| Software Sales Business Plan |
| | >>Note: This business plan outlines the strategy for sales of enterprise software planning solutions to medium-sized companies and franchises. Corporate Software Sales (CSS) will act as the direct sales arm of a software manufacturing firm based in Oregon. We expect a high degree of profitability based on our plan to key in on businesses that have already expressed the need for such services and products to the software manufacturer. Our management expertise in dealing with corporate decision makers and our partner's reputation will be the cornerstone of our success. |
| | Market a business planning software package |
| | Achieve $60K in commission fees in year one |
| | Customize the software to the individual needs of each client |
| | Provide training and follow-up service to each client |
| | Adapt software solutions to these needs |
| | Identify industries/corporations that need planning tools |
| | >>Note: CSS provides enterprise-corporate planning software solutions. We identify companies' planning needs and work with a third-party manufacturer to create software to address these needs. Although the actual software is produced out-of-house, we guarantee the customer the right solution. |
| | >>Note: Start-up costs, which cover phone calls, office furniture, letterhead and business cards come to $3,050. These costs will either be financed by owner investment or through financing from the software manufacturing partner. Details and assumptions are summarized in the following chart and table. |
| | Company Locations and Facilities |
| | >>Note: The company will be located in a home-based office in Portland, Oregon. This location is ideal, as it is close to the software manufacturer's facilities and several of the first potential clients' home offices. |
| | >>Note: CSS will provide medium- and large-sized companies with enterprise-wide collaborative planning solutions. We will also provide consulting services by helping companies recognize opportunities for using technology to streamline their business processes. Finally, we will provide complete training for the use of solutions purchased from us. |
| | Product and Service Description |
| | >>Note: CSS software products consist of a business planning software package that is proven in the consumer market. In fact, this product is the top-rated and best-selling small business planning package. The enterprise version will be similar to the consumer version however, it will be modified to fit the needs of different clients. The product will allow corporate sales forces and franchises to use planning tools to achieve tremendous efficiencies in their business processes. In essence, a sales force will be able to write concise business plans for any customer and through the use of an extranet, allow the customer to collaboratively plan their own account. Franchises will be able to create a road map of their business plans that corporate managers can monitor and adjust accordingly. The possibility exists to customize the product to work with other collaborative tools such as LotusNotes and the clients email applications. |
| | >>Note: CSS will perform an analysis of all potential clients' planning strategies and tactics as well as their degree of aptitude with planning software and information technology. The goal of this analysis is to ensure that all clients get a solution that best fits their needs and capabilities. Whether they decide to purchase the product or not they will have an expert analysis of their planning strategies. |
| | >>Note: CSS will provide further value to our customers, and ease the customer service burden on our partner, by ensuring that all product users are properly trained in the use of all software solutions. |
| | >>Note: Through the software manufacturer, CSS will provide an additional product which will give the client a dedicated service representative--eliminating the need for product updates. This will in essence create a "living" product which can grow and adapt with the clients' needs. The interface representative will function through the clients' established extranet. |
| | >>Note: Alternative products do not offer a complete package of tools. For example, to get similar results from another product(s) the client would have to integrate complex spreadsheets, word processing software, instructions and Web based collaboration themselves. |
| | >>Note: he software package runs on Windows 95, 98, 2000, Windows NT, and Macintosh platforms. |
| | >>Note: We operate in the business-to-business segment of e-commerce which recent research estimates transactions in excess of $160 billion (www.e-commerceguide.com). Our market is further segmented into companies with sales forces greater than 100 people and companies with branches, divisions or franchises in excess of 100 units. |
| | >>Note: We segment our market by size of sales force and number of company subunits. Our target customers will have sales operations in excess of 100 direct sales representatives or more than 100 organizational subdivisions or franchises. For the first three years of operation we will focus on U.S. companies in the Pacific Northwest, California and the Southwest. Geographically this make sense as our office is central to these regions and management has established key client contacts in each of these areas. Larger clients are more likely to benefit from the efficiencies our product offers and will provide fees that will sustain our profitability. Exact figures for the number of businesses are hard to determine, however, the lean structure of our company will allow us to be profitable by generating two to three new clients per year. |
| | Target Market Segment Strategy |
| | Medium- to large-size organizations |
| | Companies that sell franchise rights |
| | Larger clients that will provide greater revenues |
| | Customization-products that strengthen their brand and address their differences |
| | Speed, efficiency and information |
| | Service Business Analysis |
| | Strategy and Implementation |
| | >>Note: Ronald Ivanhoe, 33, founded the company in September of 2000 to take advantage of a partnership opportunity with a highly successful Pacific NW software company. He has an MBA in marketing and e-commerce from the University of Arizona, and has designed numerous successful business plans for companies in the manufacturing, e-commerce and entertainment sectors. He consults with insurance brokers, e-commerce, and manufacturing companies in marketing strategies. He has lived in Asia for five years, speaks Japanese fluently and currently resides in Portland, OR. |
| | >>Note: The most crucial issue affecting our financial plan is the receipt of start-up fees for the customization and installation of the software and extranet solution. This drives our cash flow, and all other aspects of our operation. |
| | Projected Profit and Loss |
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