Step 3: Create a Business Plan

Pages:

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Key components of a business plan:

Executive Summary:

Summarizes the most important information within the pages of your business plan - the people, the idea, the market, the competition, the strategy - typically no more than two pages long, the executive summary is usually written last. It takes discipline to keep the summary short, but it's a must.

Business Description:

Details the mission, goals, value proposition, business model, and key assets. After someone reads this section of the plan, they should be able to "get" what you're offering with total clarity!

Market Analysis:

Dives into the needs and wants of potential customers in the market, as well as your competition and the percentage of the market you expect to reach. Be sure to include any pertinent market research and competitive analysis you've done - and cite your sources.

Resource

To generate market size and demographic statistics for your business plan, tap into the U.S. Census or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Marketing and Distribution:

Discusses your strategy and timeline for achieving your marketing goals and defines how you get what you offer into customers’ hands. Be sure to include any new or novel ideas you have for marketing and distributing your product.

Green tip

Digitize

It does seem a bit strange that in the “digital age” we still consume enormous amounts of mashed up, bleached tree pulp, most of which gets used once or twice and then tossed or recycled (“downcycled,” as McDonough and Braungart would call it). The greenest paper is no paper at all, so keep things digital and dematerialized whenever possible. The more you do online, the less you need paper.

Keep files on computers instead of in file cabinets (this also makes it easier to make offsite backup copies or take them with you when you move to a new office). Review documents onscreen rather than printing them out. Send emails instead of paper letters. New software like Greenprint helps eliminate blank pages from documents before printing and can also convert to PDF for paperless document sharing. .

Green tips for your business are provided by treehugger.com, a leading resource for all things “green”!