Before a company can get off the ground, its owners need to consider their plans. Do they even have any besides a general idea? If that’s the case, then it pays to have sample plans on hand. Those who have never attempted to make one can rest easy. Business plan formats do not require strict compliance and serve more like guides for the company going forward. In this article, you’ll not only learn the answer to the questions of ‘what is a business plan’ and ‘how to write a business plan,’ but you’ll also find excellent business plan examples.

18+ Sample Business Plan Formats

Sample Business Plan

business plan template1

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Simple Import Export Business Plan

import export business plan

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Business Execution Plan

business execution plan

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  • Google Docs
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Hotel Business Plan Template

hotel business plan

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  • Google Docs
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Small Hotel Business Plan Sample Template

small hotel business plan1

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  • Google Docs
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Construction Management Business Plan Template

construction management business plan template

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  • MS Word
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  • Google Docs

Size: A4 & US

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Sample Real Estate Business Plan Sample Template

real estate business

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  • Google Docs
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Start-Up Real Estate Business Plan Sample Template

startup real estate

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  • Google Docs
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Construction Manufacturer Business Plan Template

construction manufacturer business plan template

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  • MS Word
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  • Google Docs

Size: A4 & US

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Construction Start-up Business Plan Template

construction start up business plan template

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  • MS Word
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  • Google Docs

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Sample Business Plan Outline Template

sample business plan outline

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Restaurant Business Plan Outline Template

restaurant business plan outline template

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Sample Start Up Business Operational Plan

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  • DOC

Size: 126 KB

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Format of a Business Plan for a New Business

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  • DOC

Size: 11 KB

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Executive Summary Format for Business Plan

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  • DOC

Size: 5 KB

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Business Plan Format for Small Business

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  • PDF

Size: 206 KB

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Competition Analysis Format for Business Plan

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  • DOC

Size: 4 KB

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Standard Business Plan Format in PDF

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  • DOC

Size: 201 KB

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Why Create Business Plans?

When people think of business plans, the image of multi-page documents come to mind. In truth, a one page business plan can be just as feasible as plans with ten plus pages. All that matters is that it serves the same purpose. Those kinds of plans do not have to see the light of day or be scrutinized by investors. The creation of business plans comes down to having something that can help you see the road ahead with greater clarity. It is for that reason that no business plan outline has to be exactly the same as those samples seen online. If you’re a bit lost and in need of direction, then make a plan that can get you out of that bind.

Points to Consider When Creating Business Plans

It pays to be smart about your business. With that said, the best-laid plans are ones formed out of fruitful collaborations between two or more people with plenty of great ideas to share. Apart from building ideas through teamwork, here are key points to consider and common traps to avoid when writing a business plan.

1. Always Do Your Homework

In order to see if a general objective is feasible, be sure to test and research it thoroughly. Take the time to observe and study consumer trends and habits to determine whether your concept will take flight with the general public. This also applies to the topic of your competitors and even the state of the industry in general.

2. Do Not Choose Style Over Substance

Even though we mentioned earlier that while your plans do not have to be seen by others, chances are it will be. With this scenario in mind, there are few things worse than thinking about the aesthetics of your branding plan over the value you’ll be providing to consumers. On that topic, abusing superlative terms becomes a hard no. Don’t use words like amazingfabulous, or incredible to promote your business. Keep your tone and language simple, direct, and professional. Looking at any business plan template will reinforce this tip even further.

3. Be Realistic With Your Finances

Even when you have solid financial backing from your investors, you must play it safe by providing modest calculations for a return on investment if the business survives its first year. You should also understand that the market will always have its share of ups and downs, and so you should also consider writing emergency action plans for any contingencies that might affect your business in the future.

4. Do Not Include Unsupported Claims

When you declare a bold statement about your business, you must have the evidence to support it. Otherwise, it’s just false advertising. Related to this is the idea of unrealistic time frames. Remember that it is never a good idea to get a business up and running in a short span of time when most private companies actually take longer to even launch their brands. In coming up with a restaurant business plan, for example, do not include any details that you can’t back up and ensure that your timeline is achievable.

FAQs

What are the most common elements of any business plan?

In almost every business plan, you’re likely to come across an executive summary, a sales and marketing strategy section, and sections devoted to financial plans and related information.

What’s the reason for the failure of many businesses?

Related to the topic of business plans, one of the top reasons for business failures is the lack of proper planning. Even the most popular products or services will eventually wear out its welcome if it isn’t presented right or if its operations management isn’t done correctly. Plans also prevent potential financial issues from coming to fruition.

What is the main purpose of a business plan?

Besides serving as a guide to its owners, a business plan is often presented to potential investors. Through this, they can see for themselves if the business is worth financing. If everything goes smoothly, it then paves the way for investment agreements to be drawn up between the different parties.

Without the right plan guiding them, even the most brilliant ideas can fall apart. Something as significant as a major business must never be left to chance. Writing a business plan is not only good for securing financing, but it also helps you stay in the right direction no matter what life throws at you. Now that you’re better educated in its nuances, it’s time to make a decision. What do you do with the new-found knowledge granted to you? Whether you choose to download a free business plan template or create your own from scratch, know that you have the tools to make both options successful. Act fast and get started today!

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