The ultimate guide to creating an effective one-page business plan

A business plan is one of the most important documents for any business, as it provides a comprehensive view of the business objectives and the plan to achieve those goals. Therefore, many parts must be worked on before arriving at your perfect B-Plan.

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This is where a one-pager business plan comes into play. A one-page business plan is not only simple to create, but it also gives you an overall view of all the pieces of the puzzle and guides you on how to bring them together.

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In this article, we will look at some important questions you will encounter while creating your one-page business plan.

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What is a one-page business plan?

A one page business plan is similar to an executive summary prepared for a traditional business plan. It's a simplified version that is easy to build, adapt, and update. It summarizes both short-term and long-term business objectives, providing insights into the market landscape, product or service descriptions, and a glimpse of the company's financials.

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Why should we use a one page business plan?

Harvard Business Review mentions that entrepreneurs who write formal business plans have a 16% higher chance of achieving viability compared to other entrepreneurs. Then why do we need a one-page business plan?

While a one-page business plan serves as a summary of the actual business plan, it cannot replace it. However, it serves multiple other purposes that can facilitate your business activities and help you make more aligned business decisions.

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1. Clear and quick business overview-

A one-page business plan offers a concise yet focused overview of business goals, encompassing all necessary details regarding products/services, operations, and financial projections. It serves as a reference document for both internal and external communication. Unlike traditional business plans, which are lengthy and often not fully read, a one-page business plan provides a glance at all essential aspects, reducing the likelihood of overlooking crucial details.

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2. Guide the creation and update of the business plan-

A one-page business plan serves as a blueprint for a detailed business plan, comprising all essential parts that can be expanded to include further details. As your business evolves due to market dynamics, expanded scope, or strategic alliances, it's easy to update the one-page plan before making changes to the detailed business plan. This streamlined approach facilitates the creation and updating process, ensuring alignment with evolving strategies and objectives.

Moreover, the one-page business plan provides an excellent format for gathering feedback and validating details before finalizing or modifying the comprehensive long-form business plan. Its concise nature allows for efficient communication and collaboration, enabling stakeholders to provide input and ensure the plan's accuracy and effectiveness.

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3. Aligns strategic decisions to business goals-

Aligning strategic decisions with business goals is crucial. All business decisions must be in harmony with the overall business objectives. For instance, the business objective fails if the sales head focuses efforts on the wrong customer profiles. A one-page business plan serves as a quick reference point when making crucial business calls, ensuring that all key decisions are guided toward achieving the business goals. It ensures that everyone is aligned and is working in the same direction.

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How to write a one-page business plan

A one-page business plan, while very concise, still can effectively communicate the essence of an extensive plan. To ensure that all aspects of a detailed business plan are included on a single page, this format can be divided into three parts, each containing important information about the business.

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1. Business overview-

This section provides essential information about the business, covering:

• ‍Company information: Concisely describe the company, including its name, location, legal structure, and any key milestones or achievements.
• ‍Problem statement: Clearly articulate the problem or need that your business addresses in the market.
• ‍Solution: Outline your business's solution or product/service offering and how it effectively addresses the identified problem.
• ‍Team: Briefly introduce the core team members, highlighting their relevant expertise and experience.
• ‍Business model: Describe how your business generates revenue, its pricing strategy, and any key partnerships or channels.

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2. Market synopsis-

This provides a market overview and considers all market details that will impact the venture, including:

• ‍Market analysis: Provide an overview of the target market, including its size, growth potential, trends, and any regulatory factors.
• ‍Competition landscape: Identify and briefly analyze key competitors, highlighting your unique value proposition and competitive advantages.
• ‍Marketing and sales activities: Outline your marketing and sales strategies, including your marketing plan, distribution channels, etc.

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3. Financial outline-

This section sheds light on the financial well-being of the company by sharing details on:

• ‍Revenue and profitability: Summarize your financial projections in terms of revenue streams and profitability, including any key assumptions or growth targets.
• ‍Cash flow: Highlight the expected cash flow dynamics of your business, including sources and uses of cash.
• ‍Funding requirements: Specify any funding needs your business may have, including investment capital or financing for growth or operations.

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Tips to help you build a captivating one-page business plan:

Crafting a captivating one-page business plan demands strategic thinking and effective communication to ensure that the essence remains both informative and enlightening. Here are some key tips to help you create an impactful one-page plan without sacrificing essential elements:

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1. Visualize the data-

Visualizing data using relevant charts and graphs is essential for presenting information effectively in a limited space. Incorporating visuals like pie charts, bar graphs, and line charts can make your one-page plan visually appealing and easier to understand.

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2. Make use of online tools-

Leveraging online tools such as Prezent can streamline the process of creating a one-page plan. These tools offer templates, layouts, and design options that help you present your information professionally and optimally. They also guide industry best practices, ensuring that your one-page plan is clear, concise, and impactful.

Explore our 100% customizable business plan templates to discover the efficiency and ease they offer in creating your business plan presentation.

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3. Avoid information overload-

In a business plan, it's tempting to include everything, but it's crucial to focus on essential details in your one-page business plan. Including unnecessary information can detract from its purpose. Prioritize including details on key insights, goals, and strategies using concise language and bullet points. This ensures that the audience grasps information quickly without feeling overwhelmed. To ensure clarity, consider referencing a business plan example that highlights how to present essential information effectively.

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Summarising key takeaways

• ‍Efficiency of a one-page business plan: Utilizing a one-page business plan template streamlines the process, offering a simple and concise structure to articulate your business idea effectively. Whether you're a startup or an established business, this single-page format serves as a strategic action plan, ensuring all essential elements of your business are addressed without overwhelming information.
• ‍Alignment and clarity: The one-page plan provides a clear overview of your business strategy and goals, aligning everyone involved, including business partners and stakeholders. It serves as a reference point for decision-making, ensuring that every action taken resonates with the overarching objectives of the business.
• ‍Comprehensive yet succinct: Despite its simplicity, the one-page business plan encompasses all aspects of your business, from the initial concept to financial projections. It's a shorter alternative to a standard business plan, offering a comprehensive yet succinct overview of your entire business venture.
• ‍Adaptability and updates: This format enables business owners to easily adapt and update the plan as the business evolves. Whether it's gathering feedback from business partners or incorporating market changes, the one-page plan remains a flexible tool to reflect the dynamic nature of your business.
• ‍Visual presentation and tools: Visualizing data through charts and graphs enhances the presentation of your one-page plan, making it more engaging and comprehensible. Utilizing online tools and templates further simplifies the process, guiding users to create professional and impactful business plans efficiently.
• ‍Strategic decision-making and growth: By having a one-page business plan in place, business owners can make informed strategic decisions that drive growth. It serves as a roadmap to guide the business towards success, ensuring that everyone involved is on the same page and committed to achieving the outlined objectives.

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FAQs

1. What makes a single-page business plan different from a traditional business plan?

A single-page business plan, also known as a free one-page or simple business plan, offers a condensed yet comprehensive overview of your business concept, structure, and financial plan. It's designed to be concise and easy to create, providing a streamlined format for entrepreneurs to quickly write their business plan and share it with stakeholders.

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2. How can a single-page business plan help my startup or small business grow?

A single-page business plan is a powerful tool for startups and small businesses to outline their business strategy and goals. By providing a clear and concise roadmap, it helps business owners align everyone involved in the venture, from business partners to investors or service providers. This simple plan acts as a guide to effectively build and run your business, ensuring that all key elements are addressed to support growth.

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3. What elements should I include in my single-page business plan?

Your single-page business plan should cover essential aspects relevant to your business concept and goals. This includes outlining your business framework, forming an LLC structure or another business entity, sharing your financial plan, and detailing your strategies to effectively develop and roll out the business. Additionally, it's important to include a good executive summary that highlights key points for quick review.

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4. How does a single-page plan help streamline the process of writing a business plan for small businesses or startups?

A single-page plan is a valuable tool for entrepreneurs looking to write a business plan quickly and efficiently. Its concise nature and structured format simplify the process of developing a business plan, making it easier to focus on the most relevant elements of your business. By providing a comprehensive yet brief overview, this free one-page business plan template includes all the necessary components tailored for a startup or small business. Whether you're just learning how to write a business plan or need to review your existing plan, this one-pager template offers a seamless approach to outlining your business strategy and goals.

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5. How can I effectively share my single-page business plan with investors or other stakeholders?

Sharing your single-page business plan with investors or other stakeholders is crucial for gaining support and feedback. The concise nature of the plan makes it easy to review and understand, ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding your business goals and strategies. You can use your business plan as a tool to effectively communicate your vision and build confidence in your business venture.

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How can Prezent assist you in creating a one-page business plan?

Of course, you must do your homework and have your business plan outline ready. However, Prezent empowers you with AI power and the gift of time. It saves you hours that you would otherwise spend trying to create professional-looking slides. With Prezent, you can create impactful presentations in less than half the time, allowing you to focus on what you do best.

• ‍Explore 35k+ slides: Prezent offers access to over 35,000 pre-designed slides, enabling you to swiftly create presentations without the need to start from scratch.
• ‍Easy personalization: Recognizing the importance of hyper-personalization, Prezent allows you to customize slides according to your specific audience preferences.
• ‍100% Brand compliance: Prezent guarantees 100% brand compliance by adhering to all your brand requirements. You can effortlessly incorporate your content while ensuring consistency with your brand elements every time.

Don’t miss the opportunity to explore a revolutionary way of creating your one-page business plan, making it more efficient and effective than ever before. Sign up for your free trial today, or schedule a demo with one of our experts to unlock the full potential of Prezent!