Business plans and Feasibility studies and software.

Full feasibility studies and business plans are a prerequisite for funding, re-financing, expansion and acquisition. They are required by banks, investors and other financial institutions prior to any decisions being made.

Planning is no longer a luxury confined to larger companies. Advanced planning can make even the most daunting task less complex. Plans, studies, profiles and projections are essential parts of commercial practice. They are as much needed for the start of a new enterprise as they are a necessity for multi-national corporations.

Business Plans take many different forms. In the main, we are commissioned to write plans that are to be presented to banks and financial institutions for company expansion and/or full reorganization.

Will it work ?

How will it work ?

What is needed ?

When is the best time ?

How much investment is needed ?

What will the return be ?

These questions are only the start.

Risk, as every successful entrepreneur knows, is an inescapable fact of business. A well prepared and researched study can help reduce the risk. By giving a true measurement of that risk, feasibility studies help pinpoint market opportunities and pitfalls, as well as building platforms for the assembling of good ideas. Once a full assessment has been completed, a firm launch pad is constructed for the implementation of the project.

Many new ventures and indeed, new projects, stumble in the first year. The main cause is lack of adequate advanced planning, thus causing initial under-capitalization, cash-flow problems and therefore panic management.

Again, as with business plans and feasibility studies, company profiles can take a number of differing formats depending on the reason for their commission. A company profile can take the form of a simple "This is who we are and what we do" or be an elaborate, multi-page leather-bound volume. Most, however, fall somewhere in between. Regardless of format, they are only effective if professionally written in terms of both content and quality.

AN EXAMPLE OF A PROJECT UNDERTAKEN.

The example is from a study completed in West Africa for a European business man and former motor racing world champion, for:

THE BRIEF...... To totally explore the commercial and economic feasibility of a formula 1 specification race circuit in West Africa and to explore the possibility of removing the African Grand Prix from South Africa to the third world infrastructure of West Africa.

INITIAL AGREEMENT...... Due to the complex nature of the study, the time element and the cost that a full feasibility study would incur, it was agreed to carry out a pre-study. Plans & Profiles Inc., would go to West Africa for a period of two weeks and carry out a pre-study report on the project. They would then write the full pre-study report and account to the clients as to the initial findings - help decide if a full feasibility study should be entered into, give an estimated cost of such a study and consider if the project was a "Non starter". The cost of this pre-study report was set at a daily figure plus expenses.

PRE-STUDY REPORT..... It involved meetings with politicians from West African countries, Ministries and Departments that would be involved. Gaining comparable sales of land in relevant areas and the availability of 1000 plus acres of land in one block acceptable for the project, political stability, military and elected involvement, access roads, airports and sea ports, natural resources, infrastructure, needed infrastructure, local labor and expertise, utilities availability, taxation and local gratuities, local support or opposition.

FINDINGS...... The Gambia had a small but growing European Tourist trade and local people were both friendly and receptive to the concept. It had a small airport with fantastic growth opportunity. The project could work financially and support was gained on all levels. A full study would take some 6.5 months and costs were set accordingly on a daily basis, plus out of pocket expenses.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STUDY: A three person team was recruited locally and consisted of a liaison officer, an accountant/collator with full eligibility and ingress into all governmental and research departments and a security officer/guide with a full and colorful knowledge of the country, culture, people, land and history. Experts in differing fields were also contracted for research in the following areas: Environmental impact on flora and fauna, Wildlife rehabilitation and reintroduction, Ecology, Soil and rock samples, Hydrological research & restoration, Surveying & civil engineering. Other problems that were also addressed and solved included: The moving of two entire villages, allocating of a full wild-life reserve and wild animal hospital, enlarging YumDum International Airport facilities, extra scheduled flights by international airlines, temperature related problems for race track surfaces, race car and driver acceptance, world television rights and contracts. Other features that were also incorporated within the Study were tourist orientated and produced financial gains: Tourist fun cart track, full Marina complex with ocean access via the river Gambia, sporting clay complex, race driving school, hotel complex, photographic safari and interior trips.