Easy2 marksStructured
Business in the real worldBusiness in the real worldBusiness Plan

AQA GCSE · Question 01.9 · Business in the real world

Explain one problem a business might face when producing an effective business plan.

How to approach this question

This is a 2-mark "explain" question. 1. Identify a problem related to creating a business plan (e.g., forecasting, lack of experience). 2. Explain why this is a problem. For example, if forecasts are wrong, what is the consequence for the business?

Full Answer

One problem is that the financial forecasts, such as sales revenue or costs, may be inaccurate. This is because the future is uncertain and external factors like a new competitor entering the market or an economic downturn can make the original predictions unrealistic, rendering the plan less effective for securing finance or guiding decisions.
A business plan is a formal document outlining a business's goals and the strategies for achieving them. However, producing one can be challenging. A key problem is the difficulty of making **accurate forecasts**. Market conditions can change unexpectedly (e.g., changes in consumer tastes, new laws, economic shifts), making cash-flow forecasts or sales predictions unreliable. Another problem can be the **entrepreneur's own inexperience or bias**. They may be overly optimistic about their sales potential, leading to an unrealistic plan that fails to convince investors or provide a useful guide for the business.

Common mistakes

✗ Stating a general business problem rather than one specific to producing the plan. ✗ Identifying a problem but not explaining its impact.

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