Business Plan Writing for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
First Screen
DeVry University, SBE 440
Alex Smith
Professor: Florinel-Frank Cotae July, 10, 2011

First Screen
From “Preparing Effective Business Plans” by Bruce R. Barringer

McDonald’s Restaurant

Part 1: Strength of Business Idea

For each item, circle the most appropriate answer and make note of the (-1), (0), or (+1) score.

| | Low Potential (-1) | Moderate Potential (0) | High Potential (+1) | 1. | Extent to which the idea: * Takes advantage of an environmental trend * Solves a problem * Addresses an unfilled gap in the marketplace | Weak | Moderate | Strong | 2. | Timeliness of entry to market | Not timely | Moderately timely | Very timely | 3. | Extent to which the idea “adds value” for its buyer or end user | Low | Medium | High | 4. | Extent to which the customer is satisfied by competing products that are already available | Very satisfied | Moderately satisfied | Not very satisfied or ambivalent | 5. | Degree to which the idea requires customers to change their basic practices or behaviors | Substantial changes required | Moderate changes required | Small to no changes required |

Part 2: Industry-Related Issues | | Low Potential (-1) | Moderate Potential (0) | High Potential (+1) | 1. | Number of competitors | Many | Few | None | 2. | Stage of industry life cycle | Maturity phase or decline phase | Growth phase | Emergence phase | 3. | Growth rate of industry | Little or no growth | Moderate growth | Strong growth | 4. | Importance of industry’s products and/or services to customers | “Ambivalent” | “Would like to have” | “Must have” | 5. | Industry operating margins | Low | Moderate | High |

Part 3: Target Market and Customer-Related Issues | | Low Potential (-1) | Moderate Potential (0) | High Potential (+1) | 1. |