4 things investors want to see in your zip line business plan

 Adventure Parks, Business Planning, Zip Lines  Comments Off on 4 things investors want to see in your zip line business plan
Jan 222013
 

When you are writing your business plan, or having someone write it for you there are four key elements that you want to be sure are detailed in your plan. If investors don’t see all four of these elements, your chances of being funded are greatly diminished.
1. Detailed Financials – This should go without saying, and yet it is surprising how many plans we see here at Strategic Adventures that have minimal financial data. You need at minimum a Profit and Loss Statement, a Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement, industry related Business Ratios, and a detailed Start Up Cost Analysis. You should also be prepared to have your personal financial statements and tax returns reviewed.
2. A Business System – Investors also want to see that you have a well thought out method of operating. How are you going to run the day to day business? What marketing tools will you be implementing? Who is responsible for doing what in your business?
3. Experience – You need to show that you and/or your partners have experience in either running a business or in the industry you’ll be operating, preferably both. It may be time to brush up that resume!
4. Skin in the game – What level of financial commitment are you personally making in the new business? Investors don’t want to be in the position of holding all of the responsibility if the business hits a rough patch. They want to be sure that you won’t just walk away!

So as you’re preparing to make your plan or if you think you are ready to present a plan you’ve written, be sure you are covering the above points in as much detail as possible.

Paul

P.S. Are you getting a bit overwhelmed with writing a plan on your own? We can help! Call our office today at 1-888-553-0167 for a no cost consultation.

http://www.strategic-adventures.com/content/business-plans

Dec 052012
 

Every day, I see marketing for the biggest, fastest, longest, blah blah blah zip line tour. And it’s all crap.

Why? Because that’s why people come the first time, but has zero relevance on whether they come back. If you want a zip line tour that is successful for the long term, you NEED people to come back and what gets them back is your quality of service coupled with how accurately your tour is presented in your marketing.

Case in point: I was developing a feasibility study for a client and had to go ride the competing tours in the area. I know, I suffer for my craft… Anyway, the first tour I visit said on their web site that they had the only tour in the area with zero hand braking. Intrigued, I booked my tour. Upon arriving at their office I signed my liability waiver. As I handed it to the check in person they loudly proclaimed “First to sign, first to die!” I was stunned. If I hadn’t been “undercover” I would have let loose on this unsuspecting individual. However, I kept quiet and waited for the rest of our tour group to finish signing their lives away.

On to the course! As with most tours, we start on a short training line to get everyone ready to tackle the longer lines. Now, guess what they show us how to do… Hand Brake! And not only do they show us how, they proceed to tell us that it is required for every single one of their 12 lines. Major disappointment.

From there I witness many other gaffes:

  • Guides not clipping in on platforms
  • Duct tape being used to finish cable ends
  • More jokes about safety and the impending doom of each rider
  • and many others…
  • All told, one of the worst experiences I’ve had on a zip line/canopy tour. Now hopefully I’m not describing your course! However, take a look at your marketing and see how it compares to the actual experience. It may be worthwhile to hire a secret shopper or two and get some solid feedback to see how your business is or isn’t attracting repeat business.

    Paul