business plan pro south africa

Get your Business & Financial Plan

while learning all the essential skills you'll need to get your business started.

Welcome to Hola Business

Hola Business is South Africa's #1 business planning tool , developed specifically to help entrepreneurs get their business off the ground! 

Through 12 interactive, online modules, we'll walk you through your startup journey as you develop a detailed, professional Business Plan.  

With Hola Business you'll:

Build your Business Plan

As you learn the ins-and-outs of starting a business, you’ll build your business and financial plan as you go.

Learn essential knowledge

12 modules covering all you need to know in getting your business started, from financial forecasting to marketing.

Test your skills

Take the reins of an imaginary business for a year. See if your financial and business decisions will super-size or shrink its profit!

Why do I need   Hola Business?

• You will save time and money in getting your business started
• It's developed specifically for startup businesses
• You learn and create your Plan at the same time
• You'll get a professional document, with all layout, structure, etc. taken care of for you
• Hola Business is packed with powerful and helpful features and exercises
• It's convenient and easy to access! All you need is a PC, tablet or smartphone with internet connection
• It's by South Africans, for South Africans, and backed by 50+ years' experience

Get all the tools you need to kickstart your business:

• 12 x interactive online modules (30+ hours of online training)
• PDF downloads of your Plans
• Develop your Vision, Mission & SMART Goals (Balanced Scorecard)
• Define your Action Plans & strategy
• Develop your Income Statement, Cash Flow & Balance Sheet forecasts
• Create your Executive Summary
• Business Simulator
• Customisable cover pages for your Plans
• Case studies and exercises
• Develop your Wheel of Life and personal goals
• Additional resources (useful documents, supplementary exercises, etc.)  

Get all this for just R1 499 and begin building your business today!

Course Contents

We’ll teach you how to get your business up and running through 12 interactive, in-depth modules. (Times indicated are a general guideline.)

Personal Goals

Develop your Wheel of Life, and set actions plans to achieve your personal goals.

Cycles of Your Business

Your business will go through different cycles. You'll learn about them here.

From Idea to Plan

In this module, you'll define your business, market, SWOT Analysis and more.

Business Planning

Develop your Vision, Mission, SMART Goals, Balanced Scorecard & Action Plans.

Intro to Financial Forecasting

A quick introduction to financial forecasting.

Understanding Costs

Identify & learn about the types of costs you’ll need to get to grips with as a business owner.

Pricing for Profit

Setting a price isn't guesswork. Learn how to go about creating your pricing strategy.

Financial Scorecard

Learn about the Financial Scorecards & develop your 3-yr Income Statement forecast.

Managing Working Capital

Get to grips with how cash flow makes your business tick & complete your Financial Plan.

BONUS: Setting up Your Business

What you need to know about tax, compliance and more.

BONUS: Getting Finance

Need to get finance? Here are the main funding options available to you.

BONUS: Marketing for Startups

Let's talk about promoting your business.

Why you need a Business Plan

Test Your Business Skills

Demo your business skills in our business simulator.

In business, you’ll constantly face new challenges and hurdles. The way you deal with them has short- and long-term effects on your business profitability. Put your skills to the test with our intelligent business simulator!

Hola Business is South Africa’s only online tool providing a business course , business plan development and business simulations in one complete package!

Hola business is brought to you by:.

Megan Stark

Megan comes from an entrepreneurial background, with strong business acumen. With over 34 years’ experience running her own successful company, Megan has developed a deep understanding and know-how for what it takes for businesses to succeed. She's now using this experience and entrepreneurial drive to help other businesses achieve success by having the right foundation in place.  Megan is a member of Woman’s Presidents Organisation, a USA-based thinktank for successful woman-owned businesses around the world.

Matt Johnson

Matt has over 20 years of training and consultancy experience, both within South Africa and abroad, focused on improving business and entrepreneurship skills. Working with large corporates, including some of South Africa’s biggest banks, Matt provides a range of specialist business training courses. His passion for the growth and success of small business entrepreneurs, and his extensive experience, has shaped the user-friendly and integrated nature of the Hola Business training content and methodology.

Got a great business idea? Take the next step!

Sign up today and get all the tools you need to kickstart your business, for just R1 499!

Need more info? Get in touch with us here:

• Business Plan Writing
• Compiling of Financial Projections
• Business Plan Review

WELCOME TO THE PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS PLAN COMPANY

We are experts in Business Plan Writing. Need a Proper Business Plan for your business? You’re in the right place.

The Business Plan Company writes clear Business Plans to show Financiers that your Business Venture is well thought out, competitive, and likely to succeed.

Your Business Plan is probably the most important document you ever prepare for your business. In fact, you should have a Business Plan before you even start your business.

We write perfectly structured Business Plans with exceptional quality content. You need a proper Business Plan to get funding or investment. This is obvious, but you only get one opportunity to impress Financiers. Your Business Plan written from scratch, will highlight your uniqueness, and that’s what will get you the funding or investment you need to thrive.

Writing a proper Business Plan can be challenging and time-consuming, especially when you are trying to manage a business at the same time or you have probably never written a Business Plan before. Realising that many Business Owners are frustrated and overwhelmed by the thought of writing a Business Plan, we offer a Business Plan writing service that aims to make it as simple and effortless as possible. We understand the complexities of creating a proper Business Plan.

Our process will ensure that the Business Model of your Business Venture is portrayed accurately. If you have not yet started with the Business Planning of your business venture, our process will assist you to achieve this.

OUR VALUE TO YOU

1. Your Business Plan will be comprehensive, meaning that you get a full-length detailed Business Plan document that will comply with the criteria of all Commercial Banks, Government Funding Institutions (NEF, IDC, DTI, SEFA, etc.), Investors and other Financiers in South Africa. The Business Plan Writing service includes the compiling of Financial Projections for five years.

2. We will write your Business Plan from scratch so that we capture the unique aspects of your business fully.

3. We challenge your strategy and assumptions.

4. We will conduct our own market research to supplement the information you already have available.

5. Professional and personal service by an “ex-Business Bank Manager” with twenty years of business funding and Business Plan experience.

6. A post-project guarantee.

OUR EXPERIENCE

OUR CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY POLICY

Our website is secure (http s: //bpc.co.za). Your internet connection is encrypted, thus is your information private. The information submitted to us will be kept strictly confidential. All confidential information that is provided to us will not be disclosed to a third party. We are committed to protecting the personal information that is provided to us. We will never sell, rent or give away your telephone number and email address. We will never send you spam. We hate spam just as much as you do.

Your Business Plan from Anywhere – Fast and Easy!

Your Business Plan Partners

Professionally written Business Plans for Funding, Tenders and Industry Regulators.

Our Business Plan Writing Services

Business Plan standards align with South Africa’s Top Financial Institutions including the DTi, all banks, and more.

Entry Level Business Plan

Specialised business plan, our industry specific business plans.

All priced at only R4490.

Construction Business Plan

Security business plan, agriculture business plan, cleaning company, our business plans comply with seda, sefa, dti, nef, idc, private financial institutes and bank requirements in sa.

Advantages of our Business Plan Services:

1. seda, sefa, dti, nef, idc compliant.

Our Business Plans aren't just documents; they're your ticket to compliance with major South African institutions, including the Banks.

2. Expert Help

With over 500 Business Plans completed, our Business Plan Specialist provide expert Business Plan assistance. Our inhouse Accountants accredited with Sait, Saiba and CIMA , can also assist to sign-off of your financials for big contract or funding applications. *Optional - additional fees apply.

3. More than Just a Plan

From market analysis to financial projections, our plans are comprehensive, ensuring you're prepared for every business challenge.

50 000+ Clients assisted since 2006

Business Plan Partners is a dedicated division within Company Partners.

We are your trusted partner in business plan development, having assisted over 50,000 South African Entrepreneurs since 2006 in their business journeys.

Specialising in crafting meticulous business plans, our guiding principle is “Plan, Strategise, Achieve”. We support South African entrepreneurs by crafting detailed business plans, transforming initial ideas into structured and coherent strategies for potential growth and funding application.

Being the experts in multiple industries, our business plans comply for with all industry regulators in South Africa.

What our Clients say!

4,5 out of 5 from 322 Google Reviews

Over 1000 testimonials and counting. Click here to view more

Register Now OR Get Free Consultation

Frequently asked questions, is a business plan essential.

Why is a business plan essential for my start-up or existing business. A business plan serves as a blueprint for your venture, detailing your business objectives, strategies, and financial projections. It not only provides direction but also enhances credibility when seeking funding or partnerships. With Business Plan Partners, you benefit from our vast experience in crafting business plans tailored to South African standards, ensuring your venture’s success.

How can a business plan help me secure funding?

Lenders and investors often require a comprehensive business plan to understand your business’s viability and potential for returns. A well-structured plan, like those crafted by Business Plan Partners, showcases your business’s strengths, market positioning, and growth strategy, increasing your chances of securing the necessary funds.

I'm not well-versed in financial jargon. Will I understand the financial projections in the business plan?

Absolutely! At Business Plan Partners, we pride ourselves on creating business plans that are both professional and easy to understand. We break down complex financial data into digestible insights, ensuring you’re well-equipped to make informed decisions.

How does a business plan from Business Plan Partners differ from generic templates online?

Generic templates often provide a one-size-fits-all approach. In contrast, Business Plan Partners offers bespoke business plans tailored to your unique business needs and objectives. Our plans are compliant with major South African institutions, ensuring they’re not just documents but strategic tools for success.

Can a business plan assist in identifying potential challenges and opportunities in my market?

Indeed, it can. A robust business plan includes a thorough market analysis, highlighting potential challenges and untapped opportunities. With Business Plan Partners, you gain insights derived from our extensive experience in various industries, helping you navigate the South African business landscape effectively.

How often should I update my business plan?

A business plan isn’t a static document. It should evolve as your business grows and the market changes. Regular updates, especially after significant milestones or changes in the market, ensure your plan remains relevant. With Business Plan Partners by your side, you have a trusted partner to guide you through these updates, ensuring your business remains on the path to success. However, using our service for updates is entirely optional and not a mandatory requirement for a business plan.

What standards do our Business Plans adhere to?

Our Business Plans are crafted to meet the criteria set by:

• Finance / Funding Institutes in South Africa.
• South African Banks (FNB / Standard bank / Nedbank / ABSA). We are Official Partners of Nedbank.
• South African and Government Tenders / Contracts.
• The National Industry Regulator.

Apply above to speak to a Business Specialist today!

Will a Business Plan guarantee Funding?

While a well-crafted business plan significantly improves your chances of securing funding, it’s essential to understand that we cannot guarantee funding. Our role is to equip you with a comprehensive and compelling business plan, which is a crucial document for funding applications.

However, many other factors, such as market conditions, the viability of your business model, creditworthiness, and the specific criteria set by funding institutions, influence the final decision. What we can ensure is that with our expertise, your business plan will present your vision and strategy in the best light possible, bolstering your case when you approach lenders or investors.

Our Socials

Quick links.

Our Packages About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions

Download Our Brochures

Discounted Packages Service List Our Company Profile Why Use Us

Monday-Thursday: 8:30am to 5pm Friday: 8:30am to 3pm Saturday & Sunday: Closed Public Holidays: Closed

Payment Methods

New Company Types:

• New Company Registration
• Register a Company Fast
• Co-op Registration
• Personal Liability Company Inc.

Non Profits:

• NPC Registration
• NPO Registration
• NGO Registration

Shelf Company:

• Shelf Companies
• CC Registration

Industry Specific:

• Construction Company
• Security Company
• Transport Company
• Offshore Company Registration

Discounted Package Types:

• Company Registration Packages
• Shelf Company Packages
• Construction & Building Packages
• Industry Specific Packages
• All Packages

Pre-registered Companies

Sars / tax services.

• Tax Registration at SARS
• Tax Clearance Certificate
• VAT Registration
• UIF / PAYE / SDL Registration
• Import / Export License
• SARS Representative
• Tax & VAT Returns At SARS
• PBO Registration

Accounting Services:

• Monthly Accounting
• Monthly Payroll

Find The Right Service For You:

• All Services - Quick Search

Company Registration

• New PTY Company

SARS / Tax Services:

• Tax & VAT Returns at SARS

Workmans Compensation:

• COID Registration
• Letter Of Good Standing
• Return Of Earnings
• UIF Registration (DOL)

Construction / Security Compliance:

• CIDB Registration
• NHBRC Registration
• PSIRA Registrations
• PSIRA Grade E – A

Tender Documents:

• BEE Affidavit / Certificate
• CSD Registration
• Business Plan
• Company Profile

CIPC Services:

• Annual Returns at CIPC
• Beneficial Ownership
• Share Certificates
• Shares Management
• Shareholders Agreement
• Company Amendments
• CC to PTY Conversion
• Retrieve Company Documents
• Deregister / Re-Instate Company
• Trademark Registration
• Cross-Border Permits
• ITAC Permit
• EUR1 Certificate
• SADC Certificate
• Trade Agreement South Africa
• Trust Registration
• POPI Compliance Certificate

Marketing Services

• Logo Design
• Website Design
• E-Commerce Website
• All Marketing Services

Growth Services:

• Free Start-up Workshop
• The Solar Installer Program

Everything About Us & More:

• Our Company Profile
• Testimonials
• Latest Reviews
• Reseller / Agents
• Client Login

Join our Team

Resellers / agents.

• For Accountants
• Resellers/Agents

Business Plan in 1-Week

Get your Business Plan set up by a Business Plan Specialist in South Africa. Tender & Funding Application Ready. All Industries.

Starting @ R3490 once-off.

Register Now OR Get Free Consultation

A business plan is a written document that describes the operational and financial objectives of a business and outlines how it is going to practically achieve its goals. It is normally prepared by a Business Plan Writer. A professional business plan in South Africa also enables you to apply for outside financing / funding.

Our Business Plan Packages comply with SEDA, SEFA, Dti, NEF, IDC, Private Financial Institutes and Bank Requirements in SA.

Get your business plan service today, crafted by our expert business plan consultants, with these great inclusions:, business plan for small business, perfect for start-ups & smes..

• 20 - 30 Pages
• Professional Business Plan Layout
• 12-Month Financial Projections*
• Market Analysis & Customer Segmentation
• Industry Analysis & Trends
• Competitor Analysis
• Business Model Description
• Competitive Advantage & Unique Selling Points
• Professional SWOT Analysis (Strengths and Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats)
• Click to view example of a Business Plan for a SMME

R3490 Once-Off

*Upgrade to 5-Year Financial Projection available at additional cost.

Our Industry Specific Business Plans

Most construction tenders require you to submit a construction business plan. certain governmental regulating bodies also requires a specific industry related business plan. for example psira. , construction business plan, construction & building.

• 20 - 30 Pages Business Plan
• Professional Looking Layout
• 5-Year Financial Projections
• Construction Market Analysis
• Customer Segmentation
• Construction Industry Analysis
• Construction Industry Trends
• Your Competitive Advantage & Unique Selling Points
• Professional SWOT Analysis

R4490 Once-Off

Security business plan, psira's required format.

• 25 Pages Business Plan
• Security Market Analysis
• Security Industry Analysis
• Security Industry Trends

Agriculture Business Plan

Farming & agriculture industry.

• Agriculture Market Analysis
• Agriculture Industry Analysis
• Agriculture Industry Trends

R3990 Once-Off

Cleaning business plan, cleaning industry.

• Cleaning Industry Analysis
• Cleaning Industry Trends

NOTE: We can assist with ALL Industries including, Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Real-Estate and much more.

Specialised Business Plan

The specialised business plan includes everything you find in a professional & industry specific plan, plus these great inclusions:.

• 60 - 80 Pages
• Specialised Plan Layout
• In-Depth Market Research
• TAM (Total Addressable Market)
• WTP (Customer Willing to Pay)
• MRS (Market Revenue Size)
• In-Depth Company Model Analysis.
• In-Depth Business Strategy
• In-Depth Marketing & Sales Strategy
• A Competitive Advantage Analysis
• SWOT and PESTEL Analysis

R19990 Once-Off

Get compliant from anywhere, easy and fast.

50 000+ Clients assisted since 2006

Company Partners assists South Africa’s Entrepreneurs to become registered, empowered, and grow into sustainable businesses. Specialising in company registration and compliance since 2006, we have expanded our expertise to include accounting, payroll and website design.

We begin with a free consultation, offering tailored support to align with your business objectives. Our 120 compliance services include Shelf Companies, COIDA, Imports/Exports, Business Plans, VAT, and others.

We are dedicated to providing the tools and guidance necessary for businesses to develop and thrive over the long term.

We are here to help you succeed!

Free Consultation

Free Consultation with a Compliance Specialist to assess exactly what you need.

Over 120 Services

Full-Scale Compliance Services for all industries, as well as Monthly Tax, Accounting and Payroll Packages.

Startup Business Kit

Free Training for SA’s Entrepreneurs through our free start-up videos and paid business coaching.

Online Tracking

Secure Online Tracking System for all your Company Compliance (free).

If we cannot assist you, you are guaranteed your money back.

What our Clients say!

4,5 out of 5 from 322 Google Reviews

Over 1000 testimonials and counting. Click here to view more

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of a business plan.

It is a document prepared by a Specialist Consultant / Writer (who has a comprehensive understanding of companies) that outlines and summarises the financial and operational objectives of the company and practically describes how the company will achieve its goals.

Do I really need a Business Plan?

In simple terms, yes. Not considering the compliance aspect and funding opportunities. The process of the business plan will allow you to have a better understanding of exactly how you are going to start and grow your company to be successful.

What are the Advantages of a Business Plan?

1) A game plan . A business plan can be considered to be a roadmap for the company. It will allow for focus and direction towards one goal, although things may change in the first few months – the end goal will be known.

2) Compliance . Depending on what your company will be supplying, be it service or product, many governmental regulating bodies will request a formal business plan for the specific industry. You can read more about various Company Compliance – here

3) Financing & Funding . To be eligible for funding, investors will want to know all about your company. They will look for things such as who your target market is and, ultimately, whether your business is profitable. A business plan outlines all these points.

Is a Plan necessary if I'm not looking for funding?

Many entrepreneurs are under the impression that a professional plan is purely for financial funding, this is however not the case. At the onset of your venture, a comprehensive plan will help you get a realistic picture of your capabilities and viable strategies. Once your business is off the ground and thriving the way in which you intended it to, your business plan will allow for direction and guidance to continue to thrive.

Meet our Specialist:

Brend Badenhorst has written over 500 business plans for existing and new companies all over South Africa – He is a SETA Business Facilitator with a team of dedicated specialists. They will walk you through the entire process and ensure that you have the correct plan for your company.

We will setup your Plan according to the regulations of:

• All major South African Banks.
• Funding Institutes in South Africa.
• Government Tenders / Contracts in SA.
• The National Industry Regulators like PSIRA.

Signup for a Free Consultation and speak to a Business Plan Specialist today!

Our Plans are designed according to the regulations of:

• Finance / Funding Institutes in South Africa.
• South African Banks (FNB / Standard bank / Nedbank / ABSA). We are Official Partners of Nedbank.
• South African and Government Tenders / Contracts.
• The National Industry Regulator.

Apply above to speak to a Specialist today!

Will I get funding?

We do not guarantee funding. We provide you with a business plan document which is one of the documents required to apply for funding. You can learn more about becoming funding ready in our informative article which was published on Bizcommunity.

Speak to our professional business consultants to help with getting you funding ready today.

Are business plans highly visual?

They are by no means filled with graphics and images, however at certain sections or parts of the plan displaying graphics is highly beneficial to convey a message. At Company Partners, we understand that a visually appealing business plan can be more engaging. Including graphs, charts, and relevant images can help in effectively communicating key data and strategies, making your business plan stand out.

How much does a business plan cost?

The cost varies depending on whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a professional like Company Partners. We offer tailored services that can accommodate different budgets, ensuring quality and strategic insight. A professionally created plan for a Small Business of approximately 20+ pages will cost R3490.

How can I write a business plan?

Start by defining your business idea, conducting thorough market research, and detailing your marketing and operational strategies. If you have trouble organizing all these different elements into one single document, don’t be afraid to look for quality free templates online. You can also view the Company Partners example to act as a guide you through this process, ensuring that your plan is comprehensive and tailored to the South African market.

What makes a good business plan?

A good plan is clear, concise, and detailed, with a strong emphasis on market analysis and financial projections. The professionals which view your business plan to make a decision whether to invest or fund you needs to have a clear picture of your trajectory and if their investment/money will be well spent. Company Partners ensures that your plan is adaptable and strategically aligned with your business goals.

What is a business plan consultant?

A consultant, like those at Company Partners, specializes in assisting businesses to create strategic and effective business plans. The specialist consultants have years of experience through working in companies to give them an in-depth understanding of how it works. Our experts bring this in-depth knowledge of market trends and financial modelling into the writing process.

Can I hire someone to write my plan?

Yes, and Company Partners offers this service. Our experienced consultants can craft a plan that aligns with your vision and market requirements, providing valuable insights and expertise. The best of all is that we can help anywhere in South Africa.

Should a business plan include a SWOT analysis?

Including a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis is crucial as it provides insights into your business’s competitive position. A SWOT analysis remains a very effective tool to analyse your company. Company Partners can help you identify these key factors, ensuring a well-rounded and strategic business plan.

What is the difference between a Business Plan and a Company Profile?

The purpose of a Company Profile is to furnish a comprehensive outline of your organization. A biography highlights both personal and professional accomplishments.

A business plan encompasses strategies pertaining to marketing, sales, and operations and used to apply for Funding and Industry regulators.

• Starting a Business
• Growing a Business
• Small Business Guide
• Business News
• Science & Technology
• Money & Finance
• For Subscribers
• Write for Entrepreneur
• Entrepreneur Store
• United States
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East
• South Africa

Copyright © 2024 Entrepreneur Media, LLC All rights reserved. Entrepreneur® and its related marks are registered trademarks of Entrepreneur Media LLC

A Free Business Plan Example to Launch Your South African Business This free Business Plan example provides you with a sample business plan as well as guidance on how to write a business plan and important sections to include in your plan.

By Catherine Bristow Scott May 28, 2019

You're reading Entrepreneur South Africa, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

It pays to plan.

Research conducted by Harvard Business Review found that "entrepreneurs who write formal plans are 16% more likely to achieve viability than the otherwise identical non-planning entrepreneurs."

Simply put, writing a business plan could make the difference between business success and failure – which is why planning now could pay dividends as your business gets off the ground.

But where do you start when writing a business plan? In this comprehensive business plan example, we provide you with what to include in your business plan and a sample business plan to help you to create a compelling plan for your start-up.

1. Executive Summary

If you have seven seconds to make a strong first impression in person, an Executive Summary will be the make-or-break section of your business plan – so make this section count.

As a brief outline of your company's purpose and goals, the Executive Summary should generally take up 1 to 2 pages of your business plan. Some key components to include in your business plan are:

• A company description
• A brief summary of your products or services
• The company objectives
• A short but thorough overview of the market
• A justification for viability, particularly "why now?"
• A snapshot of your business's growth potential
• A short description of the organisation team
• Your marketing plan
• Financial projections

Importantly, your Executive Summary must clearly depict the Problem, the Solution, and carry a sense of timeliness – why now should your business be considered as the solution to solve this problem.

NOTE: The following Business Plan Example is based on a fictional company. Figures will not reflect the exact financials of a similar company.

Example of a Business Plan Executive Summary

Snug Sneakers is a sneaker shoe range based in Cape Town that currently focuses exclusively on selling locally produced men's and women's custom sneakers.

The business was founded by David Smith and Stewart Bruce, who have both been working within the retail industry for over 20 years, David Smith, a serial entrepreneur has also founded successful brands – Creative Caps and women's cycling brand Pedal Power.

The brand is currently selling online, however has also recently diversified to selling in independent shoe shops.

The company is projecting to sell R2 million in year 1 and R8 million in three years' time. Additionally, there are expansion plans within year 2 to set up distribution networks in Johannesburg, and Durban in the early part of year 3.

Both David and Stewart are social entrepreneurs at heart and believe in providing sustainable jobs for impoverished communities.

As such, the company has started a recycling and training academy in Khayelitsha, where consumers can return old sneakers that are then repaired by Khayelitsha residents and donated to those in need of shoes. This also provides learners within the academy with shoe-making and recycling trade skills.

Industry research has shown that, on average SA consumers own 4 pairs of sneakers, with 4 in 4 consumers indicating that shoe fit and sizes vary across brands.

3 in 4 consumers indicated that their number one concern when purchasing is having to "settle' for the best fitting shoe, despite the fit not being 100% correct.

Based on these and additional industry research statistics, the company's sneaker products are driven to provide the best shoe fit, with the tagline of "shoes that fit so good, you'll never go barefoot again.'

The main competition to Snug Sneakers comes from 1 local brand, SuperStars, and 2 overseas brands Sassy Sneakers and Rock Your Sneakers.

Although SuperStars supports sustainable use of local manufacturers, the competitor does not provide custom fit sneakers. Sassy Sneakers and Rock Your Sneakers both offer custom fit sneakers, both brands are manufactured in China and do not promote sustainable, social conscious value propositions.

The primary means of marketing will mainly be focused on digital marketing, through evidence-based approaches, including search engine optimisation, Google Ads, Facebook Advertising as well as utilising social media channels that have proven very popular for the company, including Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

The locally sourced raw materials, which include cotton, rubber and leather, will be supplied from a sustainable cotton mill and tannery in the Limpopo Province.

Funding for the company was derived through the 2 founders, as well as private investment.

2. Business Overview and Objectives

Creating an overview of your business when you are already established makes it easier, but it may be a little harder when you're either just starting out or haven't even kicked off your operations yet.

When you're just starting out, think about your products and services as your starting point.

• What will you be providing your market with?
• How will you be sourcing/ producing these items?
• What do you need to have in place before you can start selling your products?
• Who will be distributing/ manufacturing your products?
• Importantly, who will your target market or customer be?

In our example business plan, Snug Sneakers serves both retail and online customers, although the bulk of the business is through their online clientele.

This means that Snug Sneakers will need a secure e-commerce platform and a website that has carefully considered the user journey when buying custom sneakers.

The company will also need employees to assist with technical challenges, customer support, and warehouse staff for the packing and distribution of their products.

Similarly, you would need to consider the following when identifying their business objectives:

• What industry will you operate in?
• Who will be your customer?
• What is the problem that you will be solving?
• How will you solve this problem?
• Where will my business be located?
• What equipment and resources will I need within my business?
• What type of employees do I need?
• How will I differentiate my offering from my competitors?

After answering these questions, you will have a better understanding of what it is that you will be offering and what you need to make it happen. A summary of these points will make up your Business Overview and Objectives for your Business Plan.

Example of a Business Overview and Objectives

Snug Sneakers, based in Cape Town South Africa, is focused on providing sustainable, locally produced custom footwear to South Africa, and internationally through its e-commerce platform and local distributor network.

Founded by entrepreneurs David Smith and Stewart Bruce in December 2017, from Stewart's garage, Snug Sneakers grew exponentially within 1 year from 5 online purchases a month to an average of 200 per month within 12 months.

From the company's rapid growth, it became very clear to the founders that there is a gap in the South African market for locally produced, quality sneakers.

The founders' vision for Snug Sneakers is to become a socially conscious, sustainable brand that supports the South African economy by buying 80% locally produced raw materials.

Additionally, the duo noticed a gap in the market where consumers were looking for custom-fitted shoes and remain loyal to the brand that fit them best. To this end, Snug Sneakers offers a wide range of shoe sizes including quarter and half sizes to ensure that all customers find the right snug fit for their feet.

The overarching philosophy and ethos for the company are:

• "Soul sneakers' that allow customers to purchase sneakers that promote social consciousness.
• "South African sourced' sourcing locally produced raw materials that provide job sustainability.
• Superior sneakers' ensuring that customers still get a high-quality product that outmatches popular brands in workmanship and quality.

Company Status

Snug Sneakers was registered as a PTY (Ltd) on 1 December 2017. The main directors are David Peter Smith and Stewart Owen Bruce. Company shares are held by the founders.

The company currently operates out of rented commercial property in Blackheath, Cape Town.

Company Objectives

Snug Sneakers is currently selling custom sneakers primarily through its online store https://www.snugsneakers.co.za , with market penetration nationally, and highest market penetration in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Sporadic orders have also been received from the USA and the United Kingdom.

The company has also partnered with 3 independent shoe and clothing retailers focused on selling locally-sourced South African apparel.

The company has identified a 2 phased upscaling approach for growing sales and operations:

• Increase online sales by 40% within a 6-month period of 2019
• Increase brick-and-mortar retail partnerships from 2 stores in Cape Town to an additional 4 stores in Johannesburg by year end.
• Increase online sales by 50% by end of year 2020
• Explore opening up a brick-and-mortar store in the Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Cape Town
• Increase brick-and-mortar retail partnerships to include 1 store in Durban.

3. Products and Services

In this section, you will be unpacking your product and services offering, especially your key product differentiation from your competitors. Importantly, in this section you will also need to validate why your product is needed by your customers.

If you have applied for any patents, copyrights, or trademarks, you would also include these in this section.

Products and services that already exist may not need a deep analysis of what they are within your business plan.

However, if you're creating a completely new product or service (if you were the first Uber of the world), carefully detail in this section what your product is about, it's uses and the value it brings to the market so your readers will be able to evaluate the value of your product and services.

Some important aspects to cover include:

• The anticipated timeline to bring your new product to the market.
• What differentiates your product or service from those already available in the market.
• What will your operating costs be and profit margins.
• How will you source/ manufacture your product.
• How will the product be distributed to customers.

Example of Products and Services

Snug Sneakers will provide a line of custom sneakers for both men and women. The main product lines include:

• Casual Range: Everyday sneaker footwear
• Active Range: Active gym range of sneakers
• Fashion Forward Range: Formal but funky range of sneakers

Current pricing of the sneakers as follows:

• Casual Range: R550
• Active Range: R950
• Fashion Forward Range: R850

Competition

There are three main competitors that have been identified within the market. These include:

Local competitor:

1. SuperStars 40% locally made raw materials, with 60% of the raw materials originating from China. The brand however does not provide custom-fit sneakers.

Foreign competitors:

2. Sassy Sneakers are based in Australia, with the product line produced in China. The company offers custom fit sizes, however customers have to pay extra for the custom fit and product quality is low.

3. Rock Your Sneakers is a US based company, with the product line produced in China. The company offers some custom fit sizes, however the sizes are limited and the product is only available to South African's online and with a long lead time to delivery.

Snug Sneakers products have a unique differentiator within the market:

• A greater range of custom fit sizes ranging from ¼ - to half sizes as well as broad and narrow width ranges.
• The company will be the only brand within South Africa to offer 80% locally manufactured sneakers.
• Quality of the products is superior to the current locally-made competitor, due to locally sourced high-quality raw materials.

Future Products

The company has also been looking into introducing a line of sneaker care products to assist customers in increasing the longevity of their purchases.

4. Competitive and Market Analysis

Providing evidence that there is demand for your product or service is one of the most critical components of your business plan. Key to this is understanding your market and your competition within that market.

Embarking on market research requires you to have a deep understanding of what your market is and the opportunities inherent within it. You should be able to define:

• Target Market. The types of customers you will be targeting with your product or service.
• Market Need. If there is demand for your products and services and whether this is increasing or declining.
• Competition. The positioning of your competitors in the market and how you will differentiate your offering from them.
• Barriers to Entry. What will prevent someone else from providing the same offering or better.
• Regulation. Regulations that will be applicable to the industry that your business will be operating in.

Example of a Market Analysis

Target market.

With our initial line of casual, active and fashion forward sneakers, we're looking to target the following consumer segment:

• Age: 16 -36
• Digital Savvy: Researching and shopping online is part of this customer's DNA. The target market is also very active on social media platforms such as Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.
• On Trend: Fashion forward and looking to illustrate their unique personalities, the target market is always looking for fashion to express their uniqueness.
• Social Consciousness: The target market is proudly South African and are highly conscious of the socio-economic issues and have a keen desire to take part in improving the SA economy, uplifting communities and supporting local initiatives.

Market Need

According to a Global View Research Marketing Report, the global athletic and leisure footwear market size was valued at USD 67.8 billion in 2017. The report found that this value is expected to expand at a CAGR of over 8.0% from 2018 to 2025.

The ever-growing awareness with regards to the health benefits of sports and fitness activities, as well as an expanding retail e-commerce sector globally, including increasing levels of disposable income amongst millennials are estimated to be the key reasons for increasing market growth in this market.

Additionally, the Global Sneaker Market 2018 Industry Trends and Sales report found that although the global brands reported increased profit margins in 2017, these have decreased by 1.5% from 2016.

On the other hand, independent Sneaker retailers have reported a 15% increase in sales, particularly online, in 2017, indicating that consumers are moving away from global brands to pursue lesser known boutique footwear retailers.

• SuperStars is based in Johannesburg and provides sneakers with 40% locally made raw materials, with 60% of the raw materials originating from China. The brand however does not provide custom-fit sneakers.
• Sassy Sneakers are based in Australia, with the product line produced in China. The company offers custom fit sizes, however customers have to pay extra for the custom fit and product quality is low.
• Rock Your Sneakers is a US based company, with the product line produced in China. The company offers some custom fit sizes, however the sizes are limited and the product is only available to South African's online and with a long lead time to delivery. (Repeated above)

5. Marketing/Sales Strategy

You're on the right track when you have established that there's a market for your product and service and you have identified who your target market is quantifiably, but how will your market segments know to look out for or even buy your product and services?

This is where your marketing and sales strategy comes into play.

A well-defined marketing strategy goes beyond simply advertising your product and service – it includes a deeper understanding of how your customers will view your brand, what is the best way to reach your customers, the benefits that your customer will receive from using your service or buying your product.

Your marketing strategy must also include the budget for your marketing and sales efforts, whether you will require sales staff to sell your products and offer post-sales support, as well as how you will measure your marketing and sales efforts to evaluate their effectiveness.

Example of a Marketing Strategy

Marketing plan.

• Search Engine Optimisation : Our website pages will be optimised for search engine rankings, with the objective to rank within the top 3 search positions for keywords "custom sneakers", "custom size sneakers" and "custom made sneakers".
• Paid Search : Snug Sneakers will be investing in Google Ads and Facebook Advertising and well as Programmatic Advertising to increase landing page conversion rates.
• Social Media : We will be establishing a targeted social media strategy to increase followers across the social media platforms that have shown the highest engagement with the target market. High frequency posts will be created target at highest engagement times to increase engagement and brand awareness.
• Business Network : We will partner with independent apparel and footwear retailers to drive link building and link sharing both on website and on social media.

Customer Value Proposition and Value Differentiator

Although there is one locally produced sneaker competitor within the market, the founders believe that the customer value proposition being brought to the market is a unique offering and therefore a strong differentiator within the market.

The founders are cognisant that without this differentiator, the only differentiator will be price, which will ultimately have a negative impact on profit margins.

As a unique differentiator and value proposition, Snug Sneakers provides customers with Sneakers with South African Sole, leveraging the Proudly South African heritage and support for local initiatives to help grow South Africa's job economy and promote community upskilling and learnership programmes.

Additionally, Snug Sneakers will ensure that the quality of the products far outweighs those of global brands manufacturing in China. The most important differentiator, however is the ability to custom size shoes to each individual's unique size requirements.

6. Staffing and Operations

Strategy is irrelevant without execution – which is where your Operations Plan comes into play in your business plan. How will you serve your customers, while keeping your operating costs low enough to make sufficient profitability?

Your Operations Plan will detail how you will manufacture, staff, fulfil and stock your products, including your day-to-day operational requirements. Ultimately, this section describes how you will run your business.

Some questions to answer in this section include:

• Where will your operations be based?
• What is your management structure?
• What are your staffing requirements?
• What equipment, facilities and supplies will you need?
• How will you establish your suppliers?
• What will be the operational changes required should your company grow?
• What will your production methods entail?
• How will you service/ deliver goods to customers?
• What regulatory requirements must be in place? (Licences, permits etc.)
• How will you manage your inventory levels?

Example of Staffing and Operations

Management team.

David Smith is a serial entrepreneur who founded successful and well-known brands Creative Caps and women's cycling apparel Pedal Power.

David graduated from Stellenbosch University with a B Comm in Economics and went on to study an MBA at GIBS Business School. David heads up Snug Sneakers as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Stewart Bruce has worked in the retail industry as a Senior Designer for well-known retail brands, including Puma and Sketchers.

With over 20 years' experience in designing active and casual footwear, as well as sourcing and overseeing materials for the product range, Stewart brings excellent experience to the management mix as Chief Design Officer.

7. Financial Projections

The bottom line counts the most when it comes to writing your business plan.

Without the numbers to prove whether your business will be profitable or not, potential investors or lenders will have a difficult time objectively deciding if your business will be a sound investment.

Aside from persuading potential investors, crucially, the numbers that you have crunched will also indicate whether you have a viable business.

There are five basic reports or cash projections to include in your business plan:

• Income Statement
• Balance Sheet
• Cash Flow Statement
• Operating Budget
• Break-Even Analysis

It's important to come up with credible financial projections for your business to illustrate that it is feasible.

One way to tackle this section is to break down the figures into various components, such as by sales channel or target market segment.

At this stage, you won't be able to supply exact figures, because you're still estimating your future financials, but by breaking down your guesses into components you will be able to determine a more realistic figure for each component, rather than hazarding guesses as a whole.

The business plan should be an ongoing, living document that can be used as your guide for running your business. It requires continuous adjustment as your business changes and grows.

Entrepreneur Staff

Sales Enablement - Content Division Manager

Catherine Bristow Scott is the Content Division Manager for Entrepreneur South Africa. With specialist expertise in developing SEO content, effective sales enablement content to drive lead generation, as well as digital strategy, Catherine brings an in-depth understanding of developing both written and video content to assist businesses in remaining competitive and growing their revenue.

Most Popular Red Arrow

These coworkers-turned-friends started a side hustle on amazon — now it's a 'full hustle' earning over $20 million a year: 'jump in with both feet'.

Achal Patel and Russell Gong met at a large consulting firm and "bonded over a shared vision to create a mission-led company."

Want to Be More Productive? Here's How Google Executives Structure Their Schedules

These five tactics from inside Google will help you focus and protect your time.

How to Turn Your Hobby Into a Successful Business

A hobby, interest or charity project can turn into a money-making business if you know the right steps to take.

Managers Can Be True Leaders Not Just Taskmasters

A company president reveals the secrets he wished he knew when he was a young manager starting out.

Their 'Magic Internet Money' Side Hustle Just Hit $1 Billion in Sales: 'We'd Empty 6 Figures of Cash Onto the Counter. The Bank Teller's Expressions Were Priceless.'

Inspired by the concept of decentralized money, Neil Bergquist and Michael Smyers came up with a lucrative idea they believed "would nearly run" itself.

9 Daily Strategies for Staying on Top of Your Game

A life of success and fulfillment is the result of how we approach each day.

Successfully copied link

The Professional Business Plan Consultants

Our entire service offering is built on business plan consulting as our primary service. If you need a business plan, You have come to the right place and we have different options to suit your needs

We deliver cost effective business plan solutions for you

Whether you are a startup with just an idea, a company with stagnating growth or you want to sell or buy a business we have a solution for you

Project Completed

Countries Covered

R10 Billion

Funding Raised

Delegates Trained

From Our Blog

Get the latest posts on our blog

E-commerce could create 3 million jobs in Africa in next 6 years

ecommerce / Entrepreneurship / Marketing

10 steps to turn your idea into a startup

Business Plans / Entrepreneurship

Funding For SA Women Entrepreneurs

Business Funding / Entrepreneurship / General

Comments from our clients

This business plan deserves an award. I have seen various business plans in my lifetime but the level of detail in this one surpassed by expectations by a million miles. I am now looking forward to interacting with financial institutions with this masterpiece.

Mothusi Ndlovu

I wonder why I wasted so much money on useless (excuse the word) and inexperienced people before I came to you guys. I will be reffering more people to you within my network because this is just briliant

Johan Van Wyk

I really appreciate the work you put into these business plans

Sagren Pillay

Newsletter subscribe.

Subscribe to our mailing list to get the updates to your email inbox.

Email address:

Our Services

Business Plans

Financial Models

Digital Services

90 Rivonia Road, Sandton

Johannesburg, South Africa

+44 7368 942139

[email protected]

Bplans Africa is a premier business development company based in Johannesburg, Gauteng. We help entreprenuers to develop their businesses from concept to inception through custom advisory and implementation of strategy.

Please note that all office visits/consultation are strictly by appointment.

Copyright © 2019 All Rights Reserved.

• Domain Prices
• cPanel Web Hosting
• Email Hosting
• Reseller Hosting
• Website Builder
• SSL Certificates
• Windows Hosting
• WordPress Hosting
• VPS Hosting
• Managed Database
• Web Hosting Reliable Webhosting
• VPS & Cloud Servers Secure VPS and VMs for Application Hosting
• Dedicated Servers The best dedicated servers for your business applications
• Cloud Server - South Africa DC Reliable Cloud Servers in South Africa DC
• Email Hosting Email hosting
• Reseller Hosting Become a reseller
• Windows Webhosting Reliable Asp.net Webhosting with MSSQL
• SSL Certificates Realiable Web Security Solutions
• DOMAIN ADDON .ZA Redemption price
• Online Shop Online Shop
• Website builder Beautiful templates for your website
• Server Licenses Select yout perfect plan
• Domain Reseller API Domain Reseller API
• Bulk Email Servers Proven Email marketing tool
• Domain Search Find the perfect domain name.
• Bulk Domain Search How many are you look for?
• Domain Transfer Want to transfer domain to us?
• Whois Lookup Check who owns a a domain name.
• Register Login

Visiting from Russia?

How to write a business plan in south africa [ free template].

It is never too early to start planning for your business! This blog post is all about writing a business plan in South Africa. 

We will discuss the various sections of the plan, and how to fill them out. There are also plenty of resources at the end that will help you get started on this important process.

Table of Contents

What is a business plan? 

A business plan is a written, formal strategy that outlines your goals and how to achieve them.

Even the smallest companies need some kind of plan for their future success. 

It is like prepping before you go on vacation: you are not guaranteed any problems will happen, but it helps if you know where all the closest gas stations are just in case there’s an issue with getting more fuel.

The same principle applies here: writing a business plan in South Africa gives you time to think through everything and make sure nothing slips between the cracks.

Why do you need a business plan? 

Business plans give you a chance to assess your company’s strengths and weaknesses. 

When it comes down to the nitty-gritty, business planning is all about making sure that you are prepared for anything in this unpredictable world of entrepreneurship.

What should I include? 

There isn’t one standard format for every company; however, most plans follow these general guidelines: 

• Executive Summary 
• Company Description 
• Mission & Goals Strategies 
• Financials Appendix 

If sounds intimidating or confusing don’t worry! We’ll go over each section in detail.

How To Write a Business Plan in South Africa

What is an executive summary .

The executive summary is a high-level overview of your business plan, and it’s one of the first things people will see when they are reading through your business plan in South Africa. 

This section needs to be short (about two or three pages) but comprehensive; that means you should include all the critical information here while still keeping it interesting for readers. 

It should do four important jobs: 

• Introduce yourself and your company 
• Give background on why you started this project 
• Describe what you want to accomplish with this document 
• Highlight any challenges ahead 

Remember, if someone were deciding whether or not to read further, would their decision change based on what they learned from the executive summary alone?

What goes in the company description? 

The company description is a little more detailed than an overview, but not quite as long or involved as the rest of your business plan in South Africa.

In this section, you will want to state what industry you are in and why it is important (how does this help customers?). 

You should also describe how big your market is , where your competition lies, and who will be buying from you.

What do I put in my mission statement? 

Your mission statement highlights your goals for expanding into new markets/products/services. 

It includes details on why exactly yours is a worthwhile venture. 

Think about the reason behind setting up shop: if someone approached you with funding tomorrow would that have anything to do with why you started doing whatever it is you do? 

If not, then your mission statement might need some work.

What are strategies and how should I use them? 

Strategies detail the steps you’re taking to accomplish your goals! 

These can range from building a team to developing new products. 

You don’t want to get too specific here; that is what the financial section is for–strategies are more about giving yourself time management tools so you know when milestones will be reached! 

It also helps if these plans have an element of flexibility in case something unexpected happens along the way.

How much does it cost? 

The final sections of your business plan in South Africa involve numbers: revenue projections, expenses, etc. 

There isn’t one standard format or formula but there are plenty of resources available on how to calculate them. 

Basically, you want your financial section to show how the business will make money and what it will cost to run it!

What else do I need? 

Your business plan in South Africa should also include a cover page (with all of these details on there as well) and an appendix for additional information such as market research or employee resumes. 

With so much involved in creating a successful business plan in South Africa, don’t be afraid if this stage takes a while–just remember that once you have got everything together you are really one step closer to making your dreams come true.

When do you need a business plan?

• You need a business plan if you are;
• Seeking funding, investments, or loans
• Searching for a new partner or co-founder
• Attracting, hiring, and retaining top talent
• Experiencing slow growth and need a change

Tips to write a business plan in South Africa that will stand out

A). easy to read.

Make sure your business plan is easy to read and the sections flow together. 

Showcase lots of visuals and charts – these will keep readers’ attention ! 

The goal here isn’t just about getting people interested in what you’re doing, it’s about convincing them that they should invest or buy into your idea too.

b). Keep it brief

Don’t go overboard with the length of your business plan! 

A page a day doesn’t seem like much but by month’s end, you’ll have a sixty-page document that will turn off all but the most dedicated readers. 

Just give enough information to paint a picture and then let it shine through the action

c). Be smart about what you include

The financial section is going to be one of, if not THE most important part of your business plan–don’t forget that! 

It needs concise explanations as well as relevant numbers; don’t just write down random expenses or revenue projections (unless this is how you actually work) because these things need context in order for someone reading this document now to understand them later on when they’re doing their own calculations.

Remember that a business plan in South Africa isn’t just about making your idea look great, it is also about getting you closer to achieving the goals YOU set out for yourself.

Be confident in what you’ve written and make sure any feedback from readers is constructive rather than telling them they should have done something differently if there wasn’t a reason why they did it this way instead.

d). Proofread!

Nothing is worse than typos or grammatical errors in a business plan–it makes you look unprofessional and careless. 

Make sure everything has been double-checked before submitting! 

Remember that this document should be your guiding light throughout the entire process so take care of it as best you can to ensure it’s always working for YOU rather than against you.

Business plan template in South Africa

Even if you don’t plan to seek investments, it is good to write a business plan. There are other reasons for this, use this business plan template in South Africa:

• Writing out your goals helps you see what you want to accomplish. You can make more of a plan for what to do next.
• It is a chance to better understand your market (e.g., demographics, behaviors)
• You can make sure that everyone on your team is doing their job. Set up the roles for each person and tell them how to do these jobs. Make sure you set goals for each person.
• Team members can also refer to the document to stay on track
• Catching errors before they happen is important. It helps you make sure financial projections are accurate.
• You’ll be able to see the problems that could come up in the future.

Final thoughts on how to write a business plan in South Africa

Writing a business plan can be tough, but it’s also one of the most important steps in starting your own company. 

Remember to take care of every aspect and don’t let anyone tell you that their way is the only way.

It doesn’t matter if this is your first time writing or your fiftieth–just make sure everything comes together as soon as possible so you can actually get started on building YOUR empire!

Business Plan Pro®

021 834 9799

Specialised Business Plan

Need a  Specialised Business Plan for an advanced Funding Application ?  We write Professional Business Plans for Funding Applications, Investments & Industry Regulators.

Our  Specialised  Business Plan  is ideal for an established Business looking to apply for Growth Funding .

Included in this option is a Specialised Business Plan Layout, In-Depth Market Research, In-Depth Business Model Analysis, In-Depth Business Strategy, Marketing & Sales Strategies and a 5 Year Financial Projection on Your behalf.

Business Plan Pro® Accreditations

Business Plan Pro® is a Subsidiary Brand of My SME™, and an IMCSA Accredited Business Coaching institute (My SME™ Accreditation Number: 073PIMC ).

We’re focused on Business Plan and Feasibility Study services to assist Businesses to grow through Funding . Business Plan Pro® is the first South African Business to create Custom Business Plan Software for South Africans.

Our Specialised Business Plan is ideal for an established Business looking to apply for Growth Funding.

(21 Working Days)

Our Specialised Business Plan is ideal for an Established Business looking to apply for Growth Funding . Included in this option is a Specialised Business Plan Layout, In-Depth Market Research, In-Depth Business Model Analysis, In-Depth Business Strategy, Marketing & Sales Strategies and a 5 Year Financial Projection on Your behalf.

Service Includes: 

• 60 - 80 pages.
• All the Advantages of the Comprehensive Business Plan.
• 5 Year Financial Projections.
• In-Depth Market Research.
• TAM (Total Addressable Market).
• WTP (Customer Willing to Pay).
• MRS (Market Revenue Size).
• In-Depth Business Model Analysis.
• In-Depth Business Strategy.
• In-Depth Marketing & Sales Strategy.
• A Competitive Advantage Analysis
• SWOT and PESTEL Analysis.

Advanced Business Package

from R49,990 

(30 Working Days)

Our Advanced Business Package is for established SME’s looking to grow their Business on the right foundation with a Specialised Business Plan and a Professional Brand .

Package Includes: 

• Specialised Business Plan (Valued at R19,990).
• Advanced Brand Package (Valued at R14,990).
• Advanced Website (quotes range from R14,990).

NOTE  that with this package you complete a  brand questionnaire  that tells us all we need to know about your business to create a professional logo. The logo concepts presented are  custom options  that you are allowed to review and based upon feedback,  up to 3 rounds of amendments  are catered for, not just the logo,  but for all elements included in this package.  Note that  designs for Social Media Templates are provided,  but the rollout and implementation of  ongoing Social Media marketing  is not included, but  can be offered as an additional service.

Some Client Reviews

What an awesome company and experience. Prompt, on time, flexible, yet sooooo professional…..  Even my wife does not know how my mind works. Yet Business Plan Pro® could put my vision into paper in an amazing way….. Looking good. Thanks Kayleen and Nicole. Looking forward to the rest of our journey together.

Louis Lubbe Managing Director of Lubbe Projects & Company (Pty) Ltd.

Business Plan Pro® will give you the best Business Plan, with that said I can stand on the edge of a cliff on a windy day for you to prove me wrong, I had a very close deadline when I gave them my information, in fact with my little knowledge on business planning I thought they would fumble so I panicked and gave them every single bit of information I had and I couldn’t sleep worrying about whether I won’t find them the next day 😂😭🤣, well they are legit & you can sleep peacefully, they truly exceeded my expectations. BEST BUSINESS PLAN IN SA so far. Braaaaaah The level of research I saw in that business plan I realized I didn’t know my business 😩🤣

Success Ngcobo

From day one of contacting Business Plan Pro® I received five star service. I was even happier with their delivery. There’s no doubt I will be using Business Plan Pro® again in future. Anyone who needs their service should not hesitate. Business Plan Pro® is simply the best. Thank you once again!

Boitumelo Ralenala

Thanks Business Plan Pro® for Quality, Prompt and Professional service and uber presentation of the Business Plan. Keep it up!

Ashraf Patel  Managing Director of Baobab Green Tech (Pty) Ltd.

Get Started

Learn more about our service.

Please let us know if you have a question, want to leave a comment, or would like further information.

Our Track Record

Our services will empower you to apply for funding, a lease agreement or at an industry regulator, see how business plan pro® assisted coco vogue (pty) ltd. to get funding and secure a lease agreement..

Learn more about our Business Growth Services!

• Mon - Fri : 08:00 - 17:00
• Request A Quote

• Business Plans

BUSINESS PLANS IN JOHANNESBURG

Looking for professional to do a professional business plan in Johannesburg South Africa? ProExcell Consultants have more than five years writing affordable business plans for start up entities, small businesses, entrepreneurs and medium enterprises in South Africa helping them structure their ideas, goals and strategize their operations.

A business Plan is the blueprint of your business, useful when you want to attract partners, investors, start up loans and operational finance to grow your small business.

Professional Business Plan Company in Johannesburg

Why business plan, what are the benefits, why choose us.

Why You Need A Business Plan

Helps Set Out Your Goals

Your business plan is your official and formal statement of your business goals justifying why you are in business and how to achieve your goals.

Sets A Clear Operational, Marketing & Financial Strategy

It helps you clarify direction - what resources needs to be employed, what it is all about, and what it intends to be in the near future.

You Need It To Apply For A Loan

The first thing financiers, banks, loan companies and investors ask before the can bank roll your idea is a properly done business plan detailing how your venture will be profitable.

Its Your Yardstick To Measure Progress

A business plan is a strategic tool to measure if the business is in the right direction and course ensuring that it is meeting all sales, production targets and operational growth milestones.

A Good Business Plan Helps You Plan For The Future

You need a properly done plan to guide your operations, plan what is needed to be done, to be achieved, resources needed and measure how far you can go.

What Are The Benefits Of A Business Plan?

Helps In Applying For Funding

One language any financier understands is a business plan. Therefore, having one will increase your chances of getting your start up loan and business finance. Your business plan is your official and formal statement of your business goals justifying why you are in business and how to achieve your goals.

BUSINESS PLAN QUOTE

Fast registrations.

Want fast online company registrations online for your business?

Need A Professional Business Plan

• IT Services and Support
• Request a Quote
• Marketing and Advertising
• Finance and Accounting
• Business Consulting
• Development and Design
• Business Essentials
• Services & Solutions
• Request A Quote

List of Top Business Plan Consultants in South Africa

A business plan is definitely critical if you need to approach a bank or investor for funding. It is essential for your enterprise, whether your business is starting up or already established, it’s the roadmap for future development.

A good business plan will help you obtain financing, arrange strategic alliances and attract potential investors to your business which is becoming critical in the current BEE environment here in South Africa.

Benefits 

Important if you are seeking a loan or investment 

Catch cash flow problems earlier 

You gain an understanding of your market. 

You can better plan and manage cash flows 

You can draft your own business plan but it is better to get advice from a business expert on how best to draft a business plan that speaks to both investors and your customers. According to Grow Think , By hiring a professional business plan writer, you can focus on what you do best while someone else takes on what they do best. This will save time and money for both parties involved while ensuring that everything is handled to make your business a success.

Here are a few things that you need to have in your business plan: 

Executive summary

Company description

Market analysis 

Organization and management 

Service or product line 

Marketing and sales 

Funding request 

Financial projections 

You can hire a business consultant to help you draft your business plan. There are many business consultant services in South Africa. Here are four important factors to consider when choosing one who is suitable for your business: 

Ensure that the consultant specialises in drafting business plans for businesses within your industry. 

Determine what the consultancy’s niche is and how they can help your business.

Consider the consulting costs. Are you going to be charged an hourly, projected or retainer fee? 

Serv has a number of business consultants who are ready to help you draft your business plan. Find your Business Plan expert on Serv now.

Get Funded: Attract Investors and Financial Institutions with a Bankable Business Plan. Greetings from JTB Consulting ― South Africa's #1 Business

Award winning Business Plans are developed.  Guidance on Funding and move your business forward. We provide holistic support to start/grow and develop

‘Helping SMEs Flourish’ We help SME Business Owners 2-3x their businesses within 6 -12 months through our Resilient Business Success systems

We are qualified business consultant based in Johannesburg and Vaal area but we have remote services. We offer exceptional service to all.

I am a Business Coach looking to assist Small Business owners become financially sustainable through Business Coaching and Finance Training.

CLR Consult was established in 2014.  The owner, Christi Pieterse, is an Industrial Psychologist with years of experience, both in the public and private

From Registration to total Compliance, We handle it. Your job is to focus on the Business CIPC, SARS, COIDA, UIF, CSD, CIDB etc

We offer affordable, all-in-one, business coach and advisory services focused on profitability and business growth for small businesses owners who wish to

We specialize in consulting about the Petroleum industry. We assist companies in acquiring Petroleum Wholesale Licenses which will able them to buy fuel

With the entire globe focused on new Ways of Work (WOW) most if not all teams are remote and geographically dispersed increasing the need for robust tech

Comprehensive business plan with financial projections.

We assist you set up and launch profitable businesses and accelerate their growth in the fastest possible timeframe.

We offer over 120 Company Services, including Company Registration, Shelf Companies, Tax Clearance, VAT Registration, Letter of Good Standing, COID Registration,

We Register Companies, We do SARS Registrations and B-BBEE Certificates, WCA/COIDA Registration.

Secretary Bird provides a wide range of specialist company secretarial services, from new company registrations and amendments to filing annual returns, ensuring

We are Passionate about Entrepreneurship in South Africa. The The Business Plan Pro Team has a DREAM to Kickstart the South African Economy through Funding

StratAlign is a BBBEE Level 2 black empowered management consultancy that focuses on enhancing human potential and performance. Essentially strategic planning

Our fee ranges are given to assist clients in making their decision of whether to proceed with a business plan or not. Micro to small businesses (including

• List your Company
• Get a Quote
• Services by Category
• Services by Location
• Write a Review
• Knowledge Base
• How It Works
• Password Retrieval
• Site Feedback
• Are You A Service Provider? Get Leads To Grow Your Business - Join Today »

Member Login

• Register New Account
• Not a Registered User? Create Free User Account
• Are You a Local Business List Your Company Now

Create New Account

Enter Email and Create Password

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Professional Business Plan Specialists

News and articles, how much does a business plan cost in south africa (2024 edition).

• Thommie Burger
• January 5, 2024

Understanding the cost of business plan writers in South Africa is crucial for entrepreneurs crafting a venture roadmap. The price variation, ranging from R1,000 to R100,000+, prompts the question: “Why such a significant gap in business plan prices in South Africa?” This article by JTB Consulting aims to unravel the intricacies of Business Plan Costs, exploring the factors influencing these variations and guiding entrepreneurs in making informed choices.

Let’s see if we can answer the following Key Questions:

• Decoding Business Plan Pricing: Navigating the South African Landscape
• The Price Tag on Success: Unraveling Business Plan Costs in South Africa
• Crafting the Perfect Plan: A Comprehensive Guide to Business Plan Pricing
• From Low to Premium: Understanding the Spectrum of Business Plan Fees in South Africa
• How much does it Cost to Draw up a Business Plan in South Africa?
• How much does it Cost for Someone to Write a Business Plan?
• Can I Pay Someone to Write my Business Plan?
• Business Plan Prices In South Africa in 2024
• Business Plan Writers Cost in South Africa

Factors Influencing Business Plan Costs in South Africa

• Value-Added Services: Business plan costs are not merely about the service but also include value-added services. In-depth consultation, market research, strategic planning assistance, and other support the Business Plan Writer provides – especially to startups – may drive up business plan prices. However, the value received by the client is unmatched.
• Overhead Costs: Considerable overheads, such as advertising, the number of business plan writers, and other operational expenses, contribute to higher pricing. Companies investing in paid advertising methods incur additional costs. Overheads within the business plan consulting firms also impact the final pricing.
• Consultant Experience: Business plan writers’ experience is pivotal in pricing. Established writers with a track record of successful plans and investor interactions command higher fees. The expertise and insights they bring to the table justify the increased cost.
• Type of Plan Needed: The complexity and depth of the business plan required influence costs. A basic document for strategy may cost less, while comprehensive plans designed for significant funding or intricate business models command higher fees.
• Data Availability: Access to primary and secondary data about the business affects pricing. In-depth market research and data analysis contribute to a more robust business plan, impacting the overall cost.
• Customisation and Uniqueness: Business plans are not generic commodities. The level of customisation, uniqueness, and tailored strategies for each business influences pricing. Templates might reduce costs but compromise the plan’s effectiveness and success in securing funding from investors.

JTB Consulting has been included in Outsource Accelerator’s 2023 Edition of the Top 20 Business Consulting Firms in South Africa. We are honoured to have been included among global leaders like Mercer, EY, and Accenture. Read more here: JTB Consulting is among the Top 20 Business Consulting Firms in South Africa.

Business Plan Cost: Understanding Pricing Tiers

Business plan cost ― very low business plan pricing (r1,000 to r5,000).

• Affordable for budget-conscious startups.
• Price is the only positive, as you won’t receive a business plan that can be used for funding applications and will do more harm to your credibility than good.
• Perfect if you want a business plan template and you will write the Business Plan yourself.
• Relies on generic templates.
• Limited experience as a business plan writer/company.
• Your business plan will lack investor appeal.
• Your business plan won’t get funded.
• If you pay peanuts, you’ll get monkeys.
• Template-driven financial projections that won’t comply with funder/investor requirements.
• No market research.
• No strategic planning.
• No consultation.
• Average ratings on Google are 2.5 out of 5.

Business Plan Software sites host such services. Also, at least six (6) companies in South Africa fall in this price range of R1,000 to R5,000 for a Business Plan.

BEWARE! They use templates and merely populate the template with the information you provide. Check out our articles on Business Plan Con Artists and Scam Business Plan Consultants operating in South Africa to guide your decision.

Business Plan Cost ― Low- to Medium Business Plan Pricing (R5,000 – R10,000)

• Ideally suited for the budget-conscious startup that has done most of the work themselves.
• The entrepreneur/client merely needs a business plan writer to design a business plan and write a narrative supporting the work they have already completed.
• It is suited for micro businesses that want less than R1 million in funding.
• Limited consulting experience.
• No international experience.
• Business plans may lack all the requirements of funders/investors.
• Entrepreneurs/clients need to do a lot of work themselves.
• A simplistic financial model that won’t comply with funder/investor requirements.
• Basic market research.
• Basic consultation.
• Average ratings on Google are 3.5 out of 5.

Four (4) companies in South Africa fall in this price range of R5,000 to R10,000 for a Business Plan.

BEWARE! Some of them also use business plan templates. Their pricing is so low because Business Plan Writing is not their sole/core business. Their primary business is website development, accounting services, and company registrations. Business Plan Writing is just an add-on. Ask yourself: “Do you want a Jack of all Trades or a Specialist to write your Business Plan, where Business Planning is their Core Service?”

Business Plan Cost ― Medium- to High Business Plan Pricing (R10,000 to R25,000)

• More advanced financial projections model.
• More detailed market research.
• Consultation with the writer.
• Extensive local experience.
• More experience across various South African markets and industries.
• They may have higher ratings on Google and positive reviews on social media.
• It is easier for a client to conduct due diligence on these business plan writers since these companies have operated for at least 10 years.
• Higher costs based on their extensive South African experience.
• Lack of international experience and limited insights into the latest global trends may limit the value added to a client’s business plan.
• They may not be willing to share examples of past work.
• They may have limited/no academic qualifications in Business Management, Accounting and International Relations.
• No experience working with JSE-listed blue chips and Larger Private Companies.
• Primarily experience in only dealing with Micro and Small Startup Businesses seeking less than R10 million in funding.
• No/little experience dealing with large-scale multi-million/billion Rand projects.
• Average ratings on Google are 4.2 out of 5.

Five (5) companies in South Africa fall in this price range of R10,000 to R25,000 for a Business Plan.

They have substantial South African experience and have dealt with hundreds of Local Smaller Startups. However, they lack international experience and have no/limited involvement in writing Business Plans for Listed Companies, government institutions, larger Projects, and Companies based both in South Africa and abroad. Therefore, they are ideal for new startups and small projects focused on the South African market.

Business Plan Cost ― Premium Business Plan Pricing (R25,000+)

• Ideal for entrepreneurs seeking comprehensive support beyond a traditional business plan.
• More advanced financial projections model, with experience designing extremely complex Financial Models in various currencies for multiple industries covering 5-15+ year projections.
• Company valuations are usually included.
• Detailed and in-depth market research.
• Extensive local and international experience across hundreds of markets and industries.
• Experience in dealing with Governments, Listed Blue Chips, SMMEs, startups and existing companies.
• In-depth consultation.
• Strategic Plan writing (not just Business Plan writing).
• Average ratings on Google are 4.7 out of 5.
• Multiple positive reviews on social media.
• A client can conduct due diligence on these business plan writers more easily since these companies have been operating for at least 15 years.
• Academic qualifications in Accounting, Financial Management, International Business Management, and Strategic Planning.
• Experienced in writing business plans for funding applications starting at R1 million to those exceeding R1 billion.
• Extensive Business Consulting and Management Consulting experience.
• Higher cost based on all the value-added insights and work done by the Business Plan Company.

Three (3) companies in South Africa fall in this price range of R25,000+ for a Business Plan.

They have substantial global experience and have dealt with thousands of entrepreneurs in South Africa, Africa, Europe, and North America. They have hundreds of client testimonials and professional recommendations and stand out from the competitors with their consistent and new Reviews and 5-star Reviews on Google. The higher cost associated with their world-class service may not be affordable for smaller startups.

The Business Plan Price Question…

How much does a Business Plan Cost? 

This is a question we get asked daily. JTB Consulting is not an off-the-shelf or template-driven  Business Plan Company. The  Business Plan Fee  correlates directly to the work necessary to produce a Bankable Business Plan. Moreover, every single client is unique, and their dreams, business ideas, and requirements are unique. 

Therefore, our  Business Plan Service  is unique.

Many Business Plan Writers use business planning software and templates to help them. They ask you questions, plug the answers you give them into the software or template, and like magic, abracadabra, there’s your Business Plan. 

JTB Consulting’s approach is different.

Your unique requirements determine a business plan price, the purpose of the business plan, the amount of work and consultation required, the complexity of the industry, the business venture, the financial model, and many other factors.

Contact our team today for a free  Business Plan Quote . Our most important aspect is that you receive a Business Plan that is bankable, makes sense, and is realistic, viable, and suitable for you, your investors, or your funders.

Complete our  Get A Quote  form. Our team will review your unique request and contact you should we require clarification regarding any information provided or for any additional information we may need. 

We appreciate you taking the time to consider working with  JTB Consulting , South Africa’s  #1   Business Planner . 

Please view some of our Client Testimonials at the link below. Alternatively, you can read some  Professional Recommendations  from our Past Clients on our LinkedIn Page.

Finally, feel free to view the  5-star Reviews  we have received on Google.

business plan prices, business plan cost, business plan pricing, business plan writers cost in south africa, business plan writer cost, business plan cost south africa, business plan costs in south africa.

Established in 2006, we have successfully written hundreds of bankable and world-class Business Plans  for clients across 25 countries. As South Africa’s Leading Business Plan Company , we are confident that we would be able to assist you too. Kindly note that we also offer “Investor Pitch Decks”, “Excel-based Financial Models”, and “Proposal/Tender Writing Services” in addition to our Custom Business Plan Writing Service . Please visit our Services  page for more information.

We look forward to being of service to you. Please feel free to contact our Founder, Dr Thommie Burger, on +27 79 300 8984 should you have any questions. He is also available via email and LinkedIn .

JTB – Your Business Planning Partner.

Recently published articles.

45+ Business Ideas for Success in South Africa: JTB Consulting’s Extensive 2024 Guide

PESTEL Analysis ― Its Importance in Your Business Planning for 2024

When you do a Feasibility Study, you Must Ask These 20 Questions

50 Important Questions to Ask in Your SWOT Analysis

Small Business Consulting: How to Improve Your Organisation’s Performance

Exploring the 7 Duties of a Startup CEO in 2024

• 2024. JTB Consulting. All Rights Reserved
• Website by Pixelworks
• Request a Quote
• Case Studies
• Testimonials
• Privacy Policy

[email protected]

• Subscribe to our Newsletter

Subscribe to our Newsletter.

Stay informed and opt-in for our newsletter via email. We respect your privacy and we never spam.

021 834 9799

Need A Business Plan?

We assist with specialist Business Plans , Feasibility Studies and Company Profiles for funding applications at government institutes, banks and private funders.

Our committed team of business plan and feasibility study specialists works closely with business owners to craft successful business plans, feasibility studies and financial projections . 

My SME™ is the first South African company to create Business Plan Software for Africa.

My SME™ a ccreditations

We are an  IMCSA acccredited business coaching institute (My SME™ accreditation number: 073PIMC).

We are a SAIPA accredited accounting practice (SAIPA membership number: 49629).

Business Plan Services

We assist with specialist business plans for funding applications, tenders / contracts applications and lease agreements., comprehensive business plan.

(14 – 21 Working Days)

Our Comprehensive Business Plan option is tailored for small to medium businesses seeking funding or tender opportunities. The comprehensive business plan includes a well-structured layout , market research , a detailed competitor analysis , and a 5-year financial projection.

• 40 – 60 pages.
• 5-year Financial Projection.
• Comprehensive Market Research.
• Comprehensive  Competitor Analysis.
• Comprehensive  Business Model Analysis.
• Comprehensive  SWOT & PESTEL Analysis.

Specialised Business Plan

Our S pecialised Business Plan is tailored for established businesses pursuing funding or tender opportunities. The specialised business plan option includes an advanced business plan layout , in-depth market research , business model analysis ,  specialised business strategy , and detailed marketing & sales strategies , and a 5-year financial projection.

• 60  –  80 pages.
• All the Advantages of the Comprehensive.
• 5 Year Financial Projections.
• Advanced Market Research.
• TAM (Total Addressable Market).
• WTP (Customer Willing to Pay).
• MRS (Market Revenue Size).
• Advanced Business Model Analysis.
• Advanced Business Strategy.
• Advanced Marketing & Sales Strategy.
• A Competitive Advantage Analysis.
• SWOT and PESTEL Analysis.

Feasibility Study

from R49,990

Our Advanced Feasibility Study is tailored for established businesses seeking a comprehensive analysis of project viability , to determine whether the project or venture is likely to succeed. Our feasibility study is done online and is accessible all over South Africa. It includes an executive summary , detailed description of products/services , a SWOT analysis, PESTEL analysis, Porter’s five forces analysis, and presents analytical findings with recommendations to aid in informed decision-making.

• An Executive Summary.
• A Growth Plan.
• A Project Description
• Vision and Mission Statement.
• A Business Model.
• An Industry Analysis.
• A Market Analysis.
• The Industry Big Players.
• A Competitor Analysis.
• A Description of Your Products / Services.
• Marketing Strategy.
• Sales Strategy.
• A 5 Year Financial Projection Analysis.
• Findings and Recommendations.

What an awesome company and experience. Prompt, on time, flexible, yet sooooo professional…..  Even my wife does not know how my mind works. Yet Business Plan Pro® could put my vision into paper in an amazing way….. Looking good. Thanks Kayleen and Nicole. Looking forward to the rest of our journey together.

Louis Lubbe Managing Director of Lubbe Projects & Company (Pty) Ltd.

Business Plan Pro® will give you the best Business Plan, with that said I can stand on the edge of a cliff on a windy day for you to prove me wrong, I had a very close deadline when I gave them my information, in fact with my little knowledge on business planning I thought they would fumble so I panicked and gave them every single bit of information I had and I couldn’t sleep worrying about whether I won’t find them the next day 😂😭🤣, well they are legit & you can sleep peacefully, they truly exceeded my expectations. BEST BUSINESS PLAN IN SA so far. Braaaaaah The level of research I saw in that business plan I realized I didn’t know my business 😩🤣

Success Ngcobo

From day one of contacting Business Plan Pro® I received five star service. I was even happier with their delivery. There’s no doubt I will be using Business Plan Pro® again in future. Anyone who needs their service should not hesitate. Business Plan Pro® is simply the best. Thank you once again!

Boitumelo Ralenala

Thanks Business Plan Pro® for Quality, Prompt and Professional service and uber presentation of the Business Plan. Keep it up!

Ashraf Patel  Managing Director of Baobab Green Tech (Pty) Ltd.

Get Started

Learn more about our business plans.

Please let us know if you have a question, want to leave a comment, or would like further information.

Our Business Plan Services will empower you to apply for funding and grow your business from good to great!

My sme™ is a trusted business plan advisor.

See how My SME™ assisted Coco Vogue (Pty) Ltd. to get funding and secure a lease agreement.

Learn more about our Business Plan Services!

Business Plan Writers South Africa

At BusinessPlanWriters.co.za, we specialize in turning your business aspirations into compelling stories packed with solid financial forecasts and market insights. Our team of experienced business plan writers in South Africa is dedicated to providing personalized solutions that resonate with local and international investors, financial institutions, and grant agencies.

Each business plan we craft is more than a document—it’s a reflection of your business idea, polished and honed to communicate its viability and potential. We don’t just deliver numbers and forecasts; we tell the story of your business, highlighting its strengths, addressing its challenges, and setting forth a clear path to growth and profitability.

Helping you with any of your business plan needs!

Our services: tailored to your success.

• Custom Business Plans: We understand the South African business landscape. Our plans are tailor-made, fitting your business like a glove.
• Market Research & Analysis: Insightful research and analytics to keep you ahead in South Africa’s dynamic markets.
• Financial Projections: Detailed, realistic financial projections that investors trust.
• Investor-Ready Documents: Persuasive and professional plans that speak the language of investors.

Crafting the Future of South African Businesses

At Business Plan Writers South Africa, we are a collective of seasoned professionals united by a single mission: to empower entrepreneurs and businesses with exceptional business planning services. Our expertise is matched by our passion for catalyzing growth and our commitment to client success. With a rich understanding of South Africa’s diverse economic landscape, we craft bespoke business plans that provide clarity, attract investment, and drive sustainable growth. Your vision is our blueprint, and together, we create the roadmap to your business’s future.

Promote your business by quality services

Detailed, persuasive business plans crafted to secure equity investments from angel investors, venture capitalists, or private equity firms. Specialized plans that meet the requirements of banks and other financial institutions for loan applications.

In-depth analysis to assess the viability of new business ideas or expansion plans before significant investments are made.

Detailed market studies to understand the competitive landscape, customer demographics, and emerging trends.

Visually engaging presentations designed to complement business plans and captivate potential investors during pitches. Price ranges from R1000 depending on your requirements.

From Start-Ups to Corporate Giants

Whether you’re a start-up looking for venture capital or an established corporation planning to expand, we have the tools, talent, and tactics to assist. Our client portfolio is a mosaic of South African enterprise, showcasing a track record of measurable achievements and client satisfaction.

Our Business Plan Features

Our business plan services stand out in the South African market for their precision, customization, and alignment with both local and global business standards. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Bespoke Planning: Each business plan is carefully crafted to reflect your unique business goals and market position.
• In-Depth Analysis: Rigorous market and financial analysis ensure your plan is robust and credible.
• Strategic Focus: We go beyond documentation to provide you with a strategic tool for growth, investment, and success.
• Professional Presentation: Clear, concise, and professional formatting to make a lasting impression on readers.
• Ongoing Support: We offer revisions and advice to keep your business plan as dynamic as the markets you operate in.
• 1 Year Financial Projections
• 5 Day Turnaround Time
• Experienced Business Plan Writer
• 25-30 Pages
• Investor Friendly
• 2 Year Financial Projections
• 7 Day Turnaround Time
• 30-40 Pages
• Source References
• Best for Investors
• Suitable for Visa Applications
• 3 Year Financial Projection
• 10 Day Turnaround Time

Customers that we’ve tested had quite a lot of positive feedback.

BusinessPlanWriters.co.za was instrumental in getting my tech startup off the ground. The Standard Plan was not only affordable but also thoroughly detailed, providing me with the perfect foundation to pitch to my first investors. Truly top-notch service!

"I opted for the Extensive Plan and was blown away by the depth of market research and nuanced financial analysis provided. The team at BusinessPlanWriters.co.za understood the complexity of my business model and delivered a stellar plan that has been pivotal to my business's growth."

Get great news and insight from our expert team.

How Much Does a Business Plan Cost in South Africa?

Despite the cost of a business plan being prohibitive for many, a well-crafted business plan is the cornerstone of any successful venture, […]

Fill the form to get a free quote

Contact us now.

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur or an established business owner in Johannesburg seeking a roadmap to success? Look no further! Our seasoned team of business plan writers in Johannesburg is here to transform your business ideas into professional, investor-ready plans that drive results.

Adobe Acrobat Plans & Pricing

Choose how to pay:

Acrobat Standard for teams

Annual subscription, paid monthly, cancel within 14 days for a full refund. Fee applies if you cancel after 14 days.

Simple PDF app with capabilities to edit, convert and e-sign.

Number of licences

Secure transaction

Most popular

Acrobat Pro for teams

Comprehensive PDF solution with full convert and edit capabilities, advanced e-sign features and more.

Buy 5 or more seats and get 7.5% off for the first year.  See terms .

Acrobat for enterprise

Call or contact us for more information about enterprise-grade capabilities for large organisations.

Annual subscription, prepaid, cancel within 14 days for a full refund. No refund if you cancel after 14 days.

Buy 5 or more seats and get 7.5% off for the first year. See terms .

Would you like to learn more? Compare versions of Acrobat .

Questions? We have answers.

Acrobat is a productivity and collaboration PDF solution, combining Acrobat desktop software, the mobile scan app, the signature app and Acrobat Reader mobile app — enhanced with premium mobile features and premium Document Cloud services so you can work securely and efficiently from anywhere.

Your subscription to Acrobat includes the following: Acrobat Pro or Acrobat Standard desktop software — including future feature updates, quarterly security enhancements and improvements. Adobe Document Cloud services, which let you complete essential PDF tasks with the Acrobat Reader mobile app or in your web browser, including storing and sharing files online. Document Cloud services also enable complete workflows for sending, e-signing and tracking documents, with the option to perform these tasks via pre-built integrations within Microsoft, Box, Google and more. Adobe Acrobat Sign subscription — a swipe-and-tap solution to collect & sign electronic and digital signatures on any device.

When you subscribe to Acrobat Pro or Acrobat Standard, you pay a monthly or annual fee based on the plan you choose. Regular updates will ensure your product is the current release of Acrobat. You will not  need to upgrade your product as long as you keep your subscription current.

Yes. Acrobat 2020 desktop software is available as a one-time purchase . It does not include quarterly Acrobat feature enhancements or access to premium Adobe Document Cloud services like Adobe Sign via your web browser and mobile devices.

Yes. Many Acrobat tools and utilities are available to streamline enterprise deployments and help control IT costs. To learn more, visit the IT resources page.

See the Acrobat technical specifications page for information.

Yes. At Adobe, the security of your digital experiences is our priority. Whether related to identity management, data confidentiality or document integrity, Adobe employs industry-standard security practices to protect your documents, data and personal information. For additional information about our security practices, the Adobe Secure Product Lifecycle or Adobe Document Cloud solution security, see www.adobe.com/security.

An Individual subscription is a single licence meant for use by one user. A Team subscription allows an organisation to purchase more than one license and manage those licence(s) among users in an admin console.

If you have a business and need to manage just a few licences among users, the Acrobat Team subscription might be a good option and can be purchased directly. For larger businesses and enterprises that have more complex deployment and administrative needs, see our volume licensing options. Contact Sales or contact an Adobe Authorized Reseller.

Acrobat Pro for teams free trial is a 14-day multi-user free trial, where you can have up to 10 people try the product together. You’ll have access to the full-featured Acrobat Pro, meaning you can access powerful PDF capabilities (create, edit, convert, combine, share, protect and more) and e-sign capabilities (fill & sign, request signatures and more).

Acrobat Standard enables you to complete basic PDF tasks like edit, convert, password-protect and request signatures. Acrobat Pro includes everything in Acrobat Standard plus additional PDF features and a wide variety of e-signature tools. With Acrobat Pro, you can compare PDFs to review differences, redact sensitive information, collect and track multiple signatures with bulk send, add brand customisation, among many other tasks.

We've added a wide variety of e-signature tools that enable you to send agreements in bulk for signature, collect payments with Braintree , where available, add branding to agreements, among many others. Acrobat Pro now combines extensive PDF and e-signature tools, all in one app, allowing you to complete tasks easily and efficiently so you save time.

All prices subject to applicable local taxes.

Get offer pop-up window

Save 7.5% on every 5-licence pack.

Discount pack

   /licence 

Minimum of 5 licences. First year only. See terms.

Equal to 22.19/mo/licence, includes 7.5% discount. Cancel within 14 days for a full refund . Windows and Mac.

   /yr/licence 

Language Navigation

• Share full article

For more audio journalism and storytelling, download New York Times Audio , a new iOS app available for news subscribers.

A Plan to Remake the Middle East

While talks for a cease-fire between israel and hamas continue, another set of negotiations is happening behind the scenes..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

From New York Times, I’m Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily.

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

Today, if and when Israel and Hamas reach a deal for a ceasefire fire, the United States will immediately turn to a different set of negotiations over a grand diplomatic bargain that it believes could rebuild Gaza and remake the Middle East. My colleague Michael Crowley has been reporting on that plan and explains why those involved in it believe they have so little time left to get it done.

It’s Wednesday, May 8.

Michael, I want to start with what feels like a pretty dizzying set of developments in this conflict over the past few days. Just walk us through them?

Well, over the weekend, there was an intense round of negotiations in an effort, backed by the United States, to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza war.

The latest ceasefire proposal would reportedly see as many as 33 Israeli hostages released in exchange for potentially hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

US officials were very eager to get this deal.

Pressure for a ceasefire has been building ahead of a threatened Israeli assault on Rafah.

Because Israel has been threatening a military offensive in the Southern Palestinian city of Rafah, where a huge number of people are crowded.

Fleeing the violence to the North. And now they’re packed into Rafah. Exposed and vulnerable, they need to be protected.

And the US says it would be a humanitarian catastrophe on top of the emergency that’s already underway.

Breaking news this hour — very important breaking news. An official Hamas source has told The BBC that it does accept a proposal for a ceasefire deal in Gaza.

And for a few hours on Monday, it looked like there might have been a major breakthrough when Hamas put out a statement saying that it had accepted a negotiating proposal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the ceasefire proposal does not meet his country’s requirements. But Netanyahu says he will send a delegation of mediators to continue those talks. Now, the terms —

But those hopes were dashed pretty quickly when the Israelis took a look at what Hamas was saying and said that it was not a proposal that they had agreed to. It had been modified.

And overnight —

Israeli troops stormed into Rafah. Video showing tanks crashing over a sign at the entrance of the city.

— the Israelis launched a partial invasion of Rafah.

It says Hamas used the area to launch a deadly attack on Israeli troops over the weekend.

And they have now secured a border crossing at the Southern end of Gaza and are conducting targeted strikes. This is not yet the full scale invasion that President Biden has adamantly warned Israel against undertaking, but it is an escalation by Israel.

So while all that drama might suggest that these talks are in big trouble, these talks are very much still alive and ongoing and there is still a possibility of a ceasefire deal.

And the reason that’s so important is not just to stop the fighting in Gaza and relieve the suffering there, but a ceasefire also opens the door to a grand diplomatic bargain, one that involves Israel and its Arab neighbors and the Palestinians, and would have very far-reaching implications.

And what is that grand bargain. Describe what you’re talking about?

Well, it’s incredibly ambitious. It would reshape Israel’s relationship with its Arab neighbors, principally Saudi Arabia. But it’s important to understand that this is a vision that has actually been around since well before October 7. This was a diplomatic project that President Biden had been investing in and negotiating actually in a very real and tangible way long before the Hamas attacks and the Gaza war.

And President Biden was looking to build on something that President Trump had done, which was a series of agreements that the Trump administration struck in which Israel and some of its Arab neighbors agreed to have normal diplomatic relations for the first time.

Right, they’re called the Abraham Accords.

That’s right. And, you know, Biden doesn’t like a lot of things, most things that Trump did. But he actually likes this, because the idea is that they contribute to stability and economic integration in the Middle East, the US likes Israel having friends and likes having a tight-knit alliance against Iran.

President Biden agrees with the Saudis and with the Israelis, that Iran is really the top threat to everybody here. So, how can you build on this? How can you expand it? Well, the next and biggest step would be normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

And the Saudis have made clear that they want to do this and that they’re ready to do this. They weren’t ready to do it in the Trump years. But Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, has made clear he wants to do it now.

So this kind of triangular deal began to take shape before October 7, in which the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia would enter this three way agreement in which everyone would get something that they wanted.

And just walk through what each side gets in this pre-October 7th version of these negotiations?

So for Israel, you get normalized ties with its most important Arab neighbor and really the country that sets the tone for the whole Muslim world, which is Saudi Arabia of course. It makes Israel feel safer and more secure. Again, it helps to build this alliance against Iran, which Israel considers its greatest threat, and it comes with benefits like economic ties and travel and tourism. And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been very open, at least before October 7th, that this was his highest diplomatic and foreign policy priority.

For the Saudis, the rationale is similar when it comes to Israel. They think that it will bring stability. They like having a more explicitly close ally against Iran. There are economic and cultural benefits. Saudi Arabia is opening itself up in general, encouraging more tourism.

But I think that what’s most important to the Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, is what he can get from the United States. And what he has been asking for are a couple of essential things. One is a security agreement whose details have always been a little bit vague, but I think essentially come down to reliable arms supplies from the United States that are not going to be cut off or paused on a whim, as he felt happened when President Biden stopped arms deliveries in 2021 because of how Saudi was conducting its war in Yemen. The Saudis were furious about that.

Saudi Arabia also wants to start a domestic nuclear power program. They are planning for a very long-term future, possibly a post-oil future. And they need help getting a nuclear program off the ground.

And they want that from the US?

And they want that from the US.

Now, those are big asks from the us. But from the perspective of President Biden, there are some really enticing things about this possible agreement. One is that it will hopefully produce more stability in the region. Again, the US likes having a tight-knit alliance against Iran.

The US also wants to have a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia. You know, despite the anger at Mohammed bin Salman over the murder of the Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, the Biden administration recognizes that given the Saudis control over global oil production and their strategic importance in the Middle East, they need to have a good relationship with them. And the administration has been worried about the influence of China in the region and with the Saudis in particular.

So this is an opportunity for the US to draw the Saudis closer. Whatever our moral qualms might be about bin Salman and the Saudi government, this is an opportunity to bring the Saudis closer, which is something the Biden administration sees as a strategic benefit.

All three of these countries — big, disparate countries that normally don’t see eye-to-eye, this was a win-win-win on a military, economic, and strategic front.

That’s right. But there was one important actor in the region that did not see itself as winning, and that was the Palestinians.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

First, it’s important to understand that the Palestinians have always expected that the Arab countries in the Middle East would insist that Israel recognize a Palestinian state before those countries were willing to essentially make total peace and have normal relations with Israel.

So when the Abraham Accords happened in the Trump administration, the Palestinians felt like they’d been thrown under the bus because the Abraham Accords gave them virtually nothing. But the Palestinians did still hold out hope that Saudi Arabia would be their savior. And for years, Saudi Arabia has said that Israel must give the Palestinians a state if there’s going to be a normal relationship between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Now the Palestinians see the Saudis in discussions with the US and Israel about a normalization agreement, and there appears to be very little on offer for the Palestinians. And they are feeling like they’re going to be left out in the cold here.

Right. And in the minds of the Palestinians, having already been essentially sold out by all their other Arab neighbors, the prospect that Saudi Arabia, of all countries, the most important Muslim Arab country in the region, would sell them out, had to be extremely painful.

It was a nightmare scenario for them. And in the minds of many analysts and US officials, this was a factor, one of many, in Hamas’s decision to stage the October 7th attacks.

Hamas, like other Palestinian leaders, was seeing the prospect that the Middle East was moving on and essentially, in their view, giving up on the Palestinian cause, and that Israel would be able to have friendly, normal relations with Arab countries around the region, and that it could continue with hardline policies toward the Palestinians and a refusal, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said publicly, to accept a Palestinian state.

Right. So Michael, once Hamas carries out the October 7th attacks in an effort to destroy a status quo that it thinks is leaving them less and less relevant, more and more hopeless, including potentially this prospect that Saudi Arabia is going to normalize relations with Israel, what happens to these pre-October 7th negotiations between the US, Saudi Arabia, and Israel?

Well, I think there was a snap assumption that these talks were dead and buried. That they couldn’t possibly survive a cataclysm like this.

But then something surprising happened. It became clear that all the parties were still determined to pull-off the normalization.

And most surprisingly of all, perhaps, was the continued eagerness of Saudi Arabia, which publicly was professing outrage over the Israeli response to the Hamas attacks, but privately was still very much engaged in these conversations and trying to move them forward.

And in fact, what has happened is that the scope of this effort has grown substantially. October 7th didn’t kill these talks. It actually made them bigger, more complicated, and some people would argue, more important than ever.

We’ll be right back.

Michael, walk us through what exactly happens to these three-way negotiations after October 7th that ends up making them, as you just said, more complicated and more important than ever?

Well, it’s more important than ever because of the incredible need in Gaza. And it’s going to take a deal like this and the approval of Saudi Arabia to unlock the kind of massive reconstruction project required to essentially rebuild Gaza from the rubble. Saudi Arabia and its Arab friends are also going to be instrumental in figuring out how Gaza is governed, and they might even provide troops to help secure it. None of those things are going to happen without a deal like this.

Fascinating.

But this is all much more complicated now because the price for a deal like this has gone up.

And by price, you mean?

What Israel would have to give up. [MUSIC PLAYING]

From Saudi Arabia’s perspective, you have an Arab population that is furious at Israel. It now feels like a really hard time to do a normalization deal with the Israelis. It was never going to be easy, but this is about as bad a time to do it as there has been in a generation at least. And I think that President Biden and the people around him understand that the status quo between Israel and the Palestinians is intolerable and it is going to lead to chaos and violence indefinitely.

So now you have two of the three parties to this agreement, the Saudis and the Americans, basically asking a new price after October 7th, and saying to the Israelis, if we’re going to do this deal, it has to not only do something for the Palestinians, it has to do something really big. You have to commit to the creation of a Palestinian state. Now, I’ll be specific and say that what you hear the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, say is that the agreement has to include an irreversible time-bound path to a Palestinian state.

We don’t know exactly what that looks like, but it’s some kind of a firm commitment, the likes of which the world and certainly the Israelis have not made before.

Something that was very much not present in the pre-October 7th vision of this negotiation. So much so that, as we just talked about, the Palestinians were left feeling completely out in the cold and furious at it.

That’s right. There was no sign that people were thinking that ambitiously about the Palestinians in this deal before October 7th. And the Palestinians certainly felt like they weren’t going to get much out of it. And that has completely changed now.

So, Michael, once this big new dimension after October 7th, which is the insistence by Saudi Arabia and the US that there be a Palestinian state or a path to a Palestinian state, what is the reaction specifically from Israel, which is, of course, the third major party to this entire conversation?

Well, Israel, or at least its political leadership, hates it. You know, this is just an extremely tough sell in Israel. It would have been a tough sell before October 7th. It’s even harder now.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is completely unrepentantly open in saying that there’s not going to be a Palestinian state on his watch. He won’t accept it. He says that it’s a strategic risk to his country. He says that it would, in effect, reward Hamas.

His argument is that terrorism has forced a conversation about statehood onto the table that wasn’t there before October 7th. Sure, it’s always in the background. It’s a perennial issue in global affairs, but it was not something certainly that the US and Israel’s Arab neighbors were actively pushing. Netanyahu also has — you know, he governs with the support of very right-wing members of a political coalition that he has cobbled together. And that coalition is quite likely to fall apart if he does embrace a Palestinian state or a path to a Palestinian state.

Now, he might be able to cobble together some sort of alternative, but it creates a political crisis for him.

And finally, you know, I think in any conversation about Israel, it’s worth bearing in mind something you hear from senior US officials these days, which is that although there is often finger pointing at Netanyahu and a desire to blame Netanyahu as this obstructionist who won’t agree to deals, what they say is Netanyahu is largely reflecting his population and the political establishment of his country, not just the right-wingers in his coalition who are clearly extremist.

But actually the prevailing views of the Israeli public. And the Israeli public and their political leaders across the spectrum right now with few exceptions, are not interested in talking about a Palestinian state when there are still dozens and dozens of Israeli hostages in tunnels beneath Gaza.

So it very much looks like this giant agreement that once seemed doable before October 7th might be more important to everyone involved than ever, given that it’s a plan for rebuilding Gaza and potentially preventing future October 7th’s from happening, but because of this higher price that Israel would have to pay, which is the acceptance of a Palestinian state, it seems from everything you’re saying, that this is more and more out of reach than ever before and hard to imagine happening in the immediate future. So if the people negotiating it are being honest, Michael, are they ready to acknowledge that it doesn’t look like this is going to happen?

Well, not quite yet. As time goes by, they certainly say it’s getting harder and harder, but they’re still trying, and they still think there’s a chance. But both the Saudis and the Biden administration understand that there’s very little time left to do this.

Well, what do you mean there’s very little time left? It would seem like time might benefit this negotiation in that it might give Israel distance from October 7th to think potentially differently about a Palestinian state?

Potentially. But Saudi Arabia wants to get this deal done in the Biden administration because Mohammed bin Salman has concluded this has to be done under a Democratic president.

Because Democrats in Congress are going to be very reluctant to approve a security agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

It’s important to understand that if there is a security agreement, that’s something Congress is going to have to approve. And you’re just not going to get enough Democrats in Congress to support a deal with Saudi Arabia, who a lot of Democrats don’t like to begin with, because they see them as human rights abusers.

But if a Democratic president is asking them to do it, they’re much more likely to go along.

Right. So Saudi Arabia fears that if Biden loses and Trump is president, that those same Democrats would balk at this deal in a way that they wouldn’t if it were being negotiated under President Biden?

Exactly. Now, from President Biden’s perspective, politically, think about a president who’s running for re-election, who is presiding right now over chaos in the Middle East, who doesn’t seem to have good answers for the Israeli-Palestinian question, this is an opportunity for President Biden to deliver what could be at least what he would present as a diplomatic masterstroke that does multiple things at once, including creating a new pathway for Israel and the Palestinians to coexist, to break through the logjam, even as he is also improving Israel’s relations with Saudi Arabia.

So Biden and the Crown Prince hope that they can somehow persuade Bibi Netanyahu that in spite of all the reasons that he thinks this is a terrible idea, that this is a bet worth taking on Israel’s and the region’s long-term security and future?

That’s right. Now, no one has explained very clearly exactly how this is going to work, and it’s probably going to require artful diplomacy, possibly even a scenario where the Israelis would agree to something that maybe means one thing to them and means something else to other people. But Biden officials refuse to say that it’s hopeless and they refuse to essentially take Netanyahu’s preliminary no’s for an answer. And they still see some way that they can thread this incredibly narrow needle.

Michael, I’m curious about a constituency that we haven’t been talking about because they’re not at the table in these discussions that we are talking about here. And that would be Hamas. How does Hamas feel about the prospect of such a deal like this ever taking shape. Do they see it as any kind of a victory and vindication for what they did on October 7th?

So it’s hard to know exactly what Hamas’s leadership is thinking. I think they can feel two things. I think they can feel on the one hand, that they have established themselves as the champions of the Palestinian people who struck a blow against Israel and against a diplomatic process that was potentially going to leave the Palestinians out in the cold.

At the same time, Hamas has no interest in the kind of two-state solution that the US is trying to promote. They think Israel should be destroyed. They think the Palestinian state should cover the entire geography of what is now Israel, and they want to lead a state like that. And that’s not something that the US, Saudi Arabia, or anyone else is going to tolerate.

So what Hamas wants is to fight, to be the leader of the Palestinian people, and to destroy Israel. And they’re not interested in any sort of a peace process or statehood process.

It seems very clear from everything you’ve said here that neither Israel nor Hamas is ready to have the conversation about a grand bargain diplomatic program. And I wonder if that inevitably has any bearing on the ceasefire negotiations that are going on right now between the two of them that are supposed to bring this conflict to some sort of an end, even if it’s just temporary?

Because if, as you said, Michael, a ceasefire opens the door to this larger diplomatic solution, and these two players don’t necessarily want that larger diplomatic solution, doesn’t that inevitably impact their enthusiasm for even reaching a ceasefire?

Well, it certainly doesn’t help. You know, this is such a hellish problem. And of course, you first have the question of whether Israel and Hamas can make a deal on these immediate issues, including the hostages, Palestinian prisoners, and what the Israeli military is going to do, how long a ceasefire might last.

But on top of that, you have these much bigger diplomatic questions that are looming over them. And it’s not clear that either side is ready to turn and face those bigger questions.

So while for the Biden administration and for Saudi Arabia, this is a way out of this crisis, these larger diplomatic solutions, it’s not clear that it’s a conversation that the two parties that are actually at war here are prepared to start having.

Well, Michael, thank you very much. We appreciate it.

On Tuesday afternoon, under intense pressure from the US, delegations from Israel and Hamas arrived in Cairo to resume negotiations over a potential ceasefire. But in a statement, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made clear that even with the talks underway, his government would, quote, “continue to wage war against Hamas.”

Here’s what else you need to know today. In a dramatic day of testimony, Stormy Daniels offered explicit details about an alleged sexual encounter with Donald Trump that ultimately led to the hush money payment at the center of his trial. Daniels testified that Trump answered the door in pajamas, that he told her not to worry that he was married, and that he did not use a condom when they had sex.

That prompted lawyers for Trump to seek a mistrial based on what they called prejudicial testimony. But the judge in the case rejected that request. And,

We’ve seen a ferocious surge of anti-Semitism in America and around the world.

In a speech on Tuesday honoring victims of the Holocaust, President Biden condemned what he said was the alarming rise of anti-Semitism in the United States after the October 7th attacks on Israel. And he expressed worry that too many Americans were already forgetting the horrors of that attack.

The Jewish community, I want you to know I see your fear, your hurt, and your pain. Let me reassure you, as your president, you’re not alone. You belong. You always have and you always will.

Today’s episode was produced by Nina Feldman, Clare Toeniskoetter, and Rikki Novetsky. It was edited by Liz O. Baylen, contains original music by Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Dan Powell, and was engineered by Alyssa Moxley. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

That’s it for The Daily. I’m Michael Barbaro. See you tomorrow.

• May 16, 2024   •   30:47 The Make-or-Break Testimony of Michael Cohen
• May 15, 2024   •   27:03 The Possible Collapse of the U.S. Home Insurance System
• May 14, 2024   •   35:20 Voters Want Change. In Our Poll, They See It in Trump.
• May 13, 2024   •   27:46 How Biden Adopted Trump’s Trade War With China
• May 10, 2024   •   27:42 Stormy Daniels Takes the Stand
• May 9, 2024   •   34:42 One Strongman, One Billion Voters, and the Future of India
• May 8, 2024   •   28:28 A Plan to Remake the Middle East
• May 7, 2024   •   27:43 How Changing Ocean Temperatures Could Upend Life on Earth
• May 6, 2024   •   29:23 R.F.K. Jr.’s Battle to Get on the Ballot
• May 3, 2024   •   25:33 The Protesters and the President
• May 2, 2024   •   29:13 Biden Loosens Up on Weed
• May 1, 2024   •   35:16 The New Abortion Fight Before the Supreme Court

Hosted by Michael Barbaro

Featuring Michael Crowley

Produced by Nina Feldman ,  Clare Toeniskoetter and Rikki Novetsky

Edited by Liz O. Baylen

Original music by Marion Lozano ,  Elisheba Ittoop and Dan Powell

Engineered by Alyssa Moxley

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube

If and when Israel and Hamas reach a deal for a cease-fire, the United States will immediately turn to a different set of negotiations over a grand diplomatic bargain that it believes could rebuild Gaza and remake the Middle East.

Michael Crowley, who covers the State Department and U.S. foreign policy for The Times, explains why those involved in this plan believe they have so little time left to get it done.

On today’s episode

Michael Crowley , a reporter covering the State Department and U.S. foreign policy for The New York Times.

Background reading :

Talks on a cease-fire in the Gaza war are once again at an uncertain stage .

Here’s how the push for a deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia looked before Oct. 7 .

From early in the war, President Biden has said that a lasting resolution requires a “real” Palestinian state .

Here’s what Israeli officials are discussing about postwar Gaza.

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Michael Crowley covers the State Department and U.S. foreign policy for The Times. He has reported from nearly three dozen countries and often travels with the secretary of state. More about Michael Crowley

Advertisement