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 http://www.business-plan-secrets-revealed.com/business-plan-cover-page.html.

    Barrington South Lincoln Stretch rentals .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
    In The News:

    A newly discovered security flaw with your iPhone or iPad could leave your personal information vulnerable to hackers. Kurt the CyberGuy explains.
    Modeled after a traditional bell-shaped skirt worn by women in Kosovo, a theater's roof is draped entirely by solar panels to generate renewable energy on-site.
    Kurt the CyberGuy explains how to protect yourself from malicious Chrome extensions that can steal sensitive information like password managers, crypto wallets and banking apps.
    Stellantis' innovative STLA AutoDrive 1.0 system allows drivers to safely take their eyes off the road and their hands off the steering wheel.
    Here are some travel hacks to save money on your next vacation including setting up price alerts, remaining flexible and checking for 24-hour price drops.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    One report claims at least 25 million people were targeted by infostealer malware between the beginning of 2023 and the end of 2024, capturing bank card details and passwords.
    The LaserWeeder G2 uses lasers, artificial intelligence and advanced robotics to offer an alternative to chemicals traditionally used in farming.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says a malware app called SpyLend is posing as a financial tool, hitting 100,000-plus downloads.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says Clone Robotics’ Protoclone mimics humans with 1,000 muscles – too human for comfort.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson urges you to use Apple’s App Privacy Report to see what your apps are really up to.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about how to smoothly transfer your data from an old laptop to a new one using cloud storage or external drives.
    Kurt the CyberGuy offers tips to safeguard your personal information as scammers become more sophisticated with scam texts and other methods.
    WeRide's unmanned electric delivery van, the Robovan W5, has 194 cubic feet of cargo space and can carry payloads up to about 2,205 pounds
    Kurt the CyberGuy recommends deleting 16 browser extensions immediately in response to a report saying more than 3.2 million web users were affected by a security breach.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    A robotics firm in China claims a robot has performed the world's first humanoid robot front flip, which is significantly more difficult than a backflip.
    A digital ID may be even more secure than a physical ID. Storing your driver's license in your Apple Wallet is an ideal solution for commuters.
    A cybersecurity firm has shed some light on just how common tax scams have become. Kurt the CyberGuy offers his advice for how to protect your refund.
    Lifesize Plans offers immersive walk-throughs that allow customers the opportunity to tour a home's design before construction actually begins.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    A man invested $4 million in bitcoin and lost it all with a single click when he was targeted by a vishing scam, which uses phone calls to trick people.
    Expandable's Touchdown is a designer trailer that promises a luxury off-grid living experience and unfolds into a home in about 15 minutes.
    Major employee screening company data breach affects 3.3 million people. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson explains what happened and gives five ways to protect your data.
    Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals mind-blowing tech that gives you sunlight on demand.

    Own Your Niche by Building a Niche Community

    In 1997, David Steele was making the transition from a... Read More

    3 Ps of Planning - Prepare, Personalize, Pilot

    Here's a really simple way to make sure your plans... Read More

    Getting Started with Succession Planning: Part II

    Succession planning requires the owner of a small or medium-sized... Read More

    Strategic Planning Consulting

    Strategic planning and consulting is the strategy roadmap to manage... Read More

    The 7 Critical Steps to Formulating Your Annual Strategic Business Plan

    Businesses tend to avoid doing their annual business plan thinking... Read More

    Succession Planning: Problems Getting Started

    A survey released by the American Institute of Certified Public... Read More

    Business Strategy Planning Made Easy

    Ask Yourself three simple questions that affect your strategy planning...... Read More

    What Every Service Provider Ought To Know About Writing A Business Plan

    It's easy to lose sight of what needs to be... Read More

    Don?t Allow Yourself to Get Burned

    I am not a big fisherman, but I do enjoy... Read More

    Break-Even Analysis

    A significant advantage of some business ideas is that the... Read More

    Business Plan Descriptions of Computer System

    Entrepreneurs often give little if any consideration to their computer... Read More

    Restaurant Startup - Part 1: Market Research ? What are Potential Competitors Doing?

    The first step in starting a restaurant is proper planning.... Read More

    Strategic Planning Fundamentals

    Strategic planning is vital while starting a new business or... Read More

    Planning for Success

    Business planning is widely acknowledged as one of the keys... Read More

    The Magic Of Exponential Business Growth

    Is there a 'magical' way to exponentially grow your business?It's... Read More

    Six Key Areas For Evaluating A Strategic Alliance

    Strategic alliances are increasing at a rapid rate. It is... Read More

    Three Easy Ways To Know Thy Competitor

    "Did you hear what your competitor is doing?" This question... Read More

    Business Plan: The Simplest Business Plan Ever

    If you're a solo professional like I am, you know... Read More

    TQM Total Quality Management, the book

    Every decade we seem to come up with a buzz-word... Read More

    Six Key Principles of Corporate Accountability

    The foundation of any business transaction is the promise of... Read More

    Are You Aware of Planning in Business?

    Human beings are rational agents. Rationality endorses one to take... Read More

    Is Your Company Growing Fast Enough for You?

    Are you frustrated by the lack of growth in your... Read More

    Strategic Acquisition Strategies for Small Businesses

    Growth through acquisition should not be considered an option reserved... Read More

    How to Snuff Out the Competition Without Leaving a Mark

    Does the competition drive you crazy?Are they relentless about taking... Read More

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

    In most business plans, no matter how striking the idea,... Read More

    Downers Grove limo Chicago ..