Part 3

*This information is taken from the Small Business Center Network (SBCN), part of the North Carolina Community College System, and full packet, entitled “How to Develop a Business Plan” can be viewed here.

*This blog is Part 3 of a series on small business guidance. Stay tuned for more blogs. Check out Part 1 and Part 2.

 

Identify your customer groups. Of course, your customer groups depend on whether you plan to sell directly to consumers or if you sell through a channel of distributors, wholesalers, and retailers.

In your business plan include your targeted customers, their characteristics, their geographic locations/demographics.

For each customer group (you’ll probably have multiple customer groups), identify:

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Location
  • Income level
  • Social class and occupation
  • Education
  • Anything else that is specific to your industry

If you are selling your product to distributors, wholesalers, or retailers, include:

  • Industry
  • Location
  • Size of firm
  • Quality, technology, and price preferences
  • Anything else specific to your industry

This part is not fun.  … but, you have to know who your competitors are. Familiarizing yourself with your competitors can only help you and your business.

List your competitors and include their products/services. How will you competitors compete with you? For certain products? Certain customers? In certain locations? How will your products/services compare with your competitors?

Evaluate your company and your products/services honestly and carefully. Think about how you will measure up in customers’ minds. Does your company and products/services have any strengths and/or weaknesses?

For every one of your products/services rate its strengths and weaknesses and how important that product/service will be or is important to customers. Look at the quality, selection, stability, appearance, and price of your products/services.

Some questions to ask yourself:

  1. Who are your close competitors? Where are they location in relation to you?
  2. Are your competitors’ businesses steady? Increasing? Decreasing?
  3. What are your competitors’ strengths? Weaknesses? Resources? Compare your answers to your company.
  4. How will competitors react to your entry?

Be sure you can identify and articulate the reason(s) why someone would buy from you instead of from your competitor(s).

*Remember: as uncomfortable as it may be, know your competitors and what makes them successful. Research what draws customers to your competitors.

Part 4 of this blog series will cover how to promote your product/services.

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If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email me at john@beerlawcenter.com or john@mathesonlawoffice.com or call 919-335-5291.

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