Back to Contents
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Section |
Major Topic |
Summary |
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Executive Summary |
Promotional overview of the business objectives, assumptions, approach of the business, success factors, cost and revenue outline. |
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1.0 |
Company Description |
Overview, description of business, ownership information, objectives, location, image |
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2.0 |
Product |
Product or service overview |
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3.0 |
The Market |
Reasons to target intended market, present state and future trends of the market |
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4.0 |
Competition |
Outline of current and future competitors in the market and strategies to compete |
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5.0 |
Marketing and sales plan |
Advertising strategies and how to get to those markets |
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6.0 |
Risks |
Risk assessments – an awareness of what could go wrong and plans to overcome these issues |
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7.0 |
Operational Plan incl. Personnel |
Operational structure and management to deliver product or service, customer base, accounting and audits |
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8.0 |
Financial Plan costs and projections |
Initial and regular costs to consider and future projections |
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9.0 |
Exit strategy |
Plans to exit if leaving, selling, partnering or business closes. |
Although there are unique characteristics of a PDR business, setting up does require a business plan. Unfortunately, there are financial forecast aspects where limited information is available to use a precedence for your business. Coupled with the secretive nature of the finances in this enterprise and given the seasonal nature and reliance of weather, it makes predictability and projections difficult. Perhaps this type of business needs to employ a different approach or at least to be aware of these uncertainties and to plan for it. Fortunately, if planned correctly, the outlay need not be so significant.
When starting any business, it is highly recommended to formulate a business plan. A business plan is an outline of the various factors that need consideration when starting a business. In general, it is a footprint and a projection from what is required to start the business, initial outlay, registrations, research of market share and competitors, the operations of the business, responsibilities of members in the company to the future goals and expected financial targets.
The business plan in a nutshell according to the Australian Business Initiative www.business.gov.au
www.business.gov.au provides a free resource in terms of a business plan template and explanations
- Your business – structure, registrations, location and premises, staff, products and services, operations and sustainability.
- Your market – research, targets, strategies, industry analysis and information on your customers and competitors.
- Your future – vision statement, business goals and key business milestones.
- Your finances – financial projections, interactive startup costing, balance sheet, profit and loss, cash flow and break-even analysis spreadsheets.
In the subsequent modules, the business plan is applied in the PDR context. It is up to each individual to write their own business plan but these modules are provided as an insight into the existing industry and some possible projections based on current trends are explored. An attempt to structure these modules according to the business plan guide.
Below is the basic structure of a business plan and what components to address.
