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Summary of the business plan

See all the most important information about the business plan executive summary. What it should contain, why it is created and what an example (template) of an executive summary looks like.
Filip Samczuk
Author of the article
Published
March 16 2023
Reading time
5 minutes
summary of business plan
Table of contents

Business plan summary - introduction

A business plan is a document that forms the basis of any venture. It is a detailed elaboration of the strategy and activities to achieve the set goals. W business plan information on the product or service, market, competition and financial plan are presented. In this article, we will provide a summary of the business plan and the basic elements that should be included in it.

Business plan - where to start?

When creating a business plan, it is important to start by defining the precise purpose of the document. A business plan is created differently in terms of private investors or banks, and differently for personal purposes. Business plans in terms of obtaining grants are yet another category.

Next, you should consider whether to create a business plan yourself, use ready-made templates or entrust it to professionals. When you have no experience in creating such studies, I recommend the latter option. This will ensure a sufficiently high level of the document.

summary of business plan

In order to be able to proceed with the creation of a business plan, it is necessary to think carefully about the assumptions of the pre-session. The following information may prove valuable:

  • Real demand (need) for your product or service,
  • The uniqueness of the offer compared to competitors,
  • Market size and market trends (e.g., seasonality),
  • profile of the ideal customer,
  • costs planned to be incurred and the assumed level of margins,
  • Channels and sales methods.

With the above information arranged in your head, you can proceed to pour your assumptions onto paper. Remember to make the document as clear and visually appealing to the recipient as possible - avoid the so-called "walls of text".

How to write a business plan executive summary?

When thinking about a business plan executive summary, it is important to distinguish between two separate categories. First, it can be a table of contents, so a list of type:

  • An abbreviated summary/introduction (so-called "executive summary"),
  • company mission,
  • company registration data
  • A description of the product or service,
  • the team responsible for implementing the project,
  • customer profile,
  • Operational plan and schedule of activities,
  • market definition,
  • local market analysis,
  • international market analysis,
  • definition of competition,
  • analysis of indirect competitors,
  • analysis of direct competitors,
  • competitive advantages,
  • Marketing plan (including 5p or 7p analysis),
  • sales activities,
  • SWOT analysis,
  • description of financial assumptions,
  • Balance sheet,
  • income statement,
  • cash flow,
  • IRR and NPV,
  • sensitivity analysis.

However, it can also be a short introduction or summary of the entire business plan. Otherwise known as "executive summary" or "business summary" in English. You can find a template of a business summary understood in this way below.

Business plan summary - example

Below you can see a sample summary of a business plan for a fictitious company called "Healthy Bites" that produces and sells healthy snacks.

"Healthy Bites is a company specializing in the production and sale of healthy snacks. Our products are delicious snacks that provide the body with essential nutrients and have a positive effect on health. The products are available in a variety of flavors and variations to satisfy different tastes and dietary preferences.

Our goal is to change attitudes towards snacking and make people realize that healthy food can be tasty and available at any time. We believe that everyone should have access to healthy food without having to sacrifice convenience and taste.

As part of our marketing strategy, we focus on promoting healthy lifestyles and link our products to active lifestyles. Our snacks are available in convenience stores and gyms and fitness clubs. This makes it easy and convenient for people who care about their health to meet their nutritional needs.

As part of our business plan, we intend to increase production and distribution of our snacks. We also plan to expand our product range, introducing new flavors and variants to satisfy a variety of customer tastes. All products are created based on the highest quality standards and using natural ingredients.

Our financial plan assumes that we will need investment for production development and for marketing and promotion of our products. We estimate that revenues in the first two years will be about PLN 500,000 per year, and costs will be about PLN 400,000 per year. We plan to increase profits by diversifying our revenue sources and seeking new markets.

The purpose of this business plan is to present the company's assumptions in a transparent manner for potential recipients, i.e. private investors and banks."

ready summary of business plan

Business model canvas, pitch deck - alternatives to business plan summary

The summary of the business plan includes the basic objectives of the business, how to achieve these objectives and a description of the external environment. Often also general information on the project's finances.

A substitute for a business plan executive summary can be a pitch deck - an investor presentation or models: lean canvas or business model canvas. All of the above formats boil down to presenting the business plan in a simplified form. In the case of business canvas model and lean canvas can even be just one sheet of paper.

On our blog you will find articles presenting pitch deck, business model canvas or lean canvas in detail with examples.

To choose the right format, you need to answer the question of why you are creating a business plan or business plan summary. The choice of form should be made on the basis of the expectations of the recipient. So that the work put into the preparation of such a study makes sense.

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Business plan summary - questions and answers

What is a business plan executive summary?

A business plan executive summary is a brief summary of the business plan, which contains the most important information about the company and its plans. The business plan executive summary is intended to attract potential investors and customers, to present the company's ideas and goals, and to justify the need for financing.

What should be included in a business plan executive summary?

The executive summary of the business plan should include key information about the company, such as the name, a brief description of the business, the business goal, the customer target and sources of revenue. It is also important to include information on development plans, marketing strategy and financial plan.

Why is a business plan executive summary important?

A business plan executive summary is important because it allows you to quickly review important information about your company and its plans. Potential investors and customers often have a limited amount of time to read the entire business plan, so the executive summary allows them to quickly understand the company's ideas and goals.

What should be the objectives of a business plan executive summary?

The purpose of the business plan executive summary should be to attract the interest of potential investors and customers, present relevant information about the company and justify the need for financing. The business plan executive summary should encourage further reading and a decision to invest or cooperate with the company.

What information should a business plan executive summary contain for investors?

The summary of the business plan for investors should include information on potential profits, growth plans and market entry strategies. The executive summary may also include information about the management team, their experience and the company's vision for the long-term future.

About the author

Filip Samczuk
For 12 years, he has provided substantive support to entrepreneurs in realizing their dreams of starting or growing a business. He advises on obtaining financing, business development and legal issues. Privately a fanatic of sports, travel and history of the 20th century.

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