business plan writer nz

Business Plan Writer New Zealand

A well written business plan is an essential component for any company seeking to raise capital. Our team at Prospectus.com has over 20 years of experience writing business plans and structuring business models for start-ups, later stage and expansion companies, those seeking venture or angel financing all the way to mezzanine and 144A funding, spanning a wide range of industries across the globe. We have been involved in thousands business projects and assisted with business planning, offering and private placement setup, feasibility studies, drafting financial projections, both for private companies and those seeking initial public offerings or listings on a stock exchange.  Our team is a recognized leader in business plan development. In fact, our CEO is the Chairman and Founder of  Borders.org  ( Business Plans Without Borders ), a not-for-profit 501c3 organization which assist low income families as well as refugees and immigrants with business plan writing services and grants.

Our Team’s Business Plan Advisory Services Value-Proposition:

• Our staff are known as one of the most reliable and affordable Business Plan developers in the U.S. and worldwide. Our straight forward and honest assessment of one’s business is one of our strongest characteristics
• Offices and associates in numerous countries, including New York, London, Hong Kong Beijing, Singapore and Seattle
• 1 to 2 weeks’ average time for completing business plans
• Proven track record of saving entrepreneurs thousands of dollars in needless spending while developing the business plan
• Ability to draft your business plan and prospectus or private placement memorandum or offering memorandum for debt or equity offerings or any other service and package    everything as one price
• We are somewhat of a one stop business for most of the startup and later stage company needs.

New Zealand Business Plan Options

There are mainly two types of business plans that are written in New Zealand: capital raising business plans and management or managerial business plans.

Raise Capital with a Business Plan

Most business plans are written with eye towards raising money for their venture. In a business plan that is written for investment capital, the structure of the business plans and therefore the most important point of the document will be the value-added benefit. Information on the products, services and the market will play central roles in the development of the plan, as well as various payout or exit strategies for the investors. Most business plans will focus on either selling equity or debt to investors.

• Equity : In an equity business plan the company seeking funding will sell an ownership stake. If the company is a corporation, they will sell shares or common stock or a variation of them. If the company is a LLC or a Limited Company (which is popular worldwide) interest or units in the company would be offered. Both a form of ownership, just with a different name for each entity. In additional, there are other sweeteners one can add into any business plan offering, including warrants or preferred shares or preferred units or convertible debt.
• Debt : in a debt offering business plan the company will be issuing some type of bond or a note to investors. A bond or note differ only in terms of the length of each security, which bonds being considered a longer maturity date than a note. There are also convertible debt securities that would convert the notes/bonds to equity at a certain fixed point in time. The business plan for bonds would detail the terms, such as the maturity date, interest rate and other vital information.

Managerial Guidance Business Plan

• No Capital Raising : In a managerial or a management business plan, the focus is not on raising money but what strategy a company should employ. While most companies that write business plans do so to raise capital, there are some that simply want to get a second opinion or an outside view of their business. They ask us to write them a business plan for growth opportunities, not to raise money. Said another way, the management of the company wants to see our view and take on their business and what we would do to expand their company.
• Recommendations : A business plan used to simply strategically plan one’s next move is referred to as managerial guidance business plan document. No capital is being raised initially, although sometimes we may conclude that capital should be raised for the company to penetrate or open new markets or opportunities. In the course of research, we may conclude that, in fact, the company should conduct an offering and raise money. We will recommend the amount to raise based on the company’s expansion needs and the company valuation.

3 Levels of Business Plans

Our firm offers various levels of business plan writing service and consulting, including: Level I Start-up Business Plan »

• Prospectus.com’s team consists of industry expert business plan writers. Our Level I Start-up Business Plan can be used for companies raising initial seed funding and getting off the ground. The dollar amount being raised is not of paramount importance.
• The Start-up Plan includes complete financials, potential cash-flow, market analysis and marketing strategies as well as a break-even analysis, and a separate executive summary and much more.

Level II Expansion or Series B Business Plan »

• Prospectus’ Level II Expansion or Series B Business Plan assists companies and entrepreneurs that are seeking to expand or scale their business, including by increasing market share.
• The Level II Start-up Plan helps to define concepts, target markets and market potential, as well as financial clarity necessary to define your concept, identify your market potential, and identify capital requirements. Executive summary included.

Level III Enterprise Business Plan »

• Prospectus’ Level III Enterprise Business Plan serves the need of those later stage and established companies seeking to raise additional capital to expand their businesses, often in the form of issuing debt securities such as bonds or convertible notes.
• The Level III Enterprise Business Plan is our most comprehensive business plan and often our clients will need a prospectus or a private placement memorandum (offering memorandum) written as well.

Our firm has years of experience drafting securities documents and is confident we can assist with your New Zealand Business Plan Writer.  Feel free to contact us anytime, or call us to setup an appointment at any one of our global offices.

Contact Us Today To Schedule Your Free Consultation

• Prospectus Writing
• IPO Stock Exchange Listing
• Bonds Offerings
• 144A Reg S Offerings
• Hedge Funds and Mutual Funds
• Offering Memorandum
• Private Placement Memorandum
• Offering Circular
• Explanatory Memorandum
• Information Memorandum
• Fund Setup Formation
• Securities Identifiers
• Registration and Filing
• Business Plans

Newsletter Sign Up

Get the latest updates sent to your email

For Unique Capital Growth Strategies

Questions? Fill out the  Contact form , or get in touch:

• (212 ) 812-2127
• [email protected]

Free business plan template

• Download business plan template
• Try Xero for free

Download a business plan template and start bringing your ideas to life. Choose a one-pager, or multi-pager. Or try Xero accounting software for free.

Download the business plan template

Fill in the form to get a free business plan template as an editable PDF. We’ll send a one-pager and a multi-pager to choose from.

Privacy notice .

Getting started with the business plan template

We’ll send you two types of business plan template – a one-pager and a multi-pager. Choose the one that’s right for you. They come with instructions to help fill them out.

Doing a business plan will improve your idea. It helps you think about your business from different points of view. The process will flag up unseen risks, but also new opportunities. Aside from helping refine your idea, a business plan will move it forward. It’ll give you a concrete set of steps to go from ‘I should’ to ‘I did’.

One-page business plan template

Great for making a start

Helps you pin down the main idea

Easy to update as things evolve

Multi-page business plan template

Ideal for nailing down the details

Required by most investors and lenders

Good if you face big startup costs

Tips to help with your business plan

Don’t obsess over every detail to start with. That will make the plan long and hard to change. Keep it short and concise initially.

Financing your business

Need cash to get going? Check out our finance guide.

How to finance your business

Starting a business

Check out our guide for information about getting started.

How to start a business

Find a bookkeeper or accountant

Accoutnants and bookkeepers can help build financial resilience into your business budgets.

Find a financial advisor near you

Plan on making business fun

Are you looking forward to the bookkeeping and accounting that comes with a new business? Na, we didn’t think so. Xero can automate a lot of that stuff away for you.

Xero does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice. This template has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business.

Start using Xero for free

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

• Included Safe and secure
• Included Cancel any time
• Included 24/7 online support

Or compare all plans

The ASB website functions best with JavaScript enabled.

How to write a business plan.

A good business plan is essential when thinking about starting a new venture. It will help you apply for business finance and keep your vision on track once things are up and running. Here are four steps to help you create and implement an effective business plan.

1. Set out your strategic vision

Ask yourself what your company stands for. Think of everything you'd want a potential investor, partner, employee or customer to know about it. This includes:

• Vision statement: Should be brief and aspirational, yet achievable. Take the time to get it right. Try to sum up in one sentence what your business is all about, where you want it to go and how you'll get there
• Unique selling proposition (USP): Sets out why you believe customers will come to you rather than a competitor. What makes your business unique?
• Target market identification: While you don't want to limit your customer base, the clearer picture you have of your target market, the easier it will be to communicate with them. You may initially have to assume who you think your customers are, but once your business is live you should be able to update this using real sales data
• Explanation of products and services: Should be designed in line with your USP and meet the needs of your target market
• Key goals: Must be measurable, achievable and consistent with the financial plan
• Capital requirements: How much will you need to start and run the business and where will you get the funding? Amounts should be supported by calculations in the financial plan

2. Set out the details

Now it's time to see how your vision will work. Who will help you bring it to life? What business structure are you considering? Here are some other things to include:

History and structure

Outline your business' background and introduce key people like employees, managers, partners and investors.

Goals and milestones

Set out major business goals for the period covered by the plan, plus various milestones you want to reach along the way. Make these goals specific and measurable, so you can see your progress further down the track.

Competitors

Do a detailed analysis of the competitive landscape, including:

• Information on the industry
• Size and characteristics of the target market
• Your competitors' strengths and weaknesses

SWOT analysis

Put your business model to the test by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of your idea and potential opportunities and threats in the market you will be operating in.

Strengths What does, or will, your business do well? What makes you better than the competition?

Weaknesses What doesn't your business do well at the moment and how will you improve this?

Opportunities Where are the areas for growth, both within and outside of the business?

Threats What are the external factors that could change or threaten your business?

Business assets

Identify what you have already and what you need, including:

• Plant and equipment
• Information systems
• Intellectual property

Business strategy considerations

Sales & Marketing

• What's the best way to reach your customers?
• What is your budget for sales and marketing? How will you get repeat business?
• How can you collect useful data on your customers? For example, loyalty programmes, customer relationship management systems, online sales channels.
• How will you use this data to create targeted and relevant messages?
• Where will you be located?
• Can you work from home initially? This may help to keep your costs down early on.
• Do you need resource consent for your premises or operations?
• What IT infrastructure will you need?
• How will you get your product to market?
• What about insurance?
• Have you thought about your supply network?
• What is your business continuity plan? If disaster strikes, it's important to have contingency plans in place to ensure your business can trade afterwards.
• List your start-up costs and capital requirements as well as your projected cash flow, profit and loss and balance sheet forecasts and a break-even analysis.
• Budgets showing costs, income and cash flow are particularly important for seasonal businesses.
• As a rule of thumb, when it comes to finances and forecasting, be conservative; double your expenditure and halve your sales forecasts.
• Do you have enough money to get up and running as well as cover costs in the short term?
• When will your business turn over enough money to be profitable?

3. Make necessary changes

Writing your business plan may bring up questions about your business, and once you reach the end you may not be happy with certain parts of your plan or your prospective day-to-day operations. Before finishing, ask yourself:

• How can I counter the strengths of my competitors?
• How can I overcome the weak points in my business plan?
• Do the assumptions I’ve made based on various financial projections make sense?

Also, you might consider sharing your plan with others to sense check it.

4. Put the plan to work

Once it's ready, treat your business plan as a guide to running your business. Remember that it's a working document, so if your goals and circumstances change, update the plan. The business.govt.nz website has some great tools and templates to help get your business started.

Keep reading

Five things you need to do before starting a business, how to write a financial plan, naming your business, what's next, small business banking.

Every business is different and has unique banking needs, discover your options.

Find out more

This page is intended to provide general information of an educational nature only. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any reader and should not be relied on. This information has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend you seek independent professional advice and contact Inland Revenue before acting on this information.

Did you mean: ?

Get serious with our free business plan template

Turn your business vision into a reality with our free, customisable business plan template. Available in single and multi-page format.

Download your free business plan template

Complete the form and we’ll send you our free, customisable template, so you can get down to business.

Bring your business ideas to life

Our easy-to-use, guided templates give you a roadmap for success.

Map your goals

Start moving in the right direction with a plan that covers all of the essential business basics. Outline your executive summary, vision statement and future goals.

Define products and services

Highlight your unique offerings and market strategy, including what you'll sell (and how you'll sell it). It’s time to show the world how you’re better than anyone else at what you do.

Attract investors

Show potential partners why they should invest in your business. A comprehensive financial forecast is key when looking to secure funding.

Why you need a business plan

Whether you’re an established company or just starting out, a business plan is vital for success. A well thought out plan helps you consider the essential elements of your business and define a winning strategy.

And through the process of writing a business plan, you’ll uncover new opportunities and unlock your business’s true potential.

We’re here to help you grow your business

Access everything you need to start planning your vision and how you’ll achieve it.

A guided experience

Our business plan templates are intuitive and easily accessible, for every business. Each section has helpful tips, prompts and instructions to guide you through all the components of your business plan.

Designed for your needs

We know that writing a business plan is not a one-size-fits all activity. That’s why we’ve put together both a streamlined single-pager and a comprehensive multi-pager. Now you can map out your needs at a high level, or outline your strategy in precise detail.

Helpful resources

Looking for more help on how to write a business plan? We’ve got you covered. Check out our resources on  how to start a business , or our  12-step guide on how to write a plan for your business .

All your questions answered about the MYOB business plan template

What’s included in the business plan template.

Both our single and multi-page templates cover all the essential elements of a business plan, including an business details, vision statement and goal setting, market strategy and customer demographics, funding and investment information. Our multi-pager adds further detail and contains helpful guidance for each section.

Is the business plan template customisable?

Yes! Our templates are completely editable, customisable and available in multiple formats, allowing you the flexibility to choose the structure that best suits your needs.

Do I need a business plan to start a business?

Technically no, however as the saying goes, if you fail to plan you are planning to fail. For instance, how can you measure how things are going, if you don’t know where you're at?

Why create a business plan?

A strong business plan can help you plan for the future, enabling you to foresee potential roadblocks and author the roadmap that will drive you toward success. Through the process of planning, you’ll analyse all the important aspects of your business, provide certainty to future investors, reduce risk and plot an actionable pathway to achieving your ultimate vision.

How often should I update my business plan?

It’s a good idea to update your plan to align with the current state of business, market and strategy. Set aside some time on a regular, periodic basis to review your plan and see what’s working and what needs adjusting.

Business Plan Help & Advice

The perfect business plan – do you need help?

Writing a good business plan is a critical step in creating a successful business, or evolving your current organisation to a new level of achievement. There are lots of good reasons to have a robust business plan:

• To obtain financial input from new investors
• To get bank loans approved
• To justify financial outlay to the board
• To get your team on track with a single vision
• To ensure that you understand what needs to happen, when – and why
• To ensure your future business and personal success.

You can download a business plan template from the internet but unless you know the pros and cons of different strategies, you’re just filling in boxes. Our Business Advisors will help you create a business plan specific to you and your business strategy.

Talk to a Prime Strategies consultant about creating a business plan that works for your organisation. Our nationwide team of business advisors are  here to help .

[ Placeholder content for popup link ] WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin

Planning your business

Business plan template

Creating a business plan might seem daunting – but it doesn’t have to be. Our business plan template will help you create your own business plan from scratch.

In this article

Things to consider while building your business plan.

• Don’t feel you need to do it all in one go – it’s much better to take your time and get it right. 
• The secret is to keep your plan short and practical, so it's easy to implement – otherwise it'll end up gathering dust on a shelf. 
• It’s important you end up with a business plan you’re happy with and that you can refer to with confidence when speaking to others (such as potential lenders) about your business. 
• Anyone should be able to pick up your business plan and understand what you’re trying to achieve.

If you need some helpful tips on how to write a simple business plan, refer to our guide, it has all you need know about why a business plan is important, and the key points to cover.

How to use our business plan template

• Work your way through the template section by section, filling in the empty boxes.
• Try and fill in all the sections that are relevant to your business.
• Some of the sections may not apply to your type of business, so add or remove sections to suit you.
• Square brackets like these: […] indicate where you need to write something, so ideally there shouldn’t be any left when you’re done.

Our template is only a guide to help you plan. Remember, this is your plan, so go ahead and tweak it until it fits you and your business perfectly.

Use this template to help write your business plan.

How to create an effective business plan

Create a simple, yet effective business plan: from setting SMART objectives to conducting a SWOT analysis, understanding your customers to marketing strategies.

Have someone check your business plan

When you’re ready, we recommend you share it with your business adviser or accountant, especially if you’re planning to use it to apply for business lending. 

If you’d like to discuss your business plan or business banking needs, reach out to an ANZ Business Specialist . They’ll be more than happy to help.

Now you’ve drafted your strategies for the key areas of a business plan, you can use your answers to expand the breadth and detail until you have a thoroughly thought-out road map that’s suitable for your needs. 

Remember, there’s no right or wrong format for a business plan. The important thing is to cover the essential sections and tailor the rest to your industry, business, and growth stage. But by and large, all effective business plans have two things in common: accurate detail and readability. 

You’ll face many choices as you build your business plan but whatever direction you take, make sure your figures and findings are thoroughly researched and presented in plain English.

Contact an ANZ Business Specialist

Our specialists understand your kind of business and the challenges you face as a business owner. We can help you figure out how to make your business grow and succeed.

Related articles

Popular planning your business articles, why you need a business plan, how to gain awareness for a new business, essential tips for business goal setting, how to plan for a new business, how to write a simple business plan, how to write your business elevator pitch, important information.

We’ve provided this material as a complimentary service. It is prepared based on information and sources ANZ believes to be reliable. ANZ cannot warrant its accuracy, completeness or suitability for your intended use. The content is information only, is subject to change, and isn’t a substitute for commercial judgement or professional advice, which you should seek before relying on it. To the extent the law allows, ANZ doesn’t accept any responsibility or liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage arising from any act or omissions by any person relying on this material.

Please talk to us if you need financial advice about a product or service. See our financial advice provider disclosure at anz.co.nz/fapdisclosure

Was this content helpful?

How to write a business plan

There’s no universal formula for creating a business plan. However, there are some important factors to think about. Take a look at these free templates, including one for start-ups and a quick-focus template for expanding businesses.

• Be clear about your goals to align your team towards a common objective.
• Choose the right format for your plan, whether it’s a document or a business canvas.
• Keep it concise and easy to understand.
• Ensure your goals are realistic and relevant to your industry and the economy.
• Use Stats NZ’s Data for Business website for useful tools and statistics.
• Contact Stats NZ to get useful business data.
• Speak to your customers to understand their needs and willingness to pay.
• Conduct a SWOT analysis to assess your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Seek feedback from a trusted advisor or mentor to improve your plan.

Call Stats NZ toll-free on 0508 525 525

Data for Business — Stats NZ

Start-up business plan

Quick-fire business plan

• Don’t let your business plan sit idle – keep it updated and relevant.
• Ensure that it’s accessible and top-of-mind for both you and your team.
• Incorporate your goals into your daily business operations.
• Identify the most practical and cost-effective ways to achieve each goal and note any additional resources required.
• Emphasise that these goals are the top priority for your business.

A SWOT analysis is a great way to evaluate what your business excels in and where you need to improve. It can also assist you in discovering ways to take advantage of opportunities and recognise and prepare for potential threats to your business’s success.

Strengths and weaknesses are usually internal to your business, indicating what you are good at and where you need to improve. On the other hand, opportunities and threats are external factors.

Creating a SWOT analysis can be as straightforward as drawing a large square and dividing it into four quadrants – one for each component of the SWOT analysis.

Consider what you, your team, and your business excel at – all the characteristics that will aid you in accomplishing your objectives. For instance, reflect on your (and your team’s) strengths, any exceptional abilities or specialised expertise, what you or your business do more efficiently than your competitors, sound procedures and systems, and the areas where your business generates the most profit.

Consider the factors that may hinder you from attaining your objectives. This could encompass what expenses consume your time and/or money, the areas where you or your company require improvement, the resources you lack, the unprofitable aspects of your business, inadequate brand recognition, chaotic processes, or a substandard online presence. Ponder over what measures you can take to mitigate your weaknesses.

Contemplate the external circumstances that will assist you in accomplishing your goals. How can you enhance your services for existing clients or expand into new markets? Are there affiliated products and services that could present opportunities for your business, and how can you leverage technology to augment your operations?

Think about external factors that may harm your business’s performance, such as industry trends, the state of the economy, challenges you may encounter, the strengths of your main competitors, and strategies they employ that you may not. Consider ways to mitigate or manage these potential threats.

Similarly, assess your competition in the same way. This will help you identify areas where you can outperform them, refine your niche market, and ensure you’re prepared to tackle the challenges they present.

Refine and review

Craig Jackson has had some experience with business planning in the past. However, when he established his ice pop company Dr Feelgood, he chose to collaborate with a mentor.

“She was instrumental to pushing us to a very healthy product. Our first business plan was 47 pages long. It came down to four pages, which distilled down what we were doing and how we look at it,” says Jackson.

“It’s really important to ask ‘Do people want your product’ and then ‘Are there enough of them to buy it’? Our market validation was me going around gas stations, cafes, and dairies and looking in freezers and talking to freezer managers and talking to our friends.”

Jackson routinely assesses his progress against his business plan. “We’ve hit all our targets, but have learnt a lot in the first six months of operating. Places I thought we’d really sell, we don’t, and places I thought we’d never go is where we’re going.”

• Review your progress towards achieving significant milestones in your business plan each month and celebrate when they are accomplished.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and maintain communication with your customers – this will enable you to stay ahead of any necessary changes to your business.
• Revise your business plan with any adjustments affecting your business or industry.

Tips on when business planning is right for your business

Tips on types of advice you’ll need

• Failing to communicate your business and its value proposition effectively to customers.
• Relying on assumptions about your customers instead of engaging with them.
• Neglecting to evaluate and track your business plan.
• Establishing impractical or uninformed objectives.

Are you struggling with accounting and business management for your business? We are here to help! Get in touch with us to discuss how our expert services can support your business’s success. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and see how we can add value to your operations.

Please find us on Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram | Our Blogs – Follow us and give us a like to see more updates and news.

Related Posts

The end of the financial year is always a good time for businesses to look back this year’s activities and…

Learn how to effectively manage your finances with our step-by-step finance tips for small businesses, sole traders, and contractors.

Build a dream team Every business, big or small, needs a strong team to deliver the best results. A skillful…

Learn about taxes and levies in New Zealand: essential knowledge to make informed decisions and ensure compliance with tax regulations.

With the maturity of generation X, the next one (Generation Y or the Millennials) is going to take over the…

Is your business facing financial difficulties? Watch out for these warning signs and follow our tips to get your finances back on track.

Recent tax changes will impact residential Investment property investors. Here are some tips from experts on how to make the…

It is often said that making mistakes helps improve people. However, it does not mean that you should run straight…

Find out how to register with government agencies in New Zealand. Access services and fulfill legal and tax obligations for your business.

What are you looking for?

Made for every small business

Switch and Save

Competitor Comparison

Compare accounting software solutions

Data Migration

Easily to move from your existing accounting system to Reckon

Business Solutions

Explore business types that Reckon supports

Case Studies

Discover success stories of using Reckon One

• Reckon Cloud POS
• Reckon Accounts Hosted
• Desktop Members
• Reckon Insights

We’re here to help

Small Business Resources

Learn the important aspects of running a small business

Free resources to get started with your business

Explore resources and articles

Support Hub

Find answers to all of your questions

Find an advisor

Browse certified Reckon product users

Customer service, technical support, and more

All your business needs sorted

Monitor your accounting needs

Create and send professional online invoices

Track and monitor your business performance

• Accounting Basics
• Invoices & Billing
• Bank Reconciliation
• Employee Expenses
• Jobs & Projects

Other Solutions

• Business Loans
• Accounts Hosted
• Financial Reporting

Grow your practice with Reckon

Become a Partner

Choose a partner program that suits your business

Partner Login

Access resources and benefits available on Reckon member site

Free business plan template for small business

Create a professional business plan with our our easy-to-use business plan template., the importance of a business plan.

Writing a business plan gives your business the best chance of success helping you to flesh out your business proposal, outline key business processes and gives an action plan of what you want to achieve over time. While it can seem overwhelming, the time and effort you put in is worth it for your long-term success. Use our free business plan template below to get you started!

Get your free business plan template

• Name * First Last
• What industry are you in? * Trades & Construction Retail Medical & Healthcare Non-profits Farming, Agriculture & Mining Arts & Creatives Professional services Hospitality E-commerce Manufacturing Education & training Other
• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Take control of your finances with Reckon

Up your accounting game with Reckon’s accounting software for just $12/month.

Monitor cash flow

Gain immediate clarity over your net business. Take control by keeping track of receipts, payments, and expenses and watch your net position change in real-time. 

Import bank transactions

Manually import your bank statements into  Reckon One . Then categorise unlimited transactions, helping you to keep track of the money coming in and out of your business.

Financial reporting

Create 20+ impressive reports, and use powerful tools to gain insights. The dashboard is customisable according to the needs of your business.

Business plan template FAQs

What should a business plan include.

A business plan consists of a single document with different sections that represent different aspects of your business. Most business plans include the following:

• Business overview
• Executive summary
• Team & Management
• Product & Services
• Market Analysis
• Competitor Analysis
• Marketing & Promotions
• Financial Analysis
• Future & Goals

How do you write a business plan?

Writing a multi page business plan when you are just starting out can seem overwhelming. The key to getting started is to keep it simple and add to it as you grow. Start with key headings (or use our template) and some bullet points mapping out your business overview, vision, market analysis and financial forecasts.

Tips for writing a business plan?

Check out this blog article for more information

7 Tips for writing a Business Plan >

Try Reckon accounting today!

30 days free. Cancel anytime

with our expert tender writers

Ask us now about winning your next tender.

Plan A wins business for you

You’re expert at what you do. But before you can do the job, you first need to win the contract. That’s where we can help.

Plan A gives you the best chance to get that contract. Winning tenders is our core business, something we do for many New Zealand companies every year since 1998.

We are skilled at packaging your information to score well, backed by a deep knowledge of Government procurement rules, broader outcome requirements, etc.

One of our clients had struggled to win bids before. In the first two years since engaging with Plan A, they improved to winning 70% of the tenders they went for, growing their company by more than 25% in that time.

Contact us now to see how we can help you.

Our Services

Get your tenders and business documents written for best effect.

• Bid management
• Tender writing
• Tender review
• Tender training

Business writing

• Competition entries
• Operational manuals

Presentations

• Funding proposals
• Structure and content
• Coaching on delivery
• Independent review
• Business writing workshops
• Bespoke courses 

testimonials

About plan a, plan a: your go-to team for bidding.

We are a dedicated group of professionals with extensive experience across a wide range industry sectors since 1998.

Get Plan A working for you.

Latest Post

Learn how to prepare winning tenders

Lift your game tender response course.

Our Lift Your Game: Tender response writing course is currently available online as five one-hour sessions over the course of a week.

The course is aimed at giving people with little or no experience in preparing tenders the practical tips and tools to put together winning bids.

Customised training courses

Are your people writing tenders and proposals that win? Or do they need some coaching to lift your game?

Plan A can provide customised training courses for your team.

get in touch

Ready to talk about your project.

• [email protected]
• NZ 0800 PLAN AA (752 622)
• AUS 1-800 661 377

information

Subscribe to our newsletter.

© Plan A Limited 2023

Website by Hurst Design Co

subscribe to our newsletter - views from the front-line

More From Forbes

Strategies For Managing Debt In A Growing Business

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Managing debt is a critical component of running a successful business, especially when that business is in a growth phase. As your business expands, it is natural to incur debt for purchasing new equipment, expanding your workforce, or entering new markets. However, managing this debt effectively is key to ensuring sustainable growth and financial health.

Here are some strategies to help you manage debt in your growing business:

1. understand your debt.

Before you can manage your debt, you need to have a clear understanding of it. This includes knowing the total amount owed, interest rates, repayment schedules, and any penalties for late payments. Create a detailed list or spreadsheet that tracks all your business debts, including:

• Loan Amounts: The principal amounts of each loan.
• Interest Rates: The interest rates and whether they are fixed or variable.
• Repayment Terms: The length of the loan and the repayment schedule.
• Collateral: Any assets pledged as security for the loans.
• Lenders: The names and contact details of your lenders.

Knowing this information will help you make informed decisions about how to manage your debt effectively.

2. Prioritize Your Debt Payments

Best high-yield savings accounts of 2024, best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024.

Not all debt is created equal. Prioritizing your debt payments can help you avoid unnecessary penalties and reduce your overall debt burden more quickly. Generally, you should focus on paying off high-interest debt first, as this is the costliest in the long run. Consider the following prioritization strategies:

• High-Interest Debt: Pay off credit cards and high-interest loans first.
• Secured Debt: Ensure you stay current on loans secured by collateral to avoid losing assets.
• Tax Obligations: Always prioritize any tax debts, as these can lead to severe penalties and legal issues.

3. Negotiate Better Terms

If your business has a good credit history and a solid relationship with your lenders, you may be able to negotiate better terms. This could include:

• Lower Interest Rates: Request a lower interest rate to reduce your monthly payments and overall debt burden.
• Extended Repayment Terms: Ask for an extended repayment period to lower your monthly payments.
• Consolidation: Consider consolidating multiple debts into a single loan with a lower interest rate and more manageable repayment terms.

Negotiating better terms can provide immediate relief and improve your business's cash flow.

4. Create a Debt Repayment Plan

A structured debt repayment plan is essential for managing debt effectively. This plan should outline how much you will pay each month, which debts you will prioritize, and your timeline for becoming debt-free. A well-thought-out plan can help you stay focused and disciplined in your debt repayment efforts. Here are some things to think about when creating your repayment plan:

• Set Realistic Goals: Determine a realistic timeline for paying off your debt based on your business's cash flow.
• Automate Payments: When you set up automatic payments you never miss a due date.
• Track Progress: Regularly review your debt repayment progress and adjust your plan as needed.

5. Improve Cash Flow

Improving your business's cash flow can make it easier to manage and pay off debt. Look for ways to increase revenue and reduce expenses, such as:

• Boost Sales: Implement marketing strategies to increase sales and attract new customers.
• Reduce Costs: Identify areas where you can cut costs without compromising quality or efficiency.
• Optimize Inventory: Manage inventory levels to avoid overstocking and reduce holding costs.
• Invoice Promptly: Ensure you send invoices promptly and follow up on overdue payments to maintain healthy cash flow.

6. Seek Professional Advice

Managing business debt can be complex, and seeking professional advice can provide valuable insights and guidance. Consider consulting with:

• Accountants: They can help you create a debt repayment plan and identify tax-saving opportunities.
• Financial Advisors: They can offer strategies for improving cash flow and managing debt more effectively.
• Debt Counselors: They can provide specialized advice and support for businesses struggling with debt.

7. Monitor and Adjust

You must monitor your debt management strategy regularly and make adjustments as needed. Business conditions can change rapidly, and your debt management plan should be flexible enough to adapt to these changes. Regularly review your financial statements, track your debt repayment progress, and adjust your strategy to stay on track.

The bottom line is that managing debt in a growing business is an ongoing process. By understanding your debt, prioritizing payments, negotiating better terms, creating a structured repayment plan, improving cash flow, seeking professional advice, and monitoring your progress, you can effectively manage your debt and ensure your business continues to thrive. Remember, the goal is not just to manage debt but to leverage it as a tool for growth and success.

Melissa Houston, CPA is the author of Cash Confident: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Creating a Profitable Business and the founder of She Means Profit . As a Business Strategist for small business owners, Melissa helps women making mid-career shifts, to launch their dream businesses, and I also guide established business owners to grow their businesses to more profitably.

The opinions expressed in this article are not intended to replace any professional or expert accounting and/or tax advice whatsoever.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Join The Conversation

One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. 

Forbes Community Guidelines

Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.

In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's  Terms of Service.   We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.

Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:

• False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information
• Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind
• Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author
• Content that otherwise violates our site's  terms.

User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:

• Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected
• Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments
• Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk
• Actions that otherwise violate our site's  terms.

So, how can you be a power user?

• Stay on topic and share your insights
• Feel free to be clear and thoughtful to get your point across
• ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ to show your point of view.
• Protect your community.
• Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules.

Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's  Terms of Service.