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Who are your suppliers and how can you obtain the best cost prices? How will you tell your customers about your products and services? As with Financial Planning, this list is not exhaustive.

Potential investors will be interested in how the business will be managed. They will want to see a sound skills base, and a strong management team. Don't forget that potential investors in your company include yourself. Pay attention to the detail of your business management. Do you have the endurance needed to get out of bed each day and face the challenges that your business operations will bring? Can you afford to put in the time needed to grow your business? Do you have the skills to sell your products and services, or will you "buy" in these skills and experience? Provide CVs for each key member of staff involved in running your business. Demonstrate that your business has the capacity to overcome problems, and to reduce risk, whilst at the same time being creative and innovative enough to develop and expand.

These are just three key areas of any successful business. Below are some of the key headings you will need for your business plan.

- Executive Summary
- Background
- Products and Services
- Marketing Plan
- Human Resources
- Legal Issues
- Financial Forecasts

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Write this last. As it says, it is a summary. This should be one page at the most and should present your business idea, the aims and objectives of The Business Plan, which are different to the aims and objectives of the business itself. The aims and objectives of the Business Plan, for example, might be to raise funding from the bank or other lender. State clearly and concisely how much funding you require, etc.

BACKGROUND
Here you will present the background to the business. How it came into being, how the concept or idea has been developed, who is involved, etc.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Take some time to write down everything you can about your products and services. Think about what you can provide to customers to "add value". Explain where you will pitch your business in the market place. For example, are you aiming at selling volume at cheap prices, or aiming at the high end of your market with quality goods and services. Provide enough detail from this list writing in the business plan to give the reader an good understanding of your products and services, but not too much that it becomes superflous and boring to read.

Unique Selling Point (USP) - What makes your business stand out from the rest.

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