Plan for Andrew Nicholson

Since leaving University I have applied to numerous game companies for graduate programmer jobs, and always got a reply of "we are looking for someone with more experience" or something along those lines which is acceptable I suppose, but darn frustrating. Due to the frustration and lack of money, I was getting desperate, and I started applying for every job in the local newspaper that looked interesting, and guess what, still no job.
My brother works at a local primary school, and mentioned some of the software they were using at the school to teach mathematics, and after looking at some of the on-line demos, I thought hey I can do that, in fact I can do better than that. So I've decided to set up my own company, making educational software for primary schools (short term).

First I got in touch with the local business support unit, and had my first meeting with a business adviser. These meetings will take place every two weeks from now on, which I think is a good idea for me, as it will keep me on my toes (and its free).

So without further ado, a brief run down of the business plan he gave me. It may be of interest to those starting their own company? (uk)

Details Of Principles
Name and address ... etc
Human Resources: List qualifications, transferable skills, work experience ... etc
In the case of Partnerships: How do your skills complement the business and each other?
Details of key personnel (employees): Include job descriptions ...
Which bank, accountant and solicitor will your business use and why?
What will happen to your business if you are ill or injured?

Summary Of Your Business
Describe the main functions of your business: Its local, regional, national and international implications.

Business Legal Issues
What will be the legal status of your business?
(Sole Trader, Partnership, Ltd Co): and why?
If partnership, attach copy of the partnership agreements.
If Ltd Co, attach a copy of memorandum and articles of association.
Business name:
Is your business name currently in use? (include www..)?
Are there any copyright or trademark issues?
What vat registration issues will your business face?
What types of licence will you legally require?
What codes of conduct or practice affects your business?

Health And Safety
What health and safety legislation impacts on your business?
Are there any health and safety measures you need to take? ( if yes, what are they?)
Where was this information obtained?

Environmental Issues
What environmental issues impact on your business?
What environmental measures will you need to take?

Insurance Requirements
What insurances will be legally required for your business?
(public liability, product liability, professional indemnity, employers liability, etc)
What transport insurance is required?
Office, equipment, stock (fire, consequential loss, etc)
Other insurances (key person, export, etc)

Premises Obtained / Required
Business address:
Is this your home address or commercial premises?
What permissions have you obtained to operate from this address? (planning, home insurers, mortgage co, landlord, lease, etc)
What are your premises requirements? (include leasehold, freehold issues, size, location)

Vehicles, Equipment, Tools Owned
List : total value £.

Items Required
List: total quotation £.

Suppliers
Name main suppliers:
Availability of suppliers:
Delivery / Collection:
Credit / Payment terms:

Your Business: Terms & Conditions of Trading
What are your terms and conditions of trading.
What credit facilities will you offer?
Why are credit facilities necessary?
What implications will giving credit have on your cashflow?

Market Research
Who are your customers? (identify market groups)
Where are your customers? Local and National (How far will you need to travel?)
What are they prepared to pay for your product / service?
Size and state of market (Increasing, Decreasing, Static ?) Provide statistics.
How will your customers expect to hear about your products / service?
Is the market seasonal?
What seasonal trends will affect your business and how will you overcome them?
How was this research compiled?

Market Research Competition
Name three or more competitors?
SWOT analysis on competitors. (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats)
SWOT analysis on your business.
Why will customers prefer your product / service to your competitors?
What can you do differently?

Marketing Strategy
What are your business' short, medium and long term objectives?
What is your company's mission statement?
What is your business' customer care policy statement?
Product List / Service Range:
Price list: (How have the prices been calculated?)
Place you will operate from and why?
Promotion (How will you generate business?)

Business Plan Financial Elements
First Year Profit and Loss Budget
Break Even Calculation
First Year Balance Sheet
Cashflow Forecast (12mths)


The last few were all charts and tables and I didn't want to go into all of that, if any body wants a copy, click here

Anyway enough of business talk, carrying on from the last .plan I promised some blender models and gimp stuff. Well I haven't used the gimp much as of yet, but I've been doing some blending. They're not specific game models, just 3d max tutorials from the web, Im basically trying to learn blender.

Joan of arc tutorial

Audi a3 WIP

Nissan 300zx WIP

Nigel's axe tutorial

Cheers to Nigel Symes for the blender tutorials, they are what I used to get started with blender. Thanks again.