Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Management: Critique of Business Plan
Introduction
The document critiques the contents of the business plan while also providing a definition and explanation of each step. The paper also critics the contributions made by each of these elements towards ensuring success for the business. It first of all describes the stages of idea generation and the setting of strategic objectives in a business. It additionally describes how businesses conduct their market analysis and research activities. Issues such as their competition, finances, competitive strategies and the business scenarios have also been analyzed in the paper. The impact of an entrepreneur knowing and properly implementing them in business has also been addressed, in order to better understand how successful companies are built.
Idea Generation
It is the process of finding answers to issues that arise in the course of our everyday company operations (Goble, 2004). It entails scouring the surroundings for the most cost-effective alternatives to assist us in achieving happiness (Thomas, 2008). The cognitive and psychological processes that an entrepreneur goes through in order to come up with an idea are described in this part of the business plan. It also includes information on the kind of corporate ownership as well as the company’s history (Chell and Haworth, 2001). This is done in order to come up with solutions that meet the customer’s requirements in the most cost-effective manner possible. He or she decides on the industry they want to work in, the needs of their customers, and the availability and demand of their raw materials and goods first (Chell and Haworth, 2001). It also analyzes the alternative raw material sources that the company intends to have on hand (parker, 2004). This section also includes the location of a company as well as the availability of workers. An entrepreneur’s concept should be lucrative in both the short and long term (Goble, 2004). They should also be able to raise the necessary money to continue with the endeavor. This is because, once they’ve started, they add efficiency to their operations. At this point, the entrepreneur gains valuable business knowledge that will help him succeed.
Strategic Objectives
These are the short and long-term objectives that a company intends to achieve in the long and short term (parker, 2004). The strategic management of a company sets these objectives. They’re put in place to help the company achieve its objectives in the most effective manner possible. The business plan takes into account the social, economical, and political factors that influence the company’s environment (Goble, 2004). The business proprietor is able to come up with realistic and achievable objectives after carrying out an in depth analysis of his surroundings. The business plan gives a list of the objectives that an entrepreneur hopes to achieve in the course of running his business. This plan also indicates the means through which the business will attain their objectives. According to the business plan, the methods chosen by the management should be the most cost effective in achieving their goals. This will ensure the business reduces any unnecessary costs they might incur. Such moves will help in augmenting their profitability levels during business (Landoli and Landstorm, 2007).
Market Analysis and Research
The process of analyzing and researching into a market is done for the purpose of determining the factors that impact a business environment (Still, Cundiff and Govoni, 2006). Research involves the use of scientific and purposeful methods to develop new ways of doing things or improving products (Fischer, 2007). The business plan includes information concerning the share of the market a business intends to have along with a scrutiny of their target customers. It also describes the prices that will be charged for the business products in comparison to their competitor’s prices. The document expounds on the methods that the business will be using to perform the analysis and research into their market. The business plan also includes information on the provision, promotion and sales methods the business will use in the future (Chell and Haworth, 2001). These processes can lead to great improvements in the performances of a business if well implemented. The development of more cost effective ways of production and operating a business will lead to an increase in the productivity of the business.
Understanding the Competition
This is the ability that a businessman or woman requires for the purpose of comprehending the style and strategies used by their competitors in fighting their products (Fischer, 2007). This activity involves comprehending the competitors’ behavior and cognitive styles. All this activities are performed for the purpose of creating competitive advantages over their competitors (Landoli and Landstorm, 2004). The business plan describes the competition present for a business, their respective market shares and the strategies an entrepreneur will use to counter this competition. It also describes the pricing strategies that their competitors use and the ones the business will opt to use in its activities. The availability of this information will enable an entrepreneur to remain relevant and profitable when carrying out his business ventures (Fischer, 2007).
Cash Flow
These are records of the expenditures and incomes that a business intends to generate once they have begun operations. These financial statements help an entrepreneur in determining the level of liquidity for his business once he is in operation (Parker, 2004). These financial books additionally display all the variable and non variable costs that a business will incur. A business plan displays the cash flows the business intends to make after purchasing and selling various products and services. This information is displayed through the use of documents such as income and expenditure statements (Parker, 2004). The business owner benefits from having this information as he is able to know how to use the resources at his disposal to achieve maximum output and increase his profitability (Landoli and Landstorm, 2007).
Profit and Loss Forecast
This is a forecast of the gross and net profits that a business will make over a certain trading period (Wiklund, 2006). The business plan avails a list of the profits or losses that it expects to make in a trading period. It also shows the expenses the business will incur in the process of performing their activities. These figures help a business in forecasting their likelihood of success when undertaking certain business ventures (Adkisson and Riser, 2006). This information is displayed through the use of documents such the accounts of profit and loss (Parker, 2004). This information is also vital for the decisions that an entrepreneur will take in the course of business since they dictate the direction that a business will take. The forecasts also enable an entrepreneur to determine whether his ventures will be profit or loss making.
Balance Sheet Projections
The projections that are availed by the balance sheet give the values of the business liabilities, assets and capital after a certain trading period (Mathis and Jacks, 2006). The plan displays a list of the business assets, equity and liabilities and their totals for the trading period. The incorporation of the balance sheet in the business plan enables a business to determine its worth after a certain trading period (Kurakto and Hodgetts, 2008). It in turn enables an entrepreneur to determine the liquidity level of his business. This greatly supports his decision making process in the operation of the business.
Competitive Strategy
The issue of competitive strategy involves the styles and methods that an entrepreneur will adopt in the course of carrying out his duties (Krueger, 2002). They are adopted for the purpose of fighting off the competition in the market (Weber and Wilheim, 2010). The formulation of these strategies enables an entrepreneur to achieve an advantage over his competitors. The business plan displays the methods that the business man will use in advertising, selling and promoting his products in contrast to his competitors (Krueger, 2002). It also includes the strategies that an entrepreneur will adopt in pricing his products in comparison to his competitors. The availability of this information will enable an entrepreneur to develop an advantage over their competitors. This in terms of achieving more customers while increasing his profitability.
Scenario Analysis
The scenario analysis provides a vivid description of the environment and activities that a business will indulge in (Parker, 2004). It gives a description of the process a business will go through when producing their commodities and services for their target customers (Whittington, 2007). It additionally provides details on the availability of labor and the costs the business will incur on them in the course of its operations. The business plan contains information about the environment that a business will be operating in (Landstorm, 2008). It provides details of the costs and limitations that a business might encounter in its operations. The business plan also includes information on labor availability and the prices of materials. The adequate understanding of the environment a business is operating in enables entrepreneurs to make appropriate decisions (Landstorm, 2008). An entrepreneur will opt for alternative and cheaper methods to aid his production process once the available materials become obsolete.
Conclusion
The above mentioned steps from the idea generation to the scenario analysis are very vital for an entrepreneur who is beginning his trade. This is because they assist him in sequentially developing a business solution that is viable and achievable. They guide him in ascertaining how effective, different methods of carrying out business will profit him. These steps also give an entrepreneur greater insights on how to start his business and remain profitable in the industry (Fischer, 2007).
References
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