Fishbowls
January 27th, 2008First at Bat (How about Feb 5?)
Elixir Winery
Gang Software
Volz Enterprises
Assignment 3
January 23rd, 2008Due Tuesday Feb 12 at class
Business Plan Critique
Your team will grab someone else’s plan on Feb 5 and critique it. You should write comments directly into their plan. The individual team members may wish to use a different color ink, or you can simply use one color.
The Introduction to Writing a Business Plan includes checklists. You may also include additional items from the guests.
You will hand in the critique to the instructors and we will grade the critique. Did you catch the major concerns with the plan? Do you have any suggestions? Do you have any referrals to help the authors?
Your team should share the critique with the authors.
Assignment 2 - The Early Business Plan
January 23rd, 2008Due Tuesday Feb 5 at class
Worth 40% more than the standard assignment
The Business Plan
You will create three clean copies of your business plan. You should not use any binding that makes it difficult to write onto your manuscript. Coil or comb binding is acceptable as well as stapling (don’t staple your final plan).
You will give two copies to the instructors and one copy to another project team. You should also grab one business plan from another project team. Teams of one or two persons may wish to exchange plans with other teams of like size, but this is not a requirement.
What do we want in a business plan? You may wish to view a sample business plan and also to read through draft booklet given to you on the first day of class.
What Will Happen?
Each business plan will be reviewed by at least two instructors or advisers. We will use a different pen color to identify each reviewer’s comments. Don’t be surprised if the plan is literally painted with pages of reviewer comments.
Your plan will also be reviewed by another project team, but that critique will first be submitted to the instructors (see assignment 2).
Why an Early Business Plan?
It’s simply the most effective way to get you running. We know it won’t be perfect. This exercise will clarify what you must accomplish. It might also force you to abandon your original idea and totally morph. Don’t be afraid. I award style points for total morphs. Consult your instructor(s).
We also remove the mystery about how we approach the business plans. It also gives us a jump on how to best advise the teams.
Yes, this is painful. You’re in a mad rush. Almost everyone who went before you maintains this is a mandatory step. You’ll learn a lot of things about your teammates and what additional talent you may need to acquire.
Assignment 1
January 10th, 2008Due on Tuesday, January 29, 2008.
You (and your team) will create a financial model on an Excel spreadsheet. If you’re all by your lonesome, you have our permission to join another team (or person) just for this assignment.
You may create a fairly generic spreadsheet, but it should be slanted towards your current business concept.
It does not require a balance sheet although we like to see major fixed and variable expenses covered. It should also document cash flow and Profit & Loss.
The spreadsheet should produce charts or graphs that demonstrate the “breakeven points” for profitability and cash flow. You should also graphically portray the relationship of your main driver(s) to revenue, cash flow, and/or profitability.
You will submit your spreadsheet by posting your excel to the class google group.
Lecture Slides & Other Materials
January 10th, 2008Introduction to Writing a Business Plan v1.95 (revised Feb 13, 2008)
Class Introduction Slides (Jan 8, 2008)
Tips and Sins (Jan 10, 2008)
Alan’s Cash Flow 101 Based Deck on Finance (Jan 15, 2008)
Alan’s Unedited Full Deck on Finance (Jan 15, 2008)
David Miller’s Simpler Finance Primer (Jan 15, 2008)
Financial Modeling (Jan 22, 2008)
David’s Good Presentations (Jan 29, 2008)
David’s Marketing Primer (Feb 7, 2008)
Tenley Peck and Business Etiquette (Feb 14, 2008)
Kyle Flindt and Intellectual Property (Feb 19, 2008)
Elizabeth Rusnak - Financing Your Startup (Feb 26, 2008)
Sample Business Plan & Sample Spreadsheet
Zen Chai Business Plan (pdf format) (2006 Class)
Zen Chai Spreadsheets (xls format)
Plastic Payments Spreadsheets (xls format)
Three Examples of Graphics to Explain a Story
Echospace Financials (Your mileage may vary on this one, but it’s an example)
IMCentric Early Draft Business Plan (2001 Class)
Four Alums give their Tips
Michelle Gamboa’s Tips (2005 Class)
Chris Whitten’s Tips (2002 Class)
Tom Vu’s Tips (2001 Class)
David Thomson’s Tips for Project Leaders (2005 Class)
An Expert Marketing and Biz Consultant Gives his Tips
Eric Mattson’s Mottos (2007)