How to write a business plan in 12 steps (2024 edition)

Updated 26 June 2024 • 12 min read

This guide breaks down how to write a business plan, step-by-step, detailing what your document needs to include and what you need to think about to make your business plan as persuasive as possible.

What is a business plan?

A business plan is an essential document that can provide immense value for new and existing companies of all sizes. It is an overview that includes an outline of your business, its key objectives and plan for achieving important goals.

This information can be used to communicate strategic actions to internal teams and also attract interest from potential partners and investors . However, writing a business plan can be a lengthy and involved process. For many, using a business plan template can be a good way to get started.

For best results, you’ll need to do a lot of thinking and planning before you start writing your business plan. This way you have all the information and resources you need at your fingertips and won’t be under time pressure to come up with something at the last minute. After all, a well-thought-out business plan can help you avoid generic information and set your company up for success.

Download your free business plan template .

Why write a business plan?

Writing your business plan helps to get your strategy nailed down and onto the page. A plan that stays in your head is probably going to be full of unrealistic assumptions and biases, whereas a strategically thought-out and organised approach forces you to notice your blind spots and find a way forward.

If you’re looking for financing, a bank or investor needs to be persuaded by your business proposal and the opportunity to work with you. Therefore, a well-written business plan can help provide potential financial partners with the confidence that your business can become profitable. Your business plan gives them a comprehensive view of all aspects of your business and details your strategy for achieving your goals.

What are the main sections of a business plan?

Whatever your line of work, your business plan will generally need to provide the following:

An executive summary

A business overview

The market opportunity

Your products/services

How to write a business plan

Make sure you cover each of the following steps when preparing your document:

1. Write an executive summary

This section of your business plan should be 1–2 pages in length and enables potential financiers or partners to get an overview of what your business does and – most importantly — what the opportunity is for them. If they’re interested in the opportunity, they’ll conduct their own due diligence - and this will start with going through your business plan and financials.

It’s a good idea to write your executive summary last, when you’ve clarified your thinking around every section of the document. As an overview section, you don’t want to add any new content that isn’t in your business plan. Aim to keep this summary succinct and engaging by using simple, plain language, as this is much more persuasive than complicated or academic wording.

Use sub-headings and bullet points to help your most important information stand out, especially as busy executives may simply scan your executive summary and use this to decide whether they want to find out more.

What to include in an executive summary?

Make sure you include details on:

What your business does

What the opportunity is

What your unique selling points / differentiators are

How much funding you’re looking for

What the funding will be used for

How you'll succeed

Remember, you’re providing the big picture overview of your business - the detail is in the rest of the document and in the appendices.

2. Write your business overview

This section of your business plan needs to be more than just a list of what your business does. Its purpose is to excite those you’re hoping will work with you or help to fund your business.

Information to address includes:

What's the purpose of your business?

What problem does your business’ product or service solve?

What niche could it fill?

What’s different about your offering?

How are you better than anyone else at what you do?

Consider what your customer value proposition is by deciding what you want to achieve and what your number 1 benefit is for your customer.

3. Identify your USP

Think about what your unique selling points (USP) or differentiators are, and what proof-points you can provide to back them up.

For example, you can use terms like “market-leading” but if you don’t provide any evidence to back up your claims, your reader will take them with a big pinch of salt!

You should certainly reference any awards or endorsements that position you as the best person to provide your product or service, as well as any client testimonials. Make sure you include any education or experience that makes you an expert in your field as well.

4. Describe the market opportunity

Show you understand your industry, market and where you fit in it. While no-one can predict the future, offer up where you think the opportunity is for your business and make sales projections based on that. 

For example, imagine your business is selling personalised cookies - there's little competition in your area and you see your market opportunity to create designs for all calendar and holiday events. You expect to increase sales by 30% in one year and 50% in three years, driven primarily by word-of-mouth referrals.

Make sure you also consider macro trends that may create opportunities for you, such as social, environmental, or technological changes that may affect buying behaviour.

5. Include a SWOT analysis

Whatever your business strengths or opportunities, they’ll always be known and unknown weaknesses and threats; there’s no such thing as certainty in business or in life!

However, you can demonstrate that you’ve examined your business through different lenses and have a thorough understanding of it by doing a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis.

Don’t worry about drawing attention to your business’ shortcomings - every opportunity has them and it’ll give investors and partners confidence in you that you won't bury your head in the sand. Naturally, it's important that you specify what you’re going to do to address these weaknesses and counter these threats.

Here are some areas you can think about to get started: reputation, technology, location, experience, staff, overheads, competition, suppliers and price.

6. Present a competitor analysis

Let’s face it, no matter what industry you’re in, or what you’re selling, there’s going to be other businesses offering the same thing. But instead of worrying about the competition, use this as a positive opportunity to up your game and work out the unique advantages you have that will keep you competitive.

Identify your top 3 competitors and analyse what they're doing well and where they’re coming up short. Try to be as objective as possible and identify how to differentiate yourself from them.

You should also look into who the industry leaders are and what the benchmarks are for your industry so that you can set yourself targets for continuous improvement.

7. Create a customer persona

A customer persona is a fictional person who represents your company's ideal customer. Naturally, the persona can be based on a real person - the more you get to know your ideal customer, the more targeted and successful your marketing efforts will be.

To create a customer persona, you need to conduct research into your ideal customer’s age, sex, income, employment, daily activities, interests and hobbies. If you’re feeling unsure about your customer persona, you may need to give your ideal customer further thought and download the customer persona template to get started.

8. Write your marketing strategy

When you’ve created your customer persona, you need to work out how you’re going to reach them. Do they hang out on social media apps, like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or LinkedIn? Or are they more used to local, traditional marketing like free local papers or high foot traffic areas?

Once you’ve figured where your audience is likely to hang out, you can outline your strategies for promoting and advertising your products or services in the next 12 months.

Make a list of the marketing channels you’ll use to achieve your advertising strategy and be sure to include your budget. How much can you set aside for advertising? And where are you most likely to see a return on your efforts? Paid ads on Facebook? Half or full paid spreads in an industry magazine? Or even a direct mail out? 

For more structured help around this, check out free course: Business 101 | Get social with your business on Facebook . 

9. Design your customer retention strategy

Business success relies heavily on the relationship you’re able to build with your customers. What techniques will you use to keep them coming back? Consider the following:

What can your business do to increase the number of repeat customers? 

Does your business have a referral or loyalty program? 

Do you have a post-purchase follow up in place?

Will you use surveys to track customer satisfaction?

What ways can you continue delivering outstanding service?

Is there a way to continue educating and adding value to your customers?

10. Present your financials

Most people who are looking at investing their time and/or money in your business will want to see your financial statements - your performance to date and your projections over the short and medium term. They'll also want to know how much you’ve received in funding to date and what these other sources of funding are - including your own investment.

Current finances

You need to show how your business has performed financially over the last year, highlighting metrics such as positive cashflow , net profit and assets.

Financial forecasts

You should also provide a balance forecast projecting total assets, total liabilities and net assets over 1, 2 and 3 years, and a profit and loss forecast for the same periods detailing gross profit /net sales, total expenses and net profit/loss. Finally, you should also provide a cash flow forecast month by month over the next year.

It’s also a good idea to speak to an expert like an accountant or bookkeeper about your finances and get advice on how best to present them in this all-important section of your business plan.

11. Detail how much funding is needed

Naturally, you also need to be very clear about how much money you’re looking for and what you plan to do with it. If you’re looking for a loan , you need to detail what it’s for, over what period it’ll be repaid, and what collateral you have to secure it.

12. Propose an exit strategy

Any financial stakeholder in your business will want a return on investment. If you’re pursuing this type of funding, you should include some detail on your proposed exit strategy . For example, do you want to sell the company at some point or go public?

Similarly, you should outline your succession plan so the business can continue to operate if you decide to step away from it. Likewise, you need a plan for what happens if the business loses money and can’t sustain itself. Documenting this means that everyone is on the same page and potential investors have this information upfront.

Frequently asked questions about writing a business plan:

When to write a business plan.

Typically, entrepreneurs write their business plans within the first year of operations. A business plan is a tool that helps business owners refine their strategy, attract partners and financiers, and grow their business.

If a business plan is written too soon, it may lack the substance that comes with time in the market. However, it’s important to note that a business plan isn't a static document - it can and should change as the business evolves.

How long should your business plan be?

There are no hard and fast rules around how long your business plan should be - it just needs to include all the relevant information. Aim for clear, concise sections and build a business plan that is as easy to read and navigate as possible.

Using a business plan template can help you make sure you have everything covered off, while also having a document that looks as professional as possible. Make sure you run a spelling and grammar check too - any sloppy errors can undermine your credibility.

What’s a business plan on a page?

It’s important to write your business plan as it helps to embed your strategy - as well as communicate what you’re about to potential partners or investors. When you have a comprehensive business plan you can easily adapt it to suit different audiences. For example, a full business plan is essential for raising capital but a business plan on a page may be enough for potential partners or employees.

What do venture capitalists look for in a business plan?

Venture capitalists invest money into businesses with the goal of achieving a return on their investment within the short to medium term. As a result, they’re looking for an attractive market opportunity, a clear point of differentiation, a strong management team, a proven track record, solid financials and, importantly, an exit opportunity.

Where to go for help or more information?

There are many great resources out there to help you fine-tune your business strategy and write your business plan. The Australian Government has a comprehensive website dedicated to supporting businesses at all stages of their journey.

You can also get help from Business Enterprise Centres , business advisors, accountants and fellow business owners. MYOB also has a list of business advisors who can give you feedback on your business plan, so your venture has the very best chance of success. 

Related Guides

How to get a business loan arrow right, how to find investors: a guide for startups arrow right, business models: definitions, types and key components arrow right.

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Writing a business plan

A business plan documents your objectives and the strategies and structures you have in place for achieving them.

Your business plan should explain how you will manage all the important aspects of your business, from products and services to operational plans and finances.

Video: Writing a business plan

Watch our video on why you should write a business plan for your new or current business.

Topics include:

  • why it's important to create and review a business plan
  • the information to include in your business plan
  • using a business plan to achieve your business goals
  • downloading and completing our business plan template.

Use a business plan to:

  • help you start a new business
  • help you improve the performance of an existing business
  • attract funding for an investment
  • communicate business progress to stakeholders
  • communicate business goals and objectives to internal staff members
  • attract potential buyers for the business.

A business plan is a 'living' document, so it should evolve and change—think of it as an operating guide for your business throughout the start-up, operations and succession phases.

Thumbnail of business plan Word template

Download and write a full business plan

Download our free full business plan template and use the guidelines below to write a plan for your business.

There are also other templates available that may better meet your needs—visit business.gov.au .

You should customise your chosen template to suit your business and industry.

We explain below how you can start with a 1-page business plan to ease you into the process of completing the full business plan.

Business plan elements

The elements of your business plan will vary depending on:

  • what phase your business is in (starting, running, selling)
  • the industry your business is in
  • how you choose to use the plan (e.g. for internal development purposes).

Every business plan will be different, but they will generally include similar elements. The sections of our business plan template are listed below—use these as a guide when completing it or as a reference when creating your own.

At the start of your business plan, include the following business details:

  • business name
  • date registered
  • Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • Australian Company Number (ACN) – if applicable
  • tax file number (TFN)
  • business address
  • contact details
  • website details
  • social media details.

Read about choosing a business structure and getting the right licences and registrations .

This section provides an overview of the business concept. It should be attention-grabbing and succinct—the content will be covered in more detail in future sections.

While this is the first section of the plan, it can often help to write it last after the other sections have been finalised.

This helps to ensure that the executive summary covers all the key information within the plan.

It should define:

  • what your business vision is
  • what your legal structure is
  • what products and services you offer
  • who your customers are
  • what sets you apart from your competitors
  • how you will create a market for your products and services
  • how you will operate
  • what your financial projections are
  • how your business or industry will evolve
  • who owns or manages your business
  • what your short-term and long-term goals are.

Refer to the corresponding sections in our free business plan template:

  • 2.1 Products and services
  • 2.2 Market analysis
  • 2.3 Industry description and outlook
  • 2.4 SWOT analysis

In this section, you should highlight your business products and services and describe what makes them unique, such as their:

  • limitations
  • cost and sale price.

You can also include details of any plans your business has to introduce new products and services.

Your market analysis should describe your target market (e.g. local, international) and target customers.

Add in the research you have done about your industry and the market trends.

In this section, you will also complete a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats).

Find out more about researching your market:

  • planning and conducting market and customer research
  • market research kit .
  • 3.1 Current situation
  • 3.2 Marketing objectives
  • 3.3 Target segments
  • 3.4 Competitor analysis
  • 3.5 Brand positioning
  • 3.6 Marketing programs
  • 3.7 Marketing tactics
  • 3.8 Key actions
  • 3.9 Business controls

A business plan should include a high-level summary of your market research and analysis.

Starting with your current situation, complete your marketing objectives and analysis around your target market and your competitiveness.

Complete your customer and competitor profiles and develop a 1-page brand strategy .

These will help you prepare your marketing plan in section 3 of the template.

Your plan will include marketing tactics and an action plan. You will identify how you will set KPIs and report on your marketing effectiveness.

Learn about:

  • branding your business
  • writing a marketing strategy and plan .
  • 4.1 Sales strategies
  • 4.2 Sales analysis and forecast
  • 4.3 Customer management

Explain your sales forecasts and targets in this section, and how you will manage customer records and payments. You should understand what sales strategies will work for you and the best channels to market your products or services .

You will also need to know what your current sales, volume and market share are and what you expect them to be for the next 2 years.

Learn about cash flow, invoices and payments and how to collect and store customer information for help with managing customers.

Regardless of your business or industry, you will need to prepare for operating some of your business online.

Note your digital and customer and data-protection strategies in your business plan. You could also include:

  • the digital tools and resources that will be used in your business
  • the people responsible for overseeing the digital strategy within the business
  • details of any security considerations.

Complete a digital health check and learn how to create a digital strategy for your business .

  • 6.1 Business structure
  • 6.2 Contracts, licences and agreements
  • 6.3 Intellectual property
  • 6.4 Insurance
  • 6.6 Employees
  • 6.7 Financial
  • 6.8 Legal and ethical trading
  • 6.9 Risk management
  • 6.10 Business continuity

In this section, record the legal and risk management considerations for your business.

Describe your business structure and the contracts you have now or could have in the future.

If you have a lease or are considering leasing premises, add the terms and conditions of the lease and any actions you need to take to your plan.

To complete the other legal section, learn about:

  • legal requirements for businesses
  • selecting the right business location
  • business insurance
  • intellectual property: the basics
  • legal and ethical selling
  • your responsibilities as an employer .

Search the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) if you need information about licences that relate to your business.

To identify the risks to your business, your business plan should also:

  • outline and demonstrate that you have considered the risks to your business (a business risk analysis) and the possible consequences
  • summarise the plans you have in place for overcoming these risks.

A risk matrix tool or risk management plan can be developed to help you analyse your business risks—read more about identifying and managing business risk .

You will also need to consider business continuity planning to prepare for unexpected situations.

  • 7.1 Location
  • 7.2 Production
  • 7.3 Current performance
  • 7.4 Plant and equipment
  • 7.6 List of major suppliers
  • 7.7 Stock and inventory

This section will cover all you know about how you do things in your business—for example, your standard operating procedures and how to ensure the quality of your products and services.

To better understand your business operations, read about:

  • business processes, procedures and standards
  • choosing the right business location
  • stock control: the basics .
  • 8.1 Management and key personnel
  • 8.3 Training
  • 8.4 Recruitment
  • 8.5 Succession planning

This section helps you note your current workforce structure and plan for the workforce you will have in the future as you grow, and for potentially passing the business to a successor.

Your business plan will detail your business's organisational structure (proposed or actual)—this is often shown as a diagram representing the business hierarchy, different roles within the business and how they relate to one another.

You should also consider succession planning, even if you haven't thought about how you would sell or pass on the business.

  • workforce planning for small business
  • training and developing staff
  • passing a business to a successor .
  • 9.1 Start-up costs
  • 9.2 Profit and loss forecast
  • 9.3 Cash flow forecast
  • 9.4 Balance sheet
  • 9.5 Financial ratios

Your business plan should include your business finance details—there is a separate business finance template you can also complete.

Summarise your key financial details, including:

  • costs for establishing or operating the business
  • sales needed to break even
  • projected cash flow
  • funding arrangements
  • payment plans.

You can assess the financial performance of your business using financial ratios .

  • 10.1 Review and update business goals
  • 10.2 Make a schedule to review your actions

The final section of the business plan should include a set of actions to take before you review your business plan next, and check your progress. This should be over a 6–12 month period, based on the business goals outlined in your plan.

Set a regular review date for the actions and the business plan. Assess which actions have been completed, which remain outstanding and which require updating to help your business plan remain relevant.

Read about skills for running a business to consider ways to improve your time management and leadership.

Optional business plan elements

While not essential, the following can supplement your business plan.

Business vision statement and business values

A comprehensive business vision statement defines what your business does and why it is important.

This could be added in more detail in your business plan and referred to in your executive summary. Find out how to create a business vision .

Business values are the principles, beliefs, and standards of behaviour that guide your business. Including this in your plan will better reflect your goals for the business.

Customer journey strategy

This section could include details of your business's key customer service strategies.

Consider mapping out the intended customer journey—the intended path customers will follow when interacting with your business.

Start with a short business plan

A 1-page business plan can be a good place to start your business planning.

It can cover only high-level information about your business value proposition (i.e. why a customer would want to buy your products and services) and business model.

A one-page plan can include details about:

  • your business vision and values
  • projected income and expenses
  • identified business risks
  • the customer segments you intend to target
  • the value proposition of your business
  • channels that could be used to reach your target customers (e.g. direct or online marketing)
  • your customer service plan
  • how you will receive payment for products and services
  • the activities needed to achieve your outcomes
  • the resources you will need
  • details of any partners you will use to provide goods and services
  • the cost structure for your products and services (based on all items as listed in the plan).

You can search online for tools that can help you create this plan—for example, a value proposition canvas or business model canvas .

Once you are satisfied with this short business plan, you can use it as the basis for your full business plan.

Communicating your business plan

Communicating your business plan to your staff and stakeholders is essential for implementing it and achieving your business goals, even when starting out with a small team.

Some practical tips for communicating the plan include:

  • being mindful of your audience—different communication styles will suit different audiences (e.g. you may be able to communicate more informally with your staff than with your stakeholders, board members or investors)
  • choosing an appropriate format, time and place—you could hold a staff meeting, schedule a business plan review session and invite all staff and stakeholders to attend, or create an online presentation
  • using clear, concise and simple language
  • making time to get feedback from your staff and stakeholders.

Read about skills for running a business for tips on developing your communication skills.

Learn about managing people through change .

Review and update your business plan

You will need to regularly review your business plan to ensure that it is relevant, achievable and up to date with any changes in your business.

Consider reviewing your business plan:

  • at regular intervals (e.g. quarterly or annually)
  • after a business SWOT analysis has been completed
  • when raising capital (e.g. approaching the bank for a loan or pitching to an investor)
  • before implementing growth strategies or new products
  • when new staff members are added to the team
  • when implementing a new organisational structure
  • before changes in the industry or to legislation
  • when preparing to sell the business .

To help you review your own plan, ask yourself the following questions:

  • What will the review schedule be?
  • Is the plan up to date?
  • Have the business goals changed?
  • Is the plan still matched to the business goals?
  • Are market trends changing?
  • Have there been major political, environmental, social or technological changes that affect your business?
  • Have there been significant changes in your finances or need for capital?
  • Is the plan still 'fit for purpose'?

Business planning resources and tools

The following planning resources and tools below can help you compile and update your business plan to ensure your business is on track to meet its goals.

  • Small business planning webinar recording
  • Writing a marketing strategy and plan
  • Identifying and managing business risk
  • Business processes, procedures and standards
  • Plan your business finances
  • Market and customer research
  • Choosing and working with business advisers
  • Networking in business
  • Ask a mentor – business planning

Learn about planning for the future with free and short online courses through the Back to Work program. The University of Sunshine Coast also provides free, online courses on business planning .

Resources for finding licences, permits and codes of conduct

Use the Business Launchpad to discover all your licensing needs, compiled in your own customised guide.

You can also search for licences, permits and codes of practice using the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS).

Learn about codes of conduct and codes of practices from:

  • the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
  • WorkCover Queensland .
  • Last reviewed: 8 Dec 2022
  • Last updated: 30 May 2024

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Free business plan template for small businesses

Create your free professional business plan with our easy-to-use business plan template.

basic business plan template australia

Create a professional business plan in minutes

Free template.

Our Australian business plan template can save you time & money.

Fully editable

Ready to customise with all requirements like your business details, organisational structure, competitor analaysis and goals.

Easy to use

Simply add the requested data and our template will create a business plan for you.

Download your free business plan template

Business plan template.

Our business plan template is an editable document containing your businesses goals and objectives for the future. It also provides all the key sections you need for a professional business plan including overview of business description, market research, competitive analysis, financial forecasts and much more.

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Frequently asked questions

What is 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!

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 our page about the  7 Tips for writing a Business Plan >

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The Business Plan Company

If you’re in the early stages of putting together a business plan, having access to reliable, accurate and practical resources is essential. At the Business Plan Company, we want to inspire business owners to get their ideas off the ground. In our resources section, you’ll find a catalogue of helpful Australian business plan templates and examples you can use for your own business planning.

We have a number of free resources available to download, including a small business plan template, startup costs template and projections template. We also have a range of templates tailored to specific business models and industries, so you can achieve a more targeted approach to your business plan.

If you are having a go at putting together your own small business plan or startup business plan, have a look at our business plan examples and use our business plan template to help guide you through the process.

Make your mark in your industry with The Business Plan Company

Give yourself and your business the upper hand by partnering with The Business Plan Company. We have 17 years of experience crafting captivating and professional business plans that successfully convey your ideas, goals and ambitions. To learn more about our business plan services, contact us today. 

Business Plans - Free Samples and Examples

Basic Business Plan - Cafe/Restaurant

Basic Business Plan - Cafe/Restaurant

Small Business Plan - Cafe/Restaurant

Small Business Plan - Cafe/Restaurant

Small Business Plan - Cafe/Restaurant

Business Plan

Financials, projections and startup costs templates.

Monthly Projections

Monthly Projections

Annual Projections

Annual Projections

Monthly Projections - Salon

Monthly Projections - Salon

Monthly Projections - Restaurant

Monthly Projections - Restaurant

Annual Projections

Startup Costs Estimate

At The Business Plan Company, we understand how challenging it can be to access accurate and industry-relevant resources when it comes to putting together an effective business plan. In our resources section, you’ll find a range of free Australian business plan templates, examples and a stack of financial, projections and start-up costs templates. 

Whether you own a café, run a salon or an agency, you’ll find an Australian business plan template right for your business and its goals. We’ve also curated a series of YouTube videos that detail how to write a persuasive business plan.

Absolutely. We believe every business stands to walk away learning something new once they’ve gone through our catalogue of Australian business plan examples and templates. We also offer more laser-focused templates and resources for businesses across specific industries, including hospitality and service-based businesses, like salons. 

However, if you would like more tailored business plan templates, get in touch with us, and we’ll work with you to find a more suitable solution. 

No, business owners do not need any unique software to access our Australian business plan templates. Once you have found the template you would like to use, simply input your email address, and the document will appear as a PDF, which you can download to your desktop.

Yes, all our available-to-download Australian business plan examples under the Financials, Projections and Startup Costs Templates section can be used for your business’s financial forecasting and planning. Simply download the right template and start filling in the gaps.

Yes, while our Australian business plan templates are fairly generic and applicable to a range of businesses, we do offer more tailored templates for specific businesses such as cafés, restaurants, salons and start-ups. Our templates also vary in detail, as business owners can access basic and standard Australian business plan templates.

No, all our Australian business plan templates are completely free to download and use.  

Putting together a business plan can be challenging, which is why The Business Plan Company is here to guide you through the process. Our team of business plan consultants can work with you to create a compelling and comprehensive business plan — simply get in touch with us to get started.

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basic business plan template australia

Free Business Plan Template for Small Businesses (2024)

Use this free business plan template to write your business plan quickly and efficiently.

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A good business plan is essential to successfully starting your business —  and the easiest way to simplify the work of writing a business plan is to start with a business plan template.

You’re already investing time and energy in refining your business model and planning your launch—there’s no need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to writing a business plan. Instead, to help build a complete and effective plan, lean on time-tested structures created by other  entrepreneurs and startups. 

Ahead, learn what it takes to create a solid business plan and download Shopify's free business plan template to get started on your dream today. 

What this free business plan template includes

  • Executive summary
  • Company overview
  • Products or services offered
  • Market analysis
  • Marketing plan
  • Logistics and operations plan
  • Financial plan

This business plan outline is designed to ensure you’re thinking through all of the important facets of starting a new business. It’s intended to help new business owners and entrepreneurs consider the full scope of running a business and identify functional areas they may not have considered or where they may need to level up their skills as they grow.

That said, it may not include the specific details or structure preferred by a potential investor or lender. If your goal with a business plan is to secure funding , check with your target organizations—typically banks or investors—to see if they have business plan templates you can follow to maximize your chances of success.

Our 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, business objectives and strategy, and other background information about the brand. 

2. Company overview

This section of your business plan will answer two fundamental questions: “Who are you?” and “What do you plan to do?” Answering these questions clarifies why your company exists, what sets it apart from others, and why it’s a good investment opportunity. This section will detail the reasons for your business’s existence, its goals, and its guiding principles.

3. Products or services offered

What you sell and the most important features of your products or services. It also includes any plans for intellectual property, like patent filings or copyright. If you do market research for new product lines, it will show up in this section of your business plan.

4. Market analysis

This section includes everything from estimated market size to your target markets and competitive advantage. It’ll include a competitive analysis of your industry to address competitors’ strengths and weaknesses. Market research is an important part of ensuring you have a viable idea.

5. Marketing plan

How you intend to get the word out about your business, and what strategic decisions you’ve made about things like your pricing strategy. It also covers potential customers’ demographics, your sales plan, and your metrics and milestones for success.

6. Logistics and operations plan

Everything that needs to happen to turn your raw materials into products and get them into the hands of your customers.

7. Financial plan

It’s important to include a look at your financial projections, including both revenue and expense projections. This section includes templates for three key financial statements: an income statement, a balance sheet, and a cash-flow statement . You can also include whether or not you need a business loan and how much you’ll need.

Business plan examples

What do financial projections look like on paper? How do you write an executive summary? What should your company description include?  Business plan examples  can help answer some of these questions and transform your business idea into an actionable plan.

Professional business plan example

Inside our template, we’ve filled out a sample business plan featuring a fictional ecommerce business . 

The sample is set up to help you get a sense of each section and understand how they apply to the planning and evaluation stages of a business plan. If you’re looking for funding, this example won’t be a complete or formal look at business plans, but it will give you a great place to start and notes about where to expand.

Example text in a business plan company overview section

Lean business plan example

A lean business plan format is a shortened version of your more detailed business plan. It’s helpful when modifying your plan for a specific audience, like investors or new hires. 

Also known as a one-page business plan, it includes only the most important, need-to-know information, such as:

  • Company description
  • Key members of your team
  • Customer segments

💡 Tip: For a step-by-step guide to creating a lean business plan (including a sample business plan), read our guide on how to create a lean business plan .

Example text in a business plan's marketing plan section

Benefits of writing a solid business plan

It’s tempting to dive right into execution when you’re excited about a new business or side project, but taking the time to write a thorough business plan and get your thoughts on paper allows you to do a number of beneficial things:

  • Test the viability of your business idea. Whether you’ve got one business idea or many, business plans can make an idea more tangible, helping you see if it’s truly viable and ensure you’ve found a target market. 
  • Plan for your next phase. Whether your goal is to start a new business or scale an existing business to the next level, a business plan can help you understand what needs to happen and identify gaps to address.
  • Clarify marketing strategy, goals, and tactics. Writing a business plan can show you the actionable next steps to take on a big, abstract idea. It can also help you narrow your strategy and identify clear-cut tactics that will support it.
  • Scope the necessary work. Without a concrete plan, cost overruns and delays are all but certain. A business plan can help you see the full scope of work to be done and adjust your investment of time and money accordingly.
  • Hire and build partnerships. When you need buy-in from potential employees and business partners, especially in the early stages of your business, a clearly written business plan is one of the best tools at your disposal. A business plan provides a refined look at your goals for the business, letting partners judge for themselves whether or not they agree with your vision.
  • Secure funds. Seeking financing for your business—whether from venture capital, financial institutions, or Shopify Capital —is one of the most common reasons to create a business plan.

Why you should you use a template for a business plan

A business plan can be as informal or formal as your situation calls for, but even if you’re a fan of the back-of-the-napkin approach to planning, there are some key benefits to starting your plan from an existing outline or simple business plan template.

No blank-page paralysis

A blank page can be intimidating to even the most seasoned writers. Using an established business planning process and template can help you get past the inertia of starting your business plan, and it allows you to skip the work of building an outline from scratch. You can always adjust a template to suit your needs.

Guidance on what to include in each section

If you’ve never sat through a business class, you might never have created a SWOT analysis or financial projections. Templates that offer guidance—in plain language—about how to fill in each section can help you navigate sometimes-daunting business jargon and create a complete and effective plan.

Knowing you’ve considered every section

In some cases, you may not need to complete every section of a startup business plan template, but its initial structure shows you you’re choosing to omit a section as opposed to forgetting to include it in the first place.

Tips for creating a successful business plan

There are some high-level strategic guidelines beyond the advice included in this free business plan template that can help you write an effective, complete plan while minimizing busywork.

Understand the audience for your plan

If you’re writing a business plan for yourself in order to get clarity on your ideas and your industry as a whole, you may not need to include the same level of detail or polish you would with a business plan you want to send to potential investors. Knowing who will read your plan will help you decide how much time to spend on it.

Know your goals

Understanding the goals of your plan can help you set the right scope. If your goal is to use the plan as a roadmap for growth, you may invest more time in it than if your goal is to understand the competitive landscape of a new industry.

Take it step by step

Writing a 10- to 15-page document can feel daunting, so try to tackle one section at a time. Select a couple of sections you feel most confident writing and start there—you can start on the next few sections once those are complete. Jot down bullet-point notes in each section before you start writing to organize your thoughts and streamline the writing process.

Maximize your business planning efforts

Planning is key to the financial success of any type of business , whether you’re a startup, non-profit, or corporation.

To make sure your efforts are focused on the highest-value parts of your own business planning, like clarifying your goals, setting a strategy, and understanding the target market and competitive landscape, lean on a business plan outline to handle the structure and format for you. Even if you eventually omit sections, you’ll save yourself time and energy by starting with a framework already in place.

Business plan template FAQ

What is the purpose of a business plan.

The purpose of your business plan is to describe a new business opportunity or an existing one. It clarifies the business strategy, marketing plan, financial forecasts, potential providers, and more information about the company.

How do I write a simple business plan?

  • Choose a business plan format, such as a traditional or a one-page business plan. 
  • Find a business plan template.
  • Read through a business plan sample.
  • Fill in the sections of your business plan.

What is the best business plan template?

If you need help writing a business plan, Shopify’s template is one of the most beginner-friendly options you’ll find. It’s comprehensive, well-written, and helps you fill out every section.

What are the 5 essential parts of a business plan?

The five essential parts of a traditional business plan include:

  • Executive summary: This is a brief overview of the business plan, summarizing the key points and highlighting the main points of the plan.
  • Business description: This section outlines the business concept and how it will be executed.
  • Market analysis: This section provides an in-depth look at the target market and how the business will compete in the marketplace.
  • Financial plan: This section details the financial projections for the business, including sales forecasts, capital requirements, and a break-even analysis.
  • Management and organization: This section describes the management team and the organizational structure of the business.

Are there any free business plan templates?

There are several free templates for business plans for small business owners available online, including Shopify’s own version. Download a copy for your business.

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How to write a business plan

Writing a business plan will help nail down your idea and give you a blueprint for executing it.

A person at a desk in their workshop writing a business plan.

What is a business plan?

A business plan describes your product or service, identifies who the customer is, explains why they need your product or service, and shows how you’ll make money from that opportunity.

Why write a business plan

How you write a business plan will depend on what you need it to do. There are a couple of key jobs a business plan can have. It can:

  • explain a business idea
  • convince lenders or investors to put money behind that business idea

It doesn’t take a book to do the first job. You can write a business plan that’s short, to the point, and easy to update. That may be all you ever need. But if you’re going for funding, your business plan will need to be a good deal longer and more comprehensive.

Why every business should start with a one-pager

Even if you will eventually write a long business plan, a one-pager is a great place to start. It could take as little as an hour to do your first draft and will make your idea stronger. Writing about customers, competitors, income and expenses will help develop your thinking.

How to write a one-page business plan

You’ll see in the example below that there are nine sections, or things to write about. So give yourself just a small space to write about each. Keeping it short will help you focus on what’s important.

Download a one-page business plan template.

When you need a longer business plan

The greater the risk you’re taking, the more comprehensive your plan should be. For instance, you’ll need to write a long-form business plan if you’re going to fund it with other people’s money. Banks and investors will expect it.

How to write a longer business plan

Long-form business plans touch on all the same things as a one-pager, but they go into more detail and contain fewer assumptions.

Back-of-the-napkin numbers are replaced by forecasts and budgets. And guesstimates for things like costs, market size, customer preferences, and competitor weaknesses need to be backed up with proof. It’s a good idea to involve an accountant or bookkeeper in developing the budgeting and finance sections.

Contents of a business plan:

  • Executive summary: A short summary of the main points of your business plan. Write it last.
  • Company overview: Identify your industry, what you’re selling, and how you’ll charge.
  • Products or services: Include a description of the problem you’re solving for customers.
  • Market analysis: Describe your target market, and examine the competition.
  • Risk assessment: Flag potential hurdles (including assumptions that could be proved wrong).
  • Marketing and sales plan: How will you find customers and make sales? How many sales will there be?
  • Milestones: What needs to happen and when?
  • Progress reporting: When and how will you report against the milestones?
  • Team: Who will be involved in the business? Note their skills and responsibilities.
  • Budget: Estimate your costs and income (and any debt that you plan to take on).
  • Finance: Show how you’ll fund the business.

You can also add an appendix with any supporting or background documents.

Make a start by downloading our free business plan template.

How not to write a business plan

Avoid these common business planning mistakes:

  • Underestimating how much money it will take to get started
  • Failing to budget for the first few months of operation (before revenues start flowing)
  • Expecting sales to ramp up too fast
  • Relying too heavily on one or two customers (or suppliers)
  • Not including contingencies for unexpected delays or costs

For more information, visit the Australian government page on developing a business plan , which comes complete with templates to help get you started.

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.

How to start a business

Thousands of new businesses open every day. If all those people can do it, why not you? Here’s what to do, and when.

Your business idea is clearly inspired. But it helps to check you’re not the only one who thinks so.

It’s time to run some numbers on your business idea. Budgeting and forecasting help with that.

Your prices can influence the number of sales you make and the profit you earn on each transaction.

Your business structure can affect how much tax you pay, and how you're treated by the law.

If you’re starting a business, then you’ll need to get familiar with some accounting basics.

After all the excitement of deciding to start a business, you’ll have some paperwork to do.

Treat your website like an online version of a storefront. It’s the first impression for many customers and prospects.

Now that you’re in business, you want to stay there. Xero’s got resources and solutions to help.

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How to write a business plan

Here's everything you need to know to about how to write a great business plan.

Whether you're an established business or a start-up, it's important to have a plan to help you achieve your goals. Our business plan guide outlines what you should consider including.

How do I prepare for the business plan?

A good business plan outlines your strategy for the next couple of years. It may be used to help support an application for business finance or business grants. Or it could be just for your own use as a roadmap for the growth of your business.

The components of a business plan explain your objectives and the actions required to get your small business from where it is now, to where you want it to be.

The process of creating your business plan will help you focus, crystallise your ideas and identify priorities, saving both time and effort. Your business plan will give you a clear sense of direction and a benchmark enabling you to measure progress.

Keep your plan as short as possible as overly detailed business plans can be too cumbersome to use. Focus on the information the reader needs to know. Leave the finer detail for operational or marketing plans or attach information such as technical details of a product in an appendix.

To help you create a business plan, we've developed a business plan template (DOC, 158KB) .

Involve your team

Involve your employees in the planning process to gain both their insights and their buy-in to the plan. This will help you build a successful, committed team. Planning together will also identify priorities that provide useful benchmarks to measure performance.

Be realistic

Keep your business plan realistic. For example, unrealistic sales forecasts could lead to increased overheads followed by a damaging cash flow crisis and drastic cost cutting. It could also damage your credibility, because lenders and other interested parties will quickly see through optimistic plans that ignore weaknesses or threats.

Be professional

Even if your plan is intended for internal use only, write and present it as if it's aimed at an outsider. Put a cover on the plan and include a contents page, with page and section numbering.

Start with an executive summary of the key points and purpose of the plan. Use charts if relevant, and include business or product literature as an appendix. Have the plan proofread for clarity, spelling and grammar mistakes. Then show it to friends and business advisers for comments on how to improve it.

Detail your business and products

Start with a brief history of the business. When did it start trading and what progress has it made to date? Who owned the business originally? What is the current ownership structure?

Describe your product or service without using technical jargon. If necessary, you can offer the technical detail for people who want to know more in an appendix to the plan.

In general, what makes your product or service different? What benefits does it offer? What are its disadvantages? How do you plan to develop the business?

Include your market and competition

Outline your market, customers and other businesses you compete against in that market.

Your market

Define the market in which you sell and then focus on the segments of the market in which you compete. How large is each market segment? What is your market share? What are the important trends, such as market growth or changing tastes and the reasons behind the trend? What are the key drivers affecting each important market segment?

Your customers

Describe the nature and distribution of your existing customers. Give a typical customer profile for each market segment you target, for example, 'businesses with a turnover of more than $2 million', or 'first home buyers'. Are you heavily reliant on sales to a few large customers? If so, how do you plan to diversify your sales?

Your competitors

Define your principal competition. What are the advantages and disadvantages of their products and services compared with yours? Cover issues such as price, quality and distribution. Then explain why customers will buy your product or service instead (your competitive advantage). Be careful of criticising or underestimating competitors.

Specify your marketing and sales plans

Outline your proposed marketing and sales activities and include the following.

Positioning

Explain how you position your product or service in the market place. For example:

  • High quality and high price?
  • Good value and durable?
  • A specialist product with a particular feature?

What unique selling features does your product have and which of these features will you concentrate on?

Pricing policy

What is your pricing policy? Explain how price sensitive your products or services are. Look at each product or market segment in turn. Identify where you make your profits and where there is scope to increase margins or sales. Explain how you set your pricing accordingly.

How do you promote your product or service? Each market segment will have one or two optimum methods, for example, direct marketing, advertising or PR. If you're considering using a new promotion method, start on a small scale to test if it works.

Distribution channels

What channels do you use or plan to use, to reach your end user? Compare your current channels with the alternatives and note the distribution channels used by your competitors. If they are using some channels, such as the internet, more effectively than your business, outline any plans you may have to match them.

Sales methods

Analyse the cost efficiency of each of your selling methods, for example, telesales, a direct sales force, through an agent, or over the Internet. If you have a direct sales force, include all the hidden costs, such as management time.

Management and personnel

Set out the structure and key skills of your management team and key staff. Identify any skill shortages, such as IT skills, and your plans to cover these. Explain your recruitment and training plan, including time scales and costs.

Analyse your workforce in terms of total numbers and by department. Compare the efficiency ratios with competitors or with similar industries. Useful figures might be sales, average salaries, employee retention rates and measures of productivity.

Be realistic about the commitment and motivation of the workforce and spell out any plans to improve or maintain motivation. Consider how you would survive the loss of a key worker.

Analyse the capacity and efficiency of your operations and your planned improvements. Do you own or lease your premises? If you lease, do you have security of tenure or are you stuck in an unsuitable location?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the present location? Should the business expand or move?

Explain how you organise production and what equipment you use. How modern is the equipment and what is the capacity of your current facilities compared with existing and forecast demand?

Information systems

Give an overview of the management information systems you have in place, such as databases, networks, servers, and accounting reports and processes. Are your systems reliable and can they cope with any proposed expansion? Also identify any quality or regulatory standards that the business must conform to, including environmental standards.

Financial performance

Your financial forecasts translate your planned strategy and tactics into numbers.

Set out the historical financial information on your business for the last three to five years. Break down the total sales figures into component parts. For example, show sales of different types of product or to different types of customers and show the gross margin for each component of sales.

Highlight any major capital expenditure made in the period and provide both an up-to-date balance sheet and profit and loss account. Explain the reasons for movements in profitability, working capital and cash flow and compare them with industry norms.

Financial forecasts

Provide forecasts for the next three years. These should reflect the complexity of your business.

A small business may need only a profit and loss statement, and sales and cash flow statements. A more complex asset-based business, or one with complex working capital requirements, will need balance sheet forecasts as well.

Use the same format as for the historical information, to aid comparisons. Clearly state the assumptions behind your forecasts. These should tie in with statements in the rest of the plan. For example, if the plan states that the market is becoming more competitive, then profit margins will probably be falling.

Look at the overall trends of the historical and forecast numbers. Are they believable? Do the forecasts make allowance for possible problems and delays?

If you're raising finance, use the cash flow forecast to predict your cash requirements. Add a contingency element to the funding requirement shown in the forecast (usually 10% to 20%). Consider what the mid-month peaks might be and include the likely interest or dividend costs of any new finance.

Swot analysis

Consider including a one-page analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) in your business plan, for example:

  • strengths  might include brand name, quality of product, or management
  • weaknesses  might be lack of finance or dependency on a few customers
  • opportunities  might be increasing demand or a competitor going bust
  • threats  might be a downturn in the economy or a new competitor.

Be honest about your weaknesses and the threats you face. Spell out mitigating circumstances and the actions you're taking.

You can download our SWOT Analysis Template (PDF, 1MB) , opens in new window  to get started.

Driving forward

Make sure your business plan covers the critical issues that will make readers understand how you intend to drive your small business forward.

Highlight the key ingredients of your future success and how you will strengthen your position in the market. Then establish your overall business aims – where you realistically intend to be in three years' time.

Next, decide on half a dozen objectives, each of which will make a significant difference to the future of your business. Define clear targets and timelines for these so that you know exactly what you want to achieve and by when.

Many businesses think in terms of:

  • income – more sales, better margins
  • customers – new customers, higher levels of customer satisfaction
  • products – improving existing products, launching new ones
  • human resources – recruiting new employees, developing new skills.

The next stage is to work out how you will reach these targets. Consider each aspect of your business in turn and create a step-by-step action plan for it.

How often should I update the plan?

Finally, recognise that economies, markets and even your business itself will continue to change – sometimes favourably, sometimes unfavourably. This means you need to review your plan at least once a year. How well have you done? Have you met the benchmarks in the plan? Revising and updating your plan will keep it relevant as a roadmap for your business.

Use our business plan template to guide you through writing your business plan.

Other business moments

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Checklist for the first steps in starting a business

Tips, links and calculators to cover the basics.

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Managing cash flow and avoiding bad debt in business

Discover ways to put debt management procedures and policies in place to protect your business and create a healthy cash flow.

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Business planning

From a SWOT template to a financial health check, these tools, tips and calculators will help you manage your business.

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About the writing a business plan guide

Whether your business is just starting out, you're looking to sustain or you're looking to grow, our guide to writing a business plan can help you clarify your goals, figure out your barriers and come up with a plan of action.

Get more information on the benefits writing and maintaining a plan on our Write a business plan page .

basic business plan template australia

Sample Plans

Business plan example australia.

Whether you are growing your existing business or starting afresh, a business plan is a critical business tool. At Business Plans, we have produced thousands of business plans for businesses across Australia from diverse industries.

On this page, you will find business plan templates for hundreds of different businesses in Australia. We have sensitised these business plan samples and made them more generic to suit a wide range of businesses.

Simply pick your category, purchase the business plan template and customise the content to reflect your business. Why spend time writing a business plan when you can download a business plan template and customise it suitably

Business Plan Templates that Deliver Results

A good business plan can help you figure out a direction for your business, create strategies to reach your goals and improve your chances of securing finance.

But we also understand that  writing a business plan  can take a lot of time. If the very thought of writing an exhaustive business plan seems to overwhelm you, consider buying one of our business plan templates.

All of these business plan examples have been produced by our professional business plan writers who have many years of experience in the craft. We have used our extensive experience, in-depth knowledge and expertise to create compelling business plans that have achieved staggering results for our clients.

Now take advantage of our skills by using some of our proven business plans for your business.

You don’t have to spend endless hours writing out your business plan from scratch. Nor do you have to pay for a custom written business plan to a professional writer. Simply download one of our previous works that have been sensitised into a generic template and get going!

Why Use a Business Plan Template?

A good business plan template can help organise your thoughts. It can provide a guideline so you don’t find yourself stuck staring at a blank page figuring out where to begin.

What’s more, a business plan sample provides a general layout of a standard business plan so you understand what goes where whilst ensuring you don’t leave anything out.

A good template also makes the job of writing a business plan easy and effortless.

Need More Information?

Can’t find a template for your business? Perhaps you have a question about our business plan samples. Feel free to contact our friendly team for assistance. Fill in our contact form  or call  1300 630 330 .

White Goods Business Plan

Get your business plan done today!

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete.

The White Goods Retailer business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian White Goods Retailer applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of retail businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Why waste time trying to write a business plan from scratch, time is money!  Visit Page And Purchase

Wine Bar Business Plan (suitable for Bar Business Plan)

The Wine Bar business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian Wine Barapplying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Wedding Planner Business Plan

The Wedding Planner business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

However, if we take them at their simplest form an Investor invests the funds required in return for an equity stake in the business. They then sit back and wait for a return on their investment. Generally speaking with new start businesses or new technologies, the motivation for investment is not an annual return in the form of a dividend as they can go for a safer listed entity for this. They generally want to see their investment increase ten-fold or more over the medium-term through the business taking off.

A Business Angel will get involved in the business and will bring to the table business and/or industry experience and contacts. They will take a mentoring role to ensure the business has every chance of success. They may commit funds but will see their main investment in the business as ‘sweat equity’ working in the business in return for an equity stake in the business.

For more information on Investors and Business Angels please read our article, Investor or a Business Angel?

Vineyard Business Plan

The Vineyard business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian businessapplying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Security Services Business Plan

The Security Services business plan is a 17 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian Security business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of business. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Please call us if you would like any assistance in this matter.

Tiler (trade )Business Plan

The Tiler’s business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian Tiling Business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of trades. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Seafood Distributor Business Plan

The Seafood Distributor business plan is a 19 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian Seafood Distributor applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

The goal when preparing a business plan for investors is to provide sufficient information for them to know whether they are interested in the concept and want to know more, or they understand the concept and are not interested.

We try to limit business plans for investors to between 20 -30pages. It is important to cover off what makes your business so special, how you will commercialise and monetise your concept, who is involved in the project, the risks involved, and how the money will be spent.

For more information visit Investor Tips and Advice  Visit Page For how we can assist visit  exec-b-plan-investorsproposals-2400

Rooftiler Business Plan

The Roof Tiler’s business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian Trade business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of trades. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Thai Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Thai Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Thai Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Vietnamese Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Vietnamese Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Vietnamese Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Steak House Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Steak House Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Steak House Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Spanish Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Spanish Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Spanish Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Russian Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Russian Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Russian Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Seafood Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Seafood Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Seafood Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Pizza and Pasta Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Pizza and Pasta Restaurant business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Pizza and Pasta Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Mongolian Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Mongolian Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Mongolian Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Malaysian Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Malaysian Restaurant business plan is a 18 page business plan written for an actual Indian Malaysian Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Mexican Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Mexican Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Indian Mexican Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Indonesian Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Indonesian Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Indian Indonesian Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Indian Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Indian Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Indian Hamburger Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Hamburger Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Hamburger Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Hamburger Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Greek Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Greek Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Greek Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

French Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The French Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian French Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Chinese Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Chinese Restaurant business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Chinese Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Restaurant business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Recruitment Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Recruitment business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Recruitment business applying for bank finance.

Real Estate Business Plan

Get your business plan done today! Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The car wash business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Real Estate business applying for bank finance.

Property Development Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Property Development business plan is a 12 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Property Development business applying for bank finance.

Psychologist Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Psychologist’s business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Psychologist’s business applying for bank finance.

Post Office Business

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Post Office business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian Post Office applying for bank finance.

Plumbers Business Plans

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Plumber’s business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Plumbing business applying for bank finance.

Personal Trainer Business Plan

This is an Australian Business Plan. It has been deliberately written in plain language so it is easy to follow. The business plan is emailed to customers in Microsoft Word to allow for easy changes that suit the customers personal circumstances.

Visit Page And Purchase

Photographers Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Photography business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Photography business applying for bank finance.

Painters (Trade) Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Painter’s business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian painting business applying for bank finance.

Online Store Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Online Store business plan is a 14 page business plan written for an actual Australian Online Store business applying for bank finance.

Business Consultant Business Plan

Builders business plan.

The Builder’s business plan is a 22 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian builder applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Beauty Salon & Hairdresser Business Plan

The Beauty Salon and Hairdresser business plan is a 14 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of beauty realated businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Bakery Business Plan

The bakerybusiness plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian bakery applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of bakeries. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Asian Grocery Business Plan

The Asian Grocery business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian based Asian Grocery business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of grocery businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Also suitable for:

Retail space rental applications Equipment lease applications Most other third-party requests Payment processed securely through PAYPAL. You do not need a PAYPAL account to purchase. Alternatively phone our office to organise other payment methods.

Money Back Guarantee – Should you be dissatisfied for any reason, telephone our Help Desk within 24 hours of purchase and quote your email address to orgasnise a full 100% refund.

Accountant’s Business Plan

The accountant business plan is a 16 page business plan which is written for an Australian Accounting practiceapplying for bank finance. It is written in with standard services and generic operating elements to make it suit a wider range of practices. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Catering Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The catering business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian catering business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Carpenter / Cabinet Maker / Joinery Services Business Plan

This is an Australian Business Plan. It has been deliberately written in plain language so it is easy to follow. The business plan is emailed to customers in Microsoft Word to allow for easy changes that suit the customers personal circumstances

Car Wash Business Plan

The car wash business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian car wash businessapplying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Car Hire Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The car hire business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian car hire business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Why waste time trying to write a business plan from scratch, time is money  Visit Page And Purchase

Camping Store Business Plan

Cake shop business plan, cafe business plan.

The cafe business plan is a 16 page business plan which was written for an actual Australian cafe applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of cafes. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Nursery (Plants) Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Nursery business plan is a 14 page business plan written for an actual Australian Nursery business applying for bank finance.

Night Club Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Night Club business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Night Club business applying for bank finance.

Newsagency Business Plan

Do you need help to develop an effective  newsagency business plan?

We understand that a business plan is an essential document and that can enable you to win investors. If you are looking for ideas for a well-structured and convincing  newsagency business plan,  we can help you. At BusinessPlans, we offer specialist business planning services and can help you document your ideas in a clear and professional way. With our  business plan solutions , you can build a strong foundation for your business. Our  newsagency business plan  is crafted to comprehensively outline every aspect of your business and reflect its potential.

Make the right start for your business with our business plan solutions. Get your business plan done today!

You can now avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Newsagency’s business plan is a 15-page business plan written for an actual Australian Newsagency business applying for bank finance.

If you are looking for a  capability statement template , we have the perfect solution for you.

Why waste time trying to write a business plan from scratch, time is money! Avail our business planning services today to get solutions that are second to none.  Visit Page And Purchase

My Franchise BusinessPlan

You are looking to purchase a franchise and the franchisor has asked for a business plan. We have written many business plans for all the major Australian franchises.

How we can help you

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Service Options:

The 48 Hour Plan ($495+gst)

The 48 Hour Plan is the perfect solution for those seeking a franchise business plan. Best of all we only need 1 hour of your time and we do all the work. We will include what the franchisor is looking for and also offer the option to have us do the financial projections all banks want to see. $495+gst …more

DIY Options

Template Help (by a real Consultant in Australia) ($275+gst)

You have a business plans template or want to use one. You would like a professional to help you understand the template and personalise it for your own need. A Consultant will help customers by explaining each part of the template in detail, answer questions, help personalise it and remain available for 7 days (BHs)..…more

The Trilogy Workbook and Template ($25+gst)

The Trilogy Workbook and Template lets you write your own franchise business plan. It is a 50 page workbook and we also give you a template to type straight into. It includes helpful tips and hints along the way

Franchise Business Plans ($22)

Actual business plans for major Australian franchises

Men’s Fashion Retail Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Men’s Fashion Retail business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Men’s Retail Fashion business applying for bank finance.

Why waste time trying to write a business plan from scratch, time is money!

Massage Services Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Massage Services business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Massage business applying for bank finance.

Lawyers Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Lawyer business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an Australian Legal services business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Landscaper Designers Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Landscape Designers business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Landscaping business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Ladies Fashion Retail Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Ladies Fashion Retail business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Fashion Retailer business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Jewelry Shop Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The jewelry business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian Jewelry business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Ice Cream Shop Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The ice cream shop business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Ice Cream Shop business applying for bank finance.

Hotel Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The jewelry business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian Hotel business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Gym Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Gym business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Gymapplying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Giftwear Shop Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Giftwear Shop business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Giftwear business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

General Store Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The General Store business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian General Store applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Gardners Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Gardener’s business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Gardening business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Furniture Manufacturing Business Plans

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Furniture Retail business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Furniture Retailing business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The White Goods business plan is a 18 page business plan written for an actual Australian White Goods business applying for bank finance.

Wendy’s Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Wendy’s business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Wendy’s business applying for bank finance.

Top Snap Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Top Snap business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian Top Snap business applying for bank finance.

Subway Business Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Subway business plan is a 18 page business plan written for an actual Australian Subway business applying for bank finance.

Salsa Fresh Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Salsa Fresh business plan is a 18 page business plan written for an actual Australian Salsa Fresh business applying for bank finance.

Refund Home Loans Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Refund Home Loans business plan is a 15 page business plan written for an actual Australian Refund Home Loans business applying for bank finance.

Nandos Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Nandos business plan is a 19 page business plan written for an actual Indian Nandos Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

If you are looking for a  florist business plan , we have the perfect solution for you.

Muffin Break Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Muffin Break business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Muffin Break business applying for bank finance.

Matchbox Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Matchbox business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Matchbox business applying for bank finance.

Japanese Restaurant Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Japanese Restaurant business plan is a 18 page business plan written for an actual Indian Japanese Restaurant business applying for bank finance.

Italian Restaurant Business Plan

Gloria jeans business plan, foodworks business plan, donut king business plan.

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Donut King business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian Donut King business applying for bank finance.

Coffee Club Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Coffee Club business plan is a 14 page business plan written for an actual Australian Coffee Club business applying for bank finance.

Franchise Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The franchise business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actual Australian franchise business applying for bank finance.

Florist Business Plan

Are you planning to start a florist business and looking for ideas to develop a business plan?

A business plan is an essential document that defines a business and enables you to structure it efficiently. It is a critical document and may be required in the process of availing a loan and setting short and long-term goals. Developing a business plan is a vital step as a well-constructed plan can help you to drive your business towards success.

BusinessPlans offers specialist business planning service that is second to none. If you are looking for a  florist business plan,  avail the service of our experts to develop a  professional business plan . With our experience, we possess the expertise to create bespoke  florist business plans  that can immensely help your business to grow.

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Florist business plan is a 16-page document written for an actual Australian Florist business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

With our efficient business planning service, we intend to simplify it for you. Our business plan is designed to be powerful and can help your business stand out from its competitors.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirement and craft an effective  florist business plan.  We just don’t present what you tell us, if we think the matter can be improved we let you know and discuss it with you.

Engineering Services Business Plan

The Engineering Services business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Engineering Services business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Electricians Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Electricians business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Electrician business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Electrical Installation & Cabling Services Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Electrical Installations & Cabling Services business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Electrical & Cabling business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Dog Training School Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Dog Training School business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Dog Training School business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Day Tours Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Day Tours business plan is a 14 page business plan written for an actual Australian Day Tours business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Counselling Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Counselling business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Counselling business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Computer Repairs Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Computer Repairs business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Computer Repair business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Commercial Building Safety Services Business Plan

This is an Australian Business Plan. It has been deliberately written in plain language so it is easy to follow. The business plan is emailed to customers in Microsoft Word to allow for easy changes that suit the customers personal circumstances. Visit Page And Purchase

Clothing (wholesale) Business Plan

The Wholesale Clothing business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian Clothing Wholesale business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Cleaning Services business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Cleaning Services business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

This business plan suits both residential and commercial cleaning services.  Visit Page And Purchase

Childrens Clothing Shop Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The Childrens Clothing Shop business plan is a 17 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Childrens Clothing business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Children’s Play Centre Business Plan

Child care centre business plan.

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The child care centre business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actualAustralian Child Care Centre business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

Charity Business Plan

Avoid the dreaded ‘Blank Page Syndrome’ and do the smart thing by starting your plan with one that’s almost complete. The charity business plan is a 16 page business plan written for an actual Australian charity business applying for bank finance. We have sensitised the plan and made it more generic to make it suit a wider range of businesses. All that is left to do is to follow what we have written and customise the content to reflect your business.

basic business plan template australia

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Business plan template

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URL: https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/30775b7b-4198-4cef-9fef-8800d76648c6/resource/d5b824ef-8f97-49d2-be2f-1b88bde4d0e4/download/business-plan-template.docx

Template for use in creating a business plan

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Business plan template.

Having a well prepared business plan before starting your business can help you refine your idea, gain a deeper understanding of your market and have a clear direction for your business. Our guide to using the business plan template will help you when using this resource.

basic business plan template australia

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How to write a business plan

Behind every organised business is a solid business plan. Make sure you cover what you need for starting a business successfully.

Start a business checklist

  • Set out your strategic vision
  • Set out the details
  • Make necessary changes
  • Put the plan to work

Think you've got a great idea for a new business? It's one thing to have a dream, but another to be able to create an income from it. That's where a business plan comes in.

A good business plan is essential when thinking about starting a new venture. It'll help you apply for  business finance  and keep your vision on track once things are up and running. Here are four steps to creating and implementing 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: This should be brief and aspirational, yet achievable. Take the time to get it right.
  • Unique selling proposition (USP): Sets out why you believe customers will come to you rather than a competitor.
  • Target market identification: While you don't want to limit your customer base, the clearer a picture you have of your target market, the easier it'll be to communicate with them.
  • 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? Will you need to apply for a business loan or overdraft ? 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 the business' background and introduce key people like employees, managers, partners and investors.
  • Competitors: Do a detailed analysis of the competitive landscape, including information on the industry, size and characteristics of the target market and your competitors' strength and weaknesses.
  • SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis: Put your business model to the test by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of your idea and potential opportunities and threats.
  • Business assets: Identify what you have and what you need, including premises, plant and equipment, information systems, intellectual property , licences and insurance.
  • 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 them specific and measurable.
  • Business strategies: Should include marketing, sales and customer-retention strategies.
  • Financial forecasts: 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.  

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?  

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. 

Visit our  small business hub  for more guides, tips and advice for every stage of your business journey.

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Simple Business Plan Templates

By Joe Weller | April 2, 2020

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In this article, we’ve compiled a variety of simple business plan templates, all of which are free to download in PDF, Word, and Excel formats.

On this page, you’ll find a one-page business plan template , a simple business plan for startups , a small-business plan template , a business plan outline , and more. We also include a business plan sample and the main components of a business plan to help get you started.

Simple Business Plan Template

Simple Business Plan Template

Download Simple Business Plan Template

This simple business plan template lays out each element of a traditional business plan to assist you as you build your own, and it provides space to add financing information for startups seeking funding. You can use and customize this simple business plan template to fit the needs for organizations of any size.

One-Page Business Plan Template

basic business plan template australia

Download One-Page Business Plan Template

Excel | Word | PDF  | Smartsheet

Use this one-page business plan to document your key ideas in an organized manner. The template can help you create a high-level view of your business plan, and it provides easy scannability for stakeholders. You can use this one-page plan as a reference to build a more detailed blueprint for your business. 

For additional single page plans, take a look at " One-Page Business Plan Templates with a Quick How-To Guide ."

Simple Fill-in-the-Blank Business Plan Template

Simple Fill In The Blank Business Plan Template

Download Simple Fill-in-the-Blank Business Plan Template

Use this fill-in-the-blank business plan template to guide you as you build your business plan. Each section comes pre-filled with sample content, with space to add customized verbiage relevant to your product or service.

For additional free, downloadable resources, visit " Free Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan Templates ."

Simple Business Plan for Startup

Start-Up Business Plan Template

‌ Download Startup Business Plan Template — Word

This business plan template is designed with a startup business in mind and contains the essential elements needed to convey key product or service details to investors and stakeholders. Keep all your information organized with this template, which provides space to include an executive summary, a company overview, competitive analysis, a marketing strategy, financial data, and more. For additional resources, visit " Free Startup Business Plan Templates and Examples ."

Simple Small-Business Plan Template

Small Business Plan Template

Download Simple Small-Business Plan Template

This template walks you through each component of a small-business plan, including the company background, the introduction of the management team, market analysis, product or service offerings, a financial plan, and more. This template also comes with a built-in table of contents to keep your plan in order, and it can be customized to fit your requirements.

Lean Business Plan Template

Lean Business Plan Template

Download Lean Business Plan Template

This lean business plan template is a stripped-down version of a traditional business plan that provides only the most essential aspects. Briefly outline your company and industry overview, along with the problem you are solving, as well as your unique value proposition, target market, and key performance metrics. There is also room to list out a timeline of key activities.

Simple Business Plan Outline Template

Simple Business Plan Outline Template

Download Simple Business Plan Outline Template

Word  | PDF

Use this simple business plan outline as a basis to create your own business plan. This template contains 11 sections, including a title page and a table of contents, which details what each section should cover in a traditional business plan. Simplify or expand this outline to create the foundation for a business plan that fits your business needs.

Simple Business Planning Template with Timeline

Simple Business Planning Template with Timeline

Download Simple Business Planning Template with Timeline

Excel | Smartsheet

This template doubles as a project plan and timeline to track progress as you develop your business plan. This business planning template enables you to break down your work into phases and provides room to add key tasks and dates for each activity. Easily fill in the cells according to the start and end dates to create a visual timeline, as well as to ensure your plan stays on track.

Simple Business Plan Rubric Template

basic business plan template australia

Download Simple Business Plan Rubric

Excel | Word | PDF | Smartsheet

Once you complete your business plan, use this business plan rubric template to assess and score each component of your plan. This rubric helps you identify elements of your plan that meet or exceed requirements and pinpoint areas where you need to improve or further elaborate. This template is an invaluable tool to ensure your business plan clearly defines your goals, objectives, and plan of action in order to gain buy-in from potential investors, stakeholders, and partners.

Basic Business Plan Sample

Basic Business Plan Sample

Download Basic Business Plan Sample

This business plan sample serves as an example of a basic business plan that contains all the traditional components. The sample provides a model of what a business plan might look like for a fictional food truck business. Reference this sample as you develop your own business plan.

For additional resources to help support your business planning efforts, check out “ Free Strategic Planning Templates .”

Main Components of a Business Plan

The elements you include in your business plan will depend on your product or service offerings, as well as the size and needs of your business. 

Below are the components of a standard business plan and details you should include in each section:

  • Company name and contact information
  • Website address
  • The name of the company or individual viewing the presentation
  • Table of Contents
  • Company background and purpose
  • Mission and vision statement
  • Management team introduction
  • Core product and service offerings
  • Target customers and segments
  • Marketing plan
  • Competitive analysis
  • Unique value proposition
  • Financial plan (and requirements, if applicable)
  • Business and industry overview
  • Historical timeline of your business
  • Offerings and the problem they solve
  • Current alternatives
  • Competitive advantage
  • Market size
  • Target market segment(s)
  • Projected volume and value of sales compared to competitors
  • Differentiation from competitors
  • Pricing strategy
  • Marketing channels
  • Promotional plan
  • Distribution methods
  • Legal structure of your business
  • Names of founders, owners, advisors, etc.
  • Management team’s roles, relevant experience, and compensation plan
  • Staffing requirements and training plans
  • Physical location(s) of your business
  • Additional physical requirements (e.g., warehouse, specialized equipment, facilities, etc.)
  • Production workflow
  • Raw materials and sourcing methods
  • Projected income statement
  • Projected cash flow statement
  • Projected balance sheet
  • Break-even analysis
  • Charts and graphs
  • Market research and competitive analysis
  • Information about your industry
  • Information about your offerings
  • Samples of marketing materials
  • Other supporting materials

Tips for Creating a Business Plan

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at the thought of putting together a business plan. Below, you’ll find top tips to help simplify the process as you develop your own plan. 

  • Use a business plan template (you can choose from the variety above), or refer to the previous section to create a standard outline for your plan.
  • Modify your outline to reflect the requirements of your specific business. If you use a standard business plan outline, remove sections that aren’t relevant to you or aren’t necessary to run your business.
  • Gather all the information you currently have about your business first, and then use that information to fill out each section in your plan outline.
  • Use your resources and conduct additional research to fill in the remaining gaps. (Note: It isn’t necessary to fill out your plan in order, but the executive summary needs to be completed last, as it summarizes the key points in your plan.)
  • Ensure your plan clearly communicates the relationship between your marketing, sales, and financial objectives.
  • Provide details in your plan that illustrate your strategic plan of action, looking forward three to five years.
  • Revisit your plan regularly as strategies and objectives evolve.
  • What product or service are we offering?
  • Who is the product or service for?
  • What problem does our product or service offering solve?
  • How will we get the product or service to our target customers?
  • Why is our product or service better than the alternatives?
  • How can we outperform our competitors?
  • What is our unique value proposition?
  • When will things get done, and who is responsible for doing them?
  • If you need to obtain funding, how will you use the funding?
  • When are payments due, and when do payments come in?
  • What is the ultimate purpose of your business?
  • When do you expect to be profitable?

To identify which type of business plan you should write, and for more helpful tips, take a look at our guide to writing a simple business plan .

Benefits of Using a Business Plan Template

Creating a business plan can be very time-consuming, especially if you aren’t sure where to begin. Finding the right template for your business needs can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. 

Using a business plan template — instead of creating your plan from scratch — can benefit you in the following ways:

  • Enables you to immediately write down your thoughts and ideas in an organized manner
  • Provides structure to help outline your plan
  • Saves time and valuable resources
  • Helps ensure you don’t miss essential details

Limitations of a Business Plan Template

A business plan template can be convenient, but it has its drawbacks — especially if you use a template that doesn’t fit the specific needs of your business.

Below are some limitations of using a business plan template:

  • Each business is unique and needs a business plan that reflects that. A template may not fit your needs.
  • A template may restrict collaboration with other team members on different aspects of the plan’s development (sales, marketing, and accounting teams).
  • Multiple files containing different versions of the plan may be stored in more than one place.
  • You still have to manually create charts and graphs to add to the plan to support your strategy.
  • Updates to the plan, spreadsheets, and supporting documents have to be made in multiple places (all documents may not update in real time as changes are made).

Improve Your Business Plan with Real-Time Work Management in Smartsheet

Empower your people to go above and beyond with a flexible platform designed to match the needs of your team — and adapt as those needs change. 

The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed. 

When teams have clarity into the work getting done, there’s no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time.  Try Smartsheet for free, today.

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Writing an Effective One-Page Business Plan: What You Need to Know (+ Free Template)

By Homebase Team

Person writing in a notebook

If you’ve started—or are starting—a small business, you’ve probably heard the words ‘business plan’ thrown around. That’s because a business plan is an important document with important information! Even a one-page business plan can help you address key questions early in the planning process.

That’s right—we said  one page. In many cases, there’s no need for a supermassive document that takes ages to create. In this article, we walk you through what a good business plan needs—and what a business plan one-pager should contain. 

Whether you’re writing your business plan for the first time or giving your existing plan a refresh, we’ve got your back. We’ve even got a free, downloadable business plan template to help you get started. Let’s get into it!

Why do you need a business plan?

A business plan is a blueprint for your business. It outlines everything your business needs, from goals to market to the steps you need to implement.

Business plans serve two main purposes:

  • To help you set your business up for success. As you put together your business plan, you’ll be forced to think strategically about all your business goals and activities . Are they realistic? Is something likely to go wrong? What haven’t you thought of? The goal is for you to walk away feeling confident in the future of your business.
  • To communicate the value of your business to others. It’s rare that entrepreneurs like yourself will go it 100% alone. You’ll likely work with partners, investors, or vendors to bring your small business to life. A business plan gives your collaborators confidence in you and your business and helps them support you in the best way possible.

Taking the time to create a business plan can feel like you’re wasting all-too-precious time, but it can help keep you focused and increase efficiency down the road. It’ll also help you make better business decisions off the bat so you can grow your small business quickly and wisely. 

What are the 7 main points in a business plan?

Every business plan is unique, which is part of the reason writing one can feel a tad overwhelming. You can’t just copy and paste the plan from another business—instead, you need to assess your business’s idea within its niche.

Luckily, the skeleton of every plan is usually very similar. Whether you’re creating a plan for a neighborhood daycare or that cool new bar down the street , here are a few main points to put into any comprehensive business plan.

1. Executive summary

Your executive summary is an overview of your business plan. 

Think about this section like a TL;DR or too long, don’t read . If someone wants to understand the gist of your business plan in just a few minutes, what information would they need to know?

If you find yourself just sharing your executive summary with your business’s interested parties, it may be that your business plan is too long! Consider a one-page business plan as your business’s elevator pitch, or a longer executive summary.

2. Company overview and description

In this section, you should introduce your business to the reader. By the time they finish reading this section, they should have a good idea of who you are, what you do, and what you sell—in other words, your business’s niche.

Don’t be afraid to dive into your own background and why you decided to start this business. Building a small business is personal, and your story can go a long way in giving the reader some context.

3. Market and competitive analysis

Every business needs customers. Here’s where you’ll detail who they are and the potential target market of your business, including your ideal customer.

You’ll also want to take note of potential competitors that may impact your business. These might be direct competitors, but could also be similar businesses that may compete for your customers’ time and money. For example, if you’re opening a cycling studio, you might consider any other type of fitness studio to be a competitor.

Competition isn’t a bad thing, but being aware of your competition is one way to ensure your business stands out from the crowd. 

4. Business offerings

Here’s where you’ll outline what products or services your business will offer in more detail. It doesn’t have to be a complete laundry list, but it should give readers a general idea and show a certain degree of forethought and attention to details.

For example, if you’re opening a bakery , this might be a sample of your menu. Or if you’re an HVAC repair company , you might share an overview of the services you’ll offer your customers. This section might even mention the products or services you won’t offer and why, especially if it helps clarify how your business is unique.

5. Management and operational plan

From managing employees and inventory to securing equipment and a lease, there’s a lot that happens behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. Every business plan should touch on how you’ll manage the day-to-day of your business.

This is also a great place to indicate key milestones and timelines so you know that you’re on track for a successful grand opening. 

6. Sales, marketing, and PR strategy

Now that you’ve got all the research and operational plans in place , it’s time to start attracting customers and securing those sales. Even with the best products or services in town, every business can use a little marketing boost. Feel free to get creative. From social media to paid ads, there are tons of ways you can spread the word about your budding business . 

7. Financial forecast and budget

No one loves to crunch financials, but when it comes to business, money talks. And a strong financial plan is key to the long-term success of your business.

This final section of your business plan should estimate the costs, revenue, and profits of your business in the short and long term. How do you plan to finance your business? What costs will you incur before opening day ? What are the ongoing costs?

Not only will this give your vendors and investors confidence in your business, but it helps you make sure that your business is profitable in the long run.

What is a one-page business plan?

A one-page business plan is essentially a condensed version of a full business plan.  

It covers all the core information about your business without overwhelming the reader with details. The goal is to summarize your business plan for yourself and potential stakeholders so they can understand your business at a glance.

Depending on your business needs, this concise document may even be all you need to get your business off the ground. Or it could serve as a stepping stone to a more robust plan in the future. 

Top benefits of a one-page business plan.

Bigger isn’t always better—and one-page business plans are here to prove it.

Here are some benefits and reasons why you might opt for a one-page business plan:

  • To kickstart your business planning: A full business plan can be incredibly daunting. A one-page business plan gives you a place to start without feeling overwhelmed with the nitty gritty. 
  • To share and distribute: Sometimes potential vendors, partners, or investors want to get more information about your business before they sign on officially. Instead of leaving them with a massive document, a one-page business plan helps you share the relevant need-to-know information easily.
  • To focus on the key details: If you’re early on in the business ideation process and want to make sure you have all the important information, a one-page business plan can help you easily validate your business plan.
  • To save time: In the long term, you may still expect to put together a full business plan at some point. However, if you’re in a time crunch, a one-page plan can help you get the important insights without the time commitment.
  • To easily edit: In an ever-changing business environment, a one-page business plan is much easier to keep updated. 

Key details to include in a one-page business plan.

Above, we outlined the key components of any business plan. The key with a one-pager is to keep it brief without losing any of those important details. 

Let’s look at the sections of a business plan one-pager and dig into how you can adapt them to cover all the details of your business—all on one page. 

Summary and overview

Start your one-page plan by sharing the name of your business, what you do, and your main value proposition.

The problem—and your solution

In a few sentences, share the problem that your business solves and how you solve it. This clarifies why your business should exist, so it’s an important section!

Depending on your business, you may also want to share a few of your team members to help readers put a face to your business. Great examples include the executive chef for a restaurant, or the lead veterinarian for your vet clinic.

Target market

Briefly describe who you expect to be a customer and their characteristics. This could be in the form of a short “ideal customer” profile.

Competitor overview

Here, you’ll touch on potential competitors and what makes your business stand out.

Business timeline

Share the key milestones for your business. For example, pitch when you’ll start marketing your business, when you’ll hire employees , and when you expect to open.

Sales and marketing plan

Here, you’ll quickly highlight the key marketing activities that you’ll use to drive new customers to your business. Try to stick to the most interesting or high-value stuff, like a website or social media .

Financial projections

Outline your expected revenue , expenses, and profits to give the reader an idea of your financial future.

Our tips for creating a one-page business plan.

If you’ve ever written something with a limited word count, you know that sometimes keeping things concise can be easier said than done.

As you get writing your one-page business plan, here are some of our top tips so you can make the most of that one page.

  • Focus on the need-to-know information.
  • Avoid fluff and keep your sentences short.
  • Link out to additional resources and material if more information is necessary.
  • Don’t be afraid to strategically incorporate visuals to emphasize the important points.
  • Feel free to up sections or have different versions of your one-page business plan based on who’s reading it. 
  • Get creative with formatting to keep information organized.

One-page business plan example.

If you’re skeptical that all that information can fit on one page—we have proof!  Here’s an example that you can use to start thinking about your business plan.

Example of business plan

Download our free one-page business plan template.

A one-page business plan is one of the most important pages you’ll write for your business. While there’s a lot to think about, it’s worth the effort to give both you and your partners peace of mind.

The good news is that we’ve done the heavy lifting for you! If the above one-pager looks good to you, we’ve pulled it together as a download for you. All that’s left for you to customize it for your unique business, fill in the sections, and get ready to launch your business.

Download your one-page business plan template PDF

As you think about starting your business, think about how you’re going to keep track of your team! Get your business on track with one app to manage everything from employee scheduling to team communication.

Get your team in sync with our easy-to-use, all-in-one employee app.

One-page business plan FAQs

Why should you create a business plan.

There are several reasons you should create a business plan, such as:

  • Improving your decision-making as you start and grow your business.
  • Setting realistic goals and timelines.
  • Attracting top-notch suppliers, investors, and even employees.
  • Keeping your business profitable and your financials in order.

What types of companies need a business plan?

From brand-new small businesses to established corporations, companies of all shapes and sizes need a business plan. It’s a key part of setting your business up for success and improving your business trajectory.

Even if you already have a business plan in place, revisiting it from time to time can help you stay on track with your goals and adapt as your business changes.

Can a business plan be one page?

Yes, in many cases a business page can be one page. The trick to creating an effective one-page business plan is making sure that you’re covering the most important pieces of information. 

Our top tips? Keep it as concise and organized as possible, so you can effectively communicate the value of your business to your audience.

Writing a one-page business plan is simple. You can create a business plan from scratch or use a free template like the one above to stay on track, but generally, the steps to writing a one-page business plan include:

  • Start with a short executive summary and value proposition to introduce your business.
  • Share the problem your business solves and your solution.
  • Give an outline of top competitors and how your business compares.
  • Create a timeline of key milestones.
  • Outline your sales and marketing plan for attracting customers.
  • Summarize your financial projections and funding plans.

Remember:  This is not legal advice. If you have questions about your particular situation, please consult a lawyer, CPA, or other appropriate professional advisor or agency.

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