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How to write a killer business plan (2/2)

SELL YOURSELF

Not all business plans are written to attract investors, but those that are really need to reel in the money men and make you sound like the next Richard Branson. "You need to excite the reader," says Jones. "Give them something real and viable to believe and invest in. Think maximum impact and minimum fluff." McCausland concurs. "They want to know about your track record," he says, "Even if you've worked in corporate and you've done this project and that project, it all helps give you credibility, because, ultimately, your backers are investing in you:'

KEEP IT BRIEF

"I personally believe a good business plan can be written in three pages," says Jones. "Reveal your passion, drive and determination, plus a clear snapshot of the business." Kaday agrees: "When people hear the term 'business plan' they think of a huge, thumping document, but it doesn't have to be." Kaday believes a key highlight should be your 'elevator speech', your one-line sell about what it is that you do. "Mine is that I help people make their first million," he adds. "That's pretty clear:'

"GIVE YOUR POTENTIAL INVESTORS SOMETHING REAL AND VIABLE TO BELIEVE AND INVEST IN"

KEEP IT PRACTICAL

If your business plan is intended for your own use only, it will work best if it clearly sets out your goals for the next 12 months. "Include things like how you plan on marketing your product," says Kaday, who sold his own marketing company to a US firm in 2001. "That's extremely important; you need to know how much time and money you're going to spend on making people aware of what it is you're selling:' You also need an action plan, a month-by-month breakdown of what it is you're going to do. "It should be possible to write a plan that actually looks like your business is up and running before you've even started," he says.

How to write a killer business plan (1/2)

Read on Shortlist.com

Whether you're selling Mr Whippy to day-trippers or private jets to sheikhs, a clear set of goals can help your new venture from nosediving six minutes in.

WHY BOTHER?

Would you start building a house without plans? Or dismantle your carburetor without some book-based back-up from Mr. Haynes? No, and yet, according to business mentor Chris Kaday, around 90 per cent of business start-ups 'forget' to get anything down on paper. "For some reason, people find it hard to do," says Kaday, "but you've got to have one, and it's got to be in writing."

Dragons' Den mainstay - and multi­millionaire, of course - Peter Jones agrees: "A business plan is crucial. You need it to make sure that you have a direction, prioritise tasks, manage goals and attract investment"

And remember to ensure that everybody is clear on who owns what - goodwill isn't enough if a partnership runs into trouble. 02 and the Law Society have drawn up a checklist for a partnership agreement (like a pre-nup). The 'SME-nup' can be downloaded at 02blueroom.co.uk.

WRITE A MISSION STATEMENT

There is no hard-and-fast rule about how to create a business plan, but many people, including property millionaire Gary McCausland, author of How To Make A Million From Property, prefer to begin with a bold statement of intent. "I like to think big in my mission statements," says McCausland, founder of the Richland Group, "as if I have plans for it to be the biggest corporation in the world." And remember, some of the biggest companies on the planet started out in bedrooms and garages. "Steve Jobs' mission statement from day one was, 'I want to be the biggest computer company in the world'," he adds, "and that's pretty much what he's done with Apple."

KNOW YOUR PLACE IN THE MARKET

"You have to know what your proposition is," says Kaday. "What exactly are you offering? And be specific - maybe you're going to supply kitchens to upper-class people. Write down why people would buy this product or service, why they would buy it from you, and how what you're doing is different to everyone else." Kaday says that "everyone and his wife" now has a back-room enterprise flogging printer ink to eBay customers and turning over a few hundred quid, but wonders why anyone would take on the likes of PC World, "You have to have a unique selling point," he says. "What's your niche? Maybe you're a niche within a niche."

The O2 X Awards for Entrepreneurs

WIN £10,000 IN THE O2 X AWARDS FOR ENTREPRENEURS

02 has begun its nationwide search for the finest small businesses in the UK. The ultimate winner will take away £10.000 and be promoted within the national media. Entry is quick and simple and could lead to an extraordinary profile boost for your small enterprise.

The 02 X Awards are set up to reward inspiring, small enterprises and help take them to another level. We are looking for companies with a technology or innovation basis - inspiring enterprises that change the way we live. Time is running out for entries (closing date is 1 September), so enter your business now for a chance to have your achievements recognised at the 02 X Awards at The 02 in London in October 2008, where you could potentially walk away with the £10,000 prize money.

How to enter: Fancy your chances? Visit O2 X Awards 2008 and download entry details, forms and judging criteria. Terms and conditions apply.

2008 African Business Awards Nominees’ shortlist

The Awards ceremony is sponsored by Zenith Bank.

2008 African Business Awards Nominees’ shortlist

Business Leader of the Year

Aliko Dangote (Dangote Group)

Arnold Ekpe (Ecobank)

Tony Elumulu, (UBA Bank)

Patrice Motsepe (African Rainbow Minerals)

Issad Rebrab (Cevital)

Nassef Sawiris (Sawiris Group / Orascom Group)

Recognition of Leading Contribution From Business woman

Sylvia Banda (Sylva Food Solutions)

Cecilia Ibru (Oceanic Bank)

Wendy Luhabu, (IDC)

Nku Nyembezi-Hweita (CEO ArcelorMittal SA)

Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke (Nigeria Stock Exchange)

Evelyn Oputu (Bank of industry)

African Business of the Year

Celtel (Zain) (Pan-African)

Ecobank (Togo)

MTN (South Africa)

Orascom Construction Industries (Egypt)

Poulina Group (Tunisia)

Safaricom (Kenya)

Best Global Business in Africa

Anglo-American Coca Cola

Diageo

Dubai World

Renaissance Capital

Tata

Best SME

Africa Invest (Malawi) Afsat (Kenya)

Good African Coffee Company (Uganda)

Innoson (Nigeria)

Jem Afrik creations (Uganda)

Telecoms Company

Celtel (Zain) Gateway

Glo

MTN

Orascom Telecom

Safaricom

Airline of the Year

Afriqiyah Ethiopian Airways

Kenyan Airways

Royal Air Maroc

South Africa Airways

Virgin Nigeria

Brand of the Year

Celtel (Zain)

Ecobank

MTN

Zenith Bank

Best Corporate Citizenship/Social Responsibility

Bamburi Cement Debswana

Diageo

Standard Chartered

Fidelity Bank

Leader in Contributing to Achieving MDG

Anglo-American Diageo

IDC

MyC4

Leader in social innovation

Al Nafeza - Egypt

Association of Women in Development Experts – Ghana

COBATI (Community Based Tourism Initiative) – Uganda

Small Enterprise Foundation – South Africa

Award for Gender Sensitivity

Access Bank Anglo-American

Banque Populaire pour la Promotion de la femme

Goldman Sachs

Standard Chartered Bank

Leader in Reducing Digital Divide

Afsat Regenersis

Submarine Cable

Unido & Microsoft

Award for Technological Innovation

Ecobank

CMC

Malaria Engage

Microsoft

My C4

Ecobank’s Arnold Ekpe for top African business award

Ecobank’s Arnold Ekpe for top African business award

By Daily Express

On the day hundreds of personalities will be decorated with the now seemingly controversial National Honours, Africa’s topmost business leaders and other company representatives will also gather at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London for the African Business Awards 2008.

Designed to celebrate the great strides the continent has made in the world of business, the African Business Awards according to the organisers is also an opportunity “to contribute to the acceleration of the rapidly transforming business landscape in Africa by celebrating entrepreneurial excellence, promoting world-class best practices in business.”

Organised by the African Business Magazine under the patronage of the Commonwealth Business Council and supported by the African Development Bank, the awards ceremony is expected to create global visibility for Africa’s business brands.

Among the potential honours list would be the Group Chief Executive of the Ecobank Group, Arnold Ekpe who has been nominated together with five other equally deserving business leaders for the African Business Leader category.

As Chief Executive of Africa’s foremost and largest regional banking group, Mr. Ekpe is in the reckoning for the topmost award. The Ecobank is not only operating in 22 African countries now, but has also under Mr. Ekpe’s leadership grown into one of Africa’s leading financial institutions and brands.

Also nominated for the 2008 African Business Leader Award are Aliko Dangote of the Dangote Group, Tony Elumulu (UBA Bank), Patrice Motsepe (African Rainbow Minerals), Issad Rebrab (Cevital) and Nassef Sawiris (Sawiris Group/Orascom Group).

The African Business Leader Award is intended for a business leader who has shown particular skill in taking their business forward. He or she may be from a large organisation which has required guidance and leadership during a period of expansion or hardship or an entrepreneur who has managed to turn an idea into a dream, overcoming tough hurdles on the way.

The criteria also includes the “development of new markets, especially where these meet the needs of ordinary citizens and poorer consumers at the bottom of the pyramid, addressing new challenges and opportunities in market conditions, and ensuring high standards of good corporate citizenship in the companies which he/she has led through personal leadership and example.

The CBC-African Business Awards 2008 will be graced by Heads of government, Business Leaders, Entrepreneurs, Corporate Directors, Policy Makers, Legislators, Government Officials, Diplomats and many more.

The only Ghanaian entity nominated for an award is the Association of Women in Development Experts – Ghana. They have been nominated in the Leader in Social innovation category, which recognises an individual/organisation which is making lasting change to the community through business initiatives.

Afriac Invest 7min [ENG]

Africa Invest 7min [ENG]
Vidéo envoyée par Ooqoo_Afrique

Looking for a new administrator to join the OOQOO team

Dear members of the Ooqoo UK Business Network.

We are looking at the moment for members who would be interested in joining in the management of this Hub.

Our goal is double:

• Keep our members of any news, opportunities, information related to African business, and business with Africa.
• Moreover, in a very near future is to organise quarterly meetings that would be the occasion for us to exchange business experiences, make great contacts and grow.

The person who would be interested in joining the management team would:

• be prepared to publish at least 2 posts/article or videos a month,
• and endeavour to keep the group informed of any news, or piece of information that could be of any interest to the members, tthrough the Viadeo Africa - Ooqoo Uk Forum and the Ooqoo Uk Blog.

This role, on a voluntary basis is very rewarding because your Viadeo profile will be well known by more than thousand people in the world.

If you are interested, please contact Francis.

Many thanks

Sabrina

African Diaspora Business Ventures

WB, Devt Partners Support African Diaspora Business Ventures

The first Development Marketplace for the African Diaspora in Europe (D-MADE) ended in Brussels last Thursday with a total jury award of close to a million dollars for sixteen investment projects in Africa, with support from the World Bank and other development partners.

The winning projects will be implemented in 11 African countries, including Mali (4), Cote d'Ivoire (2) Benin (2) and one each for Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

The winners were selected from a group of 68 finalists who presented projects that a 24-person jury deemed innovative, sustainable, replicable and based on sound business principles. The sixteen winners currently live in seven European countries: Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The D-MADE initiative was launched in 2007 to allow entrepreneurs from the African diaspora in Europe to participate in the development of their countries. Over 500 business proposals were submitted for consideration, with sixty-eight of them shortlisted for the second round of assessment.

A knowledge exchange forum which preceded the awards event provided a platform for D-MADE promoters, financial institutions and business development service providers to explore partnerships and business opportunities for the D-MADE finalists.

The projects ranged from the processing of raw cashew nuts for export in Ghana to introducing new technologies to remote rural areas for use in medical situations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.