Investor Expectations and Business Plan Synergies

From a local dining establishment to a start-up tech company of substance and (almost) all in between, unless you have bundles of cash and/or collateral as a principal, your Plan needs to convey why you are blazing new paths concurrently with tried and true paths to success. Unless you are a part of a nonprofit organization with grant potential or the rare for profit like an energy alternative, expect to offer equity of up to 50% to "partners" and provide realistic forecasts based on in-depth market and competitive analyses that support various exit strategy options. Be sure your Plan somehow balances concise and detailed, know when each is appropriate for key components of your Plan, and do not use some samples you got online.

Forecasts we receive from so many smart people are usually missing financial presentation in detailed and supported assumptions, with support in the Business Plan including a sufficient competitive analysis, market penetration assessment, let alone a staffing plan that can deliver marketing, sales, operational support and more. All these Plan components have synergies that must be expressed, and in the right place(s). All great Plans need several sets of eyes, and we can provide a couple that are not too close to see the forest for the trees!