A Business Plan questionnaire will be distributed in class. The numerous checkpoints will provide the guideposts you need to measure progress for two different companies/ideas.

- Provides names of the Team Member's last and first names, date of the assignment, Class Name, page number and Schedule, the new company name, and Running Head.

- Provides a one-page overview of the total business plan. This is written after other sections are completed and it highlights the significant points of the business plan. It should be sufficiently detailed so that the reader may just need to go to specific sections for more detail if necessary. It should answer the question of why the company is going global.

- Explains the type of company (manufacturing, service, retail); background of the company; the proposed form of organization (sole proprietorship, or corporation); current status of the company (startup, buyout, or expansion). It might also include a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) and a value chain analysis. Company name, address and any web site URL.

- Describes the business philosophy of the company. The Vision Statement provides a long-term strategy and the Mission Statement describes the business. The Vision Statement is a set of beliefs that guide the company's actions and activities. The Mission Statement is a statement of the company's purpose-what it is and what it does and what sets the company apart from its competitors.

- Provides the company goals, objectives and strategy. The goals, which are the broad business results that the company expects to achieve, could be financial, customer service oriented, internally focused or shareholder based. The objectives are specific statements that relate directly to a particular goal. (I.e. Goal is to be a market leader and the objective is to own 30% market share by the end of 2004 using a low cost strategy.).

- The strategy might be as follows: to be a low-cost leader (Wal-Mart); be differentiated; be a focused company; be a market follower; or be a market leader. Might also include Critical Success Factors that follow from the objectives.

- Global Strategy options include: local facilities abroad; exporting; importing ; foreign licensing; international franchising; international strategic alliances; etc.

- Describes the product or services provided by the company and explains why consumers will buy the product of service. Also describe and conditions, such as patents, copyright and trademarks. It should be clear what the value you will provide the customer with your product or service.

- Describe what products are currently available for the target export market.

- Describe the product strategy such as straight extension, product adaption; new product; etc.

- Discuss the business environment is which the company will serve. Market trends, market segment growth (who is buying, what do they buy and why do they buy); buyer behavior, buyer demographics, types and strength of competition; industry forces (suppliers, buyers, etc.) and factors of competitors, barriers, relationships, market structures, etc.). Also include Government regulations; any technological changes; current and projected economic trends; and cultural factors in this section.

- Identify challenges such as political & economic risks and managerial limitations.

- Review the international marketplace: market size, infrastructure, buyer behavior; economic and social cultural environment; technology level; trade barriers; economic integration strategies (NAFTA, for example); political-legal climate, etc.

- Perform a geographical/social/cultural analysis of the target country.

- Shows in more detail who the company customers will be; outlines the marketing strategy (Product, price, place and promotion). .Describes the target market; selling approach; methods of identifying and attracting customers, credit policies; pricing policies (skimming, market penetration, etc); type of advertising; distribution channels,

- Assess how your customers are similar or dissimilar from those in your present market and any concerns they might have in buying your product or service (high prices, servicing, financing, etc.

- Describe the logistics of getting your product to a foreign market and the target markets infrastructure, distribution channels and energy situation.

- Lists the key management team; any outside investors; how the company is organized (functional, matrix, divisional, etc.). Also includes an organization chart; plans to recruit and train employees.

- Describes the type of manufacturing or operating system to be used; outlines the Information Technology infrastructure and information systems (hardware, software, telecommunications, people, procedures); quality control methods; purchasing procedures (e-commerce); procedures to control inventory if applicable.

- Specifies financials requirements and the sources of financing (equity, stock offerings, venture capital, private banks, SBA, etc.); This section should also provide a projected Balance sheet, income statement and Cash Flow Analysis and Statement.

- Specifies financials requirements and the sources of financing (equity, stock offerings, venture capital, private banks, SBA, etc.); This section should also provide a projected Balance sheet, income statement and Cash Flow Analysis and Statement.