business plan course nz

Smart Steps to Business

Location & start dates

Programme overview:

If you’ve always wanted to work for yourself but don’t know where to start – this programme can help you get your business goals off the ground.

Smart Steps to Business is for people wanting to start a business or those who already have a hobby business and want to know if it’s feasible to grow.

Learn how to identify business opportunities, evaluate your ideas, write an establishment plan and prepare to launch your business.

You’ll also gain a clear understanding of the steps required to take your business from an initial idea through to an actual business.

When you pass this programme, you'll get this qualification:

• New Zealand Certificate in Business (Introduction to Small Business) Level 3

You’ll learn about:

• identifying business opportunities
• creating an establishment plan
• evaluating the feasibility and viability of your business opportunity
• understanding the legal and operational requirements of a business

You'll be able to:

• identify and evaluate business opportunities that are relevant in terms of own abilities, interests, and preferences
• develop an establishment plan that assesses the feasibility and viability of a small business opportunity
• identify technology needs to effectively operate a small business
• assess the importance of business relationships with stakeholders, for a small business
• behave professionally and ethically, and in a socially and culturally responsible manner, and apply personal and interpersonal skills to contribute to the assessment of small business opportunities

The purpose of this qualification is to provide Aotearoa with people who will be able to assess small business opportunities. They will be able to explore and assess opportunities and understand requirements for establishing a small business, in accordance with ngā kaupapa o te Tiriti o Waitangi (the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi), and in a multi-cultural environment. 

How you'll study:

This is a full-time programme that consists of 60 credits delivered over 20 weeks. Throughout the programme you will be required to attend:

• 1 x 3-hour class per week
• workshops (approximately 2 hours per week)
• 1 x 7-hour wānanga

In addition to these attendance hours, you’ll be expected to complete learning activities designed to enhance your learning for approximately:

• 25 hours per week

Some learning activities will need to be completed online. You’ll need to have access to an internet-connected device to participate in this programme.

In some locations this programme may be provided by an approved sub-contract arrangement.

Entry criteria:

To enrol in this programme, a potential student must:

• be at least 16 years of age
• be a New Zealand citizen or resident (or citizen of Australia, Tokelau, Niue or the Cook Islands)
• reside in New Zealand
• be a graduate of a Level 2 qualification (or higher) or demonstrate numeracy and literacy competence

Where will this take me?

Enrol in our Level 4 business programme.

You'll be able to go into business for yourself or use your skills in a range of other employment pathways.

Kōnae Ako (Learning Modules):

He Kōwhiringa Pakihi - Business Opportunities | 9 Credits 

In this kōnae ako, tauira (students) identify relevant business opportunities and evaluate business opportunity based on their current personal situation and skills. Tauira then develop a basic strategic overview for a business establishment plan. 

Te Tātari Pakihi - Business Analysis | 12 Credits 

This kōnae ako looks at analysing the feasibility of a business opportunity, given the external environment and existing competition. Tauira will develop the marketing aspect of their business and evaluate alternative strategies for developing a business, taking into account the results of an external analysis.  

Te Whakahaere Pakihi - Business Operations | 18 Credits

This kōnae ako introduces tauira to the compliance requirements of a business. Tauira will also think about assets required for their business, premises, learn the importance of business relationships, demonstrate the kaupapa of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and identify technology options for their business operations. 

Te Mahere Whakatū Pakihi - Business Establishment Plan | 21 Credits

In this final kōnae ako, tauira will complete a basic financial analysis for their business opportunity. Tauira will produce and present a business establishment plan. A key component of this kōnae ako will involve presenting a business idea to potential internal and external stakeholders. 

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How to write a business plan in 12 steps (2024 edition)

This guide breaks down how to write a business plan and what you need to think about to make your business plan as persuasive as possible.

20 August 2024

This guide breaks down how to write a business plan, step-by-step, detailing what your document needs to include and what you need to think about to make your business plan as persuasive as possible.

What is a business plan?

A business plan is an essential document that can provide immense value for new and existing companies of all sizes. It is an overview that includes an outline of your business, its key objectives and plan for achieving important goals.

This information can be used to communicate strategic actions to internal teams and also attract interest from potential partners and investors. However, writing a business plan can be a lengthy and involved process. For many, using a business plan template can be a good way to get started.

For best results, you’ll need to do a lot of thinking and planning before you start writing your business plan. This way you have all the information and resources you need at your fingertips and won’t be under time pressure to come up with something at the last minute. After all, a well-thought-out business plan can help you avoid generic information and set your company up for success.

Download your free business plan template .

Why write a business plan?

Writing your business plan helps to get your strategy nailed down and onto the page. A plan that stays in your head is probably going to be full of unrealistic assumptions and biases, whereas a strategically thought-out and organised approach forces you to notice your blind spots and find a way forward.

If you’re looking for financing, a bank or investor needs to be persuaded by your business proposal and the opportunity to work with you. Therefore, a well-written business plan can help provide potential financial partners with the confidence that your business can become profitable. Your business plan gives them a comprehensive view of all aspects of your business and details your strategy for achieving your goals.

What are the main sections of a business plan?

Whatever your line of work, your business plan will generally need to provide the following:

An executive summary

A business overview

The market opportunity

Your products/services

Frequently asked questions about writing a business plan:

When to write a business plan.

Typically, entrepreneurs write their business plans within the first year of operations. A business plan is a tool that helps business owners refine their strategy, attract partners and financiers, and grow their business.

If a business plan is written too soon, it may lack the substance that comes with time in the market. However, it’s important to note that a business plan is not a static document - it can and should change as the business evolves.

How long should your business plan be?

There are no hard and fast rules around how long your business plan should be - it just needs to include all the relevant information. Aim for clear, concise sections and build a business plan that is as easy to read and navigate as possible.

Using a business plan template can help you make sure you have everything covered off, while also having a document that looks as professional as possible. Make sure you run a spelling and grammar check too - any sloppy errors can undermine your credibility.

What’s a business plan on a page?

It’s important to write your business plan as it helps to embed your strategy - as well as communicate what you’re about to potential partners or investors. When you have a comprehensive business plan you can easily adapt it to suit different audiences. For example, a full business plan is essential for raising capital but a business plan on a page may be enough for potential partners or employees.

What do venture capitalists look for in a business plan?

Venture capitalists invest money into businesses with the goal of achieving a return on their investment within the short to medium term. As a result, they’re looking for an attractive market opportunity, a clear point of differentiation, a strong management team, a proven track record, solid financials and, importantly, an exit opportunity.

How to write a business plan

Make sure you cover off each of the following steps when preparing your document:

1. Write an executive summary

This section of your business plan should be 1–2 pages in length and enables potential financiers or partners to get an overview of what your business does and – most importantly — what the opportunity is for them. If they’re interested in the opportunity, they’ll conduct their own due diligence - and this will start with going through your business plan and financials.

It’s a good idea to write your executive summary last, when you’ve clarified your thinking around every section of the document. As an overview section, you don’t want to add any new content that isn’t in your business plan. Aim to keep this summary succinct and engaging by using simple, plain language, as this is much more persuasive than complicated or academic wording.

Use sub-headings and bullet points to help your most important information stand out, especially as busy executives may simply scan your executive summary and use this to decide whether they want to find out more.

What to include in an executive summary?

Make sure you include details on:

What your business does

What the opportunity is

What your unique selling points / differentiators are

How much funding you’re looking for

What the funding will be used for

How you'll succeed

Remember, you’re providing the big picture overview of your business - the detail is in the rest of the document and in the appendices.

2. Write your business overview

This section of your business plan needs to be more than just a list of what your business does. Its purpose is to excite those you’re hoping will work with you or help to fund your business.

Information to address includes:

What's the purpose of your business?

What problem does your business’ product or service solve?

What niche could it fill?

What’s different about your offering?

How are you better than anyone else at what you do?

Consider what your customer value proposition is by deciding what you want to achieve and what your number 1 benefit is for your customer.

3. Identify your USP

Think about what your unique selling points (USP) or differentiators are, and what proof-points you can provide to back them up. For example, you can use terms like “market-leading” but if you don’t provide any evidence to back up your claims, your reader will take them with a big pinch of salt!

You should certainly reference any awards or endorsements that position you as the best person to provide your product or service, as well as any client testimonials. Make sure you include any education or experience that makes you an expert in your field as well.

4. Describe the market opportunity

Show you understand your industry, market and where you fit in it. While no-one can predict the future, offer up where you think the opportunity is for your business and make sales projections based on that. 

For example, imagine your business is selling personalised cookies - there's little competition in your area and you see your market opportunity to create designs for all calendar and holiday events. You expect to increase sales by 30% in one year and 50% in three years, driven primarily by word-of-mouth referrals.

Make sure you also consider macro trends that may create opportunities for you, such as social, environmental, or technological changes that may affect buying behaviour.

5. Include a SWOT analysis

Whatever your business strengths or opportunities, they’ll always be known and unknown weaknesses and threats; there’s no such thing as certainty in business or in life! However, you can demonstrate that you’ve examined your business through different lenses and have a thorough understanding of it by doing a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis.

Don’t worry about drawing attention to your business’ shortcomings - every opportunity has them and it’ll give investors and partners confidence in you that you won't bury your head in the sand. Naturally, it's important that you specify what you’re going to do to address these weaknesses and counter these threats.

Here are some areas you can think about to get started: reputation, technology, location, experience, staff, overheads, competition, suppliers and price.

6. Present a competitor analysis

Let’s face it, no matter what industry you’re in, or what you’re selling, there’s going to be other businesses offering the same thing. But instead of worrying about the competition, use this as a positive opportunity to up your game and work out the unique advantages you have that will keep you competitive.

Identify your top 3 competitors and analyse what they're doing well and where they’re coming up short. Try to be as objective as possible and identify how to differentiate yourself from them. You should also look into who the industry leaders are and what the benchmarks are for your industry so that you can set yourself targets for continuous improvement.

7. Create a customer persona

A customer persona is a fictional person who represents your company's ideal customer. Naturally, the persona can be based on a real person - the more you get to know your ideal customer, the more targeted and successful your marketing efforts will be.

To create a customer persona, you need to conduct research into your ideal customer’s age, sex, income, employment, daily activities, interests and hobbies. If you’re feeling unsure about your customer persona, you may need to give your ideal customer further thought and download the customer persona template to get started.

8. Write your marketing strategy

When you’ve created your customer persona, you need to work out how you’re going to reach them. Do they hang out on social media apps, like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or LinkedIn? Or are they more used to local, traditional marketing like free local papers or high foot traffic areas?

Once you’ve figured where your audience is likely to hang out, you can outline your strategies for promoting and advertising your products or services in the next 12 months. Make a list of the marketing channels you’ll use to achieve your advertising strategy and be sure to include your budget. How much can you set aside for advertising? And where are you most likely to see a return on your efforts? Paid ads on Facebook? Half or full paid spreads in an industry magazine? Or even a direct mail out? 

For more structured help around this, check out free course: Business 101 | Get social with your business on Facebook.  

9. Design your customer retention strategy

Business success relies heavily on the relationship you’re able to build with your customers. What techniques will you use to keep them coming back? Consider the following:

What can your business do to increase the number of repeat customers? 

Does your business have a referral or loyalty program? 

Do you have a post-purchase follow up in place?

Will you use surveys to track customer satisfaction?

What ways can you continue delivering outstanding service?

Is there a way to continue educating and adding value to your customers?

10. Present your financials

Most people who are looking at investing their time and/or money in your business will want to see your financial statements - your performance to date and your projections over the short and medium term. They'll also want to know how much you’ve received in funding to date and what these other sources of funding are - including your own investment.

Current finances

You need to show how your business has performed financially over the last year, highlighting metrics such as positive cashflow, net profit and assets.

Financial forecasts

You should also provide a balance forecast projecting total assets, total liabilities and net assets over 1, 2 and 3 years, and a profit and loss forecast for the same periods detailing gross profit/net sales, total expenses and net profit/loss. Finally, you should also provide a cashflow forecast month by month over the next year.

It’s also a good idea to speak to an expert like an accountant or bookkeeper about your finances and get advice on how best to present them in this all-important section of your business plan.

11. Detail how much funding is needed

Naturally, you also need to be very clear about how much money you’re looking for and what you plan to do with it. If you’re looking for a loan, you need to detail what it’s for, over what period it’ll be repaid, and what collateral you have to secure it.

12. Propose an exit strategy

Any financial stakeholder in your business will want a return on investment. If you’re pursuing this type of funding, you should include some detail on your proposed exit strategy. For example, do you want to sell the company at some point or go public?

Similarly, you should outline your succession plan so the business can continue to operate if you decide to step away from it. Likewise, you need a plan for what happens if the business loses money and can’t sustain itself. Documenting this means that everyone is on the same page and potential investors have this information upfront.

Where to go for help or more information?

There are many great resources out there to help you fine-tune your business strategy and write your business plan. The New Zealand Government has a comprehensive website dedicated to supporting businesses at all stages of their journey.

You can also get help from Business Enterprise Centres, business advisors, accountants and fellow business owners, so your venture has the very best chance of success. 

Disclaimer:  Information provided in this article is of a general nature and does not consider your personal situation. It does not constitute legal, financial, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as a statement of law, policy or advice. You should consider whether this information is appropriate to your needs and, if necessary, seek independent advice. This information is only accurate at the time of publication. Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained on this webpage, MYOB disclaims, to the extent permitted by law, all liability for the information contained on this webpage or any loss or damage suffered by any person directly or indirectly through relying on this information.

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Fees Free Study

NZ Certificate in Business Level 3, Small Business

About the course

Learn about opportunities, operations and feasibility, and gain a nationally recognised business qualification.

Boost your confidence and build your expertise in personal, workplace and enterprise management – and apply this practical experience in simulated and real business settings. No prior workplace experience needed. So why wait? Enroll now and gain the building blocks for small business success today.

Enrol now, all you need is a computer and internet access, we even supply you with Office365 for your studies.

*All of our programmes are available fees free to New Zealand Residents, New Zealand citizens and Australian Citizens residing in New Zealand for the duration of their studies.

Duration: 40 Weeks Part-Time (15 hours weekly) or 20 Weeks Full-Time (35 hours weekly)

Fees: Zero fees, no hidden costs or textbooks

Intake Dates: 16th September 2024 (PT and FT)

Programme Content

This NZQA recognised programme is worth 60 NZQA credits.

The four courses below completed during this programme are each worth 15 credits.

Courses covered:

IDENTIFYING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

• Small Business in New Zealand
• Matching Skills, Interests, and Personal Goals to the Small Business Opportunity
• Determining a Small Business Feasibility
• Deciding on the Best Small Business Opportunity
• Determining the Viability of the chosen Small Business Opportunity

DEVELOPING YOUR BUSINESS PLAN I FOUNDATIONS AND STAKEHOLDERS

• Foundations for the Small Business Plane
• Small Business Objectives
• Legal Requirements
• Small Business Resources
• Small Business Stakeholders

DEVELOPING YOUR BUSINESS PLAN II FINANCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• Start-up Costs
• Technology 1- Operations
• Technology 2- Administration
• Choosing the Correct Technology
• Implementing Technology

DEVELOPING YOUR BUSINESS PLAN III MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

• Marketing Proposal
• Marketing Tools- Promotion
• Professional and Ethical Marketing
• Communication Plans
• Socially and Culturally Appropriate Communications
• Personal and Interpersonal Communication Skills

Download our brochure here to view detailed course content

Further Information

How your studies are delivered

All studies are completed online in your own environment. studies are conducted using the canvas elearning platform along with regular virtual tutor support. students require a computer and internet access. all of the necessary materials required to successfully complete assessments will be available through the learning platform., entry requirements, students must be 16 years of age and residing in new zealand for the duration of their studies. this programme is only available to new zealand & australian citizens and residents. students will be required to have ncea level 2 or the equivalent, this includes a minimum of 10 numeracy and 10 literacy credits at level one or higher on the directory of assessment standards; and 60 credits at level two or above with at least 12 credits in each of three subjects including a minimum of 8 credits at level 2 or higher in english or te reo māori; provisional entry students who have attained the age of 20 years and do not hold the minimum entry requirements for a programme will be eligible to be enrolled as a student where their previous educational, work or life experience indicates they have a reasonable likelihood of success. students who have not attained the age of 20 years and do not hold the required minimum entry requirements for a programme may also be eligible to enrol in exceptional circumstances. such decisions will be made by the school of business manager., skills gained (outcome), graduates of this qualification will be able to: technical knowledge and skills identify relevant business opportunities. assess the feasibility and viability of a small business. produce an establishment plan for a small business. evaluate technology options to effectively operate a small business people skills communicate effectively with stakeholders. understand the importance of business relationships with stakeholders for a successful business. apply interpersonal skills to contribute to the business’s effectiveness. cognitive skills apply effective problem-solving and decision-making for small business purposes. affective skills demonstrate professional and ethical behaviour, in a socially and culturally appropriate manner.-manage self effectively to contribute to performance of a small business. business environment identify legislation and other external requirements for a small business, pathways upon graduation, education pathway graduates of this qualification may progress to: new zealand certificate in business (small business) (level 4) [ref: 2457] new zealand certificate in business (first line management) (level 4) [ref: 2456] new zealand certificate in business (accounting support services) (level 4) [ref: 2455] new zealand certificate in business (administration and technology) (level 4) [ref: 2461]. employment pathway graduates of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge that can be applied to identifying business opportunities and planning for a small business, recognition of prior learning (rpl), where transfer of credit for previous study is being applied for, the recognition of prior learning (rpl) form must be submitted at least four weeks prior to the intake start date. see the recognition of prior learning section for full rpl criteria and details on how to undertake an application., have a question call us on 0508 626 243.

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Why The Career Academy?

• Upskill and be awarded with a certificate of achievement to help you reach your potential & earn more.
• Flexible online learning so you can study whenever and wherever you want.
• Get free access to the career centre who will review and improve your CV to help you succeed.
• 83% of our graduates say our qualifications improved their ability to get a new job or promotion.

Receive unlimited tutor support

Our professional tutors at The Career Academy are industry experts who are passionate about helping students succeed. They’re committed to providing exceptional online course support and personal tutoring to help you succeed. Throughout your course, you’ll receive unlimited tutor support via phone and email.

Stephanie completed her Bachelor of Business (Marketing/Event Management) from La Trobe University in Melbourne. Before joining The Career Academy, Stephanie received 5+ years of Reception and Administration experience, with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office and administrative skills. With her experience and expertise, Stephanie started her journey as an Administration, Management, and MS tutor at The Career Academy. As an educator, Stephanie is passionate about assisting each of her students to reach their full potential and seeing her students achieve their career goals and new opportunities. 

Kelly graduated with a Bachelor of Arts major in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and a minor in Linguistics and Chinese at Victoria University of Wellington. She engages well with students from different age groups, backgrounds, and cultures. Her past experiences in working with students involved being a junior class mentor in College, a campus coach/student ambassador at University, participating in cultural clubs, and teaching dance (which is one of her hobbies!)

Kelly has joined The Career Academy in 2020 as a tutor to build her career and experiences. She confidently says this: “I am grateful to be a part of a positive company with core values that I align with. It is amazing to get to interact with a variety of students. Being a tutor for me is not just about getting the work done, but ensuring that I do my best to help someone – whether it may be easy or difficult. At the end of my day, it makes me happy knowing that I have helped a student.” 

Amoré is an Administration, Management & Microsoft Office tutor who works with The Career Academy to help students achieve their career goals. Amoré has a Bachelor of Arts Degree specialising in Psychology, English and a Certificate in Language Teaching (CELTA), along with many years of working within the administration and education field. These qualifications coupled with years of experience in various industries enables Amoré to provide the best education experience for her students.

When Amoré isn’t helping students to achieve the very best out of their studies, she enjoys travelling with friends , yoga, and creating artwork in her free time. 

Nick works as an Administration, Management, and MS Office Tutor, coming from a background of studying Criminology and Sociology at Monash University. This was followed by years of experience in Administration roles based in many departments across an array of industries. With a passion for helping people, Nick has come to The Career Academy with a mindset to use his experience in these roles to help make a difference for students, assisting them on their road to upskilling towards a new role or career, and reaching their goals.

In his spare time, Nick can be found cheering on one of his many sports teams, at the gym, watching films, hiking and singing Motown songs while cooking. 

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Career Opportunities

Graduates of The Career Academy’s Business program often come with existing businesses or aspirations to establish their own. Our team is focused on ensuring that you are fully prepared for the business world, so upon graduation, you can look forward to pursuing job titles such as:

• Business Owner
• Management Associate
• Account Coordinator
• Office Manager

Career Projections The post-pandemic surge in consumer confidence and spending has significantly boosted New Zealand’s economy, with small businesses contributing 25% to the country’s economic output in 2022. This trend in consumer spending is expected to continue growing, making it an ideal time to start a business in New Zealand.

• Graduates from The Career Academy’s Business program acquire all the essential skills needed to successfully manage and grow a business.
• Statistics show that 30 – 40% of small businesses face challenges within the first three years, often due to a lack of business and management education.

Sources: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Pay Scale 

The Career Centre

The Career Academy is committed to helping you on your pathway to success. We believe by utilising The Career Centre’s resources and connections, you’ll gain confidence and the networks you need to get a new job or promotion. Once enrolled with us, you will get instant access to our Career Centre and benefit from: 

• Access to CV Templates – freshen your current CV with one of our professional templates
• A free personalised CV review – we’ll review and provide feedback on your CV to ensure it stands out from the crowd
• Useful job tips and resources – we’ll outline a clear five step job success process for you to follow
• Help getting ready for interviews – will give you tips & tricks on how to succeed 

Click Here to visit the Career Centre 

HANNAH BALANCES WORK AND STUDIES TO UNLOCK HER BRIGHT FUTURE

Hannah was in her final year of high school, and like many of us, struggling to figure out what she wanted to do with her future. ‘I was working part-time at a restaurant and was extremely lost with what I wanted to do.’ She says.

Hannah discovered The Career Academy through the recommendation of a friend and decided to enrol. ‘I chose The Career Academy because the wide variety of courses they have to offer was extremely appealing and exactly what I was looking for.’ It wasn’t just the range of choices that appealed to Hannah – studying online meant that she was able to be in control of her study rather than her schedule being dictated by a fixed timetable.

‘I also liked the structure and flexibility the courses provided, the level of independence the courses allowed was something I really enjoyed about TCA. It meant I was able to work on my time management skills and be in control of my schedule. I liked how well the course was outlined and that it was easy to understand. Another plus was the use of forums, as this meant I could engage with other students.’

The flexibility that The Career Academy offered also meant that Hannah was able to continue working throughout her studies. ‘Studying at The Career Academy meant I was able to balance work and study well. At the time, I was waitressing at night and on the weekend, but The Career Academy’s course structure meant I could study at times that suited my schedule best.’

It didn’t take long after completing her course for Hannah to land a new job. ‘I was given the opportunity to work as a sales administrator for a local packaging company. The knowledge gained from my course has certainly helped in my sales administration role. It gave me a great insight into the administration world, and helped make the transition into this role extremely smooth.’

Hannah’s journey is far from over, and she’s now decided to enrol in a Bachelor of Business to continue her career journey. ‘Completing my course with The Career Academy straight out of school was one of the best decisions I could have made. It was such a good start to my career and really helped me find what I was passionate about.’

Hannah studied the Certificate in Reception & Office Support – a comprehensive 10-week course designed to give you the skills to kickstart your reception career including effective business communication, customer service, health and safety, and an introduction to Microsoft Word.

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If you want to start your own business, begin a new career, or work towards a promotion, we offer certificates, diplomas and pathways that will get you on track to success. 

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How to write a business plan

Writing a business plan will help nail down your idea and give you a blueprint for executing it.

What is a business plan?

A business plan describes your product or service, identifies who the customer is, explains why they need your product or service, and shows how you’ll make money from that opportunity.

Why write a business plan

How you write a business plan will depend on what you need it to do. There are a couple of key jobs a business plan can have. It can:

• explain a business idea
• convince lenders or investors to put money behind that business idea

It doesn’t take a book to do the first job. You can write a business plan that’s short, to the point, and easy to update. That may be all you ever need. But if you’re going for funding, your business plan will need to be a good deal longer and more comprehensive.

Why every business should start with a one-pager

Even if you will eventually write a long business plan, a one-pager is a great place to start. It could take as little as an hour to do your first draft and will make your idea stronger. Writing about customers, competitors, income and expenses will help develop your thinking.

How to write a one-page business plan

You’ll see in the example below that there are nine sections, or things to write about. So give yourself just a small space to write about each. Keeping it short will help you focus on what’s important.

Download a one-page business plan template.

When you need a longer business plan

The greater the risk you’re taking, the more comprehensive your plan should be. For instance, you’ll need to write a long-form business plan if you’re going to fund it with other people’s money. Banks and investors will expect it.

How to write a longer business plan

Long-form business plans touch on all the same things as a one-pager, but they go into more detail and contain fewer assumptions.

Back-of-the-napkin numbers are replaced by forecasts and budgets. And guesstimates for things like costs, market size, customer preferences, and competitor weaknesses need to be backed up with proof. It’s a good idea to involve an accountant or bookkeeper in developing the budgeting and finance sections.

Contents of a business plan:

• Executive summary: A short summary of the main points of your business plan. Write it last.
• Company overview: Identify your industry, what you’re selling, and how you’ll charge.
• Products or services: Include a description of the problem you’re solving for customers.
• Market analysis: Describe your target market, and examine the competition.
• Risk assessment: Flag potential hurdles (including assumptions that could be proved wrong).
• Marketing and sales plan: How will you find customers and make sales? How many sales will there be?
• Milestones: What needs to happen and when?
• Progress reporting: When and how will you report against the milestones?
• Team: Who will be involved in the business? Note their skills and responsibilities.
• Budget: Estimate your costs and income (and any debt that you plan to take on).
• Finance: Show how you’ll fund the business.

You can also add an appendix with any supporting or background documents.

Make a start by downloading our free business plan template.

How not to write a business plan

Avoid these common business planning mistakes:

• Underestimating how much money it will take to get started
• Failing to budget for the first few months of operation (before revenues start flowing)
• Expecting sales to ramp up too fast
• Relying too heavily on one or two customers (or suppliers)
• Not including contingencies for unexpected delays or costs

For more information, visit the MBIE page on writing a business plan , which comes complete with templates to help get you started.

Xero does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice. This guide has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business or before taking action in relation to any of the content provided.

How to start a business

Thousands of new businesses open every day. If all those people can do it, why not you? Here’s what to do, and when.

Your business idea is clearly inspired. But it helps to check you’re not the only one who thinks so.

It’s time to run some numbers on your business idea. Budgeting and forecasting help with that.

Your prices can influence the number of sales you make and the profit you earn on each transaction.

Your business structure can affect how much tax you pay, and how you're treated by the law.

If you’re starting a business, then you’ll need to get familiar with some accounting basics.

After all the excitement of deciding to start a business, you’ll have some paperwork to do.

Treat your website like an online version of a storefront. It’s the first impression for many customers and prospects.

Now that you’re in business, you want to stay there. Xero’s got resources and solutions to help.

Download the guide to starting a business

Learn how to start a business, from ideation to launch. Fill out the form to receive this guide as a PDF.

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Business and Management

Take the first step in your career in business and management or get ready for your next move. Whatever your goals, our business and management qualifications will help you reach them.

Business and management qualifications

We offer a range of flexible certificate, diploma, degree, graduate certificate and graduate diploma study options. Many have different majors, so you can study to suit your interests or gains skills in a specialist area.

Staircase from certificate to diploma to degree

Our business and management qualifications will let you staircase from certificate to diploma to degree. We can help you to plan your studies so you can get more than one qualification during your study journey.

Contact us for help to plan your study

Course only study

Boost specific business and management skills with our Course Only study option. With Course Only study, you can enrol in one course or a few to gain the skills you need. You will get full academic credit for your study and can credit your work towards a qualification if you take your studies further.

Go to the Course only information linked to below, to learn more about this study option. Check the Choose courses tab to see which business and management courses you can study.

I often notice myself referring back to a model or theory that I learnt to help solve a real-life business situation. Those moments are really satisfying and make all the hard work totally worth it. Jeff Goss, Bachelor of Business graduate.

Download our Business prospectus

At Open Polytechnic we specialise in flexible, distance and online learning that is designed to help you fit study around your work and life commitments.

For more information about what business programmes we offer download our Business prospectus  (PDF 2MB)

Study options

Availability

Our distance learning courses are offered throughout the year to help you fit study around your work and life commitments. Courses are offered up to 12 times per year depending on demand and availability of academic staff. Exact start dates are in the course information pages and in our Enrolment dates page:

Enrolment dates

• Course costs   can be found on all course pages.  The fees may increase annually.
• Qualification cost  – to give you an idea of how much a qualification may cost in total over the duration of your studies, an approximate cost is provided for many of our qualifications. This is based on the required number of courses to complete the qualification and the average cost of those courses. It does not include annual administration fees, text books and course materials or external exam fees, and is subject to annual course fee increases. 

Courses are assigned credits depending on how much time and effort is needed to complete their learning outcomes. In general, each credit represents approximately 10 hours of study time.

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• Online  – The course materials for online courses are delivered in an online format and all assignments are submitted online.
• Mixed  – These courses are delivered using a mix of online and paper based course materials. This may include receiving paper course materials, submitting  assignments online, or being required to participate in online forums and learning activities.
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Whether courses are delivered online, on paper or a mixture of both, there may also be components such as workshops, noho marae, work experience and practicum to participate in. To find out what your course involves check the course information page.

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Please note, this is a guide only. You may need more or less time for study, and you may also need to do more hours during assessment due dates or exams times.

Meet some business and management graduates

Sam Johnstone

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Nevé Billing

Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management)

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Planning your business

How to write a simple business plan

This step-by-step guide describes why a business plan is so important, the key elements, and how to write an effective plan for your business.

In this article

The purpose of a business plan.

A business plan involves answering some key questions about your business:

• Your objectives – where do you want your business to go?
• Your tactics – how will it get there? 
• Your budget – what will it cost?

There’s no one set way to write a business plan. The trick is to keep it short and simple. 

How to create an effective business plan

Create a simple, yet effective business plan: from setting SMART objectives to conducting a SWOT analysis, understanding your customers to marketing strategies.

Why you need a business plan

A business plan gives you direction, challenges you to really think through your ideas, helps you prioritise scarce resources, and builds your credibility.

In fact, having a business plan can mean the difference between success and failure. Research published in the Harvard Business Review shows that start-up businesses with a written business plan were 16% more likely to succeed than those without one — .

Getting started

Our business plan template makes it easier to write your business plan. It breaks your plan down into sections, with tips and examples at each stage. You can enter information as you go and save your plan to print out and update later.

Below we’ll explain the key information you should include in your business plan, using the structure in our template as a guide.

Executive summary

Think of this as your ‘elevator pitch’. Imagine you’re in an elevator with someone you want to invest in your business, and you only have until the elevator gets to their floor to convince them. You need to get straight to the point and describe what your business (or business idea) is about in no more than three or four short paragraphs.

People usually write this section last once they’ve thought through all the other aspects of their business plan.

Your business goals and objectives

Write down where your business is going and what you want to achieve. Your objectives should be realistic, otherwise you’ll lose motivation. 

They should also be SMART:

• S pecific – if the goal is too general, you will lose focus
• M easurable – so you can tell whether you’re on track or need to make changes
• A chievable – large goals can seem daunting, so break them down into smaller steps
• R elevant – your objectives should directly contribute to your overall business goals
• T ime framed – having a deadline provides urgency and focus.

Examples of SMART goals might include:

• Financial – to achieve turnover of $x and profits of $y by the end of the financial year.
• Strategic – to gain two corporate customers by the end of the year.
• Operational – to increase productivity by 20% by the end of the second year.
• Sales – to increase e-commerce sales by 10% by 1 June next year.

Once you’ve established your goals, identify who is responsible for achieving them.

Your products and services

Describe exactly what you’re offering, the key features of your products or services, and how they compare with what your competitors are offering. 

Pricing is key. Consider and explain how you’ll price your offering. This figure shouldn’t be plucked out of thin air – it should be based on solid research.

SWOT analysis

A SWOT analysis outlines your:

• Opportunities 

This helps you compare your business against your competitors, build on your strengths and opportunities, and mitigate your weaknesses and threats.

When you’re doing your SWOT analysis think about both internal factors (such as staffing) and external factors (like market or demographic trends). Above all, be honest.

This is also a good time to think about your competitive advantage. Determine why customers should choose your business over competitors. Are you competing on price, service, aftersales support, unique knowledge and expertise, or a distinct brand proposition? It’s important to be aware of your competitive edge, as your customers will not know if you don’t know either.

Your target customer

Who are you targeting your products or services at? How old are they, where do they live, and what are their interests? Understanding your customer will help you shape your products and marketing in a way that is most likely to reach them and appeal to them.

Your marketing strategy and sales planning

Consider how you will promote your business and what you offer. Will this be through advertising, direct marketing, social media, PR campaigns, or a combination of these methods? Determine how they can buy from you, such as online, through distributors, or at your own retail outlet.

Set some sales targets and develop a strategy to achieve them. For example, decide if you’ll focus on selling to new customers, or increasing sales to existing customers. Determine if training your staff in new sales methods is required. 

Set a budget for achieving your sales plan and be clear about how you’ll measure success.

Assets and equipment

Determine what assets or equipment you will need to get your business up and running, and keep it operating. These one-time expenses are also known as capital costs, and include purchases of buildings, land, vehicles, machinery, and equipment.

Financial forecasts

Your financial forecasts are one of the most important parts of your business plan. They show how much money you need to make to cover your operating expenses and make a profit. They’re also critical if you’re approaching investors. 

At a minimum, your business plan should include a cash flow forecast and a balance sheet forecast. Your accountant or an ANZ Business Specialist can help you review your financial assumptions and help ensure they’re realistic.

Your human resources (HR) policies

Great people are key to the success of any business. How will you attract, train, retain, and reward the right people – and ensure you get the best from them?

Reviewing and updating your business plan

No market stays the same – your business will face different challenges and opportunities over time. That’s why it’s essential that you regularly review and update your business plan. Annually is a good rule of thumb.

Contact an ANZ Business Specialist

Our specialists understand your kind of business and the challenges you face as a business owner. We can help you figure out how to make your business grow and succeed.

Popular planning your business articles

How to gain awareness for a new business, essential tips for business goal setting, how to plan for a new business, business plan template, how to write your business elevator pitch, calculators, cash flow forecast calculator.

Calculate your cash flow forecast with our simple template. This will help you understand how much cash you have coming in and going out of the business each month and can be a good indicator of the need for an overdraft or other lending.

Break-even point calculation

Your break-even point indicates the minimum level of sales or income that you need to meet overhead expenses and achieve your profit margin.

Important information

We’ve provided this material as a complimentary service. It is prepared based on information and sources ANZ believes to be reliable. ANZ cannot warrant its accuracy, completeness or suitability for your intended use. The content is information only, is subject to change, and isn’t a substitute for commercial judgement or professional advice, which you should seek before relying on it. To the extent the law allows, ANZ doesn’t accept any responsibility or liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage arising from any act or omissions by any person relying on this material.

Please talk to us if you need financial advice about a product or service. See our financial advice provider disclosure at anz.co.nz/fapdisclosure

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Business basics and where to start

It’s a big decision to start your own business and it can be hard to figure out what the first steps are. Here are some places you can start.

Business checklist

Check out Xero’s 17-point checklist on starting a business to get yourself up and running.

Business plans

The type of business plan you need depends on its purpose. If you’re creating one to raise capital, ask your bank or potential investor for a template.

For a more generic business plan, check out Business.govt.nz . It has a whole section dedicated to getting started in business. Find out how to take the first steps, choose the right business structure, build a brand, fund your business, planning tools and much more.

Financial tools

Inland Revenue has developed a series of webinars and videos to help new business owners. It includes topics such as business structures, expenses, registering for GST and record keeping.

For forecasting tools, Business.govt.nz has a step-by-step guide to financial modelling, typically used for making business decisions related to taking on new projects, buying new equipment, or seeking investment.

Online business course s

There are a range of courses on offer to help you get started, covering everything you need to know about starting and running a business:

• Small Business NZ
• Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
• Te Pūkenga/Open Polytechnic

Anna Briggs

Self-help tools for business

There’s a wealth of information online for all things HR and employment related, including:

• Business.govt.nz has a hub of information, including basic info on tax and accounting, HR, risk and operations, business growth, digital growth and more.
• Employment.govt.nz has free information, templates and resources on everything from wages to workplace policies.
• The Employers and Manufacturers Association offers free information, templates and resources.
• For information about skills shortages or visas, visit Immigration New Zealand.

Digital marketing tools

Digital Boost offers a range of video resources, guides and other free training tools to learn how to best use digital tools for your business.

Find out more about your customers and competitors

• Statistics New Zealand provides data for businesses about your potential customers, industry and competitive landscape. You can use their free data resource or pay for their customised data services to help you make a more informed decision.
• Figure NZ is a user-friendly, free resource. You can search data by sector and location, and it brings up a range of data that may fit the scope of your search.
• Prosearch is Wellington City Libraries’ professional search service. You can access up to 1 hour’s non-urgent free research per topic. For urgent enquiries, work can be undertaken at $60 per hour.

Looking for more?

Networks to be a part of

One of the most effective ways to start and grow a successful business is to build strong local networks that provide support, solutions, and new opportunities.

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More information for students, recognition of prior learning, meet the team, see why more people choose business at mit.

Akashna Lal MIT graduate

Simren Kohli MIT graduate

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The practical nature of the learning at MIT and the lecturers who could use their personal industry experience as examples definitely helped cement my choice. The qualifications I gained gave me the base to work in roles in the public and private sectors. MIT offered the flexibility to study in the evenings while I was working full-time. The small classes helped in getting more one-on-one time with the lecturers and the supportive family environment really stood out for me.

Now my firm employs seven people, and I would definitely consider hiring more MIT graduates. The qualifications I received from MIT have helped me get to where I am today. ”

Eli Elisara Saina Tagi MIT graduate

Kirstin Burt MIT graduate

I’m part of the Pacific migration story and the opportunity of a solid education took my mind-set from 'Impossible' to I am possible! The family vibe at MIT was important to me and with the ability to work and study in South Auckland made things simple and accessible.

To date I’ve been fortunate to work across a number of industries in both public and private sectors whilst embracing personal and professional growth. The skills and knowledge gained have led me to a number of leadership roles in my chosen field of learning and development now based in Wellington, New Zealand.

I believe in life-long learning and champion transferrable skills. Along the way I’ve become a published author and continue my work in the community as an advocate for public speaking skills. To me it comes down to, stepping into the light and showing what’s possible, as my way to honour and thank those that have paved the way before me, as I stand on the shoulders of giants." 

Read more about Zeena and her accomplishments at  zeenakhan.com

Zeena Khan MIT graduate

My qualification from MIT definitely helped me secure my current job as a tax consultant at KPMG. The courses helped me to obtain academic and technical knowledge, and the industry project helped me to apply that knowledge into practice.

I would highly recommend students to study at MIT. The small class size, interactive learning course pattern, and friendly and helpful staff made my experience unique at MIT."

Tanvi Mehandiratta MIT graduate

I chose MIT because of its environment and reasonable international fees. MIT Manukau campus is so conveniently located with an underground train station that takes you right to the front door.

I studied business and majored in project management and operations and production management because of the great opportunities and the variety of places you can work once you graduate.

The friends I made while studying at MIT were like family, and the lecturers were amazing. MIT supported me to find my industry placement which all students complete in their last year of study on the bachelor. The industry placement helped me to get hands-on skills and industry experience.

What I have learned and gained from my MIT lecturers is what has helped me get a job in the business world.

You will never regret choosing this place.”

Drupty Kerai MIT graduate

Roland Blignaut MIT graduate

I am a people’s person and genuinely interested in helping people and wanted to study something which would benefit the people I will work with in future. I studied a Bachelor of Applied Management majoring in Human Resource Management and Operations & Production Management.

Classes were just the right size to grab the personal attention of the lecturer’s and they were very helpful. The lecturers gave me guidance in completing my assignments on time. MIT helped me prepare my CV and introduced me to employers.

The challenges I faced during my time at MIT were not having enough time for me and my family considering I was working full-time and studying full-time as well. However, I had a lot of support from my family during this journey.

Coming from a completely different background, MIT was very accommodating to my needs. Classes were very good, the lecturers were very supportive, and I excelled at my studies."

Zuberiya Khan MIT graduate

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Business planning advice.

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Media Insider: NZ Herald publisher NZME grows revenue and earnings in first half of year, profit stable at $1.9m

NZME's headquarters in central Auckland. Photo / Jason Oxenham

NZ Herald publisher NZME has delivered earnings of $21.4 million and an after-tax profit of $1.9m for the first half of its financial year - and has implemented a $6m savings plan in the second half to ensure it stays within forecast earnings.

NZME - also owner of Newstalk ZB, a suite of entertainment radio stations and property website OneRoof - has today reported revenue of $171m for the six months to June 30, $5m more than the same period in 2023.

That revenue growth, in a challenged media market and economy, has been described by chief executive Michael Boggs as “phenomenal”.

NZME’s Ebitda of $21.4m was up on the $21.3m in 2023. Its after-tax profit of $1.9m was also relatively stable - the company delivered a profit of $2m in the first half of 2023.

The company said it had delivered growth in advertising revenue of 4% in the first quarter of the year, but this slowed in the second quarter to 2%. The current quarter was tracking to 1% growth year on year.

Operating costs in the first half were $149.6m, up 3%. People costs were relatively stable (up 1%).

There had been a 16% increase in selling and marketing costs. The company put this down to higher agency commissions, with a higher portion of revenue through the advertising agency channel, and higher audio marketing costs from planned promotional activity.

It had implemented initiatives to remove $6m of annualised cost which would take effect in the second half.

“The difficult trading conditions and reduced confidence levels within the business community have seen the advertising market reduce year on year,” said Boggs.

He said OneRoof continued to deliver “rapid” audience, revenue and profitability growth.

“As we head into our largest quarter of the financial year, businesses are signalling their intention to spend as sentiment improves. NZME remains well-positioned to take advantage of this growth.”

Nevertheless, the operating environment remained uncertain.

The company said it expected to deliver earnings at the “lower end” of the previously issued range of $57m-$61m by year-end.

Key highlights

Boggs said NZME remained a “top performer” in the media industry.

“We continue to enhance our digital performance to ensure we’re delivering value for our shareholders. We are working hard to drive improvements and in areas like audio, we continue to outperform the market with total share of revenue outperforming its share of audience.”

The company listed several key highlights:

• An increase in operating revenue and significant growth in digital revenue to $50.1 million this half, up $5.9 million on the first half of 2023;
• OneRoof was described as a “standout performer”, with digital growth leading to a profit for the half;
• OneRoof had closed the audience gap on TradeMe to a “mere 10%” and OneRoof’s listings inquiries had increased by 29%;
• Digital audio revenue increased 33% year on year;
• NZME’s digital publishing business delivered an increase in profitability in the half, with digital subscription revenue up 13% and digital subscriptions up 11% on June 30, 2023.

The company’s half-year report also reveals that digital subscriptions, including NZ Herald subscriptions, now number 137,000 - up 7000 on last year. Digital reader revenue for the half had increased 13% to $11.1m.

Boggs said the company had a clear three-year strategy.

This was focused on “driving the company’s digital transformation forward, rapidly enhancing our customer experiences and leveraging emerging technologies to grow our competitive advantage”.

“The business will continue to introduce market-leading innovative products, accelerate the delivery of new customer experiences, streamline business processes, and improve productivity and efficiency across the business in the next six months and beyond.”

Capital management

The company said distributions to shareholders during the first half were 6 cents per share. “This was the 2023 final dividend and was paid on March 20.”

Net debt at June 30 was $30m.

“This is a seasonal increase from $18 million at 31 December 2023 and the leverage ratio remains well within the target range of 0.5–1.0 times Ebitda and is consistent with the same period last year. We project a reduction in net debt by the end of 2024, with the leverage ratio returning to the low end of the target range.”

The NZME board declared a fully imputed interim dividend of 3 cents per share, payable on September 25.

Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.

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What would happen to jobs and emissions if methanex left new zealand.

The Methanex plant in Waitara Valley. Photo: Google maps

The country's current power supply crisis has highlighted the role of the biggest gas user, Methanex, which uses 40 percent of the country's supply.

The Taranaki methanol plant is shutting until the end of October and selling its gas to Contact Energy and Genesis.

Like Tiwai Point aluminum smelter in Southland, the methanol plants are a legacy of Think Big, the Government programme which built infrastructure and factories with taxpayer funding.

The Methanex plants were built to produce the petrochemical methanol for export, taking advantage of Taranaki's offshore gas fossil fields.

With gas supplies running low, energy experts and economists say New Zealand needs a plan in case Methanex leaves.

The company is so pivotal to the energy market, Government reports often run two sets of projections, one if Methanex leaves, and one if it stays.

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The facilities are now owned by a Canadian company, which also produces methanol in China, Chile, the Middle East and elsewhere.

Economist Brad Olsen of Infometrics says Methanex's facilities were never meant to operate forever, and workers in the region need a planned transition for if the plants reduce operations or close.

He says the roughly 300 jobs at the company represent about one percent of employment in the New Plymouth area.

"Methanex wasn't ever expected to and certainly can't exist forever. It's difficult to all of a sudden imagine a totally new part of the economy that can stand up a whole percentage point of employment at the drop of a hat, so planning is going to be important."

"Taranaki does have a number of opportunities it is working on, particularly to add value to parts of the economy that are already strong, like food and fibre"

Methanex is among the top beneficiaries of free carbon credits from the Government, under a scheme to shield exporters from being disadvantaged by New Zealand's carbon price.

Alex Johnston of campaign group Common Grace Aotearoa says if the company left, that money could be spent on getting workers into other jobs.

"The value of the subsidy currently is about $60 million for last year, which is roughly $200,000 per employee of Methanex. One or two years of that investment would be a really well supported transition for those workers. It's a massive subsidy per employee currently to support what is essentially a fossil fuel powered business."

Globally, Methanex says it is exploring low carbon alternative fuels such as biogas.

But Johnston says there's no sign it seriously considering converting its New Zealand plants out of fossil fuels.

Methanex didn't want to comment, either on any plans it may have to decarbonise in New Zealand, or its future prospects here.

A company spokesperson said its priority was the safe closure of its plants and a smooth reopening in November.

Closing the plants would free up 40 percent of New Zealand's gas supplies, but it would also leave gas suppliers without their biggest customer, along with supply contracts that underpin the development and maintenance of gas fields.

Suzi Kerr, an economist at the US Environmental Defense Fund, which tracks emissions from oil and gas, says Methanex leaving would lower New Zealand's reliance on fossil fuels and free up supplies for other users.

"Methanex was a Think Big project and it's always kind of depended on Government support. It was built for a need that has passed a very long time ago. I don't know if they are going to close or not, but if they do and that gas is no longer needed there's a lot of other options."

The gas industry says Methanex leaving New Zealand would cause pain for other gas users, because the company underwrites investment in gas fields, benefitting all gas users.

An EY report last year found Methanex closing would make gas more expensive, and lead to a temporary shortage, hitting users who didn't yet have cleaner alternatives to gas.

That view isn't shared by all energy experts.

Modelling for the government by Concept Consulting found if Methanex left there would be enough gas in onshore fields to supply remaining users, a cheaper option for the country than developing offshore gas.

When it looked at GDP, the Climate Change Commission found moving Methanex's closure date by about 10 years to 2040 wouldn't have much impact on the economy.

However Olsen says a closure would be significant to Taranaki, without a jobs transition plan.

Copyright © 2024 , Radio New Zealand

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