Business Planning 2025: What is It and Why Do You Need One?

Planning is the key to success every year

In 2025, your business plan will guide you to success, even in times when sales may be slow, or your future is uncertain. If you don’t have a plan yet and want to know what a business plan is, why it’s important, and what you should include, you’re in the right place.

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What is a Business Plan and Why is it Important?

Private sector businesses topped 5.5 million in 2024, and 5.45 million of those are small businesses with just 0 - 48 employees. Success requires a plan that helps businesses and the entrepreneurs that create them reach their goals by:

• Outlining the company’s goals and objectives
• Clarifying the company’s mission and goals
• Running financial projections
• Measuring progress
• So much more

If funding is necessary to start, operate or expand operations, it’s your business plan that demonstrates the validity of the business. 

What’s Included in a Business Plan?

Multiple components of a business plan are necessary because a lot goes into running a successful business. Your plan must include a full explanation of the business, why it’s unique in the industry and what it does.

But a proper plan will also answer questions such as:

• Who is your target market?
• What products or services will you sell?
• Who are your main competitors?

A traditional business plan must include multiple parts, some of which include:

Executive Summary

An executive summary is your entire plan’s overview. Often, after you’ve written all of the other components, you’ll come back to the summary to write it. It should include your mission statement, product or service, and basic information about your leadership team.

Company Description

An overview of what your company does, its fit in the market and what makes it unique.

Market Analysis

In-depth research on the market you’re entering, your ideal target market and the main competitors in the industry.

Financial and Cash Flow Projections

A forecast of the business’s income and expenses, cash flow and funding needs in 2025 and beyond. You can use balance sheets (if you’re in operation already) to improve the accuracy of these projections.

Marketing and Sales Plan

Outline the basic marketing strategy that the business will use to sell your products or services.

Products and Services

A description of the products and services you’ll sell and the benefits they offer customers.

These are just some of the many components that your plan should include.

Your plan might even include a business continuity plan template, which outlines what happens if a disruptive incident impacts the business. Business continuity planning puts measures in place that keep products and services moving at acceptable levels, even if one of these events occurs.

Business plans are comprehensive, and while we can’t go into each component of a proper plan thoroughly, we can provide tips that will strengthen your business plan.

How to Write a Business Plan - 5 Tips for Success

Understanding what a business plan is and what it consists of is just the first step. Like anything else in business, you must take action and start drafting your plan.

Keep these tips in mind when writing your plan. 

1. Know Your Audience and Objective

What is the objective of your business plan? Are you seeking funding, or are you simply building a roadmap to success for yourself and your team?

Understanding your goals and audience will help ensure you include the most relevant information and tailor your language or tone to suit your readers.

2. Don’t Overlook the Importance of Financial Projections

A successful business plan should include realistic projections. Underestimating your costs or being over-optimistic with your revenue forecast can set you up for failure and potentially damage your credibility.

Ensure your projections are based in reality. Don’t forget to include cash flow statements, income statements, your balance sheet and P&L statements.

3. Use a Consistent Tone and Imagery Throughout Your Plan

When creating your plan, remain consistent with your imagery and tone. For example, make sure that any diagrams, infographics or product photos are stylised to align with your branding.

Be sure to use your brand colours throughout your plan, including in your headers and charts, to strengthen your brand identity. 

Consistency should extend beyond the visual elements of your plan. The language and tone you use should also align with your brand voice to create a truly cohesive image.

4. Be Concise Yet Comprehensive

A successful business plan is concise yet comprehensive. It should cover all of the necessary and relevant information without providing unnecessary detail.

A typical business plan can range anywhere from 15-30+ pages, so be as straightforward as possible to avoid overwhelming your reader.

5. Don’t Overlook the Research Stage

Insufficient research can lead to unrealistic strategies and assumptions. Make sure that you invest ample time into the research stage to understand your target market, your competitors and demand for your products or services. The research you perform will benefit your business over the long term and help you create a solid foundation from which to launch your business.

Should You Use a Business Plan Template?

Because a traditional small business plan should include specific sections, it makes sense to use a business plan template. A template can save you time and help ensure that your plan is complete.

In fact, GOV.UK provides links to templates as well as business plan examples to help you understand what should be included in your plan and visualise it. Here, you can also find a useful business continuity plan template.

While templates are useful and helpful, it’s important to understand how to use them properly. Business planning is complex, and the process has many moving parts. You must understand how to:

• Perform a market analysis
• Analyse your competitors
• Develop a sound marketing plan
• Create a financial plan
• So much more

Having a plan can help you start a business with confidence, but a little guidance during the planning stage can go a long way.

We provide comprehensive business plan help, allowing you to overcome challenges, take advantage of opportunities and realise your business’s full potential. 

Not sure where to start with writing your business plan? Join our FREE webinar to design a winning business blueprint for 2025 using simple strategies.

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