This sample business plan has been made available to users of Business Plan Pro™, business planning software published by Palo Alto Software. Our sample plans were developed by existing companies or new business start-ups as research instruments to determine market viability or funding availability. Names, locations and numbers may have been changed, and substantial portions of text may have been omitted to preserve confidentiality and proprietary information. You are welcome to use this plan as a starting point to create your own, but you do not have permission to reproduce, publish, distribute or even copy this plan as it exists here. Requests for reprints, academic use, and other dissemination of this sample plan should be addressed to the marketing department of Palo Alto Software. Copyright Palo Alto Software, Inc. 1999 Table Of Contents 1.0 Executive Summary 1 1.1 Objectives . 2 1.2 Mission . 2 1.3 Keys to Success 2 2.0 Company Summary . 2 2.1 Company Ownership 3 2.2 Start-up Summary . 3 2.3 Company Locations and Facilities . 5 3.0 Products and Services . 5 3.1 Product and Service Description 5 3.2 Competitive Comparison 6 3.3 Sales Literature . 6 3.4 Sourcing 6 3.5 Technology . 7 3.6 Future Products and Services 7 4.0 Market Analysis Summary 7 4.1 Market Segmentation 7 4.2 Target Market Segment Strategy 8 4.2.1 Market Needs 9 4.2.2 Market Trends 9 4.2.3 Market Growth 9 4.3 Industry Analysis . 10 4.3.1 Industry Participants . 10 4.3.2 Distribution Patterns . 10 4.3.3 Competition and Buying Patterns 11 4.3.4 Main Competitors 11 5.0 Strategy and Implementation Summary . 12 5.1 Value Proposition . 12 5.2 Competitive Edge . 12 5.3 Marketing Strategy 12 5.3.1 Positioning Statements 13 5.3.2 Pricing Strategy . 13 5.3.3 Promotion Strategy . 13 5.3.4 Distribution Strategy . 13 5.3.5 Marketing Programs 14 5.4 Sales Strategy . 14 5.4.1 Sales Forecast . 15 5.5 Strategic Alliances . 16 5.6 Milestones 16 6.0 Management Summary 17 6.1 Organizational Structure 17 6.2 Personnel Plan 18 7.0 Financial Plan . 18 7.1 Important Assumptions 18 7.2 Key Financial Indicators 19 7.3 Break-even Analysis . 20 7.4 Projected Profit and Loss . 20 7.5 Projected Cash Flow . 21 7.6 Projected Balance Sheet . 22 7.7 Business Ratios 23
