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This tool is a simple SWOT template used by entrepreneurs when undertaking strategic planning and thinking about their companies external and internal environments. Internally assessing a company’s strengths (S) and weaknesses (W) as well as external factors such as opportunities (O) and threats (T) forms the basis for a SWOT analysis. Included in this download is a sample SWOT template tool and a spreadsheet useful in organizing your work.

SWOT analysis is sometimes forgotten as a tool but its power is widely accepted. When you are preparing you business plan it can help you define the areas you should be reviewing in an orderly fashion and capture the thoughts of you and your team for strategic planning.

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SWOT Template

This tool is a 11 page template and accompanied spreadsheet is used by entrepreneurs to think about their companies external and internal environments. Internally assessing a company’s strengths (S) and weaknesses (W) as well as external factors such as opportunities (O) and threats (T). FREE DOWNLOAD!

It has often been said that establishing the value of an early-stage company is an art rather than a science. Why? Because there are so many unknowns about early-stage companies and their future prospects. When will revenues begin to ramp? What if milestones take longer than expected to achieve? What if customers don’t buy the product or service?

Uncertainties make many of the traditional valuation methods such as discounted cash flow analysis, payback formula, and similar tools difficult to apply. These analytical techniques require educated guesses on assumptions and a multitude of variables.  Consider the experience of buying a lottery ticket with no assurances the ticket will be a winner. If you had a crystal ball and knew the lottery numbers ahead of time you would win each time you bought a ticket. But, of course, if you were in that situation, you wouldn’t need investors anyway!

 But your company isn’t the lottery; you don’t have a crystal ball and the company’s value does have to be established somehow. You as the entrepreneur and your investors have to agree, so that a fair exchange can be realized between the receipt of cash and the exchange of shares. 

Establishing a company’s valuation is key to the entire negotiation process. It is also the fundamental determinate of capitalization tables, term sheets and investment agreements.

It’s a difficult task to establish a company’s valuation – particularly a start-up company. This simulation tool helps establish valuation estimates as guidelines for discussion with investors.

Valuating a company is an art; yet this tool gives an entrepreneur an idea of what constitutes value. The model is easy to use and is interactive. It covers discounted cash flow analysis, comparables approach and weighted valuation. Input cells are easily identified with clear instructions for use.

Price – US$19.95

Valuation (DCF, multiples, judgemental) model

It’s a difficult task to establish a company's valuation - particularly a start-up company. This simulation tool helps establish valuation estimates as guidelines for discussion with investors. Valuating a company is an art; yet this tool gives an entrepreneur an idea of what constitutes value.

This human resource excel  template  will help you plan and track the number and type of employees, their salaries and the timing of hire for budgeting purposes.

The human resource template is a useful tool to help an entrepreneur optimize the people  resources by calculating the human resources expenses over time. This template is a complement to any one of the powerful financial business models offered on this website.

If your need a specific human resource excel template to work on without going through the effort of developing one then this product is for you.

The human resource expense for a company although very important is  the largest ongoing cost component of a business’s operation.

Useful in doing “what if” analysis on the impact of costs with either layoffs or hires. With such a large expenditure for a company human resource management is an important element in any strategic plan.

Price – US$19.95

Human Resources Financial Model

This model helps you plan the number and type of employees to recruit, their salaries and the timing of hire. The human resource expense for a company although very important can be the largest cost component. This tool helps an entrepreneur optimize these valuable resources.

Preparing your business plan takes information about your industry, your customers and your competitors. To develop strategies that will work for your business you need to conduct industry market research analysis.

Secondary research (research using the Internet, databases, third party reports, etc) is used to determine market size, industry trends and the nature of the competitive landscape.

Industry market research analysis is important in:

Creating a business plan to raise capital
Crafting a business strategy
Creating a business case
Evaluating industry trends and opportunities
Identifying strategic partners
Identifying potential customers
Tracking competitors

This e-book and accompanying PowerPoint provides tips, suggestions and techniques to get the information you need fast.

What should this sort of research lead to?

Industry dynamics
Size and growth rate – also compared to the overall GDP
Total revenue and volume
Total employment
Industry maturity stage (infancy, growth, maturity, decline)
Sensitivity to economic cycles (cyclicality)
Seasonality
Externalities
Market structure (monopoly, duopoly, oligopoly, monopolistic competition, perfect competition)
Sensitivity to PEST factors (political, economic, social, technological)
as well as governmental issues (such as regulation, certification, etc.)
Financial characteristics of the industry (such as standard markups, commissions, inventory turnover days, average return on sales, etc.)

It also provides short abstracts on the business analysis techniques you could use in getting industry market research for your decision making.

Don’t underestimate industry market research analysis. It shows investors you’ve done your homework!

Price – US$19.95

Industry and Competitive Market Research e-book & PPT

Generally used in preparing your business plan, secondary research (research using the Internet, databases, third party reports, etc) is used to determine market size, industry trends and the nature of the competitive landscape. This e-book and accompanying powerpoint provides tips, suggestions and techniques to get the information you need fast. It also provides short abstracts on the business analysis techniques you could use once the information is obtained. This bundled product contains a 67 page powerpoint and a 60 page word document. Don’t underestimate market research. It shows investors you’ve done your homework!

Structuring an equity capital deal requires a capitalization table. A capitalization table or “cap” table summarizes the ownership position of all shareholders of a company.

The capitalization table is usually created in an excel spreadsheet that shows the total amount of securities issued by the company.

It typically includes the amount of investment obtained from each investor (or type of investor) and how the securities are distributed. For example, are they in the form of common and preferred shares, options, warrants, etc., and what are the respective capitalization ratios?

Understanding the arithmetic of share and deal structures is critically important to entrepreneurs because this understanding can make a difference in ownership and control issues. The following examples and explanations will give you an appreciation of the impact equity investments can have on your share structure. Therefore, armed with this understanding, you can anticipate what deals and/or term sheets optimize your position in any given round of financing.

This capitalization table excel model will help you understand pre and post money valuations; in addition to the  changing values as various rounds of financing are undertaken.

It will show you how ownership positions may change with each ensuing financing round. This is useful in seeing the impact of any deal on the share structure of a company and will help in getting the share structure of the company that is optimized.

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Capitalization Table Model

Structuring an equity capital deal requires a capitalization table. A capitalization table or “cap” table summarizes the ownership position of all shareholders of a company. This capitalization table spreadsheet model will help you understand pre and post money valuations; in addition by changing values it will show you how ownership positions may change with each ensuing financing round. This is useful in seeing the impact of any deal on the share structure of a company. FREE DOWNLOAD!

Here are a few samples of legal disclosure templates that are normally placed on the page behind the title page of your business plan document. Please note  that we are not giving legal advice by providing these samples so please consult your lawyer on the wording that is appropriate for your situation.

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Every organization, sector, culture or industry has one – a lexicon of terms used to uniquely describe something specific that a group’s membership understands. These are words or phrases that hold specific meaning. Download this free lexicon and get familiar with the language of investment. You’ll find it useful to understand the terms used by investors. FREE DOWNLOAD!

Are you thinking of expanding your business, but need the money to do so? Are you feeling overwhelmed or confused about the steps involved in raising the money you need? Entrepreneurs understand how cash flow can make or break a business. If you need money to accomplish your goals, Your Capital Edge can help.

Dear Entrepreneur,

You’ll receive comprehensive worksheets and step-by-step instructions so you can increase your chances of raising the capital for your company, ABSOLUTELY FREE!

Simply fill out this form and then check your inbox for an email from us with your download link.

For over ten years, I’ve been helping executives from a wide variety of businesses to raise capital. I have been involved on the front lines pitching directly to investors, as well as behind the scenes providing coaching and support.

Throughout the years of helping others to raise capital, one thing has become abundantly clear.  In order to create “Your Capital Edge” you must start with a business that is well prepared to raise funds and a well crafted business plan is a way to tell the investment story.

To catch the eye of a busy investor and increase the probability of receiving an invitation to discuss your opportunity further, your business plan must incorporate these four key elements:

1. A crystal clear description of your business, your market, and your buyers.
2. Concrete evidence that your products or services will satisfy widespread market demand.
3. A management team with the knowledge and skills to implement the plan, successfully.
4. Factual, realistic projections that legitimately outline your investment needs, and the potential return for investors.

You only get one chance to make a good first impression! Please take a moment to download my FREE e-book and receive the knowledge of how to create a winning plan.

Breathe Fresh Life Into Your Business With Additional Capital – You Can Learn How to Create a Bull’s – Eye Business Plan That’ll Get Earmarked On an Investor’s Call Back List.

This e-book is ideal for entrepreneurs like you with limited time, who want to beat the odds of raising capital, while juggling the daily operations your business.

The information in this e-book is direct and to the point, containing common sense perspectives about the important components of a compelling business plan document, but most importantly it’s a hands-on workbook that will guide you through the process of preparing a business plan through the eyes of an investor.

This e-book can help you…

• Research more effectively, so you can incorporate the necessary elements of proof into your plan.
• Prepare a solid financial forecast that intrigues investors and withstands scrutiny.
• Gain the confidence to challenge strategies and authenticate your business approach.
• Receive practical tips and money raising pointers to increase your chances of hooking up with investors.
• Identify your business risks, and plan an appropriate strategy to mitigate them.

With the help of this e-book you can make your business plan sizzle and cause your capital raising potential to SKYROCKET!