You’ve read the overview and now you are ready to get on and start preparing your business plan.
Step One
Know yourself – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
This is infamous but it boils down your situation into the nuts and bolts of your business plan.
Strengths and weaknesses
Internal factors over which you have some control.
Opportunities and Threats
External factors that you cannot control.
Where to look for strengths and weaknesses
| Area of business | Strengths | Weaknesses |
| Management | Good at day to day operations | No time for long term planning |
| Marketing and sales | Good face-to-face with new and potential clients | No idea how to create a compelling website and get it to the top of the rankings |
| Premises | Excellent High Street position | No passing trade and poor condition |
| Finance | Good control over finance | Poor cashflow |
| Staff | Excellent at their work | New to the business and inexperienced |
Where to look for Opportunities and Threats
| Area of business | Opportunity | Threat |
| Market | The market is growing rapidly | The market is mature and it is hard to break-in |
| Economic situation | The economy is growing | The economy is in recession |
| Government policy | Tax holidays or incentives available | Incentives are available to competitors in other parts of the country |
| Staff | Plenty of local skilled staff available | Unionised and difficult staff recruitment. |
There may be more industry specific factors you need to include.
Try to list 10 factors under each category, this will help to ensure that you think about all aspects of your business and of your industry as a whole. These points will help guide you in setting your strategy at a later time.
If you need help in building your business plan then Clearways Accountants can help you with templates, guidance and financial input; just call us on 01737 244298.