Suggestions
1. This information is best presented in chart form.
2. The timing of events will change, as you respond to opportunities and threats in the marketplace. But, your investors want to see that you have thought through where you are going and when. .
3. It is especially important when looking for financing. It shows why you are looking for money now, and when you will use it.
4. Remember, almost everyone tends to be optimistic and underestimate the amount of time it will take to reach goals.
Resources Needed to Write
1. A three-year calendar marked with holiday periods that impact your business.
Do you close your plant for maintenance at certain times of the year?
Are there civic or ethnic holidays that need to be accounted for?
2. Time estimates for key events. Be realistic.
Key Events
1. What are the key events for your business?
2. Time/Event Chart--you can include a chart or time line here or put it in your appendices and simply reference the key events in the body of the plan. The sample chart below appears here and in your appendices for your convenience.
For existing companies, the chart should show three years of actual operation.
For startups, the chart should show current time and a three-year projection.
The sample in the body is only two years due to space. Produce the chart as a separate file--landscape format--and insert into the body of the report or appendix.
Event
Year 20xx Year 20xx
Ql Q2 Q3 Q4 Ql Q2 Q3 Q4
Markets entered ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Major expenditures ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Media budget ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Key hires ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Production capacity ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Production volume ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Inventory highs/lows ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
New product introductions ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
R&D ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Etc.--tailor to your business.