The Purpose Of This Assignment Is To Begin The Final Project

The Purpose Of This Assignment Is To Begin The Final Project For This

The purpose of this assignment is to begin the final project for this course which involves putting together a financial plan based on either your current small business or one that you hope to begin in the future. Executive Summaries express the uniqueness and viability of your business venture. While it provides a brief overview of the plan, keep in mind that the executive summary may determine the amount of consideration a potential investor (or lender) will give to your proposal for your business. Try to limit your Executive Summary to a maximum of 2 pages.

Paper For Above instruction

The final project for this course involves developing a comprehensive financial plan centered around a small business—either an existing venture or one envisioned for the future. A critical component of this plan is the executive summary, which succinctly encapsulates the business’s core aspects, demonstrating its potential for success and attracting investment or lending interest.

The executive summary should start with the business's name and a detailed description of its offerings, including the type of business entity—be it a partnership, corporation, or sole proprietorship. It should then outline the company's goals and objectives, emphasizing why the business is poised for success. This section is crucial as it offers insight into the strategic vision and the market need the business aims to address.

Market environment considerations form an essential part of the executive summary. Here, the business should analyze current market needs for its products or services, along with an assessment of existing or potential competition. This assessment demonstrates an understanding of the external factors influencing the business’s prospects and competitive positioning.

The summary should include a brief profile of the owners and principal managers, highlighting their qualifications and how their expertise and offerings will contribute to the business's success. Such information reassures potential investors or lenders of the management team's capability.

An overview of the marketing plan and strategy must be incorporated, illustrating how the business intends to attract and retain customers. This includes target markets, marketing channels, and promotional tactics that will drive sales growth.

Financial forecasts are integral, and the executive summary should provide initial estimates of sales and expenses for at least the first two years of operation. This includes detailed projections of variable costs—expenses that fluctuate with sales volume—and fixed costs, which remain constant regardless of sales levels. These financial estimates underpin the business’s viability and help in assessing funding requirements.

Furthermore, the summary should identify 2-4 key factors critical to the business’s success. These could include unique selling propositions, proprietary technology, strategic partnerships, or operational efficiencies—elements that are essential for overcoming challenges and ensuring growth.

The funding request and funding plan section should specify how much capital the business needs, how those funds will be allocated, and what collateral or guarantees are available. If seeking a loan, outline the repayment strategy and terms. This transparency demonstrates planning and financial prudence.

Finally, any additional information that the entrepreneur believes is relevant should be included here, such as regulatory considerations, future expansion plans, or other strategic insights. This comprehensive executive summary serves as a persuasive overview for stakeholders, summarizing both the business opportunity and its financial roadmap.

References

  • Barrow, C. W. (2013). The Business Plan: How to Write It and Use It to Raise Capital. Dearborn Trade.
  • Bryant, S. M. (2014). Small Business Management: Launching and Growing Entrepreneurial Ventures. Cengage Learning.
  • Rae, D. (2009). Opportunity Focused Entrepreneurship. Routledge.
  • Bygrave, W. D., & Zacharakis, A. (2014). The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship. Wiley.
  • Scarborough, N. M., & Cornwall, J. R. (2014). Essentials of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. Pearson.
  • Hisrich, R. D., Peters, M. P., & Shepherd, D. A. (2017). Entrepreneurship. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Timmons, J. A., & Spinelli, S. (2009). New Venture Creation: Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • United States Small Business Administration. (2022). How to Write a Business Plan. SBA.gov.
  • Kristensen, V. N. (2014). Financial Planning and Analysis for Startups. Harvard Business Review.
  • Nelson, R., & Nelson, P. (2014). Entrepreneurial Finance: Strategy, Valuation, and Deal Structure. Wiley.