Business Strategy and Plan
What funders are looking for when they ask for a business plan or business strategy is evidence that what you are looking for funds for is part of a thought out programme with real purpose as opposed to a one-off idea that you fancied doing because there was a funder who might pay for it.
The Business Strategy is a document that sets out;
what your organisation is trying to achieve (the overall purpose of your existence)
your mission or role; what you see as the job you are doing to achieve the purpose of the organisation
The market (context) that you operate in and where you stand in that market (context) including relevant facts and figures where possible and appropriate.
the specific things that you want to achieve in that time (the outcomes)
broadly what you are going to focus your attention and activity on in the coming five years to deliver on your purpose, mission, and outcomes. This part will include not only broad project ideas but will also include internal changes and development to your organisation
The Business Strategy does not have to be a long document or be difficult to create but represents your thinking about where you are trying to get and broadly how you might get there.
The strategy can and should be supported with a Business Plan. Normally the strategy and the plan are incorporated into a single document.
The Business Plan adds details to the strategy by setting out the specific things that you will do to achieve the things set out in the Business Strategy. This may include specific project ideas, changes to the way the organisation is run and managed and should also include information about the resources that you will need to do these things.
You can get help with developing Business Strategies and Plans from a number of organisations. Please look at the section of the website called Getting help.
