Operational Issues

Operational issues should only be included in the business plan if they will be critical for the start-up success of the business. In general, they will only be relevant for product manufacturers, but may also be relevant for retailers who rely on suppliers.

Product-Based Businesses

Production:
• Are you making the best of available new technologies in manufacturing?
• Can you keep up with customer demand if it is 10 times your initial projections?
• Are sales going to be seasonal and are you prepared to handle labor and other issues occurring during both periods?

Materials:
• Are your major sources of supply reliable?
• Do you have back up suppliers?
• Do you have adequate internal quality controls?

Inventory and Shipping
• Can you meet your own internal shipping customer service standards?
• Do you have to stockpile inventory, or can you utilize just-in-time inventory systems to reduce costs?

Information Services
• What kind of business telephone automated attendant or answering service will you have for overloads in customer service calls?
• What kind of accounting system will you use?
• What kind of order-entry and inventory system will you use?
• Will your information services be able to provide meaningful information in a readily accessible way?

People
• Do you have a ready source a labor for your business?
• How much training do they need before starting to be productive?
• How many people do you need working at any time? Will you have more than one shift?
• What will you need to provide workers in terms in compensation and benefits?

Retail Businesses

Facility and Location:
• Is there adequate parking for employees and customers?
• Are there local ordinances and zoning requirements that will affect the business?
• Are facilities adequate for changes in the product mix?
• Do you have contingency plans to keep your business going in case of a natural disaster?

Materials:
• Are your major sources of supply reliable?
• Do you have back up suppliers?

People
• Do you have a ready source a labor for your business?
• How much training do they need before starting to be productive?
• How many people do you need working at any time? Will you have more than one shift?
• What will you need to provide workers in terms in compensation and benefits?

Information Services
• What kind of business telephone automated attendant or answering service will you have for overloads in customer service calls?
• What kind of accounting system will you use?
• What kind of order-entry and inventory system will you use?
• Will your information services be able to provide meaningful information in a readily accessible way?

Service Businesses

People
• Do you have a ready source a labor for people able to provide your type of service?
• How much training do they need before starting to be productive?
• What will you need to provide workers in terms in compensation and benefits?

Information Services
• What kind of business telephone automated attendant or answering service will you have for overloads in customer service calls?
• What kind of accounting system will you use?
• What kind of order-entry and inventory system will you use?
• Will your information services be able to provide meaningful information in a readily accessible way?