Below is a recommended template for writing and presenting your business plan plus other helpful resources.
Relevant links and resources
IMPORTANT: Download the pdf version with notes and tips. Yes, really, you will want to get the notes.
You can download the ppt version and modify it for your presentation if you want to.
You can create your own deck if you go to Haiku: LSE Business Plan / Pitch template. You need to create an account first. Just follow the instructions on the Haiku website. You can create your entire presentation on Haiku if you so wish. Or you can simply use whatever program you're comfortable with (e.g. Powerpoint), as long as you follow the outline presented in this template. Another option: create it on Haiku, export it as powerpoint, and use that powerpoint file during your business presentation.
What's the benefit of using Haiku?
It's free, you can access it online. You don't need to download any program.
You can choose from a broad selection of images, chart styles, fonts, and layout styles. It's just point and click so designing a beautiful presentation is easier.
You can export it as pdf or ppt.
Again, this is just a suggested way of working. You are free to choose what you want.
However, the presentation is only secondary to the actual content of your business plan. So first make sure that you write your business plan using mainly the guide questions in the pdf version of the template and using the outline below. Once you're done, it's just a matter of selecting the right words and phrases to put in your presentation. It becomes a matter of focusing and shortening your ideas so you can grab your audience's attention and communicate your ideas properly during the presentation .
Outline for writing a business plan
1. Title page
2. Table of contents
3. Executive summary
[Note: Starting here, you get the same parts and subject matters as used in the template above]
4. Business overview: problem, purpose, solution
- What it is (Business description)
- What social problem does it solve (Probem description)
- How does it make lives better (Your unique value proposition)
- Who it serves (Target group / market)
5. Marketing
6. Costs / Revenue
7. Management / Team
8. Other key points (competition, risks / obstacles, success indicators, etc.)
9. Launch plan / next steps
10. The help you need to move the project / business
Download this extensive business plan manual to get additional examples and explanation on the different parts of the outline stated above. For example, how does one write an executive summary?
NOTE: This extensive business plan manual is meant to give you additional information and explanation only. It is the formal way of writing a business plan, which of course, you may choose to adopt. No need to feel overwhelmed, though, because the standard outline and what we would expect from you is all laid down in the template above.