How to create a rock-solid business plan and effective video that tells your companies story.

1. Round 2 Mentor Strategy Session
Business Plan and Video

2. Congratulations!
For every 100,000 people in Utah only 280 start
their own business*
You are one of just 300 who made it to Round 2.
This means you are in a very elite group!
*according to March 2012 Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity

3. Tonight’s Presenters
Scott Wilson
EVP of Business Development
Bob Donaldson
Corporate Storyteller at Articulus
Bruce Needham
Partner at Kunzler Law

4. Round 2- What to expect?
• No round 1 scores carry forward
• Round 2 scores will carry through the
competition
– This means Round 2 is probably the most important of
the competition

5. What to expect? Cont.
• The submission deadline is Fri., Sept. 28, 6 pm
• Round 2 components
– Business Plan
• Your Round 1 answers are auto-populated into your
business plan. You should update them as needed
based on judges’ feedback
– Video

6. What’s in it for you?
• Potential Cash and Services from Grow
America
• Validate your idea through the judging process
• Prepare you to communicate with customers
and investors more effectively
• Forces you to understand your business and
your market better

7. The Business Plan
• www.growam.com/detailed-round-info/
• Business Plan Sections-
– Overview
– Market Description
– Product or Service
– Sales and Marketing Strategy
– Management and Employees
– Finances
– Conclusion (includes Video Submission)
• In Round 1 you told us the “what” and “why”
• In Round 2 you tell us the “how”

8. The Business Plan
• Know your audience (think of judges as
investors)
• Show the market need, how your product or
service meets that need.
• Show you have the TEAM to execute the plan
– Competencies
– Experience
– Leadership

9. The Business Plan
• Back up your story with facts and data
• Don’t expect the judges to be experts in your
industry
• Provide clean financials and data
• Define clear market objectives and how you
will achieve them
• Proven track records can help establish
credibility

10. The Business Plan
• You have to be able to defend your
competitive advantage
• TIP: It may help to get an experienced team of
independent and qualified eyes to provide
honest feedback.

11. The 2 minute video
Visual format better demonstrates:
• Visual products and services
• Your energy, passion, and ability to persuade
• Who is the driver behind the wheel?

12. What Should the Video Include?
• There are no specific content requirements
• We want to see your creativity
• It should NOT repeat everything in your plan,
but should supplement it effectively
• Examples @ www.growam.com/round-2-
winners-utah-spring-2012

13. What Should I Focus on?
• Anything that does not come through well in
the written business plan
• Elements that will persuade the judges that
your business plan will be successful
• The most critical or valuable elements of your
business to effectively communicate
• Why should a judge invest in you?

14. Video content ideas
• Numbers: Charts, graphs, comparisons
• Pressing need: Interview the customer
• Your exceptional skill: Show the judges YOU
• Pitching effectively: Use color, font, audio,
transitions, and content that PERSUADES

15. Video details
• Video WILL be made public
• 2 minute cutoff
• Absolutely no copyrighted material without
express permission (music, images, etc.)
• You can submit your video at any time on the
conclusion page