10 Critical Facts to Put On the Cover of Your Business Plan... > NetSparsh

Home
>
Strategic Planning
>
10 Critical Facts to Put On the Cover of Your Business Plan...

10 Critical Facts to Put On the Cover of Your Business Plan...

In most business plans, no matter how striking the idea, the covers are critically important. The majority of investors may flip to the executive summary, if they get past the cover, when deciding whether or not they are interested. Exactly like the front page of a daily newspaper, a business plan cover puts the important highlights of the proposal upfront for potential investors to read.

The success of an entire business plan campaign may stand or fall on what is said on the cover of the business plan. In his book, the Venture Capital Handbook, David Gladstone wrote that of the one-hundred proposals a week an investor receives, maybe ten are read.

So, providing critical information on your cover is about the most important thing for sparking the interest of prospective investors. In fact, your cover page competes with hundreds of other documents, worksheets, phone calls, articles, and other information for the attention of prospective investors. And, based on Gladstone's figures, it competes in time, because, seen for a few seconds, it is heeded, or passed up, and seldom returned to by readers.

Here are the ten critical pieces of information to include on the cover page of your business plan.

Headline: Start your cover page with an appropriate headline that will interrupt and engage your prospective investors. Use the headline to tell them something news worthy about your venture.

Company: Be sure the name of your company is on the cover, but the name of your company is not the headline or the most important trigger to an investor. If your company is a start-up company, your name will likely have no meaning to investors.

Contact: Indicate the name of the person you want prospective investors to contact about the proposal. Be sure to include a phone number and email address at which they can be reached. One thing about the email address, make sure it is professional; avoid cute addresses.

Type of business: In ten words or less state the industry you are in and the stage of your business, such as 'start-up" or first round financing, development stage or second round financing, and so on.

Business summary: A brief paragraph describing what your business does or proposes to do. Summarize the material events in the development of your business (including any material mergers or acquisitions) during the past five years, or for whatever lesser period you've been in existence. Describe the industry in which you sell or expect to sell your products or services and any related trends within that industry. Describe that part of the industry and the geographic area in which your business competes or will compete.

Management: Simply list the top two or three key people with a two-sentence description of their backgrounds, what they will be doing for the company and unique skills and experiences each adds to the company.

Product/service and competition: Very briefly describe your products or services and how you'll produce or render them. If you plan to offer a new product(s), tell its present stage of development, including whether or not you have a working prototype(s). Indicate what it will take in terms of money, resources, and approvals to completely develop the product. Disclose if you are dependent upon one or a limited number of suppliers for essential raw materials, energy or other items. Describe any major existing supply contracts.

Funds requested and collateral: State exactly how much money you are raising and a description of the form you are requesting it in (debt or equity). Also tell what you are offering as security to investors, if anything.

Financial data

Provide a summary schedule outlining how you'll use the proceeds you raise. Keep it at a high level; you'll have the details in the plan itself.

A columnar summary of key historical financial figures like sales, net income, assets, liabilities and net worth. What you ultimately list here will also depend on the type of financing you are seeking (debt or equity).

A columnar schedule of key projected financial figures for three or five years out similar to those listed in your history.

Exit: Briefly tell how investors will get a return on their investment. For example, you might plan to go public in five years, buy back their initial investment at four times in four years, or perhaps sell the business to a financial or a strategic buyer.

If you're struggling with how to fit all this information onto your cover page, go here to see an example of a cover page layout: http://www.business-plan-secrets-revealed.com/business-plan-cover-page.html

Mike Elia is a chief financial officer and an advisor to venture capitalists and leverage buyout specialists. For more information about business plans and raising capital for your business or to review his business plan manual or free business plan guide, visit Business Plan Secrets Revealed.

In The News:

Strategic planning The Copper & BlueCouple thoughts on the recent Bob Nicholson interview on CBC Radio, and his comments on analytics and decision-making. Link is above or you can click here: ...

Corvallis council finishes work on strategic plan | Local Corvallis Gazette TimesIt took three meetings to get there, but the city of Corvallis has an updated strategic operational plan to work with.

Strategic planning underway at Central Wahoo NewspaperVALPARAISO – Raymond Central Public Schools is asking its stakeholders to help plan for the future.

Global Commercial Aircraft Engine Manufacturers Strategy Report 2018-2037: Strategic Planning & Decision Making Processes that will be Essential for Competitive Analysis PRNewswireDUBLIN, Feb. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Strategy Brief - 2019 - Commercial Aircraft Engine Manufacturers - GE Aviation, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls ...

Muskogee Public Schools wants the public's opinion on strategic planning KTULMuskogee Public Schools is planning for the future and asking for the community's help. The school district is launching a continuous strategic plan with a ...

Kuemper Town Hall Meeting Will Provide Updates On Long-Range Strategic Planning 1380 KCIMThe annual town-hall meeting for the Kuemper Catholic School System will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 in the high school cafeteria. President, John ...

Episcopal Church Launches Five-Yr Strategic Plan Liberian Daily Observer-Places evangelism, robust but diversified investments, advocacy, others at the core of its operations. The Episcopal Church of Liberia has launched its five-year ...

Strategic Thinking, Strategic Planning: One and the Same? ATDThese two activities are different, but also support each other as critical elements of the overall business planning process.

A One-Page Strategic Plan That Your Business Will Actually Use ForbesWorking hard is no longer enough to differentiate yourself from the competition. Organizations that make the most progress discipline themselves to focus on ...

Opinion | Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare wants public input into next strategic plan www.muskokaregion.com/Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare is working to develop our next strategic plan to guide the organization for the next three years and wants your input to help ...

Speaker appoints Abbas to spearhead Strategic Planning of NA Daily TimesSpeaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser on Friday appointed Andaleeb Abbas MNA, a leading corporate and development sector exert as the Convener of the ...

Colleges need to rethink strategic planning (opinion) Inside Higher EdColleges and universities would be better served by focusing on the other half of strategic planning: the strategy, Peter Eckel and Cathy Trower argue.

CS Amina unveils HELB 2019-2023 Strategic plan Kenya Broadcasting CorporationCS Education, Amb. Dr.Amina Mohamed Wednesday launched the Higher Education Loans Board 2019-2023 Strategic Plan at Laico Regency Hotel in Nairobi.

City sets date for annual strategic planning session Omaha World-HeraldThe City of Bellevue's annual strategic planning session will be Feb. 20 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at the Bellevue Fire Department Training Center.

Strategic Plan Irish RugbyThe Irish Rugby Football Union has long recognised the importance of planning and accountability in its approach to sustaining and developing the game of ...

How To Create a Strategic Planning Process for Innovation Innovation Excellenceby John Carter. Every innovative product begins as a concept in the mind of someone or some group of people. These concepts are the seeds of your company's ...

Plan lays out new philosophy, definition of success in District 44 Chicago Daily HeraldNow in draft form, the Connect 44 plan in Lombard Elementary District 44 spells out a new philosophy and a focus on defining success by measures other than ...

Ensuring business growth through strategic planning The PunchIfeanyi Onuba, Abuja Growing a business means taking many decisions about the way you want to expand your operations. Creating a strategic plan i...

MPS seeks strategic planning input | News Muskogee Daily PhoenixMuskogee Public Schools seeks community input in its strategic planning.

MVP Advisory Group Joins Duck Creek Technologies' Partner Ecosystem, Offering Strategic Planning, Implementation, and Optimization Services to Insurers Worldwide GlobeNewswireBoston, Feb. 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Duck Creek Technologies has expanded its Partner Ecosystem program through a new relationship with MVP ...

Strategic planning and research to capture verve of volleyball The New Indian ExpressThe swirling laser lights continue to affect players, especially when they are about to serve. The lights are also flashed after every point and during time-outs.

Fairfax County Strategic Plan: Survey for Residents Released Alexandria Living MagazineResidents and business owners in Fairfax County can help shape the County's Strategic Plan this year.

Ajai Sahni: Belligerent rhetoric on Pulwama attack can’t make up for lack of strategic planning Scroll.inAbsence of sustained strategic preparation and abysmal neglect of defence, internal security and intelligence sectors rule out an effective response.

Strategic planning listening sessions The Miami StudentThe Strategic Planning Steering Committee has scheduled seven listening sessions to engage and collect input from the entire Miami community.

City, county may spend $70,000 on strategic plan to address homelessness The Durango HeraldA government-led plan that could identify long-term solutions for homeless residents in Durango may get started this year after a lengthy delay...

Strategic planning committee presents updated information The IthacanThe Imagining Ithaca co-chairs presented an update on the work of the strategic planning steering committee Feb. 5.

02/14/2019 | OC Tourism Minds Kick Off Strategic Planning Talks | News Ocean City MD The DispatchOCEAN CITY — Expanding tourism year-round, improving Ocean City's “curb appeal” and enhancing the tourists' experience were some of the the challenges ...

Progenity Announces Expansion of Board of Directors Business WireProgenity, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company, today announced the expansion of its board of directors with four new directors to support th.

Implementing A Strategic Plan? Go From Vision To Project Plan OPEN MINDSNo matter how good your strategy may look on paper, if you can't move it from concept to reality, it isn't going to be effective. Over the years, I've seen a lot of ...

Input needed for WSU's next Strategic Plan WSU NewsBy Todd Mordhorst, Office of the Provost. The university's Strategic Plan establishes WSU's priorities and guides decision making at all levels. The WSU ...

Kingston city staff to look for ways to free up money for housing The Kingston Whig-StandardCity staff are to go though the capital budget to try to find more than $24 million worth of projects over four years that can be shelved to free up money for housing ...

New strategic plan for Health Sciences North BayToday'We were pleased to host a consultation with colleagues from other hospitals in our region as part of HSN and HSNRI's strategic planning process,' says Paul ...

Postponed Strategic Plan Meeting Resolves PRC Vote Conflict Reston NowThe meeting conflict between Fairfax County's Strategic Plan meeting and the scheduled decision on a contentious zoning ordinance has been resolved.

CVB seeks survey input The Daily AdvanceFrom staff reports. Thursday, February 21, 2019. The Elizabeth City Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is seeking community input on its new strategic plan.

Council approves strategic plan process The Wahkiakum County EagleMembers of the Cathlamet Town Council addressed a variety of issues when they met Tuesday. --The council voted 4-0 to contract with John Morgan and.

District 155 approved new strategic plan Thursday Northwest HeraldThe Community High School District 155 School Board approved a new five-year strategic plan Thursday night after a presentation from students and staff.

Town Hall offers look at success, future of University's strategic plan Penn State NewsWhy is it important for a university to have a strategic plan? What does it mean for the University community? What have been the outcomes of Penn State's ...

Portable Power Bank Market 2019 – Global Industry Size, Share, Analysis, Trend & Future Strategic Planning Microfinance ObserverGlobal Portable Power Bank Market Insights provides specific tools for assessing the global market, detailing the opportunities and supporting strategic and ...

Commercial Bank Doesn't Have Any Qatar Merger in Strategic Planning, Group CEO Says BloombergJoseph Abraham, group chief executive officer of Commercial Bank Pqsc, Qatar's third-largest lender, talks about the company's financial results and business ...

Lombard district's planning process involves employees, residents Chicago Daily HeraldTo form its new strategic plan, Lombard Elementary District 44 hosted a series of meetings with 44 people holding all manner of roles and considered their ...

Borough Council Facilitates Community Discussion On Strategic Plan Onward StateBorough Council led a discussion to gather community input on a Strategic Planning Process that it initiated in late 2018.

Chancellor Shares 2018-2023 Strategic Plan With Campus | Office of News & Media Relations UMass News and Media RelationsChancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy today shared a new strategic plan with the UMass community through a campus-wide email. The 2018-2023 plan, “Be ...

Saint Lucia’s finance department to implement three-year strategic plan (+video) St. Lucia News OnlineFebruary 6, 2019. Share This On: Share3 · Tweet · Pin · +1 · Share. 3 Shares. (PRESS RELEASE) — The Department of Finance has partnered with the ...

WSP launches Global Strategic Plan 2019-2021 Canadian Consulting EngineerOn January 30th, 2019, Montreal-based WSP Global released the highlights of its new three-year strategic plan (the “2019-2021 Global Strategic Plan”) setting ...

AISD's Strategic Planning 2030 Alice Echo News-JournalFor the last couple of months, administrators at Alice Independent School District have worked on a strategic plan that may affect where students will attend ...

Automotive Suspension Systems Market Growth Prospects Analysis, Landscape Analysis, and Future Strategic Planning by 2025 Spot Herld[Los Angeles, CA, 2-22-2019] The report presents key information and data related to the Global Automotive Suspension Systems Market in a meticulous and ...

Strategic Planning Committee Addresses Next Steps The DePauwThe Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) is taking measures to address DePauw University's financial security in the midst of concerns about the university's ...

Yolo County begins drafting 2020 Strategic Plan The AggieThis year Yolo County will develop a vision for the community's future through the creation of the 2020 Strategic Plan. This plan “is a guiding document used by ...

Collingwood's strategic plan headed for a reboot Simcoe.comWhether the work is undertaken by a third party, or done in-house, will be determined during budget deliberations.

Community Invited To Give Input On State College Strategic Plan Onward StateThe Borough is inviting members of the community, including Penn State students, to provide input on State College's new strategic planning project.

Stillwater City Council talks strategic plan | Local News Stillwater News PressAs the Stillwater City Council looks for ways to move the city forward, this particular group of councilors is putting a special emphasis on strategic planning.

Planning towards a smooth transition: Eight steps for a business transition Idaho Business ReviewAs a business owner, you've worked hard to build your business. But what about the day when you might want to walk away from it all? Business transition ...

5 Areas of Focus for Firm Transformation Accountingweb.comBy now, most firms know they need to change in some way, but how? Advertisement. As firm leaders read articles, attend conferences and talk to peers it seems ...

NPCI strengthens its leadership ranks, hires new COO and CDO YourStory.comIndian retail payments organisation, National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) today announced the appointments Praveena Rai as the Chief Operating ...

Revised Planning Practice Guidance: five changes you need to know PlanningResourceRevised Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) on assessing housing and economic need was published by the government earlier this week. Here are five key ...

What should a Plan B for Australia's military strategy look like? The StrategistIn the lead-up to each federal election, ASPI releases its Agenda for change: Strategic choices for the next government to help shape election platforms and ...

Opinion: Alameda Municipal Power, Island share common goals East Bay TimesIn 1887, a group of Alamedans who viewed electricity as an essential public *service* came together to create what would become the oldest public electric utility ...

Georgia Southern invites community to participate in Strategic Planning process through February events | Newsroom Georgia Southern University NewsroomGeorgia Southern University is creating a new Strategic Plan for the University with the help of community members, students, faculty and staff. The University ...

WSP Unveils its Global Strategic Plan Aimed at Building the Premier Professional Consultancy in its Industry by the End of 2021 GlobeNewswireMONTREAL, Jan. 30, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WSP Global Inc. (TSX: WSP) ("WSP" or the “Corporation”) today released the highlights of its three-year ...

Announcement of Thinkers kickstarts strategic planning The ObserverOn Jan. 24 Provost Ben Vinson III released the names of the faculty and staff selected to participate in Case Western Reserve University's strategic planning ...

North Africa: Regional Conference On 'Documentation and Strategic Planning On Gender and Trade' January 30-31 in Tunis AllAfrica.comA regional conference on documentation and strategic planning on gender in Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan will be organised by the ...

Port Angeles council members approve strategic plan after discussion Peninsula Daily NewsPORT ANGELES — The City Council has adopted a strategic plan for 2019 and 2020.

University of Tasmania takes Planning Commission to court over amendments refusal The MercuryTHERE will be no wholesale sell off of the University of Tasmanias Sandy Bay campus as it considers two options for the future, Vice Chancellor Rufus Black ...

Dangerous water rescue in Garner Valley averts disaster: Ronnie N. Imel provides critical skill and strategy to save neighbor's life • Idyllwild Town Crier Idyllwild Town CierWith military-honed skill and at great personal risk, Garner Valley resident Ronnie N. Imel delivered the most important Valentine neighbor Kathleen Walker had ...

NYISO Issues 5-Year Strategic Plan RTO InsiderNYISO released a Strategic Plan outlining how it will incorporate market and regulatory trends into its planning processes for 2019 to 2023.

Puebloan Barnes is Parkviews first female CEO Fowler TribuneAlthough she is the first woman to serve as chief executive officer in Parkview Medical Center's nearly 100-year history, Leslie Barnes prefers the focus be on her ...

A lifeline for Island retailers? Jersey Evening PostA NEW retail strategy designed to boost St Helier's struggling high street is due to be launched before the end of next month.

Calgary Strategic Planning Affects Local Landowners StrathmoreNow.comA public hearing will be held on April 2 at Wheatland County to discuss how the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board's (CMRB) interim growth plan and interim ...

Monday Business Briefing: Major Jeffersonville apartment project; UofL starts strategic planning process; Woodford releases Double Double Oaked; and more Insider LouisvilleWelcome to the Jan. 28 Monday Business Briefing, your weekly business intelligence digest from Insider Louisville.

WF city leaders narrow down 2019 strategic plan KAUZWICHITA FALLS, TX (TNN) -City officials in Wichita Falls are one step closer to having a completed 2019 Strategic Plan. Council and staff were presented with a ...

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ministry of Education National Education Strategic Plan 2017–2021 - Afghanistan ReliefWebExecutive Summary. Good achievements but need for more. Since 2001 the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has made significant ...

Global Strategic Planning Software Market 2019 Major Players are Planview, Cascade, ClearPoint, OnStrategy Tech Dose DailyGlobal Strategic Planning Software Market 2018 by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2023 is intended to give you a sweeping and ...

Corvallis grinds way through strategic plan review Corvallis Gazette TimesWhat's that trope about laws and sausages? The punchline is that you should never watch either one being made. And, to be fair, the city of Corvallis strategic ...

NSW state election 2019: Greens to mandate affordable housing targets, abolish priority precincts Domain NewsGreens want to abolish some planning protocols and force developers to adhere to a minimum 30 per cent affordable housing target to fix crisis.

A New Social Sector Retirement Plan for Engineers in Albuquerque Nonprofit QuarterlyTREC, a new skilled-volunteerism intermediary, deploys ex-engineers into the Albuquerque community to support nonprofits and startups.

Seneca Hospital plans for the future Plumas County NewspapersTo paraphrase an oft-used adage that has been around for a long time: “If you want good things to happen in your community, get involved.” That would be an ...

Manager of Strategic Communications SustainableBusiness.comEnergy efficiency program administrators from the United States and Canada formed the award-winning Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) to achieve ...

What's new in the government's latest unauthorised traveller sites proposals PlanningResourceEarlier this month, the government set out its ideas for helping planning authorities to stop unauthorised Gypsy and traveller sites. Travellers: government sets ...

The Latest News and Data About Ethanol Production Ethanol Producer MagazineOn Feb. 19, Cardinal Ethanol announced it is exploring the potential sale of its 135 MMgy corn ethanol in Union City, Indiana. The company, however, said it ...

'It's an accident waiting to happen' - Families fight plans for five warehouses amid concerns over traffic Stoke-on-Trent LiveFamilies are fighting new plans for five warehouses on a busy road near the M6 amid concerns over extra traffic. Dozens of residents have lodged objections ...

Revised national guidance clarifies how councils can diverge from standard housing need method PlanningResourceRevised Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) on assessing housing and economic need published by the government yesterday clarifies how councils can ...

Council retreat set for Friday Morganton News HeraldMorganton City Council members will get a chance to discuss a grant program that has stirred up a controversy between the city and county.

Ceramic Inks Market 2025 – Global Industry Size, Share, Analysis, Trend & Future Strategic Planning Wise AwarenessGlobal ceramic inks market analyses the current Chemical industry situations on a large scale to provide the market developments, market size and progress ...

How U of I's new strategic plan impacts Champaign-Urbana FOX IllinoisThe University of Illinois is moving in a new direction, announcing its strategic plan for the next five years. These new goals could directly impact the community ...

Geneva County begins strategic plan process and clarifies city dog issue Dothan FirstGENEVA, Ala. (WDHN) - On Monday, the Geneva County Commission voted to pass a strategic plan proposal which will help county leaders identify goals plus ...

Buhari's directive on riggers makes opposition jittery - BCO Daily TrustThe directive given by President Muhammadu Buhari on what awaits those planning to rig tomorrow's elections and subsequent ones has made those with ...

SURGE HOLDINGS NAMES ANTHONY P. NUZZO PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER GlobeNewswireThe Board of Directors has Unanimously Appointed Anthony P. Nuzzo, Jr.

Will Macalester require a 3-year residency? Macalester College The Mac WeeklyIt has been just over a year since Macalester acquired the vacant lot behind the Cultural House at 1661 Grand Ave. After 30 years of attempting to purchase the ...

Light rail and more buses for Tweed EchonetdailyWith a continued focus on public transport, the Nationals have made two recent announcements about light rail, and bus services. One announcement says a ...

Forestry Hubs: $20 million National Forest Industries Plan EchonetdailyOne of the major issues in the coming elections is climate change and the way our politicians manage our natural resources is at the crux of that. In particular ...

UI set to unveil newest strategic plan called 'The Next 150' Champaign/Urbana News-GazetteCHAMPAIGN — *Fresh* off a celebration of its first 150 years, the University of Illinois is looking ahead to the next century and a half in its latest strategic plan.

How Exeter Strategic Plan will affect city Radio ExeIt is difficult to pronounce and even harder to initially comprehend or care about, but the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan will affect where you live, work, shop, enjoy ...

SPIKES Options Launched On MIAX - MIAX Options Executes Strategy To Transform Market As First True Competitor In Volatility Space Exchange News DirectMIAX Options® on Tuesday began its first day of volatility options trading on the SPIKES™ Index (Ticker: SPIKE), an index designed with a fully-transparent ...

Feb. 8 Is Deadline For Input On Decatur Strategic Plan Decatur, GA PatchFeb. 8 Is Deadline For Input On Decatur Plan - Decatur-Avondale Estates, GA - City leaders want to know how you think your tax dollars should be spent.

Who is UCF acting president Thad Seymour Jr.? Orlando SentinelThad Seymour Jr. followed his father's footsteps into academia and now, like his dad, he'll move into the president's office — in his case, at UCF. Seymour's ...

Medium Molecular Weight Polyisobutylene Market Analysis, Major Competitor and Strategies, Regional Outlook, 2019 to 2024 Markets PioneerMedium Molecular Weight Polyisobutylene market reports provides a comprehensive overview of the global market size and share. Medium Molecular Weight ...

Bishop McHugh School Earns Middle States Re-Accreditation Cape May County HeraldBishop McHugh School announced today that it has earned re-accreditation by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary ...

Newcastle Council's strategic planning meeting held at Shoal Bay Country Club Newcastle HeraldShould Newcastle's ratepayers have to pick up the $9600 tab for dinner and overnight accommodation at Shoal Bay Country Club?

FinTech4Good Market Developing The NonProfit TimesJanuary 3, 2019 marked the 10-year anniversary of the original blockchain. Created using technology described by the still anonymous Satoshi Nakamoto in a ...

Triethanolamine (TEA) Market Analysis, Major Competitor and Strategies, Regional Outlook, 2019 to 2024 Markets PioneerTriethanolamine (TEA) market reports provides a comprehensive overview of the global market size and share. Triethanolamine (TEA) market data reports also ...

10 Critical Facts to Put On the Cover of Your Business Plan...

Strategic Planning Strategic Planning