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Computer consulting business plan
This is a working business plan. It is a roadmap for business success written by people who have actually started a computer consulting business, and had success (remained in business for more than five years.)
Before you get started; This is important!
You must make the determination now as to what type of company you are starting. A computer service business is not the same as a computer consulting company. It's ok to begin with offering services but you should always be working in to more of a consultant role, and taking your business in that direction. A consultant makes his money, by consulting. This means offering solutions to problems, designing networks that help businesses grown, and helping the customer to reduce costs.
This sample business plan is focused on a market segment that you may wish to change. The flow and implementation of the plan are the important charecteristics. The detail in this plan is comprehensive to gain a strong foot hold and maximize profits. As with any small business plan flexibility and updating are key ingredients for the first couple of years.
The computer consulting business plan
Executive Summary
Computer consulting business will engage in for profit commerce. Our target market segment is small and mid-sized businesses.
Mission statement
Our mission is to provide computer consulting services to small and mid sized businesses within our geographic area. We will focus more intently on businesses using Microsoft platform products.
Operational overview
Initially the owner will perform the services and consulting required to generate cash flow. The goal is to higher one employee within 90 days. Time not spent billing will be spent on marketing and sales. Saturday will be set aside for paying bills and invoicing until such time as the business can support the additional cost of hiring someone to perform this function.
Operational detail
Ownership structure
The company will be incorporated as an S-corporation. The name of the business will be "computer consulting business" and ownership will be held in the hands of one person. Additional shares may be made available for the purpose of hiring and retaining additional consultants.
Office location
Initially consultants will work on-site or from home. Meetings requiring employees will be held at the owners house. We have secured access to a small business incubator to hold meetings in a conference room if necessary. Telephone contact for customers will come through an answering service with calls directed to owners wireless phone.
Marketing and Sales plan
Startup date is in two weeks and the business has already secured one customer. This customer will provide enough income to last for ninety days when combined with current owner investment.
Market analysis
There are currently 112 companies listed for computer consulting in our geographic area. Most of these are in fact small computer service businesses. We must differentiate ourselves from them. Of the true consulting companies there are only fifteen that would compete directly with our services. Three of these are very large companies (more than 100 employees) four or five appear to have between ten and fifty consultants, and the remaining are all individuals. We must stress our experience and add employees to offer back services, and diversity of experience as soon as possible. Most of these computer consulting businesses have been in business for more than four years which bodes well for our future.
Current marketing budget is $2500
Direct mail will be the first line of marketing. A list will be purchased at a cost of $600 with business addresses and contact names. The list contains 700 businesses within our target market scope (small and mid-sized businesses within 50 miles of home base. Initial marketing letter will consist of a letter outlining our services, experience and value to the customer. Letter will also include a color brochure with our technical areas of expertise, and the value we bring to the client as a consultant with experience in growing a business through the effective use of technology and consultative approach to reducing costs while increasing productivity through the use of computers and software applications.
Logo design for the business will be done by online logo company at a cost of $175.
Business cards will use the logo and professionally printed at a cost of $125
Website for computer consulting business
We will create a website for the business that outlines are capabilities, experience and contact information. Website will initially be marketed through pay per click advertising. Logo will be displayed prominently on every page, as will the phone number. E-mail address will be provided by the hosting company. We have purchased a customizable website template for $65 and hosting cost will be $240 for the first year.
Sales portion of the business plan
Owner will respond to calls from direct mail campaign, and follow up with cold calls to selected recipients of our direct mail piece. We will develop a script with answers to questions as the calls proceed and we are able to gather more information.
Sales contacts will also be made through past client relationships and past and present business associates.
Marketing and sales plan will be adjusted within the restraints of the business plan every 90 days for the first year. Additional funds (profits) will be directed towards the marketing effort. Newspaper, local business magazines and papers, and continued direct mail are the foundations of the campaign.
Goals
The goal is to have three full time consultants plus the owner within one year of business commencement. At this point we will re-evaluate the sales and marketing effort and consider adding a full time sales person. Revenue goal is . $455,000 for the second year, plus any additional income generated by the owner. The first year revenue goal is not defnined.
The corporate culture.
The business should offer a rewarding experience for its employees. For the first five years we must accept the fact that we will be a small computer consulting company. Retaining the best employees will require us to offer an exceptional and challenging working environment.
Training and increasing marketability
It is of the utmost importance at this stage that we use all available resources to keep our skills sharp. We must set aside at least two hours every week to identify emerging trends in the computer industry that we may be able to capitalize on through specialization in our consulting practice.
Initial cash flow
Budget: 90 days out
Cash on hand $10,000
Marketing/sales -$2500
Phones/service-
$750
Sold income $6000 From existing client
Pay to owner $12000
Balance after 90 days
$750
Because of the lag in receiving payment for services rendered we will need to add $2000 in business every month for the foreseeable future just to stay even.
Updates to the plan.
Operational and marketing portions of these business plan will be updated every 90 days without fail.
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