Purdue extension
EC-735
The Elements of a Business Plan:
First Steps for New Entrepreneurs
Cole Ehmke and Jay Akridge
Department of Agricultural Economics
Audience: Entrepreneurs planning a new venture
Content: Outlines the basics of a business plan
Outcome: Readers will understand the purpose of
and elements required to write a business plan
for a new venture
By organizing your thoughts on a possible business venture
into a business plan, you begin the process of creating a
successful enterprise. This publication addresses common
questions about business plans and then discusses what is
included in the major sections of a business plan. At the end,
it also describes a number of common errors made when
developing a business plan.
What Is in a Business Plan?
The business plan covers what you intend to do with your
business and how it will be done. The process of writing down
what is involved in bringing your idea to reality requires
dealing with the why, what, who, how, where, when, and how
much of your venture. Writing a business plan forces you to
take a deep look at your idea and how you will turn it into
a business. Doing so helps you recognize areas that need
rethinking or support. Your business plan will typically
include the following.
Business description—What do you plan to do; why are
you starting the venture?
Market analysis—Who will be your customers; what do
they want from you?
Competitor assessment—Who will you compete against;
what do these competitors offer?
Marketing plan—How will you reach your customers?
Operating plan—How do you plan to implement your idea?
Financial plan—How much money will it cost, and where
will you get the necessary funds?
Executive summary—What are the fundamentals of the
venture?
This publication discusses each of these elements after
answering some common questions about business plans.
Why Should I Write a
Business Plan?
An important question that you should ask yourself early in
the venture planning process is whether you should write a
formal business plan. While many things may be occurring
at once when a venture is being formed and you may be
challenged for time, there are a number of very good reasons
to put together a business plan.

Purdue Extension • Knowledge to Go
First, a business plan helps provide direction by making you
discuss where you want to take the venture and define what
you want out of it. Second, a business plan provides structure
to your thinking and helps you make sure you’ve covered all
of the important areas. Third, a business plan prompts you to
think about the future. For instance, a business plan might
help you consider what you would do when, once your
venture is developed, it attracts several competitors. A good
business plan will include ideas for dealing with new competi-
tors in your market, helping you prepare your business for
this situation.
Finally, a business plan will help you communicate your
idea, not only to financers, but also to employees, potential
employees, suppliers, and customers. As a communication
tool, a carefully developed plan will provide something that
other people can react to. You can use their insights to help
you develop a more successful venture.
Who Should Write the Plan?
The person or persons responsible for implementing the plan
should be heavily involved in its development. Some people
hire consultants or have employees draft the plan. If you’re
going to be accountable for the decisions that will be based on
the plan, then you need to be involved in its development. You
might have input from experts as you develop the background
and analysis for the business plan, but the business venture is
an extension of your desires, goals, philosophies, skills, and
abilities. If you are not directly involved, then it will not be an
effective planning document.
How Long Should a
Business Plan Be?
Part of the answer to this question depends on the audience
for your plan. If you are going to use the plan to search for
equity capital from a potential investor, then the plan should
be comprehensive and detailed. It should certainly be longer
and more detailed than a plan that is developed only for
internal use by yourself and a partner.
But more important than length is what the plan says. Some
long plans may communicate very little, while some very
short plans concisely communicate the essence of the venture.
Thoughtfully and thoroughly considering all the areas of the
plan is much more important than attempting to reach a
certain length.
Elements of a Business Plan
Section 1. Business Description
As an introduction to your business, this section should
provide an overview of the business and its objectives. Readers
of your business plan will want to know why this business
should exist. Having a mission statement will help communi-
cate this.
Mission Statement
As you begin your business venture, the first step is to clarify
what is most important to you. Having a clear purpose
provides readers with the context for the venture and will
give it meaning. Often a statement of purpose—a mission
statement—is written to outline intentions and motivations.
To write a mission statement, first consider the things you
care about or want to do. A mission statement communicates
the purpose and principles of what you’re doing and why
you’re doing it. A good mission statement should accurately
explain why your venture exists and what it hopes to achieve
in the world. Write a brief paragraph that is free of jargon. At
the very least, your mission statement should answer three key
questions:
1. What are the opportunities or needs that you exist to
address? (the purpose of the venture)
2. What are you doing to address these needs? (the
business of the venture)
3. What principles or beliefs guide your work? (the
values of the venture)
Your mission is the beacon for your venture. All other actions
in your business plan should help you accomplish the mission.
Communicating your mission with clarity is important
because the goals you set, actions you take, and the way you
spend your time will be guided by this statement. See Purdue
Extension publication Developing Vision and Mission
Statements (EC-720) for more information on this topic.

Purdue Extension • Knowledge to Go
Figure 1 contains an example of a thoughtful, fully developed
mission statement, that of Ben & Jerry’s, the quirky, innova-
tive, highly successful ice cream manufacturer.
the company to taking an interest in broader social issues.
Thus, the firm’s values are clear.
Business Overview
Also included in the Business Description portion of a business
plan is a summary of the current state of the venture. If you
already have selected a legal structure (sole proprietorship,
partnership, Subchapter S, or C corporation), then describe it
and who the principal owners are. Also provide a definition
of the business—is it a manufacturer, retailer, wholesaler,
service provider, or some combination? Will it be started
from scratch, as an expansion, or as an acquisition? Further
information may include the history of the business and its
primary strengths.
Products and Services
Readers of your plan will need a description of what your
product or service is to provide context for what you will later
say about it and your market. A general description is all that
is needed in this section; you can provide more depth in the
marketing plan section.
Section 2. Market Analysis
This section is the place for you to discuss the market and
your approach to it. In it you describe the market’s character-
istics, your target customer’s profile, the competition, and
how you plan to gain an advantage over them to create a
successful venture.
Market Characteristics
Your business will be a part of an industry. Describe the
industry so readers can understand the market place. Include
information on its size, location, history, competitiveness, and
profitability as well as its general health. In particular, discuss
the current trends in opportunities and threats. This founda-
tion will help you prove that a market exists for your product.
Your research will be the foundation of your forecasted sales
levels and will directly influence how large your operation
should be, your marketing plan, and the financing required.
Your efforts to reach your potential market and create a profit
will be limited by other businesses involved in the industry.
For instance, if the only way to effectively distribute your
Figure 1. Ben & Jerry’s Mission Statement
Ben & Jerry’s is founded on and dedicated to a
sustainable corporate concept of linked prosperity.
Our mission consists of three interrelated parts:
Product
To make, distribute and sell the finest quality all
natural ice cream and euphoric concoctions with a
continued commitment to incorporating
wholesome, natural ingredients and promoting
business practices that respect the Earth and the
Environment.
Economic
To operate the company on a sustainable financial
basis of profitable growth, increasing value for our
stakeholders and expanding opportunities for
development and career growth for our employees.
Social
To operate the company in a way that actively
recognizes the central role that business plays in
society by initiating innovative ways to improve the
quality of life locally, nationally and internationally.
Central to the mission of Ben & Jerry’s is the belief
that all three parts must thrive equally in a manner
that commands deep respect for individuals in and
outside the company and supports the
communities of which they are a part.
Ben and Jerry’s mission statement is specific and action
oriented. It describes exactly what the business of the venture
is and mentions the quality ideals it sets for its products. It
directly states that the company will focus on increasing
profitability to enhance value for shareholders, yet it commits

Purdue Extension • Knowledge to Go
product is through a large national chain, then that chain
will likely use its bargaining power to force you to sell for a
lower price, or there may be a slotting fee involved. You will
want to discuss forces like this and how you will respond to
them. These forces include the following:
• Supplier power (suppliers’ bargaining power and
leverage),
• New competitors (the threat of entry of new rivals),
• Substitute products (ease with which buyers can
switch to alternative products and/or attempts of
outsiders to win buyers over to their alternative
products),
• Buyer power (buyers’ bargaining power and
leverage),
• Industry rivalry (intensity of rivals’ jockeying for
a better market position and a competitive
advantage), and
• Government regulations (government influence
through regulations and policy).
See Purdue Extension publication Industry Analysis:
The Five Forces (EC-722) for more information on this
topic.
Target Customer Profile
In writing your market analysis, you will narrow the range
of potential customers to those specific ones who are willing
and able to buy your product. Although your product or
service may meet the needs of a large constituency of poten-
tial customers, the goal is to define your target customer as
specifically as possible both quantitatively and qualitatively.
As you gather your information, you will build a profile of
your target customer.
Your research should provide demographic information
about who you’ll focus on and the psychographic informa-
tion to understand why customers buy products. This will
allow you to focus your efforts efficiently. Thorough and
detailed research sets a good business plan apart from an
average one.
If you are selling to consumers, then consider the following.
• Are your customers local, regional, national, and/or
international?
• Are your customers young, old, male, female, high
income, low income, etc.?
• Are there behavioral characteristics that differentiate
your customers? (for instance price shoppers versus
convenience shoppers)
• Are there cultural considerations, social connections,
or other personal factors that might shape your
customer’s needs, wants, and buying behaviors?
If your customers are primarily businesses, then consider
the following.
• Do business customers’ needs differ by industry?
• Do business customers in different regions have
different needs?
• Who in the business is involved in the purchasing
decision? What is their job function? Who influences
their decisions? What is their background and
knowledge with respect to your product/service?
• What are company buying policies and procedures,
financial constraints, and timing of purchases?
Potential information sources are often publicly available,
and you should augment them with interviews with people
currently in the industry as well as your own experience. You
should also include a statement of the potential opportunities
for growth.
Section 3. Competitor Assessment
In your market analysis, include a review of your specific
competitors. All businesses have competitors in some form.
Some competitors sell similar products, while others sell a
product that serves the same function. Established businesses
will likely not take your entry into the market lightly.
First, define who your competitors are, and then profile them.
You should assess competitors with a critical eye on their
strengths and weaknesses compared to your own. It is
important to have an understanding of the operations of your

Purdue Extension • Knowledge to Go
competition so you know how you stand in relative terms.
Keep in mind the customer profile you created earlier. In it
you discussed the customers’ needs. In this section, address
how your competitors fill those needs and what you, in turn,
will offer. If a competitor has a strong competitive advantage
in an important area, you need to discuss how you will
address it. When reviewing competitors, consider what they
have as far as:
• Market share,
• Relationship with customers,
• Advertising plan,
• Price,
• Distribution,
• Product/service features,
• Financial strength/cost position, and
• Length of time in business.
Section 4. Marketing Plan
Marketing plans usually address four areas: product offered,
price charged, distribution system, and promotional efforts.
Products and Services
In your business description, you described your product or
service in general terms. In this section, describe your product
and how it will be used. This is your chance to explain your
products/services, identify their features and benefits, and
discuss what needs or problems they address in the market.
If you will offer a product, describe what it is, what it does,
and its features and benefits. Include pictures, drawings,
or technical images if they would help readers get a better
understanding of your product. Discuss its size, shape, color,
cost, design, quality, capabilities, technological life-span, and
patent protection. You may also wish to explain how it is
produced, the materials required, and the type of labor needed.
If you will offer a service, explain what the service is and what
need it addresses for your target market. Describe how you will
perform the service (whether it is on site or via the Internet,
telephone, or some other method), what makes it different,
and what materials or equipment are needed.
The products you offer will include aspects beyond the product
itself, like packaging, product support, warranties, returns,
training, and service. Discuss how these supporting features,
services, and information will make your business competitive
and profitable.
Pricing
Pricing strategies are based on the perceived value of your
products and services, your cost of doing business, your
marketing goals, and expected competitive actions. A wide
range of pricing strategies are available, from simple rules
of thumb to sophisticated approaches that involve carefully
measuring the value delivered by your firm to your target
market.
As you make your pricing decisions, it will be helpful to think
about your cost to produce your product or service. This will
provide a “floor” on your price. You should also think about
what other products similar to your products sell for in the
market. Finally, give some thought to why the price of your
product or service should be above or below the “market
price.” Above all, demonstrate that your price will allow you
to create a profit. See Purdue Extension publication Estimat-
ing Breakeven Sales for Your Small Business (EC-725) for
more information on this topic.
Distribution
In the distribution portion of your marketing plan, describe
how your product/service will be distributed and over what
geographical area. Distribution decisions concentrate on the
methods and channels of delivery that will optimize your sales
and profits. Logistics management plays an important role in
these decisions as firms determine how products will physi-
cally move from manufacturer to customer. Issues of cost and
efficiency, timeliness, freshness, customer service, customer
access, and control all affect your choice of distribution
channel.
Describe how your product will be sold, whether through
retailers, direct sales, and/or other methods. Discuss any
relationships you have developed with distributors or any
licensing agreements you have. Describe how your product
will reach customers, including specific distribution channels
and geographic areas.

Purdue Extension • Knowledge to Go
Promotion
Promotional activities are designed to communicate the value
of your products and services to your customers, ultimately
leading them to purchase your product or service. The range
of promotional tools available to you is very broad and may
be a combination of advertising, personal selling efforts, and
general public relations activities.
An effective promotional plan must focus on your target
segment—what is the most effective and efficient way to get
your message in front of this group? The second big issue is
budget—how much money do you have to invest in promo-
tional activities? Finally, a promotional plan must include
a timeline for activities—when should you pursue the
individual activities in the plan? Creativity is very important
here—a low-cost, creative promotion may be far more
effective than an expensive (paid) advertising campaign.
See Purdue Extension publication Marketing’s Four P’s:
First Steps for New Entrepreneurs (EC-730) for more
information on this topic.
Section 5. Operating Plan
The operating portion of the plan deals specifically with the
internal organizational structure, operations, and equipment
you will need to operate your venture. You should discuss how
the business will be owned and managed, your personnel and
physical resource needs, and the legal issues you will have.
Ownership and Management
In this section, describe the ownership of your venture, and
explain how the business will be managed on a day-to-day
basis. For instance, if your venture will operate as a partner-
ship, then explain who the partners are and how manage-
ment decisions will be made and disagreements will be
resolved. For a business organized as a corporation, describe
the composition and function of your board of directors, who
the principal owners will be, and how each will be involved in
making decisions.
Managers of a venture are responsible for turning an idea into
a successful business. In this section, describe what qualifies
you and any other managers or advisors to manage and
operate the business. You should select managers with an
eye to balancing technical, managerial, and financial skills.
Provide a short profile of the relevant training, experience,
licensing, or other indicators of ability that you want your
key managers to have.
Consultants can help you define and implement your plans.
Outline the outside advisors you will be using to help run
your business, and provide a few sentences that describe
each individual’s affiliation and qualifications. See Purdue
Extension publication Selecting and Managing Consultants
(EC-719) for more information on this topic.
After describing who the key people are, you will want to
describe how you will organize each person’s responsibilities
and authorities for the efficient operation of your business.
A useful management tool to use is a job description for each
position in the venture. A job description defines in advance
what the roles of each individual will be and helps in
communicating job expectations. See Purdue Extension
publication Developing Effective Job Descriptions for Small
Businesses and Farms (EC-728) for more information on
this topic. An organizational chart of the positions required
and job descriptions for the key employees will help readers
understand how the business will operate. See Purdue
Extension publication Principles for Structuring Small
Businesses and Farms (EC-729) for more information
on this topic.
Resources and Production
Other Staffing
If you will need to hire employees apart from yourself and
other owner/operators, then describe what your personnel
needs will be. Have job descriptions (including job responsi-
bilities and authorities, compensation, and qualifications)
for relevant positions, and describe how you will find and
manage the right people.
Production Methods
Outline the methods you will use to produce your product
(or conduct your service), especially for a manufacturing
venture. Pay particular attention to which actions will be
done within your business and how you will you source the
inputs you require. Part of this should be estimates of your
production costs.
The technical feasibility of producing and distributing the
product will be an important aspect of many ventures.
Address the availability of inputs and skilled labor, the
viability of production technology, the logistics of product

Purdue Extension • Knowledge to Go
production, and the environmental effects of production in
your plan.
Facilities and Equipment
Estimate what facilities and equipment you will use and
where they will be located in relation to your suppliers and
customers. Describe the size and usefulness of the facilities
and any modifications needed to start operations and as
your business grows.
Operations
Describe how your business will be operated in terms of both
schedule and procedures. Your schedule may be part-time or
full-time, may only operate in certain seasons, may observe
certain holidays, or may have extended hours at times of
the year.
Operationally, describe how you will manage your business. A
manufacturer will want to describe how raw materials will be
obtained and transformed into a finished product. A service
provider will want to describe where, when, and how the
service will be performed. Your operational description should
also include your polices and procedures for billing and
collections, contract management, inventory control, record
keeping, and how you will maintain quality.
Legal Issues
Intellectual Property Protection
Protecting your business and its products from imitators
should be a concern early in your venture, particularly if you
have innovative products. Trademarks and service marks will
protect your company’s marketing symbols for products and
services. Patents will help protect the products you create.
See Purdue Extension publication Intellectual Property:
Obtaining Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights
(EC-723) for more information on this topic.
Compliance
Every business is subject to local, state, and federal regulation.
Outline your plan for complying with relevant regulations.
See Purdue Extension publication Licensing, Regulatory
and Tax Requirements for Indiana Businesses: A Checklist
Guide for New Businesses (EC-733) for more information on
this topic.
If you have applied for and received a Tax Identification
Number from the federal government, then include it here.
Section 6. Financial Plan
The financial plan is a necessary part of evaluating a new
investment opportunity. With it you develop an estimate of
your profit potential. It can even become an operating plan
for the financial management of the venture. In this section,
describe the current financial status and present forecasts of
future financial statements. If you are using the business plan
to seek financing, cover the type and amount of financing
planned (and its repayment terms) as well as the potential
return on investment. The financial portion of your business
plan will be examined closely by those interested in joining
you, investing in the venture, or lending you money, so it
must be thorough. They will want to know how you will use
invested funds to create a successful venture.
Forecasts of product demand, revenues, and expenses for new
ventures will draw on the market research you conducted.
Your projections are only as good as your assumptions, so
make sure they are valid and realistic. Document as much
as you possibly can, including how you developed your
assumptions. Purdue Extension publication Fatal Business
Planning Assumptions (EC-734) discusses financial and
general planning assumptions.
Provide projections for two to four years in the future,
including:
1. Forecasted income (monthly for first two years,
then by quarter or year thereafter),
2. Forecasted cash flows by month (monthly for first
two years, then by quarter or year thereafter),
3. Forecasted balance sheet for all years (year-end), and
4. Breakeven analysis.
Many small businesses will have very limited revenue for the
first two years of operation. Most small businesses will not
make a real profit for at least two to three years. Without
significant financial reserves, your venture is likely to fail.
You can use a convincing business plan to gain capital
needed to get beyond the initial difficult years. If the purpose
of your plan is to seek funding, request those funds, and
describe how they will be used.
As with any venture, there will be risks. Identify and describe
the most threatening risks to your success. Outline the
activities you will pursue to manage the risks.

Purdue Extension • Knowledge to Go
Section 7. Executive Summary
The executive summary is your chance to highlight the
important aspects of your venture. As a summary of your
plan it should be short. Try to fit it on one page. It should
give highlights of the following features:
• Your mission and goals,
• The product,
• The market and its potential,
• The marketing plan,
• The management team,
• Key elements of your operations,
• Funding requirements, and profit and cash forecasts,
• Return to the investor.
Final Comment
The components of a business plan cover an array of topics
typical to all ventures. However, what you write in your
business plan will depend heavily on how you intend to use
the plan. One use is as a feasibility study—a way to help
explore an idea to find out if it makes sense. Another is as an
operating guide—a plan that details how a new venture will
progress and operate. Another way a business plan can be
used is as a financial proposal—a plan that communicates
how an investor’s financial support will be rewarded.
Each use will emphasize different areas. For instance, if you
are intending to take your business plan to an investor, then it
should focus much more attention on how money will be
used and repaid than a feasibility study would. If you are
writing a feasibility study, then you may have much more
market analysis and technical information than an operating
plan would.
Planning is a continuous process. Once you have written
your business plan, you should not consider it finished. It is
a document that will guide the formation and growth of your
business you should continually revisit it, especially if the
market or your initial assumptions should change. If the
changes are significant, then you should be prepared to
revise or even scrap your plans.
Business Planner
INVenture is a
tool to use to start writing your own business plan online.
This Web site helps users build a business plan by asking key
questions. Users’ responses are collected and can be exported
to MS Word in the form of a business plan.
Purdue Extension Resources
You can purchase the Purdue Extension publications below
and others about starting a new venture at agriculture.purdue.edu/store/>. You can download all except
EC-733 at .
• Capital Investment Analysis and Projection
Assessment, EC-731
• Defining Your Business Through Goals and
Objectives: First Steps for New Entrepreneurs,
EC-727
• Developing Effective Job Descriptions for Small
Businesses and Farms, EC-728
• Developing Vision and Mission Statements,
EC-720
• Estimating Breakeven Sales for Your Small
Business, EC-725
• Fatal Business Planning Assumptions, EC-734
• General Licensing, Regulatory and Tax
Requirements for Indiana Businesses: A Checklist
Guide for New Businesses, EC-733
• How to Use Goals to Achieve Business Success:
First Steps for New Entrepreneurs, EC-726
• Industry Analysis: The Five Forces, EC-722
• Intellectual Property: Obtaining Patents,
Trademarks, and Copyrights, EC-723
• Marketing’s Four P’s: First Steps for New
Entrepreneurs, EC-730
• Principles for Structuring Small Businesses
and Farms, EC-729
• Selecting and Managing Consultants, EC-719

Purdue Extension • Knowledge to Go
Common Business Plan Errors
skills. Are you good with people? Will you be an effective
host for your guests? You need an honest answer to these
questions. Maybe you have these skills and hence possess
an important capability for success. If people skills are not
your strength, then your business plan must address this
gap. Be objective in your analysis, or it could potentially
cost you a lot of money later.
Making Unrecognized Assumptions
Putting together a business plan requires estimates about
many things that are not known with certainty—sales
volumes, construction costs, competitor response, etc. Such
assumptions are a necessary part of the process. The
problem occurs when your assumptions about something
you don’t know for sure become fact in the business plan.
For example, it is easy for the assumption you have made
about sales volume or market share to become a fact in the
business plan. If you treat this information as a fact, you
don’t plan for the situation where actual sales volume or
market share turn out radically different than the assump-
tions. You need to recognize what you are assuming and
separate your assumptions from the things you can state
with certainty because they are backed up by facts. In
essence, you need to know what you don’t know. Forecasts
developed with no substance will get you nowhere.
Assumptions that become facts are trouble. Your assump-
tions must be stated clearly for your business plan to be an
accurate road map for your decisions.
Providing Useless Information
When you start the business planning process, you will
likely find more data than you ever imagined possible. And,
depending on your personality, you can become enamored
with the business plan itself, treating it as the end point.
The business plan is a tool, it is a step in the process of
launching a new venture. It is a road map, and clarity is
important. Long, detailed text and “data dumps” are
unlikely to provide the guidance you are looking for. Your
business plan should state clearly how your business will
make money. Don’t focus on long descriptions of the
product over descriptions of your path to profitability. Your
Not Creating a Plan
Entrepreneurs have many reasons for not completing a
business plan—not enough time, don’t believe it will be
useful, not sure where to start, and so on. Not creating a
business plan is a fundamental error for an entrepreneur.
In fact, when reviewing an unsuccessful venture, many
find their biggest mistake was not taking the time to think
through what it would take to make their venture success-
ful. While a complete, well-developed plan is the goal, an
incomplete business plan is better than no plan at all. Even
an incomplete plan will move you in the right direction
and provide something to which others can respond.
Readers of your plan will be able to see what is missing and
can point out flaws in your logic if they have something to
critique.
Incomplete Market Research
Many times information about the market for your product
or service is the most difficult to gather. Trying to gauge
who wants your product, how much they want, what they
will pay, and how competitors will respond is not an easy
task. While challenging, the time and energy invested in
truly understanding your market will pay off. Your business
should be market-driven rather than product-driven. Your
business plan should not be built around a product
searching for a problem to solve. Competitors exist for
virtually every business—you simply must do your
homework on who they are and what they bring to the
market. In the end, you cannot skimp on market research.
Your plan must demonstrate knowledge of customer needs
and wants, and prove that you have a reachable, and
significant, market.
Not Being Objective
In new venture planning, it is easy to be caught up in the
enthusiasm of the venture or be overly eager to get to the
marketplace. Being critical about the idea, the market, or
yourself is difficult. However, not recognizing up front what
you need be successful will catch up with you at some
point. For example, if you are starting an agritourism
venture, you need to be very objective about your people
10
Purdue Extension • Knowledge to Go
business plan should show that you are aware of buying
cycles and adoption rates, have a growth plan, and are not
too dependent on others. It should be a selling document
that is concise, clear, and logical; it should contain
quantitative rather than qualitative information.
Skipping Steps
As the plan comes together, there is a tendency to spend
time on the sections of interest or where the data is “best.”
This leads to an unbalanced plan where the marketing
plan is spelled out in tremendous detail, but the financial
plan gets little attention simply because the entrepreneur is
not a “numbers person.” The value of the business plan is
that it provides a place to think comprehensively about the
future of the venture. That value is severely undermined
when you do not discuss all of the important parts of the
venture.
Missing Linkages
Another common mistake in business planning is the
inconsistent plan. This is a plan where the different stages
described above are not interrelated, where the assumptions
made in one section are different from assumptions made
in another. Your marketing budget should be supported in
your marketing plan. The marketing budget should
contain the same number used in the financial projections.
The pricing policy chosen should be consistent with your
market position. Your market research should guide the
marketing plan and the financial projections. An experi-
enced lender, venture capitalist, or other reader of your
plan will quickly disregard a plan that does not flow. The
elements of your business plan should be tied together
logically and accurately tell the story of how you will turn
your idea into a business.
Common Business Plan Errors


continued
11
Purdue Extension • Knowledge to Go
Notes
1
Purdue Extension • Knowledge to Go
Purdue Partners for Innovation in Indiana Agriculture
Agricultural Innovation & Commercialization Center
New Ventures Team
Center for Food & Agricultural Business
Visit Us on the Web
Agricultural Innovation and Commercialization Center
www.agecon.purdue.edu/planner
New Ventures Team
www.agecon.purdue.edu/newventures
It is the policy of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension
Service, David C. Petritz, Director, that all persons shall have
equal opportunity and access to the programs and facilities
without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin,
age, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, or
disability. Purdue University is an Affirmative Action institution.
This material may be available in alternative formats.
New 9/05
You can order or download materials on this and other
topics at the Purdue Extension Education Store.
www.ces.purdue.edu/new
Notes