Let's get started! In week 1, we will focus on the first 3 sections of the business plan:

Part 1 - Executive Summary

Part 2 - Company Summary

Part 3 - Market Analysis

Watch the introductory video and read the corresponding written component for each part of the lesson. Be sure to have your students thoroughly contemplate any guiding questions. View the examples and use them as inspiration for students to create their own unique plan.

If you would like to have students prepare both a written plan and visual presentation simultaneously, slideshow requirements are included in this section. Rubrics are provided for both the written and visual plans so that students are aware of grading requirements.

Great job completing the first portion of the business plan project! Now onto week 2 where your students will delve into the following parts:

Part 4 - Marketing Plan

Part 5 - Social Responsibility

Part 6 - Web Plan

Follow the same structure as week 1, watching the video and then referring to each written part to guide you through the business plan process.

After completing part 4, marketing plan, give your students the supplemental materials assignment and corresponding rubric.

Following part 6, web plan, assign students to create a company commercial. A rubric is available for commercial assessment.

This is it! The last, and possibly most critical, portion of your business plan project. In week 3, there are only 2 parts, but don't let that fool you - they are the most challenging to prepare.

Part 7 - Management Summary

Part 8 - Financial Plan

The management summary will tell the audience how your students' business or organization will operate. If students are preparing this business plan to submit to a fictitious panel of investors, the financial plan is there time to shine! If your students don't have accounting knowledge, you can simplify the financial section by only requiring a writeup for the balance sheet and profit and loss statement, rather than the actual financial reports.

If you choose to organize a business plan competition, you should make arrangements to have 2-5 community professionals or school administrators serve as judges. If possible, reserve a larger space for the competition presentations, such as a lecture hall, small stage, or school library. Distribute judging sheets to each judge (give 1 sheet for each presenting group) and make a presentation schedule for your student teams. You may need to sign students out of other classes to make the judging process convenient for the volunteers (ideally a 1 day event.) Obtain small prizes such as gift cards to local businesses for the winning team, or top 3 placing teams. If you approach a local Chamber of Commerce or other non-profit organization to sponsor the event, their members can be judges and the organization can donate prizes. Scholarship checks in any denomination is another coveted prize for winning students. Be sure to get approval from your school to contact the media to cover this mutually benefical school and community event.

Congratulations on the hard work and dedication that you devoted to having your students develop a professional business plan. This real life project has taught them valuable knowledge and skills that will surely benefit them now and in their future careers.