This document is a comprehensive plan and description of the fundamentals of
business strategy. The sections covered in the document include: establishing a
business structure, identifying and developing a SWOT analysis, evaluation the
business goal, constructing a future projections of fair market value and cash flow, plans
for exiting the business, and also expense and reimbursement policies. This document
included a sample expense reimbursement form. The document is useful to any
business owner or employee seeking to analyze, evaluate, or develop a business
strategy.
Business Strategy Fundamentals
Table of Contents
Evaluating the Present Business Structure ..................................................................................... 1
Developing the SWOT .................................................................................................................. 1
Strengths and Weaknesses ..................................................................................................... 1
The Business Benchmark ........................................................................................................ 1
The Objectives......................................................................................................................... 2
The Strategies ......................................................................................................................... 2
The Goals................................................................................................................................. 2
The Programs .......................................................................................................................... 2
Evaluation of the Business Goal ...................................................................................................... 3
What is the Present Strategy of Business? .................................................................................. 3
What are the Fundamental Strategies? ...................................................................................... 3
SWOT for Future Strategies ............................................................................................................ 4
Future Projections for Fair Market Value & Cash Flow .................................................................. 4
Where do you want the business to be in 5, 10, 15, even 20 years from now? ......................... 4
Plans for Exiting the Business ......................................................................................................... 6
Who will the business be sold to? ............................................................................................... 6
Exit Strategies .............................................................................................................................. 6
Expense & Reimbursement Policies ............................................................................................... 7
Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 11
Business Strategy Fundamentals
Evaluating the Present Business Structure
The SWOT analysis is a major part of developing your strategy, so it has to be effective. When
developed properly, the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities & threats) model will make
sure that everything happens as it should and that nothing is left out. It will also create the
capability for any follow up activities that may become necessary. If the strategy involves
significant growth, it is important to fast forward and take a look at the SWOT’s as they would
appear in the futuristic years. You do this to ensure that the strategies are motivated and
vigorous, and in anticipation of any issues that may emerge.
Developing the SWOT
Concisely list the most important strengths (S), weaknesses (W), opportunities (O) & threats (T)
that are happening presently. S & Ws are internal to the business and O & Ts are external. All
SWOTs are one-sided, for example, something is either an S or a W; it but cannot be both. Enter
up to six items under each heading.
Str e n gths an d Weak n esses
Strengths and weaknesses are relative to the internal functioning of the organization. They
include the issues surrounding resources, programs and organization in the major areas. They
would include:
Costs Finances Management Operations Products R&D Sales Systems
Productivity Resources Syste