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Supporting Documents in Your Business Plan

By Carol Parenzan Smalley

The primary goal of any business plan is to present a concise overview of your business idea. Although you may find it helpful to include every detail in your plan, this would hinder communications

and make it more difficult for your reader to grasp your business concept. Too much information can be distracting and exhausting.

The Business Plan Appendix

To allow business owners to share imperative information, the writer should make reference throughout the body of the plan to supporting documentation housed elsewhere in the plan. Where should the business owner place this important information, such as marketing materials, résumés, apersonal financial statements?

The section of the business plan that holds this information is the overflow section, often referred to as the appendix. It includes supplemental information that supports the main sections of your business plan.

You present the information in this section in the order mentioned in your business plan. As you write your plan, refer to the document by number or letter, such as Appendix, Item 1; or Appendix, Item B.


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