Business Plans

The 3 levels of BFA business plan, are structured around the BFA training methodology, which is primarily designed for Micro finance clients.  The business plans are generic in nature, and should each business should take their particular business specifics into the requirements of the reader, whether that is a MFI, a bank, investor or a donor.

Introductory Level

A business plan for a micro loan (up to $500)
Though the wording and amount of detail has been simplified, the main areas that need to be included in all business plans are included, though only  on two sides of A4.

• Personal summary
• Main business activities
• List main customers, competitors and suppliers
• Reason for needing a loan
• Plans how to use the loan
• Sales, costs and profit projections

Intermediate Level

A business plan for a mid size loan ($500 - $1000)
As per the introductory  business plan, the wording and detail have been simplified (where possible) for the mid size micro finance loan business plan. However, as the beneficiary is looking for a larger loan, and their business is more advanced, the mid size business plan is 6 pages.

• Personal summary
• Business summary
• Core business activities / business history
• Mission statement and objectives
• List main customers, competitors and suppliers
• Business analysis
• 16 week (1 loan cycle) sales, costs and profit details
• Reason for needing a loan / seeing an opportunity
• How they will use the loan, plus any other investment money
• How they spent their previous loan and what impact that had on their business
• Sales, costs and profit projection (after receiving and investing the loan)
• Weekly and monthly cash flow projection.

Advanced Level

A business plan for a commercial loan (above $1000)
The business has been steadily growing and is now at a stage where a commercial loan from a bank is needed. The training the beneficiary has so far received, will have prepared them in completing a comprehensive 30 page business plan.  The business plan template, gives the beneficiary the structure that a bank would expect. Having completed the business plan, the beneficiary will be able to approach a bank and be confident in applying for a commercial loan.

• Executive summary
• Contact details
• Business summary
• Market research
• Operations and logistics
• Marketing Strategy
• Loan details
• Financials
  • Current and projected cash flow
  • 12 month projected profit and loss
  • 12 month projected balance sheet
  • Breakeven analysis