As the world of business has evolved, so too has the process of creating a business plan. No longer is it necessary to spend countless hours and dedicate considerable key resources to developing a document that may never be used. A lean business plan is a new approach that focuses on creating a basic roadmap for your business and business partners that can be adapted and updated as needed.
What is a Lean Business Plan?
A lean startup business plan is a stripped-down version of a traditional business plan that contains only the essential elements. This type of plan is typically used by entrepreneurs who are starting a new business or seeking funding from investors. It is also useful for businesses that are rapidly growing and need to adapt their plans on the fly.
The key difference between a lean startup business plan and a traditional business plan is that the former is focused on execution while the latter is focused on raising capital. A lean business plan can be created in a matter of hours, while a traditional business plan can take weeks or even months.
Benefits of a Lean Business Plan
There are many benefits to this approach, including the following:
- It saves time and resources.
- It is more flexible and can be adapted as needed.
- It is less daunting and can be completed in a shorter time frame.
- It can be used as a tool for raising capital and for business strategy.
If you are interested in writing a lean business plan, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it is important to focus on the essentials. What are the key components of your business? What are your goals and objectives? What are the steps you need to take to achieve these goals? Secondly, it is important to be realistic. A lean business plan is not a document that should be full of pie-in-the-sky projections. Rather, it should be based on market research and realistic assumptions. Finally, it is important to keep the plan itself lean. This means avoiding superfluous information and fluff. The goal is to create a document that is clear, concise, and to the point.
Lean Business Plan Template
There are many key components of a lean business plan. First and foremost, it is important to focus on your vision, mission, and goals for your business. What is your long-term vision for the company? What are your core values, and how do they guide your business decisions? What are your short-term goals and how will you achieve them? These are all important questions to answer in your plan.
In addition, you will need to outline your business model and how you plan to make money. This should include a description of your products or services, your target market, and your competitive landscape. You will also need to outline your marketing and sales strategy, as well as your long-term growth strategy.
Finally, it is important to include a section on financials. This should include an overview of your projected income and expenses, as well as a cash flow analysis.
By including these key components in your lean business plan, you will have a roadmap for your business that is clear, concise, and easy to follow.
Executive Summary
The executive summary is the most important part of your lean business plan. This is where you will give a brief overview of your business, including your vision, mission, and goals. You will also describe your target market, your competitive advantages, and your growth strategy. This should be a clear and concise summary of your business that will give readers a good understanding of what you do and what you plan to achieve.
Company Description
In this section, you will provide more detail on your company, including a history of how it was founded and its core values. You will also describe your products or services, your target market, and your competitive landscape. This is the section where you will really start to flesh out your business model and how you plan to make money.
Mission Statement
Your mission statement should be a clear and concise description of what your company does and why it exists. This is an important part of your lean business plan because it will help to focus your goals and keep you on track as you grow your business.
Goals and Objectives
In this section, you will outline your short-term and long-term goals for your business. This is an important part of your plan because it will help to keep you focused and on track as you grow your company.
Description of products or services
In this section, you will provide a detailed description of the products or services you offer. This should include information on what your product or service is, how it is different from your competitors, and why your target market needs it.
Competitive Analysis
In this section, you will provide an overview of your competition. This should include information on who your competitors are, what they offer, and how you compare to them. This section is also a great place to outline our company’s competitive advantage when relating to other businesses.
Marketing and Sales Strategy
In this section, you will outline your marketing and sales strategy. This should include a description of your go-to-market strategy, your pricing strategy, your customer segments, and your channels of distribution. You will also describe your promotional strategy and how you plan to generate leads and convert them into customers.
Financials
In this section of your business plan, you will include an overview of your financial projections. This should include a profit and loss statement, a balance sheet, and a cash flow statement. You will also want to include a sensitivity analysis to show how your business would perform under different scenarios.
Exit Strategy
In this section, you will describe your exit strategy. This should include a description of how you plan to sell the business or take it public. You will also want to include a timeline for achieving this goal.
Lean Business Plan Example
Summary of your business
Joe’s Pizzeria is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving the community for over 25 years. We offer a wide variety of pizzas, as well as other Italian favorites such as calzones, pasta, and salad.
Mission statement
To provide our customers with the best possible product and service, while maintaining the highest standards of quality and value.
Description of products or services
We offer a wide variety of pizzas, as well as other Italian favorites such as calzones, pasta, and salad. All of our dishes are made fresh to order using only the finest ingredients.
Market analysis
The pizza market in New York is extremely competitive. To be successful, we need to differentiate ourselves from the competition by offering a superior product and outstanding customer service.
Target market
Our target market is families with young children who are looking for good value.
Cost Structure
Our costs are relatively low because we use a lot of bulk ingredients, and we have a very efficient production process.
Pricing strategy
We plan to price our products competitively to gain market share.
Sales and marketing strategy
We will use a variety of marketing techniques to reach our target market, including print and online advertising, as well as direct mail. We will also offer discounts and promotions on our website and through our email newsletter.
Financial projections
Our financial projections are based on a conservative estimate of the number of pizzas we will sell each month. We expect to be profitable within the first year of operation.
Key Partnerships
We have established relationships with several local suppliers who provide us with high-quality ingredients at a discount.
Exit strategy
We plan to sell the business after five years of operation.
Timeline
- Year 1: Develop marketing and sales strategy; Implement online and print advertising campaign; Launch website and email newsletter; Develop direct mail campaign
- Year 2: Continue advertising campaigns; Expand product line to include pasta and salad dishes; Begin franchise expansion in neighboring cities
- Year 3: Continue advertising campaigns; Further expand the product line to include desserts; Continue franchise expansion
- Year 4: Evaluate options for selling the business or taking it public
- Year 5: Sell the business or take it public.
Lean Business Plan FAQs
Is a lean business plan the same as a traditional business plan?
No, a lean business plan is not the same as a traditional plan. A traditional plan is typically much longer and more detailed, while a lean business plan is shorter and more concise.
What are the benefits of writing a lean business plan?
There are several benefits of writing a lean business plan. First, it forces you to focus on the most important aspects of your business. Second, it is much quicker and easier to write than a traditional business plan. Third, it is more flexible and can be easily updated as your business grows and changes.
What should I include in my lean business plan?
Your lean business plan should include an executive summary, a description of your products or services, a market analysis, a sales, and marketing strategy, financial projections, and an exit strategy.
How long should my lean business plan be?
A lean business plan is typically only 10–15 pages long.