Distribution Channels
How do you sell your products or services?
Retail
Direct (mail order, Web, catalog)
Wholesale
Your own sales force
Agents
Independent representatives
Bid on contracts
Sales Forecast
Now that you have described your products, services, customers, markets, and marketing plans in detail, it's time to attach some numbers to your plan. Use a sales forecast spreadsheet to prepare a month-by-month projection. The forecast should be based on your historical sales, the marketing strategies that you have just described, your market research, and industry data, if available.
You may want to do two forecasts: 1) a "best guess", which is what you really expect, and 2) a "worst case" low estimate that you are confident you can reach no matter what happens.
Remember to keep notes on your research and your assumptions as you build this sales forecast and all subsequent spreadsheets in the plan. This is critical if you are going to present it to funding sources.
English: Seminole County, Florida Revenues and Exp...
Expenses
FinanceVI. Operational Plan
Explain the daily operation of the business, its location, equipment, people, processes, and surrounding environment.
Production
How and where are your products or services produced?
Explain your methods of:
* Production techniques and costs
* Quality control
* Customer service
* Inventory control
* Product development
Location
What qualities do you need in a location? Describe the type of location you'll have.
Physical requirements:
* Amount of space
* Type of building
* Zoning
* Power and other utilities
Access:
Is it important that your location be convenient to transportation or to suppliers?
Do you need easy walk-in access?
What are your requirements for parking and proximity to freeway, airports, railroads, and shipping centers?
Include a drawing or layout of your proposed facility if it is important, as it might be for a manufacturer.
Construction? Most new companies...