Farming Plans Gauteng

What Makes a Good Plan?

You can think about the good or bad of a plan (business, farming, marketing, sales) as the plan itself, measuring its value by its contents. There are some qualities in a plan that make it more likely to create results, and these are important. However, it is even better to see the plan as part of the whole process of results, because even a great plan is wasted if nobody follows it.

The plan depends on the human elements around it, particularly the process of commitment and involvement, and the tracking and follow up that comes afterward. Successful implementation starts with a good plan. There are elements that will make a plan more likely to be successfully implemented. Some of the elements include:-

  • Is the plan simple? Is it easy to understand and act on? Does it communicate its contents easily and practically?
  • Is the plan specific? Are its objectives concrete and measurable? Does it include specific actions and activities, each with specific dates of completion, specific persons responsible and specific budgets?
  • Is the plan realistic? Are the sales goals, expense budgets, and milestone dates realistic? Nothing stifles implementation like unrealistic goals.
  • Is the plan complete? Does it include all the necessary elements? Requirements of a business plan or farming plan varies, depending on the context. There is no guarantee, however, that the plan will work if it doesn’t cover the main bases.

                    

 

 

 

What Makes a Good Plan? Read More »

Which issues are the most important?

 

The first and most obvious response to ” Which issues are the most important?” is that the devil is in the detail. Each operation in your in your business will have specific short term goals, but they must ultimately have the same long term objectives. If any one of these operations is working at cross purposes with the long term objectives you are likely to fail. Therefore, “all” issues are important.

With that as a given you must then ask “who will be reading my business, farming or marketing plan?” For each reader, if the answer to any of the issues raised below is “NO” then you will not achieve your objective.

VENTURE CAPITALIST:-

If you are seeking investment capital and the business plan is to be presented to a venture capitalist, he/she will likely be looking at three critical issues: 1. Is there a need in the marketplace? 2. Is the market large enough to provide a reasonable return on their investment? 3. Does your organization have the personnel and capabilities necessary to penetrate and maintain a position in the marketplace?

BANKER:-

If you are seeking a loan and the business/farming plan is to be presented to a banker he/she will have the following concerns: 1. Are you a going business with a positive cash flow? 2. Does your financial statements show a growing and profitable business? 3. Do you have collateral to offer as protection against the loan?

MANAGER:-

If you are seeking full management buy-in for the plan, each manager will want the following answers: 1. Can I understand and agree with the short term & long term objectives of the plan? 2. Is my responsibility in achieving those objectives clearly discernible? 3. Will the proper implementation of the plan be of benefit to both the enterprise and to me?

ACQUIRER:-

If you are planning on selling your business the prospective buyer will want to know the following: 1. What is the short term and long term financial value of the business? 2. Will this business provide new or additional leverage for me in the marketplace? Is there adequate synergy between our products or services and our organizations to ensure a successful integration.

 

 

                         

 

Rather make use of the expertise of a Professional Consultant. We have 40years experience. Contact us now – email – money@global.co.za

Which issues are the most important? Read More »

How exactly will you be able to help me with all my Agricultural problems/concerns?

 

 

Coming from a banking/business/finance background and also with more than 15 years experience in the Agricultural field, we will be able to assist and advise you in the following ways:-

Help you in developing a professional and well-structured farming business plan that will meet with all lender requirements;

You will get a professional/personal service – going the “extra mile”;                     

You will have access to various Investors;

We can also help you with effective advertising/marketing of your farming operation where potential customers will be able to get hold of you and learn more about your products/services;

We can assist you in developing a strong financial plan with all financial indicators in place and a plan that will meet with lender requirements.

We can point you to the right and helpful suppliers like – DICLA that can help you in the set up and running of a successful business.

Helpful assistance in all aspects of “Broiler/Chicken” Farming.

Help you in the set up of a “Tunnel Farming” operation and producing Organic Vegetables.

Assist you in the successful set up and running of a profitable farming operation.

We can provide you with a comprehensive helpful marketing plan.

Are you dealing with Government and need a professional Farming/ Business Profile? We can help.

You are not sure if your farming operation is profitable and on the right track. Let us do a “Farming Financial Analysis” showing you all the problems, and how you can rectify them.

If you not sure that you will get funding for your farming operation, why not try an cheaper option by preparing a “investor pitch” first to test the market. See more on our Services (Business Services page) on this option. You can also make use of our online consulting service on ZOOM, SKYPE, GOOGLE MEET OR FACETIME to meet in person and discuss any related issue for 45 min. Contact us for details on: money@global.co.za

             

 

 

How exactly will you be able to help me with all my Agricultural problems/concerns? Read More »

What physical form should the plan take when it is completed?

         

You will always want to have a printed version of your business, farming, marketing plan or business profile. Depending on whom you expect to reading the document it may take a form ranging from a paper-clipped set of black & white, loose leaf papers to a formal, bound, full-color document. In addition, our electronic world offers other forms that can be very effective in presenting your document.

For a personal interface with a banker or private investor, a presentation using a tool like “Power Point” can be very effective for graphically portraying and explaining the key issues set forth in your document. It is especially helpful in describing market share issues, employee and sales personnel productivity growth expectations, cash flows and profitability. Also look at our Business Services for details on “Investors Pitches”.

For those instances when you can’t be personally present, having your documents in a secure Internet friendly format can be of great value. Being able to provide remote access for a portion of your complete document to someone who may represent a source of funding for your business is an effective way of screening potential investors.

If you are not a computer professional, some of the above document forms may be a challenge. If you can see the need for them then you should rather use the services of a professional consultant that can help you with these in various ways.

                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What physical form should the plan take when it is completed? Read More »

Why does Low Cost and Generic Business Plans not fly?

 

Most Generic, Low Cost and Basic/Template type of Business Plans and Farming Plans do not fly because of the following:

  • They do not meet with  Investors/Banks criteria;
  • The overall quality is sub-standard and offer no real value;
  • The general lay-out and sequence of the topics are all messed up and do not follow a certain path;
  • Low cost Business Plans are usually a rushed job done in a few days, without proper consultation with a professional consultant;
  • Most available templates  are developed for the overseas (American) market and do not address important issues/problems experienced in South Africa;
  • Cheap and Generic Business Plans Writers only want to make easy and quick money and do not really have your interest at heart;
  • Some Low Cost Business Plan Writers do not have the expertise and background to explain the entire cumbersome funding process in detail and in particular how exactly the Credit Act” works and what your rights are. They will rarely go the “extra mile”.

All serious “Entrepreneurs” should be aware and take notice of all the “pitfalls” of services/plans provided by so-called low cost Business Plan or Farming Plan Writers that are only looking after themselves and are not really having your interest at heart, not going the “extra mile” and only want to make a “quick buck” out of you. Before you appoint any consultant first check our guidelines of what to look for when you appoint a consultant, before you burn your fingers badly and eventually do not get the required funding because of poor and sloppy work.

A Business Plan is a highly structured document designed to sell financial institutions or investors on your financing proposal. It is structured to provide them with information in a familiar format so that the information they need to make a decision to loan you the money you need to start or expand your business is accessible. To ensure that you get full value for your money in the preparation of your business plan, you should ask the following questions before appointing a consultant:-

  1. Do they have the required qualifications?
  2. Do they have the ability and willingness to transfer skills and expertise?
  3. Do they have the required experience?
  4. Do they use “off the shelf” templates?
  5. Do they know exactly how the “credit act” works.
  6. Do they provide a “personal” service through the entire process or do they outsource some of their services?
  7. Can they help you in the marketing/sales areas as well?
  8. What financial expertise do they have and exactly what financial information will they include in the plan?
  9. How many plans did they write so far?
  10. How long have they been writing business plans?
  11. Do they explain the entire process upfront showing you all the “pitfalls”?
  12. Do they fully prepare you for your meeting in the pitching of your business plan?

It is vital for any entrepreneur to check out the above before committing or signing any contract/agreement and thereby avoid any unhappiness later. Some customers find out too late that they were taken for a ride. Don’t be one of them.

                  

                         

 

 

Why does Low Cost and Generic Business Plans not fly? Read More »