BUSINESS PLAN for a grocery/off licence shop - how to make it?

[mikex79]

Hi
I am just about to make a business plan for the grocery/off licence shop that i would like to open. I need this plan to introduce my business to my bank manager to get a loan of £20,000 - £30,000 I have no idea where to start from and how to make a propper buisness plan. Does anybody know a website that would be helpful with creating so?
any advice would be much appreciate
thanks

[ecigworld]

Hi,

If you go into Natwest and say that you need some help with the business plan they will give you some free software to help you out.

It covers the majority of requirements.

HTH

[PainFreeMarketing]

I recommend this product and ones like it

http://vnunet.digitalriver.com/dr/v2...DE=&CACHE_ID=0

a few testimonials from above link:

PlanIT Business Plan received PC Direct's Best Buy Award!

'PlanIT Business Plan will improve your chances of getting funding for your business proposal by helping you produce a better business plan. And that makes it a very worthwhile investment for any new or existing business. Best Buy.' PC Direct

'Intelligently written, this product has been well researched and thought out. It's an essential piece of software for any business that is looking for finance.' Computer Life

'Well worth the money.' The Sunday Times

[EalingAccountant]

Are you buying / leasing an established shop or leasing an empty property? established business- able to utilse prior year accounts to build the business plan.

[bsfweb]

Business Planning is a very interesting topic.

Firstly, why bother? (i.e. Who are you doing it for?)

Many entrepreneurs don't bother, (UNLESS they are borrowing money).

Most entrepreneurs do borrow money - in other words most entrepreneurs make money using/with other people's money (and have a talent to make the backers feel good for doing so).

Most entrepreneurs make 2 business plans (1) for the money lenders (Banks, Business Angels, Family, Partners, Colleagues, Government (business support schemes)) and (2) for themselves.

Lots of different views abound about planning, ranging from the ridiculously casual to the obsessively detailed.

IDEALLY the plan should have a FOLLOW THROUGH. In other words become A ROAD
MAP for the business. Most plans gather dust on the shelf, with the owners making excuses as to why they don't work. THIS IS AN EXCUSE. IT IS PROCRASTINATION (laziness in 5 syllables).

As you can see it is a big subject, and I am just skating over the ice. Actually it is like an iceberg. A plan is a fantastic process to help the owner get to grips with the business, a place where vision and dream meet application and practicality. Monitor the results, make changes, and keep learning, trying new things and hopefully success will eventually knock on your door.

To conclude, I should also mention modelling. To speed up time, Anthony Robbins, and many other business gurus, speak highly of modelling your business on a successful business in your sector/niche - a good way to speed up time & a short cut to success.

[accountantpete]

If you want to borrow £20-30k you will have to provide security for the loan -your house presumably.

In the current economic climate I don't think a home made business plan will do the trick - certainly not for that amount anyway.

I'd look around for local advice - accountants etc - and get a professional business plan drawn up.

[Indizine]

You can get help with business planning from your local enterprise agency www.nfea.com or business link.

[bsfweb]

Mikex79

It'd be good to hear some feedback on how your business plan went, what you felt you'd achieved and how it has helped you since.

Did you do it to raise money (80% of the motives from most SMEs) or did you do it as a business manager planning the next 3 years ahead?

[GeorgeM]

Most banks do offer business plan templates free that you can use to produce your own business plan. Or there are various software packages that can make it easier.

One package that I use is Business Plan Pro which you can buy online and from retail outlets.

[Scootek]

I have Business Plan Pro. I have found it to be brilliant. It is probably one of the best out there. However, it is a bit expensive.