Business plan with love!

Hey!

So you're about to write a business plan. The plan should be a tool for you and your business and not something a board asks you to do. You need to love it and use it. If you write it for someone else I don't think you're in the right place. Sorry, I mean you need to write your story and not what someone else wants to hear.

First of all, dont type a loooong “word document” business plan that no one has the time to read. I love a presentation with all the keys to be successful and the threats you see on the market etc. I want to hear it from you and not read it. Remember that along the way and especially in the beginning your plan needs to be agile and adaptive. Change it when you come up with an even better plan but don't change the idea itself. Many startups come up with new ideas every day and forget the core and why they found it from the beginning. A new idea can be better but remember that you might get a bit tired of the original idea and think it's fun to develop instead of focusing. If you want help to write a kick ass business plan I can guide you but it's your idea and you have to do it.

The plan!

How to write a business plan that stands out. I love a plan in Why, How, What format.

Why: This question addresses the purpose and mission of the business idea. Why does the business exist? What is the problem it aims to solve or the need it seeks to fulfill?

How: This question focuses on the process and methodology of the business idea. How will the business achieve its purpose and mission? What is the unique value proposition and competitive advantage that it offers?

What: This question addresses the products or services that the business will offer. What are the specific offerings of the business? How do these offerings align with the purpose and methodology of the business?

The "Why-How-What" approach is often used to develop a clear and concise business plan that articulates the purpose, methodology, and offerings of a business idea. By starting with the "why," a business can ensure that its purpose and mission are aligned with the needs of its target audience. By focusing on the "how," the business can develop a unique approach that sets it apart from its competitors. And by addressing the "what," the business can ensure that its offerings are relevant and valuable to its target audience.

Executive Summary:

• Provide a brief overview of the company, its mission, and its unique value proposition.

• Describe the market opportunity and the problem that the company aims to solve.

• Highlight the company's competitive advantages, such as its technology, team, and strategic partnerships.

• Outline the company's financial projections and funding needs.

Company Overview:

• Provide a more detailed overview of the company, including its history, ownership structure, and legal status.

• Describe the company's leadership team and key personnel, including their qualifications and experience.

• Provide an overview of the company's technology, products, and services.

• Describe the company's target market, including its size, demographics, and buying habits.

• Describe the company's competitive landscape, including its main competitors and their strengths and weaknesses.

Market Analysis:

• Conduct a thorough analysis of the market opportunity, including its size, growth potential, and trends.

• Describe the target market in more detail, including their needs, preferences, and pain points.

• Identify the main competitors and their market share, strengths, and weaknesses.

• Conduct a SWOT analysis to identify the company's own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Product/Service Offering:

• Describe the company's core product or service offering, including its unique features and benefits.

• Provide a detailed explanation of the company's technology, including how it works and why it's superior to other solutions on the market.

• Describe any other products or services that the company plans to offer in the future.

• Outline the company's product development roadmap and timeline.

What makes you unique?

• With all the knowledge you got from analysis and experience

• Why is your idea special?

• How will you leverage it on the market?

• What will make it a success?

• Explain the vision and what makes it so special.

Marketing and Sales:

• Describe the company's marketing strategy, including how it plans to reach and acquire customers.

• Outline the company's sales process and how it plans to convert leads into customers.

• Describe any strategic partnerships or alliances that the company plans to form to help with marketing and sales.

Operations:

• Describe the company's operations, including its manufacturing, production, and supply chain processes.

• Outline any logistics or distribution challenges that the company may face.

• Provide a detailed explanation of the company's quality control and regulatory compliance processes.

Financial Projections:

• Provide detailed financial projections for the company, including revenue, expenses, and profits.

• Outline the company's funding needs and how it plans to use the funds raised.

• Describe the company's exit strategy, such as a potential sale or initial public offering (IPO).

Conclusion:

• Summarize the key points of the business plan, including the company's mission, market opportunity, product offering, marketing and sales strategy, operations, and financial projections.

• Emphasize the unique position of the company in the market and its potential for growth and profitability.

• Call to action for potential investors or partners to get involved with the company.

Think big, start small, scale fast!

Dare to daydream of your success. If you have a dream you can find ways to reach it. Even if its crazy. Lets say you dream of a billion company and you end up with a 100 million company. I think you are pretty successful even if you didn't reach that crazy dream. Start small and be involved in what matters. Don't just hire people to do everything for you. With that knowledge you will be on top of everything in years to come. Then you can scale even faster and this is what successful business is all about. Scale!

This is just an outline of a business plan, and the specific details will vary depending on the nature of the green technology startup. However, following this structure can help to create a compelling and comprehensive business plan that attracts funding and positions the company for success in a competitive market. And remember a business plan is nothing without effort and execution. Don't over promise and don't underestimate the work you have put in when you will execute. Sometimes you might need more money and work than predicted to achieve your goals. If you are bold in your plan you need to be bold in your funding and executing team.

Mikael :)