Important Points to Note:

1. The following business plan template has been adapted for the Reality of Entrepreneurship Competition and does not meet industry standards. (Visit www.ceed.info if you would like to see an industry standard business plan template) The business plan may be completed in point form. Be creative in completing this task. Ensure appropriate spelling, language (no slang) and grammar are used Reference information, as required (i.e. indicate what resources were used to obtain information) Ensure all answers are detailed and clearly explained Important Points to Note:

2. Business Name Owners: ___________________

3. Executive Summary length ~ 1 slide An executive summary is one of the most critical components of a business plan. An effective executive summary is not an introduction, but a reflection of the entire business plan in miniature. • Include: • Who is involved in the business • An explanation of your product or service • How each of your backgrounds are relevant to the business operations • Why you can do it better than the competition Note: The executive summary is typically the last section of the business plan to be completed. This is because you should use all of the other components of the business plan to write this section.

4. Proposed Business length ~ 3-4 slides This section explains what your business idea is about and how your business works. • Include: • details of the business idea, including: • How you will make money • How your business is environmentally friendly • goals of the business • roles of each person in company (explain how personal backgrounds align with the assigned roles) - keep this short as resumes should be included in the appendix.

5. Proposed Business Continued • Include: • Funding options: determine and defend start-up costs, expenses, funding opportunities, etc. • Complete and submit the income / expense EXCEL spreadsheet provided. • Include your unique selling points, USP’s (what sets you apart from your competition)

6. Industrylength ~ 1-2 slides An industry is a sector of the economy. Tourism, retail, food, agriculture and fishing, as examples, are industries that exist in Nova Scotia’s economy. The industry section of your business plan can be divided into two parts: an overview of the industry and the position of your business within the industry. • Include: • size and section of your industry • spending of target market in your industry section • where this industry is going (trends, changes) The best way to complete this section is to narrow down your target market, then develop a specific list of questions and contact the Canada Nova Scotia Business Service Centre. Hint: Be clear and specific in the questions you develop and you should get the answers you are looking for.

7. Market Analysis length ~ 1-2 slides In the market analysis you show the reader what part of the industry you are targeting. This is done by analyzing three main components: competition, target market and the marketing mix. This section will be expanded upon during task 2. • Include: • Competition • Identify and explain your direct and indirect competitors • Target Market • Customer profile – describe your ideal and most likely customer (where they are from, gender, age, education, income, buying habits and trends, trends setter/followers, why they would buy these products/services) • Explain how you will reach your ideal customer

8. Market Analysis Continued • Include: • Marketing Mix • Price – how much will you charge for your product/service and why? • Product – What is your product/service and why is it attractive to your target market? • Placement – where will you locate your business and why? • Promotion – this will be covered in Task 2. You are not required to complete this portion of the marketing mix for Task 1. Note: When completing the marketing mix, make sure that you connect everything back to your target market. (e.g. how will your location attract your target market?)

9. Business Operations length ~ 1 slide This section describes how the business will operate. Here you explain the internal and external processes, as well as people that are important for the business to operate. • Include: • how your business will operate • personnel • suppliers • inventory • sales tracking • ‘Green’ operational practices • equipment Note:Check with your school to make ensure appropriate policies and procedures are followed when describing your business operations

10. Appendix • Résumé(s)

11. Legal & Ethical Issues: Sponsorship & Funding Scenario: Your environmentally themed business has shown potential but you are always on the look-out for new sources of funding. The CEO of a company approaches you about entering into a sponsorship agreement * with them. • How do you determine if this company is a good sponsorship match with your business? *What is a sponsorship agreement? This is an agreement that explains the nature and scope of sponsorship activities for the party providing sponsorship as well as for the party receiving sponsorship. For example, an organization might agree to provide $1000.00 as long as the money is used for market research and a report and budget are submitted explaining how this money was spent.

12. Legal & Ethical Issues: Human Resources (Hiring) • For your business to thrive you recognize the need to expand your product or service. To make this happen, you need to hire one new staff member. The following are profiles of potential interviewees: • Candidate A: Is an outgoing grade 11 student who is knowledgeable about the environment & has a passion for environmental causes. This passion can sometimes seem aggressive and may result in the loss of support from the public. • Candidate B: Is a grade 10 student who has been working at the same store for a year and a half but as the store is downsizing, is looking for new employment. The reference from the company indicates that Candidate B is a hard worker when directed and is disappointed that he/she is being let go. • Candidate C: Is a grade 12 student who is on both a school and community hockey team. Widely respected as a strong team player and leader, this candidate must travel often for games and multiple practices each week. Part 1: From this limited information, who would be the best fit for your business? (write a short paragraph) Part 2: Script a paragraph to tell the other candidates that they did not get the position.