Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: JM123 on November 18, 2006, 11:21:02 am

Title: Business Plan
Post by: JM123 on November 18, 2006, 11:21:02 am
Has any of you been asked to give a copy of your business plan when you have been putting in a tender??
Title: Re: Business Plan
Post by: Mike_G on November 18, 2006, 11:58:23 am
No, not me
Title: Re: Business Plan
Post by: JM123 on November 18, 2006, 10:38:02 pm
we have just been asked by 2 different maintainance firms - its not a problem as we have one but just thought it was a little odd.
Title: Re: Business Plan
Post by: S_RICHARDSON on November 18, 2006, 10:40:57 pm
No we haven't beenm asked yet; we haven't got one anyway!
Title: Re: Business Plan
Post by: stephen d on November 18, 2006, 10:51:35 pm
a business plan is something your bank manager might ask for if your after money the only thing your client should be asking for is insurance,H&S policy,risk assessment and method statement-these are all the norm when doing commercial work.
Title: Re: Business Plan
Post by: JM123 on November 19, 2006, 01:07:46 am
yeah I know, just couldn't understand why these 2 are asking for our business plan - must be some sort of mix-up surely??
Title: Re: Business Plan
Post by: Trevor Knight on November 19, 2006, 09:22:42 am
Business plan???

They may mean a set of last years accounts to verify your status and ensure your trading healthily, I have had to do that as some larger organisations are fussy and want to ensure you are able to do work, not likely to go bust etc......
Title: Re: Business Plan
Post by: julianbiggs on November 19, 2006, 06:13:46 pm
There's no reason or need for you to show them your business plan... method statements, risk assessments and health & safety policy  is a fair ask,  but your business plan is YOUR BUSINESS PLAN !! It's got bugger all to do with them!!! Maybe they're thinking of becoming window cleaners themselves and want to nick some ideas from you. Personally I would be very sceptical. You could double bluff them and ask to see their business plan...see what sort of response you get!!!
Title: Re: Business Plan
Post by: DaveWilkinson on November 20, 2006, 12:18:52 am
I wouldnt give out a business plan to a customer, its nothing to do with them, if i had to i might put together a mission statment, insurance details, customer refences and give them details of my business account and tell them to get there bank to request a bank ref from mine if they want to know the liquidity of my business.

Title: Re: Business Plan
Post by: JM123 on November 20, 2006, 12:23:53 am
Trevor  - I think you have cracked it - they are both very, very large management firms - is it possible they want to see the business plan as proof of planning ahead so they know we are able to grow etc?  The thing is they contacted us (both companies) as we have been recommended a number of times to them.
Title: Re: Business Plan
Post by: JM123 on November 20, 2006, 12:24:20 am
once again guys thanks for all your input
Title: Re: Business Plan
Post by: Trevor Knight on November 20, 2006, 06:50:22 am
Trevor  - I think you have cracked it - they are both very, very large management firms - is it possible they want to see the business plan as proof of planning ahead so they know we are able to grow etc?  The thing is they contacted us (both companies) as we have been recommended a number of times to them.

Hi JM,

Personally I would be reluctant to submit any information like this.

I would go to the meeting armed with accounts for the last year, references (which it appears you already have, hence them contacting you), Insurance certificates etc...and discuss what they are looking for from you and what is expected.

If they contacted you they will agree a meeting and then you can get a better idea why? they want this information.