Module 4: Operations
đŻÂ Our goal in this module is to determine exactly what it will take to set up your business before launching and to sort out how you will operate your business after you launch.
What do we mean by Operations?
This is where you decide and describe just how your business will work. Some businesses have a lot of working parts and can be pretty complex.Â
Other businesses are relatively simple and straight forward.Â
Either way, you have to figure out what needs to be done in order to launch your business and what you and your team will be doing after you âopen your doorsâ to the world.
Example: Letâs say your business is going to manufacture products for sale.
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Option 2: Maybe you decide to have your products produced by an existing company in your industry.
You might contract with an existing manufacturer or producer to do most, if not all of the product creation work for youâpossibly even including packaging and shipping the final product to your customers.
Option 3: Maybe you decide to purchase an existing product and re-sell it to your customers.
You can purchase products from manufacturers at a discount, have them shipped to you, and then sell, package and ship these products to your customers.
Regardless of your choice, you will need to think through all the steps and jobs that have to be done in preparation for launching your business and then for operating your business from the moment you âopen your doorsâ onwards.
Example: Maybe you are starting a restaurant or a food truck business?
Same thing hereâjust think it through. What will you need to have in place before you open your doors, and then what will you need from day one to operate your business?
If your business will provide a service, there are also many potential scenarios.
Just Google âexamples of service businessesâ and you will find hundreds upon hundreds of actual service business models to get an idea of what different service businesses have to do âbehind the scenesâ to be successful.
Example: If you are creating a software product or service, your list of questions becomes much shorter.
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Again, you just need to think through what it will take to get ready to launch your business, and then what it will take to actually go live and operate your business day-to-day. This should be very practical stuff.
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Legal & Other Matters
Of course, there are many other details to be sorted out, including the legal formation and structure of your business, licenses, registrations, any legal requirements specific to your business/industry, insurance and employee benefits, and many other matters.
The best place to start with these questions is to learn what you can from the government.
Seriously, your local, regional, state, and national government bodies will be able to tell you what it takes to start and operate any kind of business in their jurisdiction.
This is the same in most countries around the worldâsomeone in government will have a copy of the ârules and regulationsâ that will govern your business.
You can start with their websites or contact them directly.
The next place to look for specific details relevant to your business will be trade associations and business organizations.
You can find business associations and organizations in most countries or regions around the world. As usual, start with a simple Google search.
Check out the âResourcesâ section at the bottom of this page to expand your search.
For legal advice, you can browse online. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of attorneys and law firms that provide general information and guidanceâfree on their websitesâfor businesses regarding legal matters, as a way of attracting customers.Â
This is a great way for you to get acquainted with legal requirements that might apply to your business.
There are SCORE volunteers in each State in the U.S. that help small business owners with legal guidance for free.Â
You can also find small business forums online with discussion boards relating to legal issues.
After you have done your own research and have an idea of what to expect, then it will be time to talk with an attorney.Â
This will probably cost more than you feel it is worth, but it is the best way to goâreally, the only way to go.Â
Expert legal advice will help you to choose the legal structure that is best for you and your business, limiting your personal liability and protecting you as you navigate the myriad of legal issues that inevitably face every business.
âĄAction Step
Think through, research, and plan out your Operations.
Now, go to the Operations section in our Business Plan Core Template and write out your narrative describing what you will do to prepare for launching your business and how you will operate your business after you launch (âopen your doors to the worldâ).
Use the questions in this module for reference and be as detailed and specific as you can.Â
We will add the costs for preparing to launch and for operating your business when we get to your Financials section.
đď¸Â Resources
Scroll left-to-right across the table below to view all columns. Click on any item in the leftmost column to open that specific resource page.
| Item | Tags | URL | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BNI | Association | PaidFree Content Available | ||
Business Plan Core Template | Business PlanBizActually | Free | A no-frills Business Plan template in Google Sheets. (Created by our Team) | |
Entrepreneursâ Organization | Association | PaidFree Content Available | ||
Minority Business Development Agency | Association | PaidFree Content Available | ||
NASE | Association | PaidFree Content Available | ||
NaVoba | Association | |||
NFIB | OperationsLegalAssociation | PaidFree Content Available | ||
SBA | Market ResearchCompetitor ResearchCustomer ResearchOperations | Free | ||
SCORE | OperationsLegalBusiness Consulting | Free | Largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors and resource partner to the Small Business Administration (SBA). | |
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) | Business ConsultingMarket ResearchCompetitor ResearchCustomer ResearchOperationsLegal | Free | ||
U.S. Black Chambers, Inc | Association | PaidFree Content Available | ||
U.S. Chamber of Commerce | Association | Paid | ||
Womenâs Business Development Center (WBDC) | Market ResearchCompetitor ResearchCustomer ResearchBusiness Consulting | Free | ||
Your Local & State Chambers of Commerce | Association | PaidFree Content Available |
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