Business Plan

[maxum]

Does anyone have a business plan for an optical business that i can view to give me guidance to create one..I am a college student..Any help is appreciated...

[PAkev]

Maxum,

I couldn't connect with you via e-mail. A business plan can be quite involved and perhaps too comprehensive to post all the details here.

Anyhow, I put one together a few years ago for our business which included the following:

Executive Summary
Mission Statement
Business History & Development
Strenghths
Weaknesses
Oportunities
Threats

Internal Environmental Criteria
External Environmental Criteria
Proposed Environmental Criteria

Situational Analysis
Best Case Scenario
Worst Case Scenario
Most Likely Scenario

Sales and Marketing Strategies
Image

Financing
Projected Income Statement
Cost Summary
Financial Ratio Analysis
Break Even Analysis

Summary Recommendations

A business plan is indeed a good tool for external sources such as banks and investors to understand the industry and identify how well you know what you may be proposing to them.

Hope this helps,
Kevin

[This message has been edited by PAkev (edited 04-28-2001).]

[maxum]

My email is maxum66@aol.com.. By any chance do u still have the business plan..if you do could you email it to me..


thanks...

[Loomy]

I too would like a copy, If you mind.

Many Thanks
Helmi@www.com

[PAkev]

Folks,

I am happy to answer any questions about the business plan but can not make it available for public review in order to maintain the professional interests of our business and not compromise the integrity of the optical industry.

Every business is different and requires some genuine thought about structuring an appropriate business plan. It took nearly a month of research and number crunching for me to develop and present our plan.

Again, I am willing to be of assistance about the development of a business plan but please respect my request regarding our privacy of financial information.

Regards,
Kevin

[Loomy]

I respect the privacy of your financial information, and I thank you for helping out in understanding more about a business plan.

Kevin, could you elaborate more on the "Environment Criteria"?

[PAkev]

Internal Environmental critera focuses on existing key intrinsic assets, abilities, and or strategies which are executed through the ordinary course of business.

External Environmental critera focuses on the general industry practices, experience, strategies, and the consumers perception of the industry and/or product.

Kevin

[maxum]

I am not interested in the financials.. Just need information on the other stuff.. Like internal/external environments, equipment needed, customers, competition, ect..


maxum
maxum66@yahoo.com

[harry a saake]

One of the most important items you must determine is what is your customer base and needs in the area where you want to open. You have to determine that and then service those needs, as it is almost impossible to be all things to all people. Let me give you an example of something that happened to me in a small town in Georgia where I had my own dispensary. We decided to do night time exams on Wednesday nights. People booked exams, but did not show up. I could not figure out why until I was sitting in local restaurant talking to some locals and I happened to mention what was happening on Wednesday nights. One of the good old boys looked at me and said Harry, do you not know you are in god's country and people here go to church on Wednesday nights. We changed the exams to Thursday nights and everybody all of the sudden showed up.

[mikeh]

There are several excellent and inexpensive software pieces that will walk you through building a business plan step-by-step.

[jcmnbogey]

i am also researching the process of setting up a business plan. isearched on AOL-keyword business plan and got some general info.

hope it helps, otherwise try out your nearest SBA office they may be able to give you a checklist for going into business.

they gave me a few forms/packets with info to start with, and it helped me make an offer on a business just last week. It's a lot of research but a great eyeopener as to what is entailed in operating a business.

best of luck

[Judy Canty]

I used BizPlan Builder software from Jian. It's fairly straight-forward and not too pricey!

[pedseye]

There are alot of formats online too, just type under Search:
Business plan or this url: www.sbaonline.sba.gov/starting/businessplan.html