of good wood and fine furniture as well as to high-powered personal computing. We always provide the best possible value to our customers who care about quality office environments, and we want every dollar spent with us to be well spent.  Read Full Business Plan  

43.    Remodeling Business Plan

Comgate is a custom mill house specializing in creating architectural woodwork in the form of wall paneling, custom cabinets, and other products for the local residential market. After initial losses and several thin profit years of competitive bidding construction projects, Comgate is creating this business plan in order to bring its mission statement into clearer focus. Prior years were characterized by hectic efforts to bid as many jobs as possible. Margins were thin as pricing policy was “flexible” for fear that there would be insufficient work for production staff. Read Full Business Plan  

44.    Retail Furniture Manufacturer Business Plan

Producing and selling furniture is a $12 billion industry.  The focus of the industry is on the affluent customer who can spend upwards of $3,000 on furniture purchases.  In our region, there are fifteen furniture stores that are competing for these customers with deep pockets.  Those customers who can’t afford these high prices are left with a poor selection of inferior products.  Read Full Business Plan 

45.    Specialty Gifts Business Plan

Pink Lady Bug Designs LLC (PLBD) is a provider of high-quality, uniquely crafted chocolates, gift baskets and other fine products that are sold for the purpose of raising awareness and funds for women’s health programs.  Read Full Business Plan  

46.    Pharmacy Business Plan

The Discount Pharmacy’s main goal is to provide prescription medications for our customers at the lowest prices on the market. We will be able to sell prescriptions at reduced prices by carefully maintaining efficiencies in our operations and by targeting a specific segment of the market – those customers who pay for their prescription medications themselves.  Read Full Business Plan  

47.    Laboratory Business Plan

Fargo Medical Laboratories (FML) is a start-up company committed to providing the most convenient, friendliest blood testing service to the physicians of the Main Street Professional Building and the surrounding area.  Read Full Business Plan 

48.    Medical Equipment Business Plan

MedNexis, Inc. (the company) is a medical device development company that has designed and patented medical devices which it plans to produce and market. A magnetic muscle stimulator/field generator has been designed with the participation of leading medical personnel and biomedical engineers. One patent is initially incorporated.  Read Full Business Plan  

49.    Real Estate  Broker Business Plan

While many people hope one day to purchase their own home, cultural barriers and shortages in affordable housing are just two of the issues that can prevent these dreams from materializing. Reed Properties is working to keep these dreams alive. This new real estate brokerage will not only define success by the number of units closed and sales volume but also by whether people were helped in the process.  Read Full Business Plan  

50.    Bakery Business Plan

Jolly’s Java and Bakery (JJB) is a start-up coffee and bakery retail establishment located in Southwest Washington. JJB expects to catch the interest of a regular loyal customer base with its broad variety of coffee and pastry products. The company plans to build a strong market position in the town, due to the partners’ industry experience and mild competitive climate in the area. JJB aims to offer its products at a competitive price to meet the demand of the middle-to higher-income local market area residents and tourists.  Read Full Business Plan 

51.    Catering Business Plan

Sumptuous Cuisine Catering is a local catering company serving both business and private clients within a ten mile radius. Established in 2005, the business has operated a catering kitchen and specialized in full-service catering and event planning for upscale events in the region. The business event management, event staff, a variety of cuisine for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and appetizers, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage service, floral design, space design and decor, musicians and DJs, event equipment and furniture rentals, and other event services.  Read Full Business Plan  

52.    Restaurant Business Plan

New World Delicatessen (NWD) is an eating establishment focusing on heathy, nutritious, and fast food to the local downtown area. The New World Deli will be an upscale deli specializing in a combination of fast hot or cold sandwiches and salads plus specific recipes focusing on the Pacific Northwest cuisine. Based on this distinct menu, New World Deli will follow a differentiation strategy that will provide unique, or hard to find choices to deli patrons.  Read Full Business Plan  

53.    Fast Food Restaurant Business Plan

Fresin Fries is a locally owned fast food outlet that will be positioned as an international franchise through our creative approach to the company’s image and detail presentation. Fresin Fries will provide a combination of excellent food at value pricing, with fun packaging and atmosphere. Fresin Fries is the answer to an increasing demand for snack-type fast food, to be consumed while window shopping and walking around inside a shopping mall.  Read Full Business Plan 

54.    Fine Dining Restaurant Business Plan

Gabri’s Lounge & Restaurant is a 60-seat fine-dining restaurant with a 20 seat lounge. We focus on our New American-Swedish menu with a touch of Asian influence. The menu will be inspired from different countries’ specialties and appeal to a diverse clientele.  Read Full Business Plan  

55.    Food Preparation Business Plan

What’s For Dinner? is an exciting, new business with a unique approach to helping people enjoy home cooked meals with their families. Customers will come to our office location and prepare 12 meals that they pre-select from a menu in a party atmosphere. In two hours, they will have a month’s worth of meals to put in their freezer.  Read Full Business Plan  

56.    Internet Cafe Business Plan

JavaNet , unlike a typical cafe, will provide a unique forum for communication and entertainment through the medium of the Internet. The public wants: (1) access to the methods of communication and volumes of information now available on the Internet, and (2) access at a cost they can afford and in such a way that they aren’t socially, economically, or politically isolated. JavaNet’s goal is to provide the community with a social, educational, entertaining, atmosphere for worldwide communication.  Read Full Business Plan 

57.    Used Auto Sales Business Plan

There is a need in community for a large selection of quality used cars, and Integrity Auto Sales will sell these top-quality used vehicles at a competitive price to customers in the area. The owner and sales manager have over 30 years of combined experience in new and used auto sales. We will continue to develop our excellent working relationship with local dealers and auctions to bring the savings to the customer.  Read Full Business Plan  

58.    Home Accessories and Gifts Business Plan

The Scarlet Tassel is a start-up retail store offering eclectic home accessories and gifts to consumers wanting to create a personalized home environment – that “I’m home” feeling. The Scarlet Tassel plans to cater to middle- and upper-class consumers who look beyond the national home accessory and gift chain stores for those expressions of individual personality and style.  Read Full Business Plan  

59.    Home Decoration Fabrics Business Plan

Interior Views is a retail store offering home decorator fabrics and complementary home accessories and resources. It is now approaching its fifth year in business. This destination store offers the advantages of providing fabrics specifically designed for home decorator use in fabric widths of 54 inches and greater. Over 900 fabrics are available on the floor at any time with more than 10,000 sample fabrics for custom “cut” orders.  Read Full Business Plan 

60.    Gifts, Novelties, Souvenir Business Plan

The Avant-Garde Shop is a retail store specializing in the sale of novelty of various product mix. The store, however, will emphasise the sale of official merchandise of the Avant-Garde brand with a full assortment of apparel, accessories and stationary, as well as other lifestyle related novelties. Read Full Business Plan  

61.    Gift Basket Business Plan

Basket of Goodies (BOG) is a premier gift basket retailer. BOG is concentrating on making gourmet gift baskets out of a wide range of high-quality ingredients. In addition to having several flagship baskets, BOG will also offer the option of a custom basket allowing the customer to choose the ingredients themselves.   Read Full Business Plan  

62.    Family Clothing Business Plan

ReHabiliments is a clothing and apparel business with located in Sandybar Harbour.  The company sells trendy clothing and apparel, such as casual and active wear, head gear, work-out gear, leather coats, and baseball jackets to an international market consisting of individuals of all ages, from all walks of life.  Read Full Business Plan 

63.    Drapery Fabricator Business Plan

Cutting Edge Drapery is a well-established decorators’ workroom. The company is engaged in the production of draperies, slip covers, and other textile products in accordance with the designs and concepts of interior designers. Cutting Edge Drapery has recently expanded its production facilities and is well-positioned to market its workroom production beyond its present client base.  Read Full Business Plan  

64.    Custom-Printed T-Shirts Business Plan

Your T-Shirt! is an exciting new business that allows people to custom design a shirt (specifically the design on the front or back) any way that they would like. By intelligently leveraging cutting edge technology, Your T-Shirt! will harness the power of computer sublimation to allow custom shirt printing in production runs as small as one unit.  Read Full Business Plan  

65.    Convenience Store Business Plan

MillenniumMart is the convenience store of the 21st Century future, fulfilling a need that will continue to exist into the future – the need for speed. MillenniumMart will be the first fully automated, 24 hour convenience store that is more like an enormous dispensing machine than the traditional store.  Read Full Business Plan 

66.    Clothing Retail Business Plan

Mahogany Western Wear is a new apparel store that caters to the African-American cowboy community in Houston, Texas. As our name suggests our focus is to provide western wear apparel and accessories, and position ourselves as the top retail store servicing this particular market.  Read Full Business Plan  

67.    Butcher Shop Business Plan

Parkdale Meats , is a startup specialty butcher shop to be launched in the coming year.  It will sell a wide menu of meats to customers including medium- and high-income residents of Parkdale, as well as high-income residents of neighboring towns, and high-end caterers.  Read Full Business Plan  

68.    Cell Phones Retailer Business Plan

Garbles Cellular Phones is taking advantage of an opportunity to become a highly distinguished and recognized leader in the mobile phone communications industry. It is the goal of our company to become established as the leading distributor of wireless communications services in the metro area.  Read Full Business Plan 

69.    Bridal Shop Business Plan

Moms, Maids, and More is a wedding attire shop like no other. While most retail bridal shops focus on selling wedding gowns, our focus is everything else. We will cater to the mothers of the bride and groom, bridesmaids, and flower girls. In addition, we will provide an array of accessories for all the female members of the bridal party.  Read Full Business Plan  

70.    Automotive Car Repair Business Plan

Mad Keen Motors is a family-owned business located in a suburb of London. It has been under the ownership of the Keen family for 35 years and has grown from a single mechanical repair shop to five locations that deal with body and mechanical repairs, vehicle storage and towing, washing and valeting and used car sales.  Read Full Business Plan  

71.    Recycling Waste Materials Business Plan

Mid-Atlantic Recycling’s area of business will be to collect, recycle/compost, and market waste from municipality waste processing plants for use as a consumer good. Our recycled waste will be targeted toward fertilizer manufacturers, nurseries, landscapers, farmers, government agencies, golf courses, and other.  Read Full Business Plan 

72.    Auto Inspectors Business Plan

Portland Mobile Auto Inspectors is a mobile car inspection service for prospective used car buyers practicing due diligence.  Portland Mobile Auto Inspectors travels around with all of the necessary test equipment to inspect used cars.  Within one to one-and-a-half hours, the inspection is complete and the customer is given a detailed custom printout that indicates the tests performed and the results, thereby indicating the condition of the vehicle.  Read Full Business Plan  

73.    Auto Repair Service Business Plan

Quick and Dirty Auto Repair aims to offer high-quality auto repair services and a full range of auto parts. QDAR focuses on personalized service to its customers by offering convenience and rapid service. Additionally, QDAR is technologically savvy with computerized monitoring of all parts inventory, to ensure that parts are always in stock, while keeping a balanced level of inventory to maximize inventory turnover.  Read Full Business Plan  

74.    Car Wash Business Plan

Soapy Rides will be providing customers with three services: exterior car washing, , interior cleaning, and detailing. Soapy Rides has no true competitors that are trying to offer a high quality service for a reasonable rate. Most are trying to compete on price alone. Soapy Rides’ ability to provide a high quality service, both in regards to the actual washing as well as customer service is all based on their ability to find the best employees.  Read Full Business Plan 

75.    Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services

Like New Carpet Cleaning will sell carpet and upholstery cleaning services to home and condominium owners, building its brand around the fact that it will make carpets look “like new.” To that end, the business will raise $57,500 from outside investors to purchase its delivery van, carpet-cleaning equipment, and develop a unique, service-oriented website which will keep administrative costs low and drive sales through its simple and easy accessibility for the consumer.  Read Full Business Plan  

76.    Catering Company Business Plan

Fressen Catering is a kosher catering company.  Fressen offers creative, colorful, and unusual food options for kosher as well as the traditional standbys.  The service offerings are quite a change relative to the existing kosher catering market which is quite stagnant.  Read Full Business Plan  

77.    Commercial Photography Business Plan

Flash Commercial Photography will serve small and medium-sized businesses and non-profits for all of their studio photography needs by creating beautiful shots that serve the client’s needs, offering excellent service and flexibility with a personal touch, and offering value-added services related to photography.  Read Full Business Plan 

78.    Computer Repair Business Plan

PC Repair will provide computer and technical consulting (repairs, training, networking and upgrade service) to local small businesses as well as home PC users. The company will focus on marketing, responsiveness, quality, and creating and retaining customer relations.  Read Full Business Plan  

79.    Janitorial Services Business Plan

Clean Office Pros is a new cleaning service specializing in office cleaning and serving the Kansas City, Missouri area. The business will sell office cleaning and related services to businesses with office spaces of any size. The business also offers office cleaning, floor treatment, carpet cleaning, and window cleaning for businesses with office space in the Kansas City area.  Read Full Business Plan  

80.    General Freight Trucking Business Plan

Mike’s Trucking Service is a trucking company that aims to be one of the largest trucking companies in the country.  Mike’s is initially focusing on the food industry with plans to diversify into new industries. Mike’s has chosen the trucking industry as the growth prospects are encouraging and stable, with trucking dominating the freight industry in this country.  Read Full Business Plan 

81.    Limousine Taxi Business Plan

San Francisco Limo is a limousine service serving customers with top quality transportation services using late model limousine sedans. San Francisco Limo will generate $52,000 in net profit by year three.  Read Full Business Plan  

82.    Taxi Business Plan

City Taxi is a company whose mission is to provide reliable, timely, and safe taxi cab services by using complete, in-car credit and debit card access, along with computer-aided dispatch. The company will establish its presence in the industry by acquiring an existing taxi cab association, Mighty Cab, a family-owned business that was formed 12 years ago.  Read Full Business Plan  

83.    Used Auto Sales Business Plan

Integrity Auto Sales plans to provide a unique car buying experience to its customers. One that focuses on customer satisfaction first. We understand that vehicle purchasing is a necessary, but sometimes unpleasant experience. Our goal is to provide the customer with an enjoyable, honest service by satisfying individual customers practical transportation needs with a quality product.  Read Full Business Plan 

84.    Personal Event Planning Business Plan

Occasions strives to be the best choice of clients by helping to ease their event planning burden. Through consistent, predictable professionalism, Occasions will ensure a worry and hassle-free event at a reasonable price. By combining old fashioned values, going the extra mile, and using cutting edge event-planning software, Occasions will lead the market, providing the same quality results, every time.  Read Full Business Plan  

85.    Event Planning Business Plan

The Corporate Retreat Professionals (CRP) is an event planning company specializing in corporate customers.  CRP will offer two types of services, retreat training services as well as product launch event planning.  The retreat training services will be either leadership development training or teaming skills training.  For both types of retreats, CRP can take care of the planning of the event, as well as actually hosting the training through the use of one of CRP’s strategic business partners.  Read Full Business Plan

To be continued… We will keep updating this list until the world runs out of sample business plans!

And by the way, if you enjoyed reading this article and you’re thinking of raising capital to start or grow your business, you’ll love Jackpot!, one of the most comprehensive guides ever written for raising funds for any type of business, project, or cause.

Click the banner below or click here to get started with the book.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

About the author: john-paul iwuoha.

' src=

Related Posts

Most businesses fail because they don’t have a soul. Here’s what I mean…

Most businesses fail because they don’t have a soul. Here’s what I mean…

4 Interesting Ways To Improve Your Business In A Down Economy

4 Interesting Ways To Improve Your Business In A Down Economy

These are the biggest players in Africa’s fast-growing e-Commerce market

These are the biggest players in Africa’s fast-growing e-Commerce market

These Are The Top Investors and Organisations Investing in African Businesses

These Are The Top Investors and Organisations Investing in African Businesses

3 Tips for Finding the Right Banking Partner in Africa

3 Tips for Finding the Right Banking Partner in Africa

3 Simple But Powerful Things You Can Do To Raise Capital For Your Business

3 Simple But Powerful Things You Can Do To Raise Capital For Your Business

Get Funded! 50 Organisations That Can Give You Capital To Start and Grow Your Business in Africa

Get Funded! 50 Organisations That Can Give You Capital To Start and Grow Your Business in Africa

5 Reasons Most African Businesses Do Not Survive Beyond A Generation

5 Reasons Most African Businesses Do Not Survive Beyond A Generation

6 Powerful Ways To Steal More Customers From Your Competition

6 Powerful Ways To Steal More Customers From Your Competition

5 Types of Difficult Customers – And How To Successfully Handle, And Probably, Change Them

5 Types of Difficult Customers – And How To Successfully Handle, And Probably, Change Them

Remote Control Manager: 5 Interesting Ways to Run Your Business When You’re Not There

Remote Control Manager: 5 Interesting Ways to Run Your Business When You’re Not There

How to Make Your Customers Love Your Business: Tips from my School Teacher

How to Make Your Customers Love Your Business: Tips from my School Teacher

Macro Finance is the way to go for Africa. An interesting idea from Sangu Delle

Macro Finance is the way to go for Africa. An interesting idea from Sangu Delle

How To Set The Best Price For Your Product: 5 Pricing Strategies Every Entrepreneur Should Know

How To Set The Best Price For Your Product: 5 Pricing Strategies Every Entrepreneur Should Know

How To Start A Successful Business In Africa With $100 or Less. Here Are 5 Entrepreneurs Who Did It!

How To Start A Successful Business In Africa With $100 or Less. Here Are 5 Entrepreneurs Who Did It!

The Power of Business Partnership – How To Start Your Dream Business Even If You Don’t Have Enough Capital

The Power of Business Partnership – How To Start Your Dream Business Even If You Don’t Have Enough Capital

The Secret Tool I Use to Write Business Plans – The Smart and Easy Way…

The Secret Tool I Use to Write Business Plans – The Smart and Easy Way…

How A Business Plan Helped Me Raise Capital of $12,600 to Start a New Business

How A Business Plan Helped Me Raise Capital of $12,600 to Start a New Business

Here Are 5 Powerful Things A Business Plan Will Do For You and Your Business

Here Are 5 Powerful Things A Business Plan Will Do For You and Your Business

Experiencing Low Sales? Here Are 5 Reasons Why Customers Are Not Buying From You

Experiencing Low Sales? Here Are 5 Reasons Why Customers Are Not Buying From You

Business 101: Five Important Concepts Every Entrepreneur Must Understand To Succeed in Business

Business 101: Five Important Concepts Every Entrepreneur Must Understand To Succeed in Business

You Have Been Making A BIG Mistake! 5 Reasons Why You Should Register Your Business NOW!

You Have Been Making A BIG Mistake! 5 Reasons Why You Should Register Your Business NOW!

Has Your Business Stopped Growing? Here Are 3 Tried and Tested Strategies That Will Get It Growing Again!

Has Your Business Stopped Growing? Here Are 3 Tried and Tested Strategies That Will Get It Growing Again!

5 Common Financial Mistakes that Kill Small Businesses in Africa. Number 3 Is the Most Deadly!

5 Common Financial Mistakes that Kill Small Businesses in Africa. Number 3 Is the Most Deadly!

17 comments.

' src=

how do i write a locally wine making business plan

' src=

I like this page it’s so encouraging

' src=

I appreciate the specificity of this post! I think a lot of entrepreneurs just need to see an example of what they’re looking for. Spot on!

' src=

I need a BUSNESS PLANNER Busness plan..

' src=

What exactly do you mean by a ‘Business Planner business plan’? We would love to help you with the information you need if you could make your request clearer.

' src=

Pls I need a business plan on Fish and grasscutter farming. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks

' src=

hie i am looking for help on how to do a cashflow plan for pig farming bussiness thank you..

I think I found a good resource that would help you prepare a cashflow plan for a pig business. It’s called a [b]Comprehensive Guide to Farm Financial Management[/b]

You can read or download it for free at: http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/CGFFM_Preparing_Cash_Flow_Statements

I hope this helps.

Cheers. [b] John-Paul[/b] 🙂

' src=

Please, i need to write proposals to companies in order to let them know that i have a very reliable contact on the importation of a lot of products like, Oil, agricultural , mining, excavating equipments etc, also, cars, buses and lots more…..

' src=

Hi, We are into business feasibility study, report writing, plan development and proposal. contact: [email protected]

' src=

Hello, This article is very enlightening, and I have learnt so much from it. However, I was stuck and needed to write a business plan for my online startup, then I haven’t seen this article. It was a friend of mine who introduced me to a professional business plan developer, and the lady did exactly what I needed. So to cut the long story short, if you are in need of business plan, proposals and others, you can simply contact the lady through this link https://goo.gl/nSqDem

' src=

Hello Guys,Get a good life with this Life Time transforming card .I have being hearing about this blank ATM card for a while and i never really paid any interest to it because of my doubts. Until now i discovered this hacker called Elizabeth. I’ve been reluctant in purchasing this blank ATM card i heard about online because everything seems too good to be true, but i was convinced & shocked when my friend at my place of work got the card from guarantee atm blank card & we both confirmed it really works without delay i gave it a go. Ever since then I’ve been withdrawing $5000 daily from the card & the money has been in my own account. So glad i gave it a try at last & this card has really changed my life financially without getting caught, its real & truly works though its illegal but made me rich!! If you need this card from guarantee atm blank card then here is their email: [email protected] .

Hello Guys,Get a good life with this Life Time transforming card .I have being hearing about this blank ATM card for a while and i never really paid any interest to it because of my doubts. Until now i discovered this hacker called Elizabeth. I’ve been reluctant in purchasing this blank ATM card i heard about online because everything seems too good to be true, but i was convinced & shocked when my friend at my place of work got the card from guarantee atm blank card & we both confirmed it really works without delay i gave it a go. Ever since then I’ve been withdrawing $5000 daily from the card & the money has been in my own account. So glad i gave it a try at last & this card has really changed my life financially without getting caught, its real & truly works though its illegal but made me rich!! If you need this card from guarantee atm blank card then here is their email: [email protected]

' src=

Nice post! Keep up the good work! I’m also a business planner!

' src=

Great Post! You are sharing an amazing post. I really enjoyed reading this post and found very informative. Thanks for sharing and please keep sharing. https://marbleprivate.com/services/

' src=

Awesome list. Very useful

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Business Plan Template for Small Businesses

This Business Plan template can help you with the following – formulate a clear statement of your business mission and vision, put together a roadmap and timetable for achieving your goals and objectives and clear description of your marketing strategies. (Courtesy: New Discovery Business Solutions)

business plan south africa template

Your business plan is the blue-print of your business and provides a roadmap for future development. Your business plan holds a clear statement of your business mission and vision and provides a roadmap and timetable for achieving your goals and objectives

Download the Business Plan template to:

  • Test out a new idea to see if it holds real promise of success
  • Help you obtain financing and attract potential investors
  • Identify and arrange strategic alliances

We are committed to your privacy and will not share information with 3rd parties. Read our full Privacy Policy  here

MORE RESOURCES

img

Calculate a Business Budget Template

img

Tax Year-End Guide for Small Businesses

img

Tech Buyer’s Guide

img

The Small Business Bounce Back Guide

logo

Copyright ©2024 | SME South Africa | Designed and Developed by Adclickafrica

TERMS & CONDITIONS | PRIVACY POLICY

Find Expert Answers

Add sme south africa to your homescreen.

How to create the perfect business plan in 10 steps

Every business needs a plan. But how do you write one? Here are 10 steps to help you get it right.

A business plan written up in a notebook

What is a business plan?

A business plan is the roadmap for a business and shows the overall strategy, goals and vision for success. It shows how a business operates and how it will make money.

It’s different from a business proposal which is a pitch to sell a product or service to a prospective customer.

Why do you need a business plan?

You may be wondering why you need a plan in the first place. After all, you have a clear idea in your mind about what you want to achieve. You know the market, you have the necessary skills. So why do you need a plan?

There are many good reasons. Here are just a few of them:

  • To clarify your ideas: Writing something down gives it structure and substance. Your ideas will be clearer on paper than in your head.
  • To discover and solve problems: The business idea you have in mind may have some holes – you might not have covered everything. This will become much more apparent when your words are on the page.
  • To get feedback from others: A properly written business plan can be shared with trusted people to get their advice.
  • As a formal document: Banks, investors, accountants and lawyers will want proof that you’re serious about your business. A written plan will provide that proof.
  • To guide you as your business grows: A good business plan will keep you on track and focused, even as day-to-day work becomes a distraction.

If you’ve never written a business plan before, it can be a daunting prospect. But these 10 steps will help you create the perfect business plan.

1. The executive summary

This is where you describe your company and the product or service that it will sell. This must be brief, to catch and hold people’s attention.

Try to describe the goal and mission of your business in just a couple of sentences. Work hard at this and try to make it memorable.

Treat this section as an elevator pitch document – it should be succinct and easy to remember.

You can read more about how to create the executive summary in our guide What is an Executive Summary in a Business Plan?

2. Who are your customers?

Do you have a clear idea of the type of people (or businesses) who will buy your product or service? If not, think carefully until you do.

This is one of the first questions any investor will ask you about your business plan. Have your answers ready.

  • Know whether your customers will be consumers or businesses. If they are businesses, who will you target within those companies? Maybe it’s the salesperson, or perhaps it’s the CEO?
  • Determine whether you'll have regular clients or one-off buyers.
  • Make sure you’ve actually spoken to some of your potential customers.

3. Evaluate the target audience

There’s no room for guessing here. You need to identify the people or businesses who will buy from you. Think about the following:

  • Demographics – such as age, gender and social status
  • Firmographics – includes size of the company, revenue of the company and services or products of the company
  • Location – perhaps a specific area, town, or even country
  • Profession – maybe you’re targeting accountants, police or lawyers, for example
  • Groups – such as people with shared interests or habits

The better you evaluate your target audience, the more comprehensive your business plan will be.

4. What are your opportunities?

Successful businesses think big. You might be starting small, but you don’t have to stay that way. So write down the possible opportunities for your business as it grows.

For example, perhaps you’re planning to start by selling over the internet. That’s great, but how will you get traffic to your site? How will people find you online? Will you need salespeople? If not, how will you convince people to buy from you?

As the business grows, is there scope for a bricks-and-mortar retail outlet? What other opportunities will you have if your business grows as planned?

5. Understand the competition

Every business has competition. If you don’t mention yours, investors will think you’re unprofessional – or just plain naive. Be thorough, and list all your existing and potential competitors:

  • Who are your direct competitors – those selling the same products as you?
  • Who are your indirect competitors – those whose market overlaps yours?
  • What will prevent other companies competing with you – what are the barriers to entry?
  • What is your USP (unique selling proposition)? In other words, what’s your point of difference that makes you different from your competitors?

That last point is important. You need to explain how your business will differentiate itself from all the others. That might be based on price, service, quality, range or value. Make sure you spell it out.

6. Build a simple financial plan

All business plans should contain some financial information. This should include the overall costs of setting up your business. For example:

  • Cost to make or buy products
  • Costs for labour and manufacture, including raw materials
  • Employee costs, especially for service businesses
  • Distribution and marketing costs
  • Fixed and variable overheads

Good accounting software will help you create a draft financial model. We’ll look into this in more detail in a future guide. For now, talk to your accountant or bookkeeper for help and advice.

7. Include an outline marketing plan

For this section of your business plan, you need to think about the five ‘Ps’:

  • Pricing – how will you price the end product?
  • Positioning – how does your product or service fit into the market?
  • Promotion – what channels will you use to attract and communicate with customers?
  • Profit – how much do you expect to make per item sold?
  • Place – what are your sales outlets?

8. Plan your operations

Put your vision to one side for a moment. What are the daily tasks that need to be done when running the business? Include all business processes such as manufacturing and packaging. Try to cover all departments too, including sales and customer service.

9. Get the right people

This is one of the most important factors. Think about who you want to hire . How will you find people whose skills complement yours? And how will you convince them to work for you?

Also think about who you want as your business advisors. You'll need people you can trust, to guide and mentor you at times when you need it.

10. Simplicity is the key

Keep it simple. Complex and long documents won’t be read – either by you or by potential investors. A business plan should be brief, relevant and focused (you can use our free business plan template ).

If you find yourself getting carried away while writing, stop and take a break. Then go back and edit what you’ve written. Shorter is better. The core of a good business plan should be just a few pages long.

Plan your business around your strengths

As you write your business plan , keep in mind your strengths – and also any areas for improvement. This will help you construct a plan that makes the most of your abilities, while still being realistic. That's more likely to convince investors that you're serious.

Your business plan is a roadmap for your business – but it's not set in stone. Review it at least once a year and make changes if necessary.

Above all, keep getting feedback from your advisors – official and unofficial ones. With their help, you'll create the perfect business plan that takes you where you want to go.

Xero does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice. This guide has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business or before taking action in relation to any of the content provided.

Download the business plan template

Fill out the form for a downloadable business plan template. Your business plan doc is available as an editable pdf to use again and again.

Privacy notice .

Start using Xero for free

Access Xero features for 30 days, then decide which plan best suits your business.

  • Try Xero for free
  • See all features
  • Domain Prices
  • WordPress Hosting
  • cPanel Web Hosting
  • Windows Hosting
  • Email Hosting
  • Website Builder
  • SSL Certificates
  • Reseller Hosting
  • Transfer Hosting
  • VPS Hosting
  • Managed Database
  • Web Hosting Reliable Webhosting
  • VPS & Cloud Servers Secure VPS and VMs for Application Hosting
  • Dedicated Servers The best dedicated servers for your business applications
  • Cloud Server - South Africa DC Reliable Cloud Servers in South Africa DC
  • Email Hosting Email hosting
  • Reseller Hosting Become a reseller
  • Windows Webhosting Reliable Asp.net Webhosting with MSSQL
  • SSL Certificates Realiable Web Security Solutions
  • DOMAIN ADDON .ZA Redemption price
  • Online Shop Online Shop
  • Website builder Beautiful templates for your website
  • Server Licenses Select yout perfect plan
  • Domain Reseller API Domain Reseller API
  • Bulk Email Servers Proven Email marketing tool
  • 50% Off Shared Hosting For Transfers In Wordpress, Litespeed, Cpanel, Emails, SSD Hosting
  • Domain Search Find the perfect domain name.
  • Bulk Domain Search How many are you look for?
  • Domain Transfer Want to transfer domain to us?
  • Whois Lookup Check who owns a a domain name.
  • Register Login

Visiting from Russia?

How to write a business plan in south africa [ free template].

Ad 1

It is never too early to start planning for your business! This blog post is all about writing a business plan in South Africa. 

We will discuss the various sections of the plan, and how to fill them out. There are also plenty of resources at the end that will help you get started on this important process.

Table of Contents

What is a business plan? 

A business plan is a written, formal strategy that outlines your goals and how to achieve them.

Even the smallest companies need some kind of plan for their future success. 

It is like prepping before you go on vacation: you are not guaranteed any problems will happen, but it helps if you know where all the closest gas stations are just in case there’s an issue with getting more fuel.

The same principle applies here: writing a business plan in South Africa gives you time to think through everything and make sure nothing slips between the cracks.

Why do you need a business plan? 

Business plans give you a chance to assess your company’s strengths and weaknesses. 

When it comes down to the nitty-gritty, business planning is all about making sure that you are prepared for anything in this unpredictable world of entrepreneurship.

What should I include? 

There isn’t one standard format for every company; however, most plans follow these general guidelines: 

  • Executive Summary 
  • Company Description 
  • Mission & Goals Strategies 
  • Financials Appendix 

If sounds intimidating or confusing don’t worry! We’ll go over each section in detail.

How To Write a Business Plan in South Africa

What is an executive summary .

The executive summary is a high-level overview of your business plan, and it’s one of the first things people will see when they are reading through your business plan in South Africa. 

This section needs to be short (about two or three pages) but comprehensive; that means you should include all the critical information here while still keeping it interesting for readers. 

It should do four important jobs: 

  • Introduce yourself and your company 
  • Give background on why you started this project 
  • Describe what you want to accomplish with this document 
  • Highlight any challenges ahead 

Remember, if someone were deciding whether or not to read further, would their decision change based on what they learned from the executive summary alone?

What goes in the company description? 

The company description is a little more detailed than an overview, but not quite as long or involved as the rest of your business plan in South Africa.

In this section, you will want to state what industry you are in and why it is important (how does this help customers?). 

You should also describe how big your market is , where your competition lies, and who will be buying from you.

What do I put in my mission statement? 

Your mission statement highlights your goals for expanding into new markets/products/services. 

It includes details on why exactly yours is a worthwhile venture. 

Think about the reason behind setting up shop: if someone approached you with funding tomorrow would that have anything to do with why you started doing whatever it is you do? 

If not, then your mission statement might need some work.

What are strategies and how should I use them? 

Strategies detail the steps you’re taking to accomplish your goals! 

These can range from building a team to developing new products. 

Ad 2

You don’t want to get too specific here; that is what the financial section is for–strategies are more about giving yourself time management tools so you know when milestones will be reached! 

It also helps if these plans have an element of flexibility in case something unexpected happens along the way.

How much does it cost? 

The final sections of your business plan in South Africa involve numbers: revenue projections, expenses, etc. 

There isn’t one standard format or formula but there are plenty of resources available on how to calculate them. 

Basically, you want your financial section to show how the business will make money and what it will cost to run it!

What else do I need? 

Your business plan in South Africa should also include a cover page (with all of these details on there as well) and an appendix for additional information such as market research or employee resumes. 

With so much involved in creating a successful business plan in South Africa, don’t be afraid if this stage takes a while–just remember that once you have got everything together you are really one step closer to making your dreams come true.

When do you need a business plan?

  • You need a business plan if you are;
  • Seeking funding, investments, or loans
  • Searching for a new partner or co-founder
  • Attracting, hiring, and retaining top talent
  • Experiencing slow growth and need a change

Tips to write a business plan in South Africa that will stand out

A). easy to read.

Make sure your business plan is easy to read and the sections flow together. 

Showcase lots of visuals and charts – these will keep readers’ attention ! 

The goal here isn’t just about getting people interested in what you’re doing, it’s about convincing them that they should invest or buy into your idea too.

b). Keep it brief

Don’t go overboard with the length of your business plan! 

A page a day doesn’t seem like much but by month’s end, you’ll have a sixty-page document that will turn off all but the most dedicated readers. 

Just give enough information to paint a picture and then let it shine through the action

c). Be smart about what you include

The financial section is going to be one of, if not THE most important part of your business plan–don’t forget that! 

It needs concise explanations as well as relevant numbers; don’t just write down random expenses or revenue projections (unless this is how you actually work) because these things need context in order for someone reading this document now to understand them later on when they’re doing their own calculations.

Remember that a business plan in South Africa isn’t just about making your idea look great, it is also about getting you closer to achieving the goals YOU set out for yourself.

Be confident in what you’ve written and make sure any feedback from readers is constructive rather than telling them they should have done something differently if there wasn’t a reason why they did it this way instead.

d). Proofread!

Nothing is worse than typos or grammatical errors in a business plan–it makes you look unprofessional and careless. 

Make sure everything has been double-checked before submitting! 

Remember that this document should be your guiding light throughout the entire process so take care of it as best you can to ensure it’s always working for YOU rather than against you.

Business plan template in South Africa

Even if you don’t plan to seek investments, it is good to write a business plan. There are other reasons for this, use this business plan template in South Africa:

  • Writing out your goals helps you see what you want to accomplish. You can make more of a plan for what to do next.
  • It is a chance to better understand your market (e.g., demographics, behaviors)
  • You can make sure that everyone on your team is doing their job. Set up the roles for each person and tell them how to do these jobs. Make sure you set goals for each person.
  • Team members can also refer to the document to stay on track
  • Catching errors before they happen is important. It helps you make sure financial projections are accurate.
  • You’ll be able to see the problems that could come up in the future.

Final thoughts on how to write a business plan in South Africa

Writing a business plan can be tough, but it’s also one of the most important steps in starting your own company. 

Remember to take care of every aspect and don’t let anyone tell you that their way is the only way.

It doesn’t matter if this is your first time writing or your fiftieth–just make sure everything comes together as soon as possible so you can actually get started on building YOUR empire!

Business Plan Template

Download template.

single-post-featured-img

A business plan template is a document that serves as a framework for entrepreneurs to outline their business goals, strategies, and operations. The template typically consists of several sections that cover different aspects of the business, such as the executive summary, market analysis, marketing and sales strategies, financial projections, and organizational structure.

A well-crafted business plan template helps entrepreneurs to establish a clear direction for their business, identify potential risks and opportunities, and secure funding from investors or lenders. It also serves as a reference document for monitoring progress and adjusting strategies as the business evolves.

Overall, a business plan template is a crucial tool for any entrepreneur looking to start or grow their business, as it provides a structured approach to developing a comprehensive and effective business plan.

Complete the form below to download Template

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

By signing up, you agree to the our terms and our Privacy Policy agreement.

How to Pay DStv Using the Capitec App

Ithuba daily lotto predictions for 23 august 2024, ithuba daily lotto predictions for 22 august 2024.

CoMoney

How to Write a Business Plan (Detailed Template)

Starting a business can be both exciting and daunting. A well-crafted business plan not only acts as a roadmap for your venture but also is crucial when communicating with investors and stakeholders. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential components of a comprehensive business plan, focusing on financial projections and a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis.

Business Plan 101

This template is designed to provide clarity and direction for your business’s journey ahead.

1. Executive Summary

The executive summary serves as the doorway to your business plan, providing a concise and compelling overview that entices readers to delve deeper into your document. It’s crucial that this section is clear, engaging, and reflective of the core elements of your business.

Start with the identity and geographical base of your business. Highlight the uniqueness of your offerings. Describe how your products or services stand out in the market.  Your mission statement should resonate with your business values and vision. It’s not just about what your business does, but why it does it.

State clear, measurable, and time-bound objectives. Whether it’s reaching a certain sales target, expanding product lines, or entering new markets, make sure these objectives align with your overall business strategy.

Offer insights into your market, including size, potential for growth, and the specific segment you are targeting. Mention key trends and customer needs that your business is poised to meet.

Provide a snapshot of your financial outlook, highlighting projected revenue, profit margins, and major cost centers. This should reflect a realistic and viable financial future for your business.

Executive Summary Page Example:

Business Name and Location:

  • Name: [Your Business Name]
  • Location: [Your Business Location] – [Provide a brief description of the location and why it’s advantageous for your business.]

Products or Services Offered:

  • What We Offer: [Describe your products or services briefly, focusing on the unique value they provide.]
  • Competitive Edge: [Explain how your offerings stand out in the market. Mention any innovative features, superior quality, or exceptional services that distinguish your business.]

Mission Statement:

  • Our Purpose: [Your Mission Statement] – [Craft a statement that embodies the core values, vision, and purpose of your business. Make it inspiring and reflective of the impact you wish to have on your customers and the industry.]

Specific Objectives:

  • Short-term Goals: [List your immediate objectives, ensuring they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART).]
  • Long-term Vision: [Outline your aspirations for the future of the business, setting a clear direction for growth and development.]

Brief Description of the Market:

  • Market Overview: [Provide an overview of the market size, growth potential, and dynamics.]
  • Target Segment: [Identify the specific market segment you are targeting. Explain the needs and characteristics of this segment.]
  • Market Trends: [Discuss key trends shaping the industry and how your business is positioned to capitalize on these trends.]

A Summary of Your Financial Projections:

  • Financial Outlook: [Present a snapshot of your projected revenue, profit margins, and major cost centers.]
  • Key Financial Indicators: [Highlight critical financial metrics that showcase the financial health and potential of your business.]
  • Investment Thesis: [If applicable, provide compelling reasons why investors should consider funding your business.]

In summary, [Your Business Name] is strategically positioned to make a significant impact in the [Specific Market/Industry]. Our dedication to [key business value – e.g., innovation, customer satisfaction, quality] sets us apart and aligns with the evolving demands of our target market. We are committed to achieving our objectives and propelling [Your Business Name] to new heights of success.

2. Business Description

A well-crafted business description is more than just an overview; it’s the narrative of your company’s journey, structure, and vision. It provides stakeholders with a clear understanding of what your business stands for and its place in the market.

Describe the landscape of the industry, including its size, growth rate, and main players. Share your business’s origin story – what sparked the idea, how it has evolved, and where it currently stands. Highlight milestones that are crucial to your business’s narrative. Discuss the legal structure of your business, whether it’s a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation, and what that means for the way your business operates.

Identify and articulate the specific needs or gaps in the market that your business addresses. Explain how your products or services provide solutions or enhancements.  What makes your business stand out? It could be your commitment to sustainability, your innovative approach to customer service, or a proprietary technology.

Business Description Page Example:

Introduction:

XYZ Corporation: Pioneering Solutions in the [Industry Name]

At XYZ Corporation, our mission transcends beyond mere operations; it is about crafting a legacy in the [industry name, e.g., technology, healthcare, etc.]. With an unwavering commitment to innovation and quality, we strive to redefine industry standards and create unparalleled value for our customers and stakeholders.

The Industry We Are Entering:

The [industry name] industry is a vibrant landscape characterized by [describe the industry’s size, e.g., “a multi-billion dollar market”]. With a growth rate of [mention growth rate, e.g., “5% annually”], it represents a dynamic and evolving sector. Dominated by key players like [mention main players], the industry is ripe for innovation and sustainable solutions, areas where XYZ Corporation aims to leave its mark.

The History and Current Status of Our Business:

Founded in [Year] by [Founder’s Name(s)], XYZ Corporation was born out of a vision to [mention what sparked the idea, e.g., “revolutionize the way businesses approach cybersecurity”]. From our humble beginnings in [location or context], we have grown into [mention current status, e.g., “a leader in providing cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions”]. Key milestones include [mention significant achievements, e.g., “securing our first patent in 20XX” or “expanding our operations to international markets in 20XX”].

Our Business Structure:

XYZ Corporation is structured as a [mention legal structure, e.g., “private corporation”], enabling us to [describe implications of this structure, e.g., “channel investments directly into research and development and maintain agile, customer-focused operations”]. This structure supports our mission by [mention how the structure supports the business, e.g., “fostering innovation and ensuring swift decision-making”].

The Market Needs That Our Business Will Fulfill:

In a world where [describe a general problem or need in the industry], XYZ Corporation stands as a beacon of progress. We address the pressing need for [mention specific needs or gaps your business addresses, e.g., “more robust and user-friendly cybersecurity solutions”]. Our [products/services, e.g., “state-of-the-art encryption software”] are designed to [explain solutions or enhancements, e.g., “provide unmatched data protection to businesses of all sizes”].

Unique Aspects of Our Business That Give Us a Competitive Edge:

What truly sets XYZ Corporation apart is [mention unique aspects, e.g., “our commitment to sustainability and ethical practices”]. Our [mention a unique selling proposition, e.g., “patented technology”] and [mention another USP, e.g., “customer-centric approach”] position us uniquely in the market, enabling us to [describe the competitive edge, e.g., “deliver unparalleled value and build lasting customer relationships”].

As we move forward, XYZ Corporation remains dedicated to pioneering solutions, driving industry standards, and exceeding expectations, propelling [industry name] into a future where [mention vision or hopeful outcome, e.g., “technology and security move forward hand in hand”].

3. Market Analysis

An insightful market analysis not only highlights the position of your business in the industry but also showcases your understanding of the dynamics that drive it. It’s a blend of research, foresight, and strategic planning.

When discussing the industry outlook, it’s important to paint a picture of the evolving landscape. Understanding your target market is about recognizing the pulse of your potential customers.  Knowing your competitors gives you a strategic edge. Navigating the regulatory environment is crucial for sustainable growth.

Market Analysis Page Example:

Industry outlook.

  • Current Industry Trends: A graphical representation of industry growth over the last five years, highlighting key developments and shifts in market dynamics.
  • Future Predictions: Predictive charts and models showcasing expected industry growth, emerging sectors, and potential market disruptors over the next decade.

Target Market Analysis

  • Demographics and Psychographics: A detailed infographic showing the demographics (age, gender, income levels) and psychographics (lifestyle, values, buying habits) of our target market.
  • Market Needs: Pie charts or bar graphs illustrating the primary needs and preferences of our target customers, based on market surveys and consumer behavior analysis.

Competitive Landscape

  • Competitor Mapping: A strategic map showing key competitors, their market share, strengths, and weaknesses.
  • Market Positioning: A positioning matrix displaying where our business stands in relation to competitors regarding price, quality, and service offerings.

Regulatory Environment

  • Regulatory Framework Overview: A flowchart outlining the primary regulatory bodies and applicable laws affecting the industry.
  • Compliance Strategy: A diagram illustrating our approach to compliance, including risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

The market analysis on your business plan demonstrates our comprehensive understanding of the industry dynamics, target market intricacies, competitive landscape, and regulatory challenges. This section not only underscores our business’s strategic positioning but also sets the foundation for informed decision-making and long-term growth planning.

4. Organization and Management

A clear depiction of your business’s organizational structure is crucial as it outlines the framework of your company’s hierarchy, decision-making process, and the expertise each member brings to the table. This section should be detailed, transparent, and reflective of the company’s culture and operational methodology.

Introduce the business owners by highlighting their background, expertise, and the unique perspective they bring to the business.  Detail the profiles of key management team members, emphasizing their roles, experience, and how their presence strengthens the business.

Clarify the legal structure of your business, be it a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation, and discuss how this affects your operations and growth.

If your organization’s structure is complex, consider including an organizational chart. This visual representation can provide clarity on the hierarchy and reporting lines within your business.

This section of our business plan offers a comprehensive overview of our organizational structure, detailing the framework of our company’s hierarchy, decision-making processes, and the unique value each team member brings. It’s designed to reflect our company culture and operational approach, ensuring clarity and transparency in our internal structure.

Organization and Management Page Example

  • Background: A brief narrative detailing the owner’s professional history, educational background, and relevant experience.
  • Expertise: Highlight the specific skills and industry knowledge that the owner contributes to the business.
  • Vision for the Business: A statement reflecting the owner’s aspirations and strategic direction for the company.
  • Background: … (similar structure)
  • Expertise: …
  • Vision for the Business: …

Profiles of Your Management Team

  • Role and Responsibilities: Define the role within the company, primary duties, and areas of oversight.
  • Professional Background: Summarize their career journey, highlighting relevant experiences and achievements.
  • Unique Contribution: Discuss how their expertise and leadership style contribute to the company’s strengths and culture.

(Repeat structure for each key management team member)

The Legal Structure of Your Business

  • Type of Legal Entity: Clearly state whether your business is a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, corporation, etc.
  • Implications on Operations: Discuss how this legal structure influences your business operations, liability, tax obligations, and growth potential.
  • Ownership and Equity Structure: If applicable, detail the ownership percentages, voting rights, and equity distribution among the stakeholders.

Organizational Chart

  • Visual Representation: If your organization’s structure is complex, include a clear and detailed organizational chart.
  • Hierarchy and Reporting Lines: Ensure the chart accurately reflects the hierarchy of your business, including reporting lines and departmental divisions.
  • Key Positions: Highlight key positions within the company, ensuring clarity in the roles and responsibilities.

5. Services or Products

Your services or products are the heart of your business plan. This section should vividly describe what you’re offering, underlining the value it brings to your customers, and showcasing the innovation and thoughtfulness behind each product or service. Here’s how you can enrich each component:

Provide a detailed description, highlighting the uniqueness and the craftsmanship involved.  Discuss the value your products or services add to the lives of your customers. Explain the journey of your product from conception to the end-user.  Highlight any ongoing efforts to innovate or improve your products or services.

Products or Services Page Example

  • Description: Provide a rich, detailed narrative of the product or service, emphasizing the craftsmanship, technology, or innovation involved in its creation.
  • Unique Features: Pinpoint what sets this product or service apart from competitors, focusing on its unique attributes and benefits.

(Repeat structure for each product/service)

The Benefits They Offer to Your Customers

  • Customer Value Proposition: Discuss how this product or service enriches the lives of customers, addressing specific needs or desires.
  • Testimonials or Case Studies: If available, include customer feedback or case studies to underscore the tangible benefits experienced by users.

The Product Lifecycle

  • Conception: Narrate the genesis of the product or service idea, including inspiration and initial vision.
  • Development: Describe the stages of development, from initial design to final production or implementation.
  • End-User Experience: Detail the journey of the product or service from the end-user’s perspective, from purchase to usage and support.

Research and Development Activities

  • Ongoing Innovations: Highlight any continuous efforts in research and development, aiming at product or service improvement, innovation, or diversification.
  • Future Outlook: Discuss potential future enhancements or iterations of the product or service, reflecting a commitment to growth and customer satisfaction.

6. Marketing and Sales Strategy

A robust marketing and sales strategy is pivotal for the growth and sustainability of your business. It outlines how you plan to attract, engage, and retain your customers, ensuring a steady stream of revenue. Let’s delve into the specifics of how to craft this section effectively:

Outline your approach to reaching your target audience and converting them into loyal customers. Detail the sales tactics you will use to boost your revenue. Provide a realistic projection of your sales over a specific period, based on market research, historical data, and the effectiveness of your marketing and sales strategy.

Marketing and Sales Strategy Example Page

  • Detail how we’ve identified our target market segments, including their needs, preferences, and behaviors.
  • Explain how our marketing efforts will be tailored to resonate with these specific audience segments.
  • Digital Marketing: Outline strategies for online presence, including social media, SEO, content marketing, and online advertising.
  • Traditional Marketing: Discuss the role of traditional marketing channels like print, broadcast, and direct mail in our strategy.
  • Events and Sponsorships: Highlight planned participation in industry events, trade shows, or community sponsorship opportunities.
  • Sales Model: Describe our sales model (B2B, B2C, direct, indirect) and how it aligns with our market and product/service offerings.
  • Sales Channels: Detail the channels through which we will sell our products or services (online, in-store, distributors, etc.).
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Strategy: Discuss how we will manage relationships with potential and existing customers to foster loyalty and repeat business.

The Type of Sales Activities Your Business Will Undertake

  • Direct Sales Initiatives: Outline plans for direct sales efforts, including in-person meetings, presentations, and negotiations.
  • Promotions and Discounts: Discuss how promotional offers and discounts will be used strategically to boost sales during specific periods.
  • Partnership and Collaborations: Detail any plans for partnerships or collaborations with other businesses that could lead to increased sales opportunities.

Your Sales Forecast

  • Data-Driven Projections: Provide a sales forecast for a specific period (e.g., quarterly, annually), based on market research, historical data, and current market trends.
  • Graphical Representation: Include charts or graphs to visually represent the sales projections, making the data easily understandable at a glance.
  • Assumptions and Rationale: Clearly state the assumptions underlying the sales forecast and the rationale behind the projected numbers.

7. Financial Projections

Financial projections are a critical element of your business plan, illustrating the financial future of your business and its capacity for profitability and growth. This section should be meticulously detailed and based on realistic assumptions. Here’s how you can structure it:

Provide comprehensive financial statements projecting the revenue, expenses, cash flow, and overall financial health of your business. Break down the first year’s financial projections to showcase a more detailed and immediate financial trajectory.  Clarify the basis of your financial projections to add credibility. Provide an analysis to show when your business is expected to cover all its expenses and start generating profit.

Financial Projections Page Example:

Income Statements, Cash Flow Statements, and Balance Sheets for the Next Three-to-Five Years

  • Provide annual income statements, projecting revenues, cost of goods sold, gross profit, operating expenses, and net income.
  • Present detailed cash flow statements, showing cash inflows from operations, financing, and investments, as well as cash outflows.
  • Offer projected balance sheets, illustrating the company’s assets, liabilities, and equity at the end of each year.

Monthly or Quarterly Projections for the First Year

  • Break down the income statement monthly or quarterly for the first year to provide a more granular view of expected financial activities.
  • Provide detailed cash flow projections on a monthly or quarterly basis for the first year, highlighting the operational liquidity of the business.
  • Present balance sheets for each month or quarter of the first year, showing the evolution of assets, liabilities, and equity over short-term periods.

Assumptions on Which Your Projections Are Based

  • Discuss assumptions made about market conditions, growth rates, pricing strategies, and customer acquisition.
  • Clarify assumptions regarding operational costs, production capacity, and efficiency.
  • State assumptions made in terms of financing, interest rates, and investment returns.

Break-even Analysis

  • Provide a calculation of the break-even point, demonstrating when the business is expected to cover all its expenses and start generating profit.
  • Include a graph showing the break-even analysis, visually presenting the point where total revenues equal total costs.

8. SWOT Analysis

A SWOT Analysis is a strategic planning tool that helps to identify and assess the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats related to your business. It offers valuable insights that can guide decision-making and strategy development. Here’s a detailed SWOT analysis for Zambezi Crafts:

SWOT Analysis Page Example:

Strengths are internal attributes of Company XYZ that confer a competitive advantage.

  • Innovative Product Line: Company XYZ is known for its innovative approach to product development, consistently staying ahead of market trends.
  • Robust Distribution Network: A well-established distribution network ensures that Company XYZ’s products are readily available to a wide customer base.
  • Strong Financial Health: Solid financial foundations enable sustained investment in growth and innovation.

Weaknesses are areas where Company XYZ needs improvement or faces internal challenges.

  • Brand Recognition: Despite a strong product line, Company XYZ struggles with brand recognition in a crowded market.
  • Dependency on Key Personnel: The company’s success is highly reliant on a few key personnel, whose departure could disrupt operations.
  • Operational Inefficiencies: Certain areas of operation lack optimization, leading to increased costs and reduced margins.

Opportunities

Opportunities are external factors or trends that Company XYZ can leverage to its advantage.

  • Emerging Markets: Expanding into emerging markets presents a significant growth opportunity with a new customer base.
  • Technological Advancements: Adopting new technologies can streamline operations, enhance product offerings, and improve customer experience.
  • Strategic Partnerships: Forming strategic partnerships can open up new markets, enhance product lines, and improve competitive positioning.

Threats are external factors that pose challenges to the stability or growth of Company XYZ.

  • Intense Market Competition: The highly competitive market requires continuous innovation and marketing to maintain market share.
  • Regulatory Changes: Changes in regulations can lead to increased compliance costs or alter the industry landscape.
  • Economic Fluctuations: Economic downturns can lead to reduced consumer spending and pressure on profit margins.

9. Appendices and Exhibits

The appendices and exhibits section of your business plan is where you provide supplementary material that supports and strengthens the main content of your plan. This section adds depth to your business plan, offering concrete evidence of your business’s potential and readiness. Here’s what you should include:

Resumes of Key Managers:

Include detailed resumes of your key management team to showcase the wealth of experience, skills, and qualifications they bring to your business.

Product Pictures or Designs:

Visual elements can significantly enhance the appeal of your business plan.

Marketing Materials:

Marketing materials can provide insights into your branding and marketing strategies.

Legal Documents:

Including necessary legal documents to your business plan ensures transparency and shows that your business complies with relevant laws and regulations.

By including these essential appendices and exhibits, your business plan becomes a comprehensive document that not only narrates the story of your business but also substantiates it with tangible evidence and meticulous detail.

Guide: Company Registration CIPC

Creating a comprehensive business plan with detailed financial projections and a thorough SWOT analysis is a critical step in launching a successful venture. This template serves as a guide to ensure you cover all essential aspects, making your business plan not only a tool for strategic planning but also a compelling document for investors and stakeholders.

Remember, the most effective business plans are those that are regularly reviewed and updated. As your business grows and evolves, so should your business plan.

Related Posts

How to buy airtime on the capitec app.

business plan south africa template

  • Advertising
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

Calculators

  • Personal Loan Calculator
  • Student Loan Calculator
  • Auto Loan Calculator

Popular Topics

  • Savings & Budgeting
  • Branch Codes
  • Finance & Tips
  • Money Transfer

Disclaimer: CoMoney is an information website that aims at making your personal finance decisions a success.

Content in this website are intended for general informational purposes and must not be used as financial advise to address individual circumstances. It’s not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in our website is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!

We are not a credit intermediary or broker of the consumer loans or the other financial product. We do not sell any financial product, provide consumer loans or financial advice. We are neither a bank nor a credit company. We also do not arrange or mediate the conclusion of any contract. We compare the loan offers and credits. We do not guarantee the accuracy of the provided information.

  • Terms of Use

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies to optimise the user experience. Tell me more

Please take note

You are about to leave the Absa website. The content of the website you are visiting is not controlled by Absa. This link is being offered for your convenience and Absa is not responsible for accuracy or security of the information provided. We recommend that you read the privacy policies and terms of the other website. The requested site will open in a new window.

absa

  • Private & Wealth
  • Absa Online
  • Online Share Trading

Wealth and Investment Management

  • Business Online Banking
  • Electronic Mailbox
  • International Trade Finance
  • International Cash Management
  • iMX Extranet
  • Business Integrator Online
  • Absa Investments
  • Cash Self Service
  • Data Security Manager
  • ISO Merchant Onboarding
  • Commercial Online Banking
  • Fleet Management System

business plan

Do it all with a comprehensive business plan

A business plan is a roadmap of your business. It details how your business wants to achieve its goals and should include its operational, financial and marketing strategies.

Enterprise and Supplier Development

Access business support services through our Enterprise Development Centres.

Tell me more

Alternative funding

We offer tailor-made financing solutions to small, medium or micro enterprises (SMEs).

See what we offer

A good business plan should answer the following questions

  • What type of business do I want to run - will I be selling products, services, or both?
  • What products or services will I be selling?
  • Will the business be manufacturing products or buying them from a manufacturer?
  • Will I be in business by myself or in a partnership?
  • How will the business be funded?
  • What market will the business be serving - in other words, who are my customers?
  • Who are my competitors and how will I overcome competition to succeed?

You can use a standard format to draft a business plan

  • Business details - include the name of the business and/or trading name as well as the physical address.
  • Business overview - describe what your business is all about.
  • Business operations - state what you sell as well as how and who you will sell to.
  • Business environment - describe factors that will impact your business, like; sales, customers and debtors.
  • Sales and customers - describe in detail your sales projections, the number of customers you want to attract and their locations.
  • Debtors - state how you will deal with customers when it comes to credit.
  • Creditors/Suppliers - describe how you will relate with suppliers when it comes to payment and deliveries.
  • Competitors - identify your key competitors and describe your competitive advantage over them.
  • Financial review - for a start-up this may not apply but for established businesses include your financial reports, your business’s current financial position and your financial plans going forward.

Need more help?

Let one of our consultants assist you.

Contact your relationship executive.

Call us on:  0800 227 592.

Download the Absa Banking App today

istore-image button click

Latest offers

Find a branch

Safety and security

Market Indices

Self servicing and help guides

App, Online and other banking 

Exchange rates 

Banking rates and fees

Investor Relations

Citizenship

Media Centre

Sponsorship

Personal Banking

Business Banking

Corporate and Investment Banking

Legal and compliance

Terms of use

Banking regulations

Privacy Statement

Switch to Absa

Business debit order switching

Send your feedback

011 501 5050

or 0800 11 11 55

Absa Head Office: Absa Towers West, 15 Troye Street, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, 2000

Terms Of Use | Banking Regulations | Privacy Statement  | Security Centre  | � Copyright. Absa Bank Limited, Registration number 1986/004794/06. All rights reserved |  Authorised Financial Services Provider and a registered credit provider (NCRCP7)

  • Start free trial

Start selling with Shopify today

Start your free trial with Shopify today—then use these resources to guide you through every step of the process.

business plan south africa template

9 Business Plan Examples to Inspire Your Own (2024)

Need support creating your business plan? Check out these business plan examples for inspiration and guidance.

a stock of books on purple background representing business plan examples

Any aspiring entrepreneur researching how to start a business will likely be advised to write a business plan. But few resources provide business plan examples to really guide you through writing one of your own.

Here are some real-world and illustrative business plan examples to help you craft your business plan .

Business plan format: 9 examples

The business plan examples in this article follow this template:

  • Executive summary
  • Company description
  • Market analysis
  • Products and services
  • Marketing plan
  • Logistics and operations plan
  • Financial plan
  • Customer segmentation

1. Executive summary

Your executive summary is a page that gives a high-level overview of the rest of your business plan. While it appears at the beginning, it’s easiest to write this section last, as there are details further in the report you’ll need to include here.

In this free business plan template , the executive summary is four paragraphs and takes a little over half a page. It clearly and efficiently communicates what the business does and what it plans to do, including its business model and target customers.

Executive summary for Paw Print Post detailing the business model and target customers.

2. Company description

You might repurpose your company description elsewhere, like on your About page , social media profile pages, or other properties that require a boilerplate description of your small business.

Soap brand ORRIS has a blurb on its About page that could easily be repurposed for the company description section of its business plan.

ORRIS homepage promoting cleaner ingredients for skincare with a detailed description.

You can also go more in-depth with your company overview and include the following sections, like in this business plan example for Paw Print Post:

Business structure

This section outlines how you registered your business —as an LLC , sole proprietorship, corporation, or other business type : “Paw Print Post will operate as a sole proprietorship run by the owner, Jane Matthews.”

Nature of the business

“Paw Print Post sells unique, one-of-a-kind digitally printed cards that are customized with a pet’s unique paw prints.”

“Paw Print Post operates primarily in the pet industry and sells goods that could also be categorized as part of the greeting card industry.”

Background information

“Jane Matthews, the founder of Paw Print Post, has a long history in the pet industry and working with animals, and was recently trained as a graphic designer. She’s combining those two loves to capture a niche in the market: unique greeting cards customized with a pet’s paw prints, without needing to resort to the traditional (and messy) options of casting your pet’s prints in plaster or using pet-safe ink to have them stamp their ’signature.’”

Business objectives

“Jane will have Paw Print Post ready to launch at the Big Important Pet Expo in Toronto to get the word out among industry players and consumers alike. After two years in business, Jane aims to drive $150,000 in annual revenue from the sale of Paw Print Post’s signature greeting cards and to have expanded into two new product categories.”

“Jane Matthews is the sole full-time employee of Paw Print Post but hires contractors as needed to support her workflow and fill gaps in her skill set. Notably, Paw Print Post has a standing contract for five hours a week of virtual assistant support with Virtual Assistants Pro.”

Your mission statement may also make an appearance here. Passionfruit shares its mission statement on its company website, and it would also work well in its example business plan.

Passionfruit About page with a person in a "Forever Queer" t-shirt.

3. Market analysis

The market analysis consists of research about supply and demand , your target demographics, industry trends, and the competitive landscape. You might run a SWOT analysis and include that in your business plan. 

Here’s an example SWOT analysis for an online tailored-shirt business:

SWOT analysis chart with strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

You’ll also want to do a competitive analysis as part of the market research component of your business plan. This will tell you which businesses you’re up against and give you ideas on how to differentiate your brand. A broad competitive analysis might include:

  • Target customers
  • Unique value proposition , or what sets the products apart
  • Sales pitch
  • Price points for products
  • Shipping policy

4. Products and services

This section of your business plan describes your offerings—which products and services do you sell to your customers? Here’s an example for Paw Print Post that explains its line of custom greeting cards, along with details on what makes its products unique.

Products and services section of Paw Print Post showing customized greeting cards with paw prints.

5. Marketing plan

It’s always a good idea to develop a marketing plan before you launch your business. Your marketing plan shows how you’ll get the word out about your business, and it’s an essential component of your business plan as well.

Business plan sample showing marketing plan for Paw Print Post.

The Paw Print Post focuses on four Ps: price, product, promotion, and place. However, you can take a different approach with your marketing plan. Maybe you can pull from your existing marketing strategy , or maybe you break it down by the different marketing channels. Whatever approach you take, your marketing plan should describe how you intend to promote your business and offerings to potential customers.

6. Logistics and operations plan

The Paw Print Post example considered suppliers, production, facilities, equipment, shipping and fulfillment, and inventory. This includes any raw materials needed to produce the products.

Business plan example with a logistics and operations plan for Paw Print Post.

7. Financial plan

The financial plan provides a breakdown of sales, revenue, profit, expenses, and other relevant financial metrics related to funding and profiting from your business.

Ecommerce brand Nature’s Candy’s financial plan breaks down predicted revenue, expenses, and net profit in graphs.

Bar chart illustrating monthly expenses and direct costs for a business from January to December.

It then dives deeper into the financials to include:

  • Funding needs
  • Projected profit-and-loss statement
  • Projected balance sheet
  • Projected cash-flow statement

You can use a financial plan spreadsheet to build your own financial statements, including income statement, balance sheet, and cash-flow statement.

Income statement template created by Shopify with sales, cost of sales, gross margin, and expenses.

8. Customer segmentation

Customer segmentation means dividing your target market into groups based on specific characteristics. These characteristics can be demographics, psychographics, behavior, or geography. Your business plan will provide detailed information on each segment, like its size and growth potential, so you can show why they are valuable to your business. 

Airsign , an eco-friendly vacuum cleaner company, faced the challenge of building a sustainable business model in the competitive home appliance market. They identified three key customer personas to target:

  • Design-oriented urban dwellers
  • Millennials moving to suburbs
  • Older consumers seeking high-quality appliances

The company utilized Shopify’s customer segmentation tools to gain insights and take action to target them. Airsign created targeted segments for specific marketing initiatives.

Put your customer data to work with Shopify’s customer segmentation

Shopify’s built-in segmentation tools help you discover insights about your customers, build segments as targeted as your marketing plans with filters based on your customers’ demographic and behavioral data, and drive sales with timely and personalized emails.

9. Appendix

The appendix provides in-depth data, research, or documentation that supports the claims and projections made in the main business plan. It includes things like market research, finance, résumés, product specs, and legal documents. 

Readers can access detailed info in the appendix, but the main plan stays focused and easy to read. Here’s an example from a fictional clothing brand called Bloom:

Appendix: Bloom Business Plan

Types of business plans, and what to include for each

This lean business plan is meant to be high level and easy to understand at a glance. You’ll want to include all of the same sections in one-page business plan, but make sure they’re truncated and summarized:

  • Executive summary: truncated
  • Market analysis: summarized
  • Products and services: summarized
  • Marketing plan: summarized
  • Logistics and operations plan: summarized
  • Financials: summarized

A startup business plan is for a new business. Typically, these plans are developed and shared to secure funding . As such, there’s a bigger focus on the financials, as well as on other sections that determine viability of your business idea—market research, for example:

  • Market analysis: in-depth
  • Financials: in-depth

Your internal business plan is meant to keep your team on the same page and aligned toward the same goal:

A strategic, or growth, business plan is a big-picture, long-term look at your business. As such, the forecasts tend to look further into the future, and growth and revenue goals may be higher. Essentially, you want to use all the sections you would in a normal business plan and build upon each:

  • Market analysis: comprehensive outlook
  • Products and services: for launch and expansion
  • Marketing plan: comprehensive outlook
  • Logistics and operations plan: comprehensive outlook
  • Financials: comprehensive outlook

Feasibility

Your feasibility business plan is sort of a pre-business plan—many refer to it as simply a feasibility study. This plan essentially lays the groundwork and validates that it’s worth the effort to make a full business plan for your idea. As such, it’s mostly centered around research:

Nonprofit business plans are used to attract donors, grants, and partnerships. They focus on what their mission is, how they measure success, and how they get funded. You’ll want to include the following sections in addition to a traditional business plan:

  • Organization description
  • Need statement
  • Programs and services
  • Fundraising plan
  • Partnerships and collaborations
  • Impact measurement

Set yourself up for success as a business owner

Building a good business plan serves as a roadmap you can use for your ecommerce business at launch and as you reach each of your business goals. Business plans create accountability for entrepreneurs and synergy among teams, regardless of your business model .

Kickstart your ecommerce business and set yourself up for success with an intentional business planning process—and with the sample business plans above to guide your own path.

Business plan examples FAQ

How do i write a simple business plan.

To write a simple business plan, begin with an executive summary that outlines your business and your plans. Follow this with sections detailing your company description, market analysis, organization and management structure, product or service, marketing and sales strategy, and financial projections. Each section should be concise and clearly illustrate your strategies and goals.

What is the best format to write a business plan?

The best business plan format presents your plan in a clear, organized manner, making it easier for potential investors to understand your business model and goals. Always begin with the executive summary and end with financial information or appendices for any additional data.

What are the 4 key elements of a business plan?

  • Executive summary: A concise overview of the company’s mission, goals, target audience, and financial objectives.
  • Business description: A description of the company’s purpose, operations, products and services, target markets, and competitive landscape.
  • Market analysis: An analysis of the industry, market trends, potential customers, and competitors.
  • Financial plan: A detailed description of the company’s financial forecasts and strategies.

What are the 3 main points of a business plan?

  • Concept: Your concept should explain the purpose of your business and provide an overall summary of what you intend to accomplish.
  • Contents: Your content should include details about the products and services you provide, your target market, and your competition.
  • Cash flow: Your cash flow section should include information about your expected cash inflows and outflows, such as capital investments, operating costs, and revenue projections.

Keep up with the latest from Shopify

Get free ecommerce tips, inspiration, and resources delivered directly to your inbox.

By entering your email, you agree to receive marketing emails from Shopify.

popular posts

start-free-trial

The point of sale for every sale.

Graphic of a mobile phone with heart shapes bubbles floating around it

Subscribe to our blog and get free ecommerce tips, inspiration, and resources delivered directly to your inbox.

Unsubscribe anytime. By entering your email, you agree to receive marketing emails from Shopify.

Latest from Shopify

02 Sept 2024

Learn on the go. Try Shopify for free, and explore all the tools you need to start, run, and grow your business.

Try Shopify for free, no credit card required.

IMAGES

  1. Business Plan Template Free Download South Africa

    business plan south africa template

  2. How To Write a Business Plan In South Africa [ FREE Template]

    business plan south africa template

  3. Business Plans in South Africa

    business plan south africa template

  4. Business Plan Template Word South Africa

    business plan south africa template

  5. Business plan-guidelines-for-south-african-businesses

    business plan south africa template

  6. Business Plans in South Africa

    business plan south africa template

VIDEO

  1. Which Country Will Be Affected More If Nuclear War Comes? || #WorldWar3 || Story Board Full Video

  2. NPC aims to develop the long term vision & strategic plan for SA

  3. What if South Africa made an Empire?

  4. SA Budget Speech: The National Development Plan

  5. THE ULTIMATE SOUTH AFRICA ITINERARY

COMMENTS

  1. Business plan template

    An editable Business Plan, with easy-to-follow instructions covering all the major sections of your business plan: Executive Summary. Company Introduction. The Opportunity. The Industry and market. Go-to-Market Strategy. The Team. Marketing Plan. Operational Plan.

  2. Download a Free Business Plan Template

    By revising their business plan regularly, existing companies can devise strategies to manage their companies better. Most commonly, a business plan is used to apply for a bank loan to fund a business. To learn how to create a business plan for a bank in South Africa, see FNB and Standard Bank's business plan guidelines.

  3. A Free Business Plan Example to Launch Your South African Business

    The company has identified a 2 phased upscaling approach for growing sales and operations: Phase 1: Increase online sales by 40% within a 6-month period of 2019. Increase brick-and-mortar retail ...

  4. Pre-written Business Plans for South Africa (Pdf, Word and Excel

    About the Business Plans. We decided to introduce the South African business plans after noting that many South Africans were venturing into businesses without a full understanding of the industry, market, how to run the businesses, the risks involved, profitability of the businesses and the costs involved, leading to a high failure rate of the start-ups.

  5. Business Plan Template for your business

    Even better, if you're pressed for time, we've compiled the 10 steps and examples into a downloadable (PDF) template. The 10 steps to write a business plan are: Create an executive summary. Compose your company description. Summarise market research and potential. Conduct competitive analysis.

  6. Free Business Plan Template for Small Businesses (2024)

    Shopify's free business plan template includes seven key elements typically found in the traditional business plan format: 1. Executive summary. This is a one-page summary of your whole plan, typically written after the rest of the plan is completed. The description section of your executive summary will also cover your management team ...

  7. Business Plan Template

    A business plan template is a basic framework for building a powerful business plan document for your new company. With a business plan template, you get a head start on identifying key elements of your. business. By identifying these key elements, your path becomes clear and easier to navigate. A business planning template can take many forms ...

  8. Business Plan Templates

    One-page business plan template. Writing about customers, competitors, income, and expenses will build your ideas in a short time. A single-page business plan template is: Included. Easy for you and investors to read and understand. Included. Great for making a start. Included. Helps pin down the main idea.

  9. 100 Free Sample Business Plan Templates for ...

    When you find a sample you like, click on the 'Read Full Business Plan' link to view the full plan on our affiliate site. 1. Night Club Business Plan. The Spot is a new night club that will focus on attracting the students of State University, with a student population that exceeds 22,000 and growing by 15% each year.

  10. Business Plan Template for Small Businesses (PDF)

    Business Plan Template for Small Businesses. This Business Plan template can help you with the following - formulate a clear statement of your business mission and vision, put together a roadmap and timetable for achieving your goals and objectives and clear description of your marketing strategies. (Courtesy: New Discovery Business Solutions)

  11. The Perfect Business Plan

    But these 10 steps will help you create the perfect business plan. 1. The executive summary. This is where you describe your company and the product or service that it will sell. This must be brief, to catch and hold people's attention. Try to describe the goal and mission of your business in just a couple of sentences.

  12. PDF Writing a Business Plan

    The executive summary is the most vital part of the business plan — it has to sell your strategy for success to the investor. ... and your marketing plan, visit the SME Toolkit South Africa on smetoolkit.businesspartners.co.za. Created Date: 10/18/2019 2:16:11 PM ...

  13. How To Write a Business Plan In South Africa [ FREE Template]

    There are other reasons for this, use this business plan template in South Africa: Writing out your goals helps you see what you want to accomplish. You can make more of a plan for what to do next. It is a chance to better understand your market (e.g., demographics, behaviors) You can make sure that everyone on your team is doing their job.

  14. Business Plan Template

    Overall, a business plan template is a crucial tool for any entrepreneur looking to start or grow their business, as it provides a structured approach to developing a comprehensive and effective business plan. ... Innovation Centre, 216 14th Avenue, Fairland, Gauteng, 2195, South Africa; [email protected]; www.mtnsmehub.co.za; Useful Links ...

  15. PDF BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE

    2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. The executive summary is a very important part of your business plan, as the reader will consult it first to get a 'feel' for the document. It should be brief, but should provide the reader with complete overview of the entire business plan. Do not merely list the topics contained in the business plan.

  16. PDF Business Plan Guidelines

    A business plan is a working document that reflects the business strategy of a company, its operating structure, and most importantly, its financial plan. It needs to show the company's strategy going forward, to ... without restrictions in terms of the South African Council of the Valuers Profession (SACPVP) guidelines;

  17. Absa

    Use these downloadable free business templates and start drafting your plan for your small business. We use cookies to optimise the user experience. Tell me more. Dismiss. ... Absa Head Office: Absa Towers West, 15 Troye Street, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, 2000 . Terms Of Use ...

  18. How to Write a Business Plan (Detailed Template)

    This template is designed to provide clarity and direction for your business's journey ahead. 1. Executive Summary. The executive summary serves as the doorway to your business plan, providing a concise and compelling overview that entices readers to delve deeper into your document. It's crucial that this section is clear, engaging, and ...

  19. Absa

    You can use a standard format to draft a business plan. Business details - include the name of the business and/or trading name as well as the physical address. Business overview - describe what your business is all about. Business operations - state what you sell as well as how and who you will sell to. Business environment - describe factors ...

  20. PDF Business Plan Template

    This document is a template of the best of breed content for a typical business plan focused on the small to medium startup business sector. If your business does not fit this profile then please feel free not to use this template. As you work through this document please add, delete and modify it as required by your business.

  21. Business plan 101

    It is a tool that can be used to develop a clear vision for the business, define goals, prove the viability of the business for potential challenges, identify strengths and weaknesses, outline the path your business intends to take to make money and grow revenue, and track progress. Additionally, business plans can be used to secure funding or ...

  22. 9 Business Plan Examples to Inspire Your Own (2024)

    Whatever approach you take, your marketing plan should describe how you intend to promote your business and offerings to potential customers. 6. Logistics and operations plan. The Paw Print Post example considered suppliers, production, facilities, equipment, shipping and fulfillment, and inventory.

  23. PDF Business Plan Template

    011-051-7660. E-mail: [email protected]. Physical address: 146 Main Street Johannesburg. Banking details: Bank: FNB Branch: Mall of the South Account number: 62718376719 Branch Code: 254005. Company History. Maya Security was founded by Gregory Rankin and Victor Muthu in 2012.