Business plan tool
How to use this tool
Answer the questions
To create your plan, we’ll ask you some questions about your business. If you’re not sure how to answer a question, select Next to skip it.
Review your answers
You can check your answers before you download your plan. Select Edit to change your answers.
Remember, you can always edit your downloaded plan.
Save your work
Select Download plan to download your plan as a DOCX file. Or select Email plan to email the file to yourself.
When you have your plan, select Close tool to end your session. Or select Create new plan if you want to start over.
If you can't complete it in one session
Select Get your plan to download your plan as a DOCX file so you don’t lose your work. You can complete your downloaded plan later.
For your privacy, the tool only stores your information during your session. We delete all your information if you’re inactive for 3 hours. If you end your session without downloading your plan, you need to start over.
Learn more about privacy.
Business name
If you haven't settled on a name yet, you can make one up for now.
Learn how to choose a business name.
Key people
Who helps you run your business?
Market opportunity
What problems do you solve for customers?
Think from a customer’s perspective. For example, a problem could be that busy cafés sometimes take too long to prepare orders, making customers late for work. Your business could solve this with a mobile app to place orders and track waiting times.
Focus on 3 main problems rather than trying to solve all of them.
Customers
Make sure you have a clear picture of who you need to target. This helps you focus your marketing efforts and improve your chances of success.
Learn how to identify your target market.
Example: Busy adults with a medium to high disposable income who are regular coffee drinkers.
Competitors
Who do you compete against?
Identify businesses that offer the same or similar goods and services to your customers. Focus on 3 main competitors rather than trying to list them all.
Learn how to research your competitors.
Sales pitch
Channels
Make sure the channels you use are appropriate for your customers. For example, social media use can vary across age groups.
Don’t worry if a channel you use isn’t listed. You can add it to your downloaded plan later.
How do you reach your customers?
Learn how to advertise your business.
Select the channels you use:
We reach our customers through:
How do your customers contact you?
Learn how to communicate with customers.
Select the channels your customers use:
Customers can contact us through:
Finances for the year ahead
If you don’t have your financial information yet, skip ahead for now and add it to your downloaded plan later.
We don’t look at your financial information or keep it after your session ends.
Expected sources of revenue
Expected expenses
How much profit will you make?
Add your likely revenue and expenses. To help you work out the numbers, use our profit and loss statement template.
Use numbers only. No letters or special characters.
Profit margin calculator
Quarter 1 (July, August and September)
Quarter 2 (October, November and December)
Quarter 3 (January, February and March)
Quarter 4 (April, May and June)
Yearly total
Yearly total
Forecasted revenue, expenses and profit
Goals
What do you want to achieve over the next year?
A goal is a SMART goal if you can break it down into steps that are:
- specific (source 2 coffee bean suppliers)
- measurable (evaluate 12 potential suppliers in the first 3 months)
- achievable (prepare 6 proposals for potential suppliers over one month)
- relevant (prioritise local suppliers to align with our sustainability values)
- time-bound (finalise agreements with 2 preferred suppliers in 6 months).
Learn how to set goals for your business.
Review your plan
You’re nearly done! It’s time to check what you entered and edit your answers if you want to.
Remember, you can always edit your downloaded plan.
Business name
Key people
Market opportunity
Customers
Competitors
Sales pitch
Channels
Finances for the year ahead
Goals
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