The document provides instructions for formatting a business plan, including: - Ensuring margins are 1.2 inches on left and right sides. - Changing formatting elements like the name, logo, fonts, and dates accordingly throughout the plan. - Including specific sections and subsections in the prescribed order with recommended formatting. - Providing guidance on what information should be included in each section, such as the executive summary, company overview, market analysis, products/services, competition, marketing strategy, operations, management team, and financial plan.

1. Ensure that margins
are 1.2” on left and
right. Can be checked
in File > Page Setup
Change name
New Ventures India accordingly
Arial font, size 22,
bold, centred
Business Plan: 2009 - 2014
Change logo
accordingly
Date Arial font, size 14, bold
Added as a text box with
Arial font, size 10, bold,
centred; title underlined;
red box – solid line size
1pt
Change
accordingly
Contact
Name, Designation
Address Line 1
Address Line 2
City, State, Pin Code
E-mail, Web Address
Tel. No/ Mobile Number

2. NVI Business Plan Private & Confidential
All super-headings Header should be in Arial
should be in Arial font, font, size 9, underlined
Table of Contents
size 12, bold, centred
Executive Summary………………………………………………………………………………………..3
Market Analysis…………………………………………………………………………………………….4
There are two lined
spaces between the
Create a linked TOC title and first line of
after report is done – if text.
you do not know how, TOC should only
ask someone in the include Super
office headings and Level 1
headings of main
sections. For
Appendix only include
super—headings in
TOC
The only footer should be
a page number that
begins on this 2nd page,
with a line above it
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3. NVI Business Plan Private & Confidential
Executive Summary
The business plan consists of a narrative and several financial worksheets. The narrative
template is the body of the business plan. It contains more than 150 questions divided into
several sections. Work through the sections in any order that you like, except for the
Executive Summary, which should be done last. Skip any questions that do not apply to your
type of business. When you are finished writing your first draft, you’ll have a collection of
small essays on the various topics of the business plan. Then you’ll want to edit them into a
smooth-flowing narrative.
The Executive Summary is a document which captures and presents succinctly the essence
of the written plan. It is a summary of the entire plan (a miniature plan) that allows the reader
to gain a quick understanding of the business proposal.
Describe the venture, the current state of development (start up, initial operations, expansion,
or rapid growth) and promote what is unique about your product or service (including
patents, licenses, royalties, distribution rights, franchise agreements etc.).
Give the reader an overview of the marketing plan. Provide a specific description of the
market and the potential customers. Identify the strengths against the direct competition for
capturing potential customers. Be sure to use specific facts and figures from the market
research.
Clearly state the needs for financing and identify the sources from which capital will be
obtained. List how much the owner will invest, how much investment capital is required
(include both debt and equity), describe where the funds will be invested (highlight how much
money is needed to grow the business, develop new products or services, increase marketing
etc) and detail the expected results of the investment.
Explain in detail how the growth plan will enable the owner or investor to exit if desired.
Explain plans for going public, potential merger candidates, selling the business, etc. Provide
an exit plan for the investor that justifies the expected return on investment.
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4. NVI Business Plan Private & Confidential
(I) Company Overview
Mission
The mission clarifies the purpose of the organization.
A mission statement helps in solving conflicts within an organization. Since the mission
provides guidelines regarding the needs, purpose and activities of the organization, it
functions as an accepted base of shared values and goals.
Vision
Clarifies how the organization wants to look and how it should act in the future to fulfil its
mission; it provides the organization with something to aspire to.
Core Values
Describe the attributes that make the organization unique
Company History
Explain the history of the company (when and why it was formed). Describe how the
business is organized and registered. Include marketing history of the company’s products
and services.
Shareholders
Describe the ownership structure of the organization
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5. NVI Business Plan Private & Confidential
(II) Market Analysis
(A) Industry Sector Analysis
 Total Market Size (National as well as International)
 Peculiar Characteristics/Trends in this market
 Major Customer Group
 Major Players
(B) Contribution of your product/services to your industry sector
(C) Target Markets
 Current & Projected market share
 Gross Margin targets
 Purchasing Trends in the target market
(D) Market drivers & Barriers
(E) Regulatory Restrictions
 Customer or Governmental Regulatory requirement
 Anticipated changes in regulatory requirements
Discuss both the present situation in the industry, as well as future possibilities. Provide
information about the various market segments within the industry, with a particular focus on
the area where your business is targeting. Describe the existing distribution channels through
which the product or service is currently being sold or delivered.
Describe areas where the industry is focused (i.e. rural vs. urban, international vs. domestic
seasonal vs. annual etc). Describe the trends in the industry and the potential factors that
may affect the industry (i.e. technology, consolidation, government regulations etc.). Cite
sources of information.
Determine the size of the industry for the product/service at the national, regional, local and
international levels. Indicate the amount of money spent annually and/or units consumed
annually in the industry. Cite sources of information.
Document the growth of the industry and indicate if the industry is expanding, stable, or
declining. Report the characteristics of the industry using standard measurements in the
industry and describe the market potential based on these findings. Cite sources of
information
Describe the customer in terms of age, gender, profession, income, geographic location and
other relevant demographics. Include customer psychographics (attitudes, values, beliefs
and social status).
Describe business customers in terms of business type, intended use, geographic location
size of the organization, etc.
Identify the government agencies that regulate businesses in your industry. List the
necessary government approvals required. Indicate any government subsidies that may make
your product or service more appealing (include any relevant documentation in the appendix)
(III) The Product or the Service
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6. NVI Business Plan Private & Confidential
(A)Description of the Product: Describe in depth your products or services in terms of:
 Utility
 Efficiency
 USP
 Price Competitiveness
 Product Life Cycle
(B) Product Technology
 Description
 Competitive edge
 Exclusivity
(C) Intellectual Property
 Copyright/Patents
 Risks/Mitigation Strategies
(D) R&D Activities
 Technology Upgradation Plan
 Budget Allocation
Describe the purpose of the product/service or product/service mix in terms of the problem it
will solve. Include the unique features of the product/service, such as cost, design, quality
and capabilities in comparison to competing products/services. Provide an evaluation of any
product/service limitations.
Describe the related services that will be provided and how they will increase the profitability
of the venture (i.e. maintenance, refills, etc). Determine spin off products or services that can
be developed to meet changing market needs in your industry. Explain how your company
will be flexible in meeting changing trends.
Provide a description of the warranties and guarantees to be offered. Compare to industry
standards. Include technical documents in the appendix.
Include a list of products and services provided by the company. Include testimonials,
results from market surveys or focus groups in the appendix.
List the patents, trademarks, service marks and copyrights that have been obtained or
indicate the application status. Be specific about how all proprietary rights and intellectual
capital will be protected. Describe any licence or royalty agreements associated with the
product/service. Indicate any distribution rights that have been obtained or given away.
Highlight current agreements and put contracts or details in the appendix.
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7. NVI Business Plan Private & Confidential
(IV) Competition
 Identification
 Strengths
 Weaknesses
 Relevance to Competitors
 Barriers to Entry
 Most likely reaction to entry/expansion
Identify the major competitors within your market and develop a list of the strengths and
weaknesses of each competitor.
Prepare a competitive analysis chart. Compare how your company competes in the areas
such as: price, quality, unique features, distribution system, marketing/advertising,
geographic location, strengths/weaknesses, market share etc. Cite sources of information.
Identify areas where your organization cannot compete and areas where you can provide
added value to the targeted customer.
(V) Marketing & Sales strategy
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8. NVI Business Plan Private & Confidential
 Market Outreach Plan
 Brand Building Strategy
 Potential Allies & Partners
 Milestone/ Timeline for next 3 years
 Website Updation
Identify the target market outreach plan, the target customer segment, the brand building
strategy etc.
Describe the distribution network (sales representatives, partnerships, catalogues, trade
shows, franchisees etc) and detail the projected penetration rate of each channel with respect
to potential customer base.
List the activities for penetrating the targeted market, who is responsible for key processes or
activities (i.e. sales training, selecting distributors, selecting potential partners for promotion
etc.) and when each activity is to be completed. Outline the timing for a time period of1-3
year.
(VI)Operational Plan
Infrastructure
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9. NVI Business Plan Private & Confidential
Describe the need for facilities. Outline manufacturing facilities, production capacity, and
future capital required to build facilities. Include detailed information concerning these
factors (i.e. diagram of the factory, store, and office layout) in the appendix.
Describe the production and/or service delivery process. Identify how much of the
product/service will be produced internally and how much will be subcontracted out. List the
costs of subcontracting by giving both percentages and dollar amounts of production costs.
Include shipping, billing, inventory, stocking and payment terms. List the names of
subcontractors and back up subcontractors in the appendix.
Operations Staff
Provide a production/delivery schedule. List all the activities that make the
production/delivery schedule and the names of the persons responsible for each activity.
Logistics
Describe the administrative policies, procedures and controls for the following:
 receiving orders
 billing customers
 collections
 paying suppliers
 reporting to management
 communication and information sharing
 inventory control
 maintenance, returns or warranties
 customer feedback
 establishing budgets, and sales goals based on resource capacity and availability
 data management and security
Diagram the flow of information through the system (for all major processes). List the
documents needed to prepare for each transaction.
List all the activities necessary to get a new product ready to market (project timelines, key
milestones, department responsibilities for each activity and project completion dates).
Outline the timing of events through the project development cycle.
Suppliers
 Critical vendors
 Inventory management
 Critical raw materials
 Supply alliances
List suppliers and back up suppliers and descriptions of their products/services. Detail the
suppliers’ role within the company’s supply chain. Include any agreements with suppliers in
the appendix.
Cost of Goods Sold structure
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10. NVI Business Plan Private & Confidential
Break down the costs associated with the price paid for the product by the customer (detail
any additional costs necessary to get the merchandise into inventory and ready for sale,
including shipping and handling).
Scalability Potential & Plans
Describe the products/ services, locations, distribution channels and marketplaces that will
be pursued in the future. Project revenues for five years and estimate potential costs
associated.
List the estimated financial requirements for pursuing the growth strategy and explain where
the company plans invest the capital.
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11. NVI Business Plan Private & Confidential
(VII) Key People & Human Resources
Key People
 Position & Responsibility
 Past Experience & Unique Skills
 Compensation Packages
 Board
 External Advisors/Consultants
Provide a list of key members, titles and detailed job descriptions of the management team
(include their experience, training, and special expertise). Indicate that copies of CV’s are
included in the appendix.
Provide a list of all contracts for the members of the management team: employment,
intellectual property, etc. (include in the appendix).
Provide in a table the board of directors and advisory council members, including names,
titles (chairperson, secretary, treasurers etc) and qualifications. List their potential
contribution to the company.
List the key advisors including accountants, lawyers, bankers and consultants along with a
description of his/her expertise. Also identify the compensation package for each advisor
(include in the appendix).
Human Resources
 Management Philosophies and Styles
 Org. Chart
 Salaries and Benefits Packages
 Labor Regulations followed
 HR Development Strategy
Describe the management philosophy (i.e. centralized vs. decentralized, cross functional vs.
departmental, leadership and work ethic expectations, etc)
Prepare an organizational chart showing how the company is organized by person and job
title. If a person has not been hired yet, just list job title.
List additional management personnel and other employees needed to support future growth.
List job titles, job descriptions, salary, benefits, amount and type of training required and
support staff members needed.
Describe the compensation package for the entrepreneur and the key members of the
management team. List in a chart salaries, benefits, bonuses, warrants, stock options etc.
Describe about the HR Development strategy for your company. Explain the incentive plan,
using performance goals tied to projected revenues or market penetration. Define various
incentive programs such as profit sharing, stock options, bonuses etc. Summarize key points
and place relevant documents in the appendix.
Describe the professional development, training and leadership succession resources
available and the procedures and policies for qualifying.
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12. NVI Business Plan Private & Confidential
(VIII) Social & Environmental Impact
1) Environment Management:
 Environmental benefits from your product or services
 Effective water management strategy
 Effective energy management strategy
 Green House Gases mitigation Strategy
 Waste recycle / reuse strategy
 Aforestation strategy
2) Socio economic benefits:
 Employment generation
 Enterprise development
 Are you involved in any social community initiative?
Describe the potential social and/or environmental impact of the product or service and what
policies, procedures and/or promotions the company has in place to create awareness of
these benefits.
(IX) Financial Plan
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13. NVI Business Plan Private & Confidential
Past Projected Financials & Budgets
 Assumptions
o Sales Build-up
o Personnel
o Marketing Costs
o Infrastructure Investments
o Inventory & Accounts Payable
o Accounts Receivable
o Debt Servicing
 Income Statement- Past & Projected
 Balance Sheet- Past & projected
 Cash Flow Projected
 Financial ratios and comparables
 Budgeting & Monthly Cash Flows
 Financial Scenarios & Breakeven Analysis
 Financial Systems & Control
o Information Systems for Finance and Administration
o Banking & Lender relationships
o Controls
o Cash Flow Management
o Audits & Reporting
 Asset Valuation of the company
Financing
Funding to Date
 Ownership details
 Investment rounds to date
Shareholders Agreements
Financing Sought
 Terms & Timing
 Use of Funds
 Ownership Changes
 Future Funding Requirements
Prepared Exit Strategy for the investors
Each appendix should be on a
Appendices new page and labelled
Annexure 1, 2, 3… in the TOC,
do not put subheadings for
Appendices
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14. NVI Business Plan Private & Confidential
A. Appendix : Vision, Mission, Values
Statements
B. Appendix : Historical Financials
C. Appendix : Market Research
D. Appendix : Promotional Materials
E. Appendix : Pertinent Published Materials
F. Appendix : Ownership Structure
Summary
G. Appendix : Curricula Vitae of Key
Personnel
H. Appendix : Professional References
I. Appendix : Financials from The
Scenarios
J. Appendix : Risk and Risk Mitigation
K. Appendix : Significant Contracts
1 Leases
2 Sales Contracts
3 Purchases Contracts
4 Partnership/Ownership Agreements
5 Stock Option Agreements
6 Employment/Compensation Agreements
7 Non-Compete Agreements
8 Insurance
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