Abstract
M.Comm.
In a changing world, adaptation is essential to survival. This holds particularly true for businesses in view of the increasing responsibility entailed upon their management by the globalisation of trade and technology. Planning for the future is crucial, and proper planning methods must be implemented to meet challenges successfully. One of the most important planning methods is the Business Plan, which can be used according to the
particular needs and objectives of a business. In South Africa, the requirements of the Government's Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) have made it necessary for companies to plan better than ever before - especially in terms of the major RDP objective of making affordable housing available to all the country's citizens. This study is an investigation into the development and implementation of a framework for a Business Plan for SouthNet Projects, a property development company whose objective is to provide housing at the so-called lower end of the market. The chief aims of this study have been to: determine whether the Business Plan of SouthNet Projects meets all the requirements for drawing venture capital into the business;
develop a framework for a Business Plan that can be utilised for measuring the content and standard of an overall or comprehensive Business Plan so that improvements can be effected where necessary. The methodology involved a comparative study in which Business Planning, as reflected in eight authors/institutions, was analysed. This analysis was used for drawing up a framework according to which the Business Plan of S?uthNet Projects could be measured. It was found that the existing Business Plan was indeed a sound one in that it: generally measured up to required standards; addressed all the essential aspects; was drafted by professionals thoroughly acquainted with the industry. However, certain shortcomings - inter alia the following - were identified: A "standard" (overall or comprehensive) Business Plan was lacking. Some aspects recurred repeatedly under different headings, a problem that could be remedied by grouping related topics (marketing, for instance) under the same heading ("Marketing). The executive summary needed to be remoulded to ensure that the readers' attention would immediately be caught. It is recommended that, although the variedness of the nature and purpose of industries makes it difficult to formulate a standard Business Plan, the framework developed should be integrated with other business plans as far as possible in an attempt to approach the ideal of a standard plan.