Business ServicesStarting a BusinessInstructions for drawing up a business plan

Instructions for drawing up a business plan

When you are planning to set up your own business and you already have a business idea in mind, you can continue planning your business with the help of Lissu, a business plan program. The program has been developed to suit customers' needs, and it helps you to go through and consider all necessary aspects. By filling out the business plan, you refine your business idea. The business plan helps you to outline what you are actually doing, and then, it is easier to explain that to someone else as well. The business plan is a tool that is primarily meant just for you, but it is also a tool for funding and start-up grant applications.

 Lissu enBusiness plan tool LISSU

This article is a step-by-step guide for filling out your business plan and what you should especially consider at each point.

Quick instructions for using Lissu

  1. Meet a business advisor who gives you the credentials for using Lissu OR get the credentials yourself here.
  2. Fill out your personal information.
  3. Create a business plan and fill out all sections.
  4. If necessary, you can request a business advisor to review your business plan.
  5. Go through the final version of your business plan together with a business advisor.

 

Business plan sections

The business plan consists of eight sections, which are divided into different sub-sections. Click on the section you would like to read more about.

Customers, market, competitive situation and your competitive advantage, future prospects, demand

  • This section focuses on your customers, market, competitive situation, competitive advantage, future prospects and demand.
  • The customer is the basis for your business, since you will get money only from your customers.
  • It is important to be aware of who your clients are, how they behave and what media they use, since the customer is the basis for all your sales and marketing. It is hard to sell and market your products or services if you don't know who you are selling them to.
  • In terms of market, you should consider your own market area. Are you going to operate only in the Vaasa region or Ostrobothnia, or are you planning to operate in the whole country or enter the international market?
  • The decision about your market area affects many things, such as marketing, logistics and sales chains.
  • It is essential that you know who your competitors are and what your competitive advantages are compared to them. A competitive advantage is closely related to customer benefits, i. e. the added value that the customer will get from your product or service. Why does the customer need the product or service?
  • Even though you cannot foresee the future, you should always have an eye to the future. How will you take into account the changes occurring in your operational environment when you are developing your business activities?
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