What do I need to do in preparation before presenting my business plan to potential investors?
I want start an online business for which I need to approach investors and/or sponsors. What are the basic plans, graphs, and info I need to include in my PPT for a better success?
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May 11, 2015
Hi Amrita, the first thing to do is make sure you have a real business to for plan. Have you done the research, tested the market and/or created any clients? In business, we find "Clarity" to be a focalpoint. Know thy self and why you are creating the business. Investors will invest in you not the product or project. Keep it simple. Use Jim Horan's One Page Business Plan to present and discuss your business.
May 11, 2015
First step would be to know what actually you want to do; then attract investors, which you can do online or by meeting them physically. For that you need to design and build an easy-to-use website, and telling them what you want to do, how will you help them with the solution.
what incentives you can give them in future, if they invest in your idea. Keep in touch with people who are in that business. it also gives you ideas and know, what is going on in the reality
May 10, 2015
Hi Amrita, Dominic has laid out exactly how to write the Business Plan. This is your first step. Once this is completed you should have an excellent understanding of the projected financials. The next step would be to approach investors with a 12 slide (max) pitch deck which is your 15 minute elevator speech on your company. If investors are really interested then they will quiz you on the details of your business plan. If you need additional help, send me a PM and I would be happy to give you some guidance. Good luck, Elaine
May 9, 2015
An investment pitch deck has the purpose of one thing. Prove to your investors this will make a profit. Consider your projections for the month, quarter, year, and five years. Consider your overhead and think about whatever your best educated guess is. Depending on what your business is, will determine what content you will include. For example, if you were a restaurant, you'd assume a loss for the first five years, as per food costs, overhead etc...It also depends on how you're approaching these investors, are you crowd funding? Are you asking for a straight business loan?
Like any pitch, BE CONFIDENT. Have faith and pride in your company and be ready to answer any question they may have.
Think how an investor sees you. Is this business worth investing in? Is there a high risk value? Whats your ROI differential? Do this person have an established business plan that makes sense in the long term? Have they accounted for profit loss or any marginal receiving?
Theres tons of websites that can help you with sort of thing. The small business restaurant has slots of helpful articles, links etc.
If you are in need of any design services, i.e. logo, business cards website or to design your business pitch deck, let me know. Id be happy to help you. Feel free to connect. :)
May 9, 2015
Start by going to www.BERESOURCE.COM to work on your business plan...You will need to articulate your mission and vision statement in your business plan...Develop a tagline, elevator pitch, a high, realistic, and low sales forecast with expenses and profits and cash flows commensurate with those efforts...
May 8, 2015
Here's my free short e-guide to getting funded, startup, and planning:
http://lulu.com/shop/c-k-yap/1-million-business-ideas/ebook/product-21920607.html
May 8, 2015
Make sure that your Business Plan is presented with an outline that covers all aspects of your business, and your financials included are realistic with supported facts. I have free downloads for both a Business Plan and supportive Financial Statements that you can utilize FREE. link - http://budspracticalaccounting.com/resources/free-downloads/
May 8, 2015
Consider these important factors: market opportunity and your business goals in the first three years.
May 8, 2015
Assuming others will provide insight into the content needs of your business plan, I highly suggest that you make a formal presentation to at least 5 unbiased "friends" who have a true sense for business. This is to verify clarity of presentation and/or to obtain insight into areas that need further work.
Be certain that it is very easy for your potential financial backers to clearly visualize the product / service which you will be selling, and the process by which they can purchase that product or service. Make certain the "purchasing pathway" is clear and straight forward, rather than being convoluted or obscure.
Provide clear contact information, provide "authenticity" of your business, and make "Customer Service" a high priority.
Best Wishes for your success!
May 8, 2015
You can get some good practice and advice by connecting with your local business schools and associated "start-up" programs. You can also "buy" advice from a business coach. If you look to a coach, be sure to shop around and be sure they are not just "psychologically" oriented i.e. actually provide business consulting.
May 8, 2015
Here is the basic info I would prepare within your business plan to start off with:
SECTION 1: The Business
1a. Summary of the Business
1b. Personal Profile/C.V.
1c. Business/Personal Aims
SECTION 2: Market Research & Analysis
2a. The Market
2b. Target Customers
2c. Market Research and Analysis
2d. Competition
2e. Suppliers
SECTION 3: Product/Service
3a. Description of Product/Service
SECTION 4: Marketing Strategy
4a. Marketing Plans
4b. Promotion and Advertising
4c. Place
4d. Price
SECTION 5: Financial Planning
5a. Survival Budget
5b. Start-up Costs
5c. Overhead items
5d. Sales Forecast
5e. Cash Flow Forecast
5f. Projected Trading/Profit and Loss Account
5g. Projected Balance Sheet
5h. Costing/Pricing
Once you have all of the above mentioned, reach out and I will be glad to explain the next steps you need to take.
May 8, 2015
See Simply's VC Money for the 12 things VCs say they want covered and Angel Investing. Both are on audible and staples.com. Also on Simply Books APP for Apple/iTunes. Best book on angel investing is by legendary HBS professor and entrepreneur Howard Stevenson, available on Amazon.
May 8, 2015
A clear strategy for how you intend to grow your user base would be good; Most online businesses need to find a way to reach a critical mass of members/users before they will start to make any money. Do you know what this critical mass might be and do you have a plan to speed up the process of getting there?
May 8, 2015
You will need more than just a "powerpoint" presentation, assuming you got that (your actual business plan including stuff like sales, marketing and finance) covered investors like to see the highlights of those plans. Basically you want to visualise what you wrote in the executive summary.