1. Service or Product Description – again, here is an area you should really shine! In addition to give a detailed listing of all services and/or products, show why your customers would want to use your services or purchase your products. What sets you apart from your competition? Point out statistics that back up your services and/or products or why you are adding a new service/product. Have you recently had customers or potential customers complete a survey? Include the data.

2. Attachment or Appendix Section – information in this section is normally not included within the business plan, but serves as support information to the plan. This section should also be based on who is reviewing the plan. Information that is normally available includes:

   1. Financials

      1. Break Even Analysis

      2. Income Statements

      3. Balance Sheets

      4. Cash Flow Analysis

   2. Tax Statements

   3. Personal and/or business credit overview

   4. Referral Letters

   5. Reference Materials

      1. Articles

      2. Reports

      3. White Papers

   6. Legal documents

      1. Licenses

      2. Patents, trademarks

      3. Permits

Understanding Financials Used in a Business Plan

Preparing business financials is an important key in measuring the profitability of your current business or projecting the future profits and growth of your new business. There are several software programs available to assist business owners in properly preparing their financials; however, it is advised that you still seek the advice of an accountant or CPA for their financial section.

There are four (4) basic financial spreadsheets that should be included in your appendix section to support your plan. They include:

1. Break Even Analysis

2. Cash Flow Analysis

3. Balance Sheet

4. Profit & Loss Statement

As you can see the Business Plan really does serve as a vital part of your business and with the proper research and planning, it can become your best friend in creating a successful business!