Crafting Your Own Business Plan Challenge by Hector Del Castillo

Welcome! I’m glad you joined this challenge.

Here are the key takeaways we’ll achieve in this 3-week challenge:

Step 1 – Craft your Cover and Executive Summary:

Learn the purpose and basic structure of an Executive Summary here.
Create or update your own Business Plan Cover and Executive Summary using template here .
Be sure to state where you need help finding facts.
Use the following information to help you:
Show proof that you have completed this step by making it by Monday. (Or else, the consequence is that you will have to help someone else to complete their task as well.)

Step 2: Craft Your Company Description and Situation Analysis:

Learn about the content of a Company Description here.
Learn about the content of a Situation Analysis here.
Create or update your own Company Description and Situation Analysis using template here.
Identify the areas where you need help.
State % complete for each section at start and end of this step.
Show proof that you have completed this step by making it by Wednesday. (Or else, the consequence is that you will have to help someone else to complete their task as well.)

Step 3 - Craft your Product Overview and Organization & Management

Learn the content of the Organization and Management section here.
Learn the content of the Product Overview section here.
Create or update these sections using template here.
Be sure to identify the areas where you need help.
State % complete for each section at start and end of this step.
Show proof that you have completed this step by making it by Friday. (Or else, the consequence is that you will have to help someone else to complete their task as well.)

Step 4 - Craft your Marketing & Sales and Funding Request

Learn about the content of the Marketing & Sales section here.
Learn about the content of the Funding Request section here.
Create or update these sections using the template here.
Clearly identify the areas where you need help.
State % complete for each section at start and end of this step.
Be sure to show proof that you have completed this step by making it by Tuesday. (Or else, the consequence is that you will have to help someone else to complete their task as well.)

Step 5 - Craft your Financial Analysis and Appendix

Learn and understand the content of the Financial Analysis section here.
earn the content of the Appendix section here.
Create or update these sections using templates here.
Clearly identify the areas where you need help.
State % complete for each section at start and end of this step.
Be sure to show proof that you have completed this step by making it by Friday. (Or else, the consequence is that you will have to help someone else to complete their task as well.)

Step 6 - Finalize your Business Analysis

Review your Company Description. Ensure it includes all of the following:
- A brief description of your business and its mission and vision.
- List the marketplace needs that you are trying to satisfy.
- Explain how your products and services meet these needs.
- List the specific consumer groups, organizations or businesses that your company serves or will serve.
- Explain the competitive advantages that you believe will make your business a success such as your location, expert personnel, efficient operations, or ability to bring value to your customers.
Identify areas where you need help finding facts.
State % complete at the start and end of this step.
Show proof that you have completed this step by making it by Wednesday. (Or else, the consequence is that you will have to help someone else to complete their task as well.)

Don’t worry if you don’t have all the information you need. We will get a chance to continue to improve this section throughout the challenge.

Need help? Feel free to email me directly.

Follow along this action plan and make it at least 3 times a week for 3 weeks in this group challenge.

Or else you'll have to Own Up and help someone in your group with their own business plan to continue playing!

Be sure to Make It (or take an Off Day) every day and share your photo or location proofs with your team.

Support each other by leaving bumps and replies for your teammates as you make progress.

And, you can always play a power or quote card to keep the team going!

Feel free to leave comments for your host and teammates with any questions, thoughts, etc.

And, if you haven't already, invite your most supportive friends, family and peers along for fun and support!