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Topics

Activities

The reasons for planning

Is it worth starting a business? Jo starts a business

	Start-up	Lending money to a friend to start a business
	Repositioning	Factors affecting position
	Franchising	Survey franchise operators
	Expanding
	Consolidating or downsizing
	Departmental planning	Departmental strategic plans

What is a business plan?

Writing a business description Mission, goals and objectives A business plan for staff Marketing strategy and tactics Executive summary Progress monitoring strategies

	Different types of business plans and purposes	What business plans apply?
	General layout	Executive summary Writing a business description Mission, goals and objectives Marketing strategy and tactics Progress monitoring strategies
	Examples of business plans	Sample business plans

Mission, goals and objectives

Mission, goals and objectives Classifying mission, goals and objectives

	Mission
	Goals
	Objectives

Developing a business plan

	Finding key information
	The main information areas
	Matching research to business plan objectives

The financial section

	Sources of finance
	Cost of finance	The cost of finance
	Liquidity	Your own business cashflow forecast
	Profitability	Profitability
	Wealth
	Monitoring progress

The marketing section

	Marketing concept	Matching services to needs Marketing research
	Marketing strategies	Marketing strategies
	Benefits and attributes
	Intellectual property	Searching for a business name
	Promotions	Promotions mix
	Selling and customer service methods	Customer service policies
	Location and distribution
	Getting the mix right

The operations section

	Scheduling	Scheduling the promotions mix
	Achieving goals and objectives
	Efficiency versus effectiveness	Efficiency versus effectiveness
	Legal structure	What's your business structure?
	Occupational health and safety (OH&S)	Occupational health and safety for your business
	Monitoring progress	Key performance indicators for your business

The staffing section

Staffing

	What's a business without people?
	Internal versus external customers	Internal customer service
	Best practice in human resource management	Human resource management
	Industrial relations, EEO and anti-discrimination	Employing people
	WorkCover, superannuation and holidays	WorkCover and Superannuation
	Succession planning	Succession planning

Tapping specialist services

	Costs and benefits of consultants	Pros and cons
	Who's essential and how to use them effectively

Risk in business

	Definition of risk	What is risk?
	Why risk is different for different people and businesses	Insurance and risk
	Risk management strategies	Taking risks
	Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) planning to minimise risks to staff	Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) improvement plan
	Contingency plans (tips and tricks for handling risk)	Contingency plans

Self tests

	Background for business planning
	Contents of a business plan
	Other business planning considerations