QUICK BUSINESS PLAN INSTRUCTION SHEET

            Answering the following questions will form the very beginnings of a business plan.  They are not intended to be difficult but break down your business into several components necessary to create your very own business plan.  This plan is designed for you to talk about your business and display the knowledge you have about your company.  This is considered to be a quick business plan.  Every business needs to have a business plan, if for no other reason than to check your progress and goals each year.  Answering these questions will help you make better decisions about you business if you are thinking about making changes to your business or expanding.  Completing these questions will allow you to form the basis for a more complete business plan if one is required of you at a later date.  Every business should have a plan and visit it at least twice a year even if it is only to check your progress and see if you are reaching your goals.  Remember:

•	There are no right or wrong answers, just your understanding of your business.
•	Not every question will be relative to your business.  Answer the ones that apply and leave the rest blank or ask questions and we will be happy to help.
•	The executive summary is a summary of the entire plan.  It is important because it might be the only section that someone reads.  We need to be able to understand your business by reading this section.  Take your time completing it.  It might be easier to do this section at the end after you have answered all the other questions.  Please answer these questions as completely as you can.
•	Some questions are asked more than once because they are important or are relevant to each section.  Answer them as best you can.
•	Some answers only require one word, some require more.  Answer them as  best as you can.

            These are a few suggestions for you to try.  The survey appears long but don’t be discouraged there are not that many questions we have just left room for you to write your answers down.  

Executive Summary

The name of my company is:
See Secretary of State section on Contractor Compliance Checklist

The owners of the company are:

The location of my facility or the physical location I am going to work out of is:

The primary purpose of my business or the service I am going to provide is:

If I am opening a restaurant, my menu is:
Attach a page to this document if necessary

I am buying an existing business:
No 
Yes

If yes, I am planning on making the following changes: 

A similar business to mine that I would use as a good comparison: 
Include existing business websites for reference

I see the following as opportunities and reasons I am willing to invest everything I have in this business venture: 

My company is organized as a Corporation, CCorp, SCorp, LLP, partnership, LLC, Coop, Other:

The bank I typically work with is:

The loan  request I am making is: 
Include amounts and uses

PRODUCTS:

My suppliers are:

My products or services come to me by truck, rail or other means and how do I bid these services:

I consider my competition to be:

I am different from my competition in the following ways: 

My local competitors are: 
Within 25 miles

My Regional competitors are: 
ex. Minot, Sidney, Dickinson

My national competition is:

I get information about my competitors from:

Some of the trends I see in my industry are:

Some other services I could add to my business that could increase revenue are: 

To help address marketing and advertising, I think all my customers have the following in common: 

My business needs inventory:
No 
Yes 
If yes, my inventory needs are as follows, measured by amount or days:  

Any special equipment I need for my business, or if the bank gave me an extra $50,000 I would purchase the following from my wish list:

I expect my trade area to be within __________ miles of Williston, ND. 

My use of advertising will consist of :

I will get feedback from my customers by using the following methods:

EMPLOYEE NEEDS

If I need to hire employees I will need to hire these positions:

I will schedule employees by:
Include shift times

I will provide the following benefits:

I will recruit my employees by or from:

MANGEMENT, OWNERSHIP AND PERSONAL

My resume is attached:
	Yes
	No

My business goals are: 
	provide number driven goals

Three personal goals I have are:
provide goals that describe how you think, feel or seem

Achievements I am the most proud of:

I have the following certifications:

What are my biggest challenges or what could prevent me from getting this done: 

Three of my weaknesses or three things I don’t have a lot of experience in: 

Three things I have no control over that could impact my business are: 
ex. weather

In the next three years my plans for growth include: 

My attorney is:

My accountant is: 
If you don’t have an accountant, who does your taxes?

My insurance agent is:

Other professionals I will use are:

FINANCIALS

Assets I have to contribute to the project, or things I have paid for that I could borrow against, including my home, are:

My credit history would have the following:
ND residents are allowed one free report per year
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index 

I have how much in credit card debt:

If I am short of money for my project I can get more from:
this includes family, friends or investors and is very common for projects in the region. 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Name:
Home Phone: 
Work Phone:
Cell Phone: 
Email:
Address: