A business plan is a formal statement of a clubs’ goals, stating the plans for reaching those goals and the reasons why they are believed to be attainable. It may also contain background information about the team or committee attempting to reach those goals. Simply, it may be the actions or activities utilised to attain the Clubs’ strategy.
The business plan should clearly identify all the important facts about the club, such as its history, its current financial position, its objectives and the ‘business’ activities to be undertaken.
a) Benefits of Business Planning
- To ensure Clubs remain financially stable over a specified period of time
- To raise funds toward a capital investment, eg. a facility
- To prevent financial distress by over-spending, eg. day-to-day running of club, or when hosting a Special Event
b) The Business Planning Process
(i) Engage
To Plan effectively, it is important to involve as many people as possible. Engage club members, Committee members, office bearers, coaches, officials and other interested parties in the planning process.
Evaluate whether it is necessary to appoint one person as the facilitator of the process to ensure it is completed. If specific issues impede the progression of the planning process, the facilitator can be responsible for re-visiting it at an appropriate forum. Alternatively, the facilitator may suggest that the individual or group take some time between the planning sessions to think about the issue/s and bring possible solutions and/or strategies to the next session.
(ii) Development
The planning process may coincide with other events on the club calendar, such as the Annual General Meeting (AGM), club conferences or workshops, or a specially convened meeting.
It is important to research the current market in which your club operates – who your club appeals to, who its competitors are, and what factors may influence the clubs future, are important issues to be considered.
Develop an agenda for what items (business planning sections) you will cover on specific dates, detailing any items members should bring to the meetings, i.e. reports, documents, ideas etc.
Set some dates for members/committee to come together to go through the business planning process. If the club does not have an existing business plan, additional time will be required to complete this process.
Allow ample time for the ‘brainstorming’ of ideas and development of the framework. The amount of time allocated will vary depending on the size of the club.
Distribution of the Business Plan framework will offer the plan to be reviewed prior to its adoption by the club. At this time, amendments may be made prior to implementation.
(iii) Evaluate
An important aspect of planning is its evaluation, as a means of monitoring progress and implementing amendments identified. This evaluation process should be a permanent feature on the club calendar, occurring at a minimum, once a year.
For further assistance with planning processes please contact the LSV Volunteer Support Team.
References
SportAus – Club Development
https://www.sportaus.gov.au/club-development