NxLeveL®
BUSINESS PLAN WORKBOOK
Session 1
Entrepreneurship: Startup & Growth	1
How to Use the NxLeveL® Business Plan Workbook	1
NxLeveL® Business Plan Outline	3
Writing Hints	5
Making Use of Your Plan	5
Getting Started	8
General Description of the Business	8
Your Mission Statement	10
Goals and Objectives	12
Session 2
Planning & Research: Entrepreneurial Essentials	15
Sources of Information	16
Key Contacts	18
Background Information	20
Action Log	22
Session 3
Business Organization: Management & Legal Structure	25
Forms of Doing Business	26
The Management “Team”	28
Personnel	32
Salaries and Wages	34
Risk Management	36
Session 4
Marketing: Analysis & Understanding	41
Your Products/Services	41
Products/Services–Description	42
Life Cycle and Seasonality	44
The Market Analysis	47
Your Customer Profile	48
Competitive Analysis	51
Market Potential	54
Session 5
Marketing: Objectives, Strategies & Tactics	57
Location/Distribution	58
Occupancy Expenses	60
Price/Quality Relationship	62
Packaging–Your Business Image	64
Public Relations and Networking	66
Advertising Budget	68
Customer Service	72
Session 6
Marketing: E-Commerce, Direct Sales & Customer Management	75
Recordkeeping Checklist	76
Other Operations Controls	78
Personal Financial Statement	80
Balance Sheet	82
Session 7
Managing Your Money: Accounting, Budgeting & Cash Flow	85
Sales Forecast	86
Cost of Projected Product Units Sold	88
Fixed Assets	90
Growth (or Start-up) Expenses	92
Existing Debt	94
Miscellaneous Expenses	96
Session 8
Managing Your Money: Financial Statements & Business Financing	99
Break–Even Analysis	100
Monthly Cash Flow Projections	102
Session 9
Skills for Growth: Business Management Tools	109
Monthly Projected Income Statement	110
Projected Balance Sheet	112
Statement of Owner’s Equity	113
Session 10
A New Beginning: Sources of Money	115
Debt and Equity Financing	116
Summary of Financial Needs	118
Executive Summary	119
Green Business Opportunities	122
Green Priorities Worksheet	123
Materials Substitution Worksheet	124
Cover Page	127
Table of Contents/Executive Summary	128
Action Log/Supporting Documents	129