joint business planning examples

What Is a Joint Business Plan (JBP)? Benefits & Best Practices

By 8th & Walton | on October 2, 2022

From small businesses to large corporations, the most successful companies begin and stick with a clear business plan. When a company defines its goals, lays out a path to meet objectives, and agrees on financial spending and expectations, it creates a shared vision and accountability to succeed.

Many businesses experience greater growth when partnering with another business. In the supplier and retailer relationship, both parties working independently would be detrimental. To create a mutually beneficial partnership, they must begin by defining each company’s responsibilities, expectations, and needs in a joint business plan.

What Is a Joint Business Plan?

A joint business plan (JBP) is the collaborative process of planning between a retailer and a supplier in which both companies agree on short-term and long-term objectives, financial goals, growth, and shared business initiatives for profitability.

Joint business planning focuses on agreeing on common objectives and aligning on a single goal or set of goals. The companies in the joint business plan must work together to accomplish a shared vision.

What Is the Purpose of a Joint Business Plan?

For retailers and suppliers, having a joint business plan can create a win-win strategy in growing consumer sales. An effective JBP allows suppliers to build stronger relationships with their retailers so both parties can mutually support and benefit from each other.

When a retailer and supplier recognize each others’ needs and agree on common goals, they can share insights to support each other and improve sales, customer growth, and processes.

How Does a Joint Business Plan Work?

Two companies can come together with a joint business plan because they have one thing in common: a shared shopper . Whether it is a supplier partnering with a retailer or a children’s clothing company partnering with a toy manufacturer, having the same target audience is the first element that brings the companies together.

The companies considering a joint business venture should then share their individual business plans and discuss their mutual growth opportunities. This is where the general goals and areas of support can be defined. Specific tactics and category strategies can also be fleshed out in early discussions before moving to the formal process.

Once both companies are in agreement that the partnership will be mutually beneficial, the joint business plan can be created. Formal contracts are drawn up, approved, signed, and the plan is ready to be executed. Periodic reviews and necessary adjustments to the JBP are recommended as needed.

Benefits of Joint Business Planning

Why enter into a joint business plan with another company? The benefits can be not only financial but educational as well:

• Aligning goals.  For a retailer/supplier joint business plan, being aligned on goals creates clarity on all other areas of the business. Defining expectations on all areas from marketing to supply chain to sales goals leaves minimal area for questions. Agreeing on goals, no matter how and when they are measured, keeps both parties accountable and benefits both to meet expectations.
• Shared resources and exposure. Partnering with another company can bring a new audience and a new platform. In a simple retailer/supplier joint business plan, the retailer can introduce the supplier’s product to its core shoppers. At the same time, shoppers loyal to the supplier’s product or brand can be introduced to the retailer’s store and website for the first time.
• Greater return on investment.  By partnering with another company with a shared vision, the benefits above will provide a better ROI when the plan is executed correctly.

Joint Business Planning Best Practices

How can companies ensure their joint business plan is a good fit for both parties? These are some best practices to include in preparation for entering into the partnership:

1. Align Internally First

Before entering into a joint business plan with another company, all members of the business must agree on the benefits of the partnership. Recognizing the advantages and seeing the bigger picture is key. When employees are in alignment within the company, it will be easier to align with the partnering company on the shared vision of the joint business plan.

2. Create the Plan Together

When two businesses enter into a partnership, the joint business plan should not be built by only one. A company sending another a complete plan or just a form to fill out is not collaborative. Both companies need to build the plan from the ground up. Collaborating in the development of the joint business plan is just as important as executing the plan itself.

3. Set Specific Goals

Expectations for success in the partnership need to be specific. “We need to grow sales” or “production costs will decrease” are good goals, but too general. Keep specifics in your plan that are as specific as they are realistic. If one company wants to grow sales by 40% in the next quarter, this should be spelled out in the joint business plan so get early support or push back from the other company.

4. Assign a Metric to Each Goal

Putting a metric with a goal keeps the company accountable to the mission of the joint business plan. For example, if the goal is to grow sales by 40% in the next quarter, it would be wise to assign a weekly growth metric. If the metric is too low over a few weeks, the plan shows that action needs to be taken immediately in order to meet the 40% sales growth goal for the quarter.

5. Communicate Responsibility and Accountability

The joint business plan is the place to eliminate all guesswork. If Company A is responsible for providing labels to Company B, be very specific about the responsible parties. Clarify that the packaging coordinator of Company A will mail the labels to the warehouse manager of Company B on the first of the month.

6. Include Risks and Solutions

Planning for setbacks is key to planning for success. The joint business plan should include any possible risks or obstacles foreseen by either company. Having solutions in place for multiple scenarios makes the plan easier to execute.

7. Constantly Evaluate the Relationship

Joint business plans work better with trust, mutual respect, and a great working relationship. Keeping the relationship healthy between the companies and individuals relying on each other brings more success to the overall plan. Monitor the relationship periodically and work to resolve conflicts as they arise.

Joint Business Plans at Walmart

Walmart works with its suppliers to create plans for sales and category growth. The company relies on suppliers to bring insights to the table to spot trends and get in front of potential gaps in the business.

Back in 2011, Walmart created a joint business plan with Proctor and Gamble to pick up lost sales in air fresheners. This category was down over 2% across the chain, but P&G brought insights to Walmart on how consumers were purchasing throughout the industry.

Consumers had no problem going to Walmart for aerosol sprays for under a dollar, but would then go to specialty stores to purchase expensive candles in the same scent. Through communicating through the joint business plan, Walmart was able to create excitement around higher price-point items and show the shared shopper they could purchase the extra items in one store.

Positive business collaborations can be extremely beneficial in growing retail sales. Two companies sharing a common vision can build on each other’s best practices and support each other to mutually win at the register.

Suppliers looking for support in their Walmart business have found great collaboration with 8th & Walton. Our team of experts supports suppliers to improve reporting, analytics, supply chain, accounting, and more. To begin a great collaboration with us, request a free 15-minute consultation this week.

About the Author

8th & Walton consists of retail industry experts with a combined 200+ years of Walmart and Walmart supplier experience. Having helped hundreds of CPG companies in their efforts to be better supplier partners to the world's most influential retailer, the 8th & Walton editorial team prides itself on being a go-to resource for Walmart supplier news and insights.

Related Content

What Is the Difference Between a Shipper and an Assortment?

Walmart RFID 2024 Mandate: What Suppliers Need to Know Today

What Is Walmart SQEP? Meaning, Phases, Penalties, & More

Joint Business Plan (JBP): Benefits, Best Practices & Objectives

• Recent Posts

• EURUSD: Bullish Butterfly Hints at Upside Breakout (April 17, 2024) - April 17, 2024
• The Art of Engaging Polls and Surveys: Interactive Content for Connection - March 15, 2024
• How to Start a Mobile Hookah Business? (Step-by-Step Guide) - March 13, 2024

Last Updated on November 28, 2023 by Arif Chowdhury

Imagine two retail brands, each with their own unique strengths and market presence. Now picture the joint business venture, with two partnering business partners, joining forces to conquer a new market together through joint ventures. This is the power of partnering with other teams in a company – a joint business plan , where executive summaries are created to outline shared goals and maximize potential.

Collaboration is vital in today’s competitive industry landscape. By forming joint ventures, companies can pool their resources, expertise, and networks to unlock new opportunities, expand their reach, and drive growth like never before.

Joint ventures allow companies to collaborate and create stronger teams , leading to increased success. A joint business plan serves as the blueprint for this collaborative venture, outlining key objectives, strategies, and tactics that both parties will execute together.

A well-crafted joint business plan typically includes an executive summary that outlines the purpose and scope of the collaboration. It also details specific marketing initiatives such as promotions or product launches aimed at capturing the target market’s attention. It covers aspects like distribution channels, branding efforts, and sales projections to ensure alignment between both parties.

In this blog post series on joint business plans, we will explore the importance of collaboration in driving success for retailers and companies in today’s fast-paced retail industry. Collaboration is crucial for the success of ventures in the retail industry.

We will delve into the key components of an effective joint business plan and provide real-life examples to illustrate its impact. So buckle up as we embark on this exciting journey towards collaborative success!

Benefits of implementing a joint business plan

Implementing a joint business plan can bring numerous benefits to retailers and companies involved in the venture. Let’s explore some of these advantages in detail:

1. Increased Alignment and Synergy between Partners

One of the key benefits of implementing a joint business plan is the increased alignment and synergy between partners. When all parties in a joint venture are working towards a shared goal, it becomes easier to align joint venture strategies , joint venture objectives, and joint venture activities.

This alignment fosters collaboration and teamwork in the venture, allowing partners to leverage each other’s strengths and expertise.

• Better coordination between teams.
• Shared vision leads to improved decision-making.
• Enhanced trust and mutual understanding.

Example: Imagine two companies collaborating on a marketing campaign. With a joint venture business plan in place, both companies can align their messaging, target audience, and promotional activities for maximum impact.

2. Enhanced Communication and Coordination

Another significant benefit of a joint business plan is the improvement in communication and coordination among partners.

Clear channels of communication are established, ensuring that information flows seamlessly between all parties involved. This enhanced communication enables faster problem-solving, timely decision-making, and efficient resource allocation.

• Regular meetings facilitate open dialogue.
• Improved sharing of information and knowledge.
• Quick resolution of conflicts or issues.

Example: In a joint business plan between a manufacturer and distributor, regular communication helps them stay updated on market trends, customer feedback, and inventory levels. This enables them to make informed decisions regarding production volumes, delivery schedules, and product promotions.

3. Improved Resource Allocation and Cost Optimization

Implementing a joint business plan allows partners to optimize resource allocation effectively. By pooling resources together strategically, partners can reduce duplication of efforts while maximizing efficiency.

This collaborative approach also helps in identifying cost-saving opportunities by streamlining processes or leveraging economies of scale.

• Shared resources lead to reduced costs.
• Elimination of redundant activities.
• Efficient use of available assets.

Example: Two companies in the logistics industry can collaborate on a joint business plan to optimize their transportation routes, thereby reducing fuel costs, minimizing delivery times, and maximizing the utilization of their fleets.

Recommended Reading: Esthetician Business Plan [Free Downloadable Template]

Best practices for successful joint business planning

1. establishing clear goals and objectives.

To ensure a successful joint business plan, it is crucial to establish clear goals and objectives . This means clearly defining what you want to achieve together with your partner or stakeholders. By setting specific targets, you can align your efforts towards a common purpose.

One way to do this is by using category management principles. This involves analyzing market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape to identify opportunities for growth. By understanding the category dynamics, you can develop strategies that capitalize on market trends and consumer preferences.

2. Regular Communication and Feedback Among Stakeholders

Effective communication is key in any collaborative effort, including joint business planning. Regularly communicating with your partners and stakeholders helps maintain alignment and fosters a sense of shared responsibility.

By providing feedback throughout the planning process, you can address any issues or concerns promptly. This allows for adjustments to be made in real-time, ensuring that everyone remains on track towards achieving their goals.

3. Creating a Structured Timeline with Defined Milestones

A structured timeline with defined milestones is essential for keeping joint business planning on track. Breaking down the plan into smaller, manageable tasks helps ensure progress is made consistently.

Consider creating a Gantt chart or project timeline that outlines key activities, deadlines, and responsible parties. This visual representation provides clarity on the sequence of tasks and allows for better coordination among team members.

Establishing milestones helps measure progress along the way. Celebrating these achievements boosts morale and keeps everyone motivated throughout the planning process.

4. Developing a Win Strategy

A win strategy focuses on identifying how both parties involved can benefit from the joint business plan. It aims to create mutually beneficial outcomes that drive growth for all stakeholders.

When developing a win strategy, consider factors such as market share gains, revenue growth opportunities, cost savings through economies of scale, or access to new markets or distribution channels.

Recommended Reading: Dump Truck Business Plan [Free Downloadable Template]

Evaluating the progress of a joint business plan

To ensure the success of a joint business plan, it is crucial to regularly evaluate its progress. This evaluation allows you to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), conduct reviews and assessments, and make necessary adjustments to stay on track.

Monitoring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Monitoring KPIs is an essential step in evaluating the progress of a joint business plan. These performance metrics provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of your plan and help you gauge its success. By tracking KPIs, such as sales growth, revenue generated, or customer satisfaction levels, you can assess whether your joint business plan is delivering the desired results.

Some key performance indicators that are commonly monitored include:

• Sales performance: Keep an eye on how well your products or services are selling. Track factors like sales volume, average transaction value, and conversion rates.
• Promotional effectiveness: Evaluate the impact of marketing campaigns and promotions on driving sales. Measure metrics like click-through rates, website traffic generated from promotions, or coupon redemption rates.
• Product performance: Assess how well specific products are performing in terms of sales numbers, customer feedback, or market share gained.
• Customer satisfaction: Monitor customer feedback and ratings to determine if your joint business plan is meeting their expectations.

Conducting Regular Reviews and Assessments

Regular reviews and assessments are vital for evaluating the progress of a joint business plan. Schedule periodic meetings with all stakeholders involved in the partnership to discuss achievements, challenges faced, and areas that require improvement.

These reviews provide an opportunity to analyze data collected from KPI monitoring and gather insights from each party’s perspective.

During these sessions:

• Share research findings: Present any relevant market research or consumer insights that can inform decision-making processes.
• Discuss results achieved: Review the outcomes achieved so far based on set goals and objectives outlined in the joint business plan.
• Identify bottlenecks and risks: Identify any obstacles or risks that may be hindering progress and brainstorm potential solutions.
• Collaborate on adjustments: Work together to determine necessary adjustments or modifications to the joint business plan, ensuring it remains aligned with changing market dynamics.

Recommended Reading: Missouri Small Business Loans: Rates, Requirements & Funds

Making Necessary Adjustments to Stay on Track

Flexibility is key when evaluating the progress of a joint business plan. As you monitor KPIs and conduct reviews, you may identify areas where adjustments are required to maximize success. Making these necessary adjustments allows you to adapt your strategies, overcome challenges, and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Consider the following steps for making adjustments:

• Analyze data: Examine the data collected from KPI monitoring and reviews to identify trends or patterns that require attention.
• Identify areas for improvement: Pinpoint specific areas within the joint business plan that need adjustment based on performance gaps or changing market conditions.
• Collaborate with partners: Engage in open discussions with your partners to gather their input and insights regarding potential adjustments.
• Develop action plans: Create detailed action plans outlining the necessary steps to implement changes effectively.
• Monitor results: Continuously monitor the impact of these adjustments on performance metrics and assess their effectiveness.

By regularly evaluating the progress of your joint business plan, monitoring KPIs, conducting reviews, and making necessary adjustments, you can enhance its chances of success. This iterative process ensures that your joint business plan remains aligned with evolving market dynamics and increases your likelihood of achieving mutually beneficial outcomes.

Recommended Reading: Copywriter for Small Business: Get The Maximum Result

Finding the right partner for joint business planning

Identifying the ideal partner for joint business planning is crucial to the success of any collaborative endeavor .

It requires careful consideration of various factors, including complementary strengths and expertise, compatibility in terms of values and culture, as well as conducting due diligence before entering into an agreement.

Identifying Complementary Strengths and Expertise

When seeking a business partner for joint business planning, it’s essential to identify individuals or organizations with complementary strengths and expertise. This means looking for partners who possess skills and resources that complement your own.

For example, if you’re a manufacturer looking to expand your distribution channels, partnering with a retailer or distributor who has established relationships with consumers can be highly advantageous.

Consider the following when assessing complementary strengths:

• Look for partners who excel in areas where you may have limitations or gaps.
• Seek out individuals or organizations that bring unique perspectives and capabilities to the table.
• Evaluate potential partners based on their track record of success in relevant areas.

Assessing Compatibility in Terms of Values and Culture

In addition to complementary strengths, compatibility in terms of values and culture is vital for a successful partnership. When embarking on joint business planning, you’ll be working closely together towards shared goals.

Therefore, aligning values and having a similar organizational culture can foster effective collaboration.

Here are some considerations when assessing compatibility:

• Evaluate whether your partner shares similar core values such as integrity, transparency, and customer-centricity.
• Assess whether there is alignment in terms of long-term objectives and vision.
• Consider how well your respective cultures will blend together to create a harmonious working relationship.

Conducting Due Diligence Before Entering into an Agreement

Before finalizing any partnership agreement, it’s crucial to conduct thorough due diligence. This involves gathering information about potential partners to ensure they are reliable, trustworthy, financially stable, and have a good reputation within their industry.

Here are some steps to consider during the due diligence process:

• Research: Conduct extensive research on potential partners, including their history, financials, and reputation.
• References: Reach out to their existing or past business partners to gather insights into their reliability and performance.
• Legal Assistance: Engage legal professionals to review contracts and agreements to ensure they protect your interests.
• Pilot Projects: Consider starting with small-scale pilot projects to test compatibility before committing to a long-term partnership.

Recommended Reading: LinkedIn Search Appearances: Boost Your Profile

Maintaining a common vision and strategic objectives

To ensure the success of a joint business plan, it is crucial to maintain a common vision and strategic objectives with your partner. This involves aligning long-term goals and ensuring a shared understanding of strategic priorities. By continuously reinforcing the importance of collaboration, you can foster a strong partnership that drives mutual growth.

Aligning Long-Term Goals with the Partner’s Vision

When embarking on a joint business plan, it is essential to align your objectives with your partner’s vision.

This alignment ensures that both parties are working towards a common goal and have a clear understanding of each other’s expectations. By taking the time to understand your partner’s vision, you can identify areas where your goals intersect and collaborate effectively.

Ensuring Shared Understanding of Strategic Priorities

In order to execute a successful joint business plan, it is vital to establish shared understanding of strategic priorities.

This involves open communication and regular discussions about the strategies and tactics that will be employed to achieve desired outcomes. By aligning your strategies with those of your partner, you can create synergy and maximize the impact of your joint efforts.

Continuously Reinforcing the Importance of Collaboration

Collaboration is key in any joint business plan, as it allows for the pooling of resources, expertise, and networks. To maintain effective collaboration throughout the partnership, it is important to continuously reinforce its importance.

This can be done through regular check-ins, open communication channels, and providing support where needed. By fostering an environment that encourages collaboration, you can build trust and strengthen the relationship with your partner.

Maintaining a common vision and strategic objectives in a joint business plan requires strong leadership and effective strategy execution. It involves aligning long-term goals with your partner’s vision, ensuring shared understanding of strategic priorities, and continuously reinforcing the importance of collaboration.

You raise the chance of reaching win-win results if you keep this alignment throughout the collaboration. Recall that effective collaborative company planning needs constant communication and a dedication to collaborating to achieve shared objectives.

Recommended Reading: Pink Friday Small Business: Boost Sales with Events

Resources to help you get started with joint business planning

Creating a joint business plan can seem like a daunting task, but fear not! There are plenty of resources available to assist you in this process.

Let’s explore some of these resources that can help you get started with joint business planning.

Online Templates for Creating Joint Business Plans

One helpful resource is the availability of online templates specifically designed for creating joint business plans. These templates provide a structured framework that allows you to outline your goals, strategies, and actions in a clear and organized manner.

With pre-defined sections and prompts, these templates make it easier for you to navigate through the planning process.

• Saves time and effort by providing a ready-made structure.
• Ensures consistency and completeness in your joint business plan.
• Provides guidance on what information to include in each section.
• May lack customization options for unique business needs.
• Requires careful adaptation to fit your specific partnership dynamics.

Industry-Specific Case Studies Showcasing Successful Collaborations

Another valuable resource is industry-specific case studies that showcase successful collaborations between businesses. These case studies offer real-life examples of how joint business planning has been implemented effectively across various industries.

By examining these success stories, you can gain insights into best practices, challenges faced, and strategies employed by others in similar partnerships.

• Offers practical examples that demonstrate the benefits of joint business planning.
• Provides inspiration and ideas for implementing collaborative strategies.
• Helps identify potential pitfalls and ways to overcome them.
• May not directly align with your unique partnership situation.
• Limited availability of industry-specific case studies may restrict options for certain sectors.

Expert Guides on Effective Partnership Management

To further support your joint business planning efforts, expert guides on effective partnership management are available as well. These guides provide comprehensive advice on building strong partnerships, fostering collaboration, managing conflicts, and maximizing mutual benefits.

They offer valuable insights from experienced professionals who have navigated the complexities of joint business planning.

• Offers expert advice and proven strategies for successful partnership management.
• Provides step-by-step guidance on various aspects of joint business planning.
• Helps you avoid common pitfalls and challenges associated with partnerships.
• Requires careful adaptation to your specific partnership dynamics.
• May not address industry-specific nuances or challenges.

Recommended Reading: How to Start a Photography Business with No Experience (A Step-by-Step Guide)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can any type of business benefit from joint business planning.

Absolutely! Joint business planning is applicable across industries and sectors. Whether you’re a small startup or an established corporation, collaborating with another company through joint business planning can bring numerous benefits such as increased market share, cost savings through shared resources, access to new customer segments, enhanced product offerings, and improved overall competitiveness.

How do I find the right partner for joint business planning?

Finding the right partner for joint business planning starts with identifying companies that complement your strengths and fill gaps in your capabilities. Look for organizations with similar values and strategic objectives but different areas of expertise that can add value to your offerings.

Networking events, industry conferences, trade associations, online platforms are great places to connect with potential partners. Take the time to build relationships, assess compatibility, and ensure alignment before diving into joint business planning.

What are some common challenges in joint business planning?

While joint business planning offers numerous benefits, it can also come with its fair share of challenges. Common obstacles include differences in organizational culture and decision-making processes, conflicting priorities and objectives, resource allocation issues, and communication breakdowns.

The key to overcoming these challenges is open and transparent communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to compromise when necessary.

How do you evaluate the progress of a joint business plan?

Evaluating the progress of a joint business plan requires establishing clear metrics and milestones at the outset. Regularly review these indicators to gauge performance against targets.

Maintain open lines of communication with your partner to address any concerns or roadblocks that may arise along the way. By regularly assessing progress and making necessary adjustments, you can ensure that your joint business plan remains on track towards achieving its objectives.

Are there any resources available to help me get started with joint business planning?

Yes! There are several resources available to assist you in getting started with joint business planning. Industry publications, online forums, webinars, and workshops often provide valuable insights and best practices for successful collaboration.

Consulting firms specializing in strategic partnerships can offer guidance tailored to your specific needs. Don’t hesitate to tap into these resources as you embark on your joint business planning journey.

In today’s competitive business landscape, collaboration is key to success. That’s where joint business planning comes in. By partnering with another company and aligning your goals and strategies, you can unlock a whole new level of growth and profitability. Joint business planning allows you to pool resources, share expertise, and leverage each other’s networks to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

But it’s not just about the immediate gains. Joint business planning sets the foundation for long-term partnerships built on trust and shared vision. It enables you to navigate challenges together, adapt to market changes swiftly, and seize opportunities that may have been out of reach individually. By working hand in hand with a like-minded partner, you can amplify your impact and create a powerful synergy that propels both businesses forward.

Ready to tap into the power of joint business planning? Start by evaluating potential partners who align with your values and objectives. Establish open lines of communication, set clear expectations, and define measurable goals together. Remember, successful joint business planning requires ongoing collaboration and commitment from both parties. With the right partner by your side, there’s no limit to what you can achieve together.

JBP: The Brave Approach to Writing a Joint Business Plan

Written By:

How you can take the Brave Approach to Writing a Joint Business Plan – JBP – with a UK Supermarket:

Writing a Joint Business Plan (JBP), creating Joint Business plans, JBPs, or terms negotiations, as they can be known, are all relatively new phenomena in the world of supermarkets and suppliers. Whilst some supermarkets and suppliers, particularly the brands, have talked about joint business planning for some time, it is only in the last few years that it has become ‘business as usual’. Now featured in industry news and some Joint Business Plans are published online – This JBP is for Tesco and Nestle in Poland.

The first moves towards a JBP were made when Category Management and ECR made an appearance in the 1990s with tools like the Category Scorecard. Hard-nosed buyers and sceptical account managers reluctantly dipped their toes in the water of true collaboration. Though, as Stephen Covey writes in Habit 4 win:win, the only way forward is together for mutual benefit. The definition of joint business planning is to work with a collaborative mindset towards mutual goals agreed upon for the benefit of the supermarket, supplier and shopper.

The Brave Approach to Writing a Joint Business Plan with a UK Supermarket is about helping UK supermarket suppliers to identify their true business objectives . Also, to understand what is strategic planning, identify the business terms and create a business plan that is worth having for both parties. Here are 7 brave moves that should be taken in The Brave Approach to Writing a Joint Business Plan with a UK Supermarket. This is because a supplier that does, will be best in class:

1. Stating the Blindingly Obvious – A Joint Business Plan is All About Trust

In Accenture’s free report on joint business planning, they talk of a change in mindset for both parties to achieve ‘Increased trust among parties’. And, of course, Accenture is right that trust is absolutely essential for a joint business plan to be effective. Plus, the IGD industry survey on Category Management Capability and Partnership of 2014, said that ‘Too often trust is the biggest barrier to putting any proposal into action’.

The challenge is that trust is hard to build and even harder to understand, particularly for people representing two large companies, where the aim is to make as much money as you can, usually by giving the other party less.

Discussing trust can be a sensitive topic and a brave topic to raise. Doing so provides a solid foundation to build upon. The simple choice is to either raise these issues now or to become frustrated when nothing happens. Better now because both parties are wanting to build a future together.

Action: Add ‘Building further trust’ as an early agenda point in your joint business planning meeting.

2. KISS is the Route that Succeeds Most with Joint Business Plans

KISS is a mnemonic that is often said and rarely used. In joint business planning the watch out is not to write a joint business plan together where people spend days locked away in darkened rooms solving the vision, the big category problems, discussing shopper switching, the next range review, why promotions don’t work, and the ‘kitchen sink’. The challenge and the brave approach is to work on less to achieve more.

Scoping what both parties want to achieve is essential and then identifying the 80:20 of those items. The objectives will be easily identified and usually around, ‘To write a joint business plan that delivers x growth/market share/sales by <date>’. The scope is hard. The important part because it might be just to complete a simple one-page document showing:

• Category Targets
• Category Measures
• Enabling Big Projects
• Project Milestones
• Ways of Working

This document could be just one page. But it is a bought-in, thrashed and motivating page. A page that both parties agree to start with and then review in 3 months. An 18-month plan is about the right timescale to tackle a joint business plan. There are those that will advocate 3 years and even 5-year business plans are needed. The challenge is that most supermarket buyers will not be in place beyond 18 months, and many account managers too.

Action: Agree on the scope of the joint business plan. Divide a page into two, headed up with the scope and then 2 columns; In and Out. Agree on what is in scope, e.g. Discussions that are big picture and what is out of scope, e.g. The day-to-day detail.

3. Naming the Big Project Outcomes is the Key to Success

In our Time Management Training course we talk with the learners about the importance of having a project list and describe the daily to-do list as the wheels of a car, and the project list as the steering wheel. Those without a project list fail to steer towards their KPIs and KRAs , preferring to work on the day-to-day, refusing to acknowledge the big stuff and claiming that they are ‘too busy’.

The same is true of joint business plans and the key is to define the outcome. Instead of writing ‘Promotions Project’, change it to a project outcome title, which could be ‘Promotions Adding Sales of £5m p.a.’. Whilst a subtle change, the difference is that if no traction is made the impact is obvious – £5m lost. Plus, it is less likely that the person will remove the project when the outcome is obvious, and the project owner can genuinely begin with the end in mind – £5m sales to identify.

Making traction on the big projects is essential to see early progress on joint business planning. For each big project, the collaborators need to agree on the first 3 practical and simple actions. These 3 actions will get the project moving. Even if those actions are to get together for 1 hour to brainstorm. Maybe brainstorm how to achieve £5m additional sales from promotions. It is imperative that these debates are not tackled at the Business Planning meeting. This is because it is ‘scope creep’. Which means that it is against the scope that was agreed. Plus, the meeting will achieve very little because too much is trying to be achieved.

Action: Change project titles to project outcomes and agree on the first 3 practical and simple steps for each project.

4. A Simple Dashboard Every 2 Weeks to Keep Things Moving

The experience of most people is that business plans are built with love and sit on a shelf with hate. Their examples have taught them that joint business planning is a necessary evil and ultimately achieves very little.

The brave move is to change your mindset. Get out of the self-fulfilling prophecy, by doing Joint Business Plans differently to the last 10 times. Helping to achieve that is a simple dashboard showing the Category Targets, Category Measures, Enabling Big Projects, Project Milestones, & Ways of Working and most importantly, the progress, with a short commentary. Ideally, on one page, the dashboard is published every 2 weeks. Fortnightly because 1 week is not long enough to see progress and one month is too long if progress is going off-course.

By having a dashboard the joint business plan is kept alive.

Action: Propose a simple dashboard that is to be published every 2 weeks, for the group to approve.

Free Download: JBP Template

Please contact us if you have any questions, 5. reviewing the joint business plan quarterly together.

A smaller team is a brave move. This is because, during the landing of Category Management and ECR in the 90s, the supermarket team and the supplier team would be around 12 people each.

Whilst this was more a demonstration of collaboration and ‘equalling the fight’ than anything else, progress was slow. Nowadays a smaller team can achieve more if they accept that their accountability is to get the information, persuade the other departments, and basically make progress, not being able to cite every other department in their company as the reason for not achieving the required progress.

A smaller team should meet every quarter with the only point on the agenda to discuss the joint business plan. These dates need to be diarised for the full 18 months. Again, the scope is important because the temptation will be to discuss the other 100 issues that need addressing. But bravely accepting that the joint business plan, if delivered, will achieve everyone’s goals, then this is the only topic of discussion.

Beginning with a refresh of what the joint business plan looks like, the agenda should look like this:

• Refresh the joint business plan.
• Ways of Working – Have these been adhered to? What else needs to be done?
• Performance Vs the agreed targets.
• Project progress Vs the agreed milestones.
• Discuss the usefulness of the dashboard, not being tempted to make it too onerous.
• Run through the actions stating what, who and when very clearly and emailed before everyone leaves. Our top tip is to capture actions on email as the meeting progresses. Not afterwards because each one is likely to be re-debated.
• Agree on the date of the next meeting.

Action: Propose dates for the next 18 months and a suggested agenda.

6. Strategic Thinking is the Essential Skill

In the most recent IGD trading survey both suppliers and supermarkets ranked ‘strategic alignment’ and ‘long term planning’ as important now and even more important in the future. The supermarkets said that having these skills was what a supermarket would expect from a ‘best in class’ supplier. Strategic Thinking , as well as being one of those overly used terms and mystifying skills, has now become essential to joint business planning. So much so that job advertisements are asking for applicants to have joint business planning experience. Strategic thinking, strategic planning, and having strategic objectives are about being able to see the big picture, identify insights with high impact and make them happen. The skills of joint business planning are the same, as well as an effective use of some negotiation skills.

The brave move would be to initiate a joint business plan with the supermarket and begin to implement this roadmap to category growth. Action: Read this post on strategic thinking and consider an executive coach to prepare you for your next JBP so that you are the best version of yourself when you negotiate, share your big-picture thoughts and discuss trust.

7. These Critical Meetings are ‘Must Win Meetings’ for Any Supermarket Supplier

Initiating, or being invited to a Joint Business Plan meeting, is pivotal to every supplier because, of course, terms are negotiated and the outcome will have a high impact on the supplier’s annual performance, but also a Joint Business Plan meeting is an opportunity to demonstrate ‘best in class’. Best in class for category understanding, shopper understanding, supermarket understanding, possible solutions, and how to manage these plans to make them work.

For these reasons, the preparation for a must-win meeting must be to achieve the old adage of ‘sweat in training, no need to bleed in battle’. Role plays are an undervalued tool for preparing and for getting the heads-up on those things that could not be predicted and are yet to happen. When millions of pounds can be at stake for one meeting, it pays to be prepared, and ask the experts for help to be the very best version possible.

Action: Book a role play with a suitable colleague/s so that you can sweat in training, or contact us for help. See our Fyffes testimonial for how we supported them.

A Summary of the 7 Brave Moves 

Here is a summary of the 7 brave moves that should be taken in The Brave Approach to Writing a Joint Business Plan with a UK Supermarket because a supplier that does, will be best in class:

• Stating the blindingly obvious – It’s all about trust.
• KISS is the route that succeeds most with joint business plans.
• Naming the Big Project Outcomes is the Key to Success.
• A Simple Dashboard Every 2 Weeks to Keep Things Moving.
• Reviewing the Joint Business Plan Quarterly Together.
• Strategic Thinking is the Essential Skill.
• JBP Meetings are ‘Must Win Meetings’ for Any Supermarket Supplier.

What is your top tip for writing a JBP? Please share your view by commenting at the end of this article.

Creating a JBP that Includes the Required Elements of the Groceries Code Adjudicator 

Only 1 in 2 Suppliers has a written supply agreement according to research by the Groceries Code Adjudicator (Slide 16). A written supply agreement is often a joint business plan. Therefore here is a checklist of often-forgotten items that should form part of the written supply agreement/JBP:

• Payment terms
• Marketing costs, e.g. artwork, packaging, consumer research, or hospitality
• Payments for wastage

A Must Win Meeting Masterclass is only £750+vat for up to 12 people (£62.50 per person). Contact us to book.

Feel free to get in touch. Simply fill out the form below or email us at  [email protected] , and we will be happy to get back to you with further information.

Related Articles:

Category Management

There’s More!

Improve your Personal Development with Resources Designed for You

Ultimate Guide

Related Articles

Watch Related Videos

View Infographics

Listen to Podcasts

Get your Pack of Coaching Cards from Amazon

Training Course

Browse the Shop

Further Resources

Forgetting Curve

Sticky Learning

Training Evaluation

Sign up to receive regular articles on learning and development.

You may also like:.

Category Management Tools – Identify Your Category Fair Share Gap

Pen Portraits Bring Your Shopper to Life for the Whole Business

Know Your Shopper or Expect Your Sales to Die

How to Create an Effective Joint Business Plan

For two businesses to form a joint venture, they need a plan that outlines the nature of the business coalition. A joint business plan defines the state of the companies involved, the purpose of the joint business and the partners’ responsibilities.

A joint business plan describes all the activities that these business ventures must carry out to achieve specific goals.

The relationship between the two parties and their goals must be clearly understood. After creating the business plan, it must go through a legal review to test its legitimacy. In your business planning, you work together in a collaborative relationship toward mutually agreed terms.

Business planning for joint ventures helps the parties leverage resources, reduce costs, combine expertise and/or enter foreign markets. A well-defined joint business plan is vital for any agreement and business strategy.

What is a joint business plan?

A joint business plan is a document that defines a merger between two or more companies. It describes the purpose and responsibilities of each partner in the incorporation. You may also see it as a collaborative process of planning where a supplier and retailer agree on both long- and short-term goals, including growth, finances and shared initiatives for profitability.

The purpose of a joint business plan is to design a win-win strategy for increasing consumer sales. This plan allows the partners to build a formidable relationship with retailers for mutual support and benefits. Having agreed upon goals, both parties share insights on a common vision for better support, customer growth, enhanced process and improved sales.

Business planning depends on interested parties sharing their plans with defined mutual growth opportunities. The partners can detail and share strategic planning, growth strategy, tactics and any area of competitive advantage.

The joint business plan is created once a partnership agreement is mutually beneficial and defined. Parties would draw up, approve and sign a formal contract before the execution of the plan. This is followed by a periodic review of joint scorecards based on necessary performance metrics to fine-tune strategies.

The joint business planning process comprises every possible logistic, including human resources planning and how to reach project milestones. Resource accountability is vital to building trust. Your best tool for transparent resource use and accountability is a resource planner .

If the employees of the venture will need to go to a different location, the venture will likely have difficulty planning their tasks and locations. TimeTrack Auto-Scheduling provides joint ventures with a transparent planning tool that reduces effort and enhances error-free shift planning.

TimeTrack Auto-Scheduling

Types of joint business plans

Standard plan.

This is often referred to as the working plan. It offers an overview of the company, outlines its goals, and details when and how entrepreneurs wish to achieve the goals. Such a plan helps secure funds, investments or loans. Within the plan, you could specify how you will use investor funds and their potential profits.

What-if plan

Sometimes things don’t go as planned in business. The what-if business plan defines the various roadblocks that a company might face as it strives to achieve its business objectives. The venture is largely at the whims of external factors, including the supply chain and stock market. You need to outline a predictable scenario to let business partners know how to recover their funds.

One-page plan

While a detailed plan is vital, there are instances where you will need to provide an abridged version of your plan. This one-page business plan outlines the summary of demand, solution, model, management team and action plan.

Start-up plan

A business plan for entrepreneurs, especially those in the early stages of their business planning, will need a start-up business plan. It is designed to give potential investors the bigger picture and outline how you want to achieve your goals. It often includes an executive summary, background, product and service descriptions, market analysis, costs and financial projections.

Expansion plan

This is a business plan that’s necessary when you need to scale your business and identify the necessary resources for its development. These could be financial investment, an additional workforce, new products or raw materials. This plan will detail the business background, needed resources and how they will contribute to growth and business expansion.

Operational plan

An operational business plan revolves around near-term goals , especially those you will work towards achieving within a year. It defines the activities your venture will focus on and emphasizes the role of the workforce and budgeting in achieving the operational goals. In most situations, the heads of departments are key participants in the operational plans because of the need for approval in achieving the goals.

Strategic business plan

This is different from the others because it focuses on how departments can work together. This venture plan is more comprehensive and requires senior-level approval before implementing goals. This plan answers the questions of how to achieve goals, what resources are needed and the execution plans for achieving the goals.

Joint business planning tips

Companies that benefit from a joint business plan

A joint venture exists mainly as a contract between new cooperating partners. In forming a joint venture, each of the business partners agrees to the assets they will bring to the table and how income and expenses will be shared.

While a joint venture is a corporation between two or more entities, each of the companies, be it an individual, company, corporation or group of individuals, still has its original legal status, though not all joint ventures result in a new business entity. These companies could be sole proprietorships or partnerships, limited partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies or non-profit organizations.

Examples of a joint business plan

Perhaps you have an online venture selling high-quality products at reasonable prices, while needing to increase brand strength. Such an example of a joint business plan outlines a company overview, executive summary, product and service offerings, marketing strategy, market analysis, budget and financial planning.

A joint business plan may be designed for ventures rendering menu services such as lattes, espresso, coffee, cappuccinos, and sandwiches. The business plan outlines an executive summary and studies your competition , target market, marketing plan, ownership structure and operational plan.

A joint venture could be designed around offering services such as shipping, faxing, postal and copying to residents to conduct research , create debate space and generate ideas. This example of a business plan will include an executive summary, a vision and mission statement, goals, objectives, and measures, organizational structure, marketing analysis and a financial plan.

Top strategies for effective joint business plan

In a joint business venture, there are risks which include rising complexity, cultural diversity, high failure rates and language diversity. The strategies detailed below will benefit the venture in navigating the challenges through effective joint business planning.

Strategic plan

Strategic global planning is an effective business practice for entering a new market. It helps to identify opportunities and threats. Before beginning strategic planning, be sure that a joint venture is the right action for you. Compare the strengths and weaknesses of the partners to confirm a good match. Your strategic plan should explain why you want to collaborate with that partner and what you hope to achieve, how to monitor trends and collect good data. Some of the reasons you may wish for a new joint partner may be to enter a new market, geographic expansion, financing, etc.

The right partner

The choice of partner is crucial, but what is more important is understanding the effectiveness of partners in delivering on their promises. Do your due diligence on your partner’s attitude toward collaboration, performance and level of commitment. What about sharing the same objectives?

Effective communication for a great relationship

After your investigation, if you deem the partner fit, find mutual ground. Communication is the key to a good relationship. Make sure your partner understands the foundation of the joint venture and agreement. Ensure they agree on human resources, financial contributions and goals. To consolidate the stability of your venture, be upfront, honest and transparent about your objectives.

Clarify how, what, and where

Be clear on the vision, strategic plans and scoreboard to ensure that everyone is energized and united about the goal. Define a common working pattern. This has to include conflict management, decision-making, collaboration, problem-solving and technology strategies. Focus on win-win solutions.

Track performance

Is everyone putting in the hours and making productive headway? One way to gauge this information is by time tracking. One of the challenges for companies whose employees work in shifts and in different locations is tracking attendance. TimeTrack Attendance Tracking helps companies monitor employees’ work hours and leave days, so that managers can stay up to date on potential delays.

TimeTrack Attendance Tracking

Once you have set out the goals and vision for the new venture, establish key performance indicators, the data you want to track and the process to measure those performance metrics. This involves creating a joint scorecard for each metric against trends and competition. The targets you set must guard against possible problems the partners might encounter.

Build trust

Your best joint business strategy is to build trust and create value, without which your partnership is bound to fail. Trust is the foundation of every partnership. It is an important factor in business planning. Without it, neither partner can succeed. How do you manage diverse cultures, interests and languages if the partners lack trust? Trust builds team strength and encourages creativity while promoting collaboration.

Good leadership

The cost of poor leadership is so high that you must not venture into joint partnership without assurance of good leadership. Focus on building good leadership and not just creating “bosses”. Leadership presents the biggest opportunities to change the performance narrative. Create a strong leadership team, from whom all employees can learn.

A joint business venture is not without its challenges. To ensure a successful collaboration, focus on a clear strategy, excellent communication, transparency and strong leadership.

I am a researcher, writer, and self-published author. Over the last 9 years, I have dedicated my time to delivering unique content to startups and non-governmental organizations and have covered several topics, including wellness, technology, and entrepreneurship. I am now passionate about how time efficiency affects productivity, business performance, and profitability.

You might also like

JOINT BUSINESS PLAN: Top 7 Secrets To Successful Joint Business Planning&

• by Kenechukwu Muoghalu
• August 14, 2023
• No comments
• 8 minute read

Table of Contents Hide

What is joint business planning, what are the benefits of a joint business planning, what is a joint business plan , #1. have a plan, #2. choose the right joint venture partner , #3. communication, #4. define the where, what, and how, #5. monitor performance, #6. build trust, #1. how ready are you, #2. choose the right partner, #3. source business together, #4. ending a joint business planning, what if i lack the skills to create a joint business plan for myself, joint business plan faqs, what should be in a joint business plan, how do i set up a joint venture in the uk, how do you split profits in a joint business.

If you have plans to join a joint business, you have to understand the ethics of this venture before you proceed. You will need to set the right objectives for the business partnership. You will also need to have a joint business plan stipulated just for this course. There are a lot of processes, but not to worry. This article has exclusively explained what a joint business plan is and how it can help your investment, coupled with a sample template that can help make your journey easier. Let’s dig in!

Joint business planning is a collective effort between a vendor and a retailer. In this form of business, the two parties will be involved in the open sharing of information. However, it allows the joint parties to reach common ground and mutually agree on the business plan. I will give it a simpler definition, I need you to understand the basics of this Joint business planning. 

A joint business plan can also be said to be an agreement between two or more businesses in order to pool their resources to achieve a goal. It’s just like two or more people running a business. A joint partnership can be initiated in any business. A sample of this can even be found in jointly owning a personal trainer business and turning it into a joint business. 

They also share the risks and rewards of the investment. The joint companies also collectively own equal shares and put their heads together to make their investment successful. They work with trends, initiatives, and forecasted market environments. 

People can choose to open a joint venture for multiple reasons. It can be due to a business expansion, a new product development, or moving into new markets, especially internationally. Or just practicing the adage that says “two heads are better than one”. 

However, it can be difficult to build the right relationship that can boost the venture. But with the right resources, which includes having a joint business plan to serve as a guide, you would scale through. You should also know that Joint business planning with partners has proven to be one of the most effective ways to drive revenue and establish joint accountability.

Having talked about what a joint business venture is, now we will talk about having a plan that will serve as a guide through your investment. A joint business plan is a document that outlines a business coalition of two or more companies. This joint business plan is divided into several sections which state the companies involved, their purpose, and their responsibilities in the business. 

In summary, you can say that the plan contains temporary activities that can help achieve specific goals. What a proper joint business plan requires is to incorporate each party and make sure they clearly understand themselves and their goals. After the plan is been created, it will need to pass through a legal review just to test its legitimacy. 

Read Also: JOINT LOAN: Definition And All You Need To Know

Mind you, this joint business plan is above and beyond a standard business plan . It can also help you plan some measurable objectives, execution tactics, go-to-market, target account lists, and more. This business plan can serve you well, especially when it is for a joint business. Keeping track of all your business activities is a must because other people are involved in the investment. You can try checking your partner’s progress once in a while against the agreed plan.

Top 7 Secrets To a Successful Joint Business Planning

When it comes to joint business planning, there are secret tweaks that can help you scale through. You know Joint business comes with risks because of its joint partnership nature. Partnership most times can be diverse language, increased complexity, diverse cultures, and frequency of failure.

That is why we have formulated the top 7 secrets to having a successful partnership. Let’s take a quick rundown on them.

It always pays off to have a strategic plan on standby in your joint business. Your joint partnership should kick off with careful planning. To aim this, review your business strategy to see if a joint venture is even the best way to plan and achieve it. Consider the businesses involved, and compare their strengths and weaknesses to determine if it is a good match. Your strategic plan has to also answer why you want to partner with what you need to achieve from it. Is it for geographic expansion, new markets, or funding? Being clear will make the parties involved work towards achieving their objectives. 

Before going ahead to choose a partner, it is wise to determine how well they perform. Find out their attitude to collaboration and their level of commitment. Find out if you share the same business objectives with them, are the people you could trust? Do they have a nice reputation? These questions are necessary to determine who you are going into business with. Do your due diligence checks and don’t spend time having lunches with them. 

After your little investigation work on your partners, and hold a common ground with them if they fit. Communication can help build a relationship. Ensure that your partners understand what the basics of a Joint Business agreement really are. Are they clear on the goals, human resources, and financial contributions? This is the time to meet them, have those one-on-one meetings with them, communicate and make the best out of it. If you fail to plan like this, your joint business won’t be stable.

Create ways of working to energize and unite the partners involved. Map out the vision, strategic plans, and the scoreboard to make sure that everyone is following a common goal. Provide a common working pattern that includes decision-making, problem-solving, conflict management, collaboration, and technology. Find a way to deal with problems that occur, and look for win-win solutions instead of trying to score points off each other. 

When your partners have reached common ground on what the goal is, then let the work begin. You and your partners should also establish a clear performance indicator that allows you to measure your performance towards the goal. You should also set targets so that you can keep track of any possible problems that might occur. 

To be honest, this is the most crucial step in these secrets. You should understand that without trust, your Joint partnership will fail. There is no need to paint the truth to make it appear nice. Every team needs trust amongst themselves. Imagine having companies merging together, having diverse cultures, languages, and interests without trust. How do you think that ship will sail? When you have trust in someone, their differences turn into strengths. You will also tend to encourage creative challenges just to promote collaboration. This is an important factor that should not be ignored in your joint business planning.

This is another important variable that needs to exist in a Joint partnership because, without it, things will fail to happen. Invest in leadership, don’t focus on the senior leader, because even those leaders at the pointy ends will do just great. The reason for this action is that leaders tend to be the biggest opportunity to shift performance. You need to have a strong leadership team. And they must trust each other, connect, listen, and engage like no other. 

Joint Business Plan Template Checklist

To summarise all that is been said in this article, we have also included a sample template checklist that can help you prepare for and plan a successful Joint business. To make use of this joint business plan sample template effectively, you have to make sure that you follow all the options listed below. They include:

This is a joint business plan template you need to check off your list. Determine how ready you are, is your business also ready for the change? You can determine this by researching on the activities of other businesses. You can also carry out a SWOT analysis of your business. Compare your working methods with that of your partners and also involve your employees, tell them about your new plan.

This is been mentioned again for those at the back. It is crucial to choose the right partner. When choosing you should consider their existing customers and suppliers, their behavioral patterns, and also the available finances of the partners. 

Know the capabilities of your partners, and discover which has a specified responsibility. It can be sales activities, marketing, or new business generation. Each company should understand what they should work for and see that they achieve it. 

Most times, we should consider all possible factors because of the fear of the unknown. Your agreement with your partners should make provisions for terminating the joint partnership. In your agreement, make sure to include an exit strategy , specified ownership of assets in the business, and distribution of any weaknesses resulting from the joint venture. 

We got you, just right in time. We understand where it pains the most and we also understand why you would have so much difficulty creating a joint business plan for yourself even with the provision of a sample template. If this is you, then you need not worry.

Creating a business plan from scratch is no child’s play. It can even be harder while trying to use an existing plan to mold yours. You don’t have to if you don’t want to, because we have created a ready-made joint business plan just for your comfort.

This business plan does not require you to spend most of your day trying to figure out one section or the other. All you need to do is to apply directly to your joint business and watch it blossom. No long talks! Grab a copy of your joint business plan here !

It is certain that having Joint business planning can be difficult and challenging with tons of risks to take. But there is always a way around every hard obstacle. If you carry your Joint partnership and nurture it in the right way while following all the rules that apply, then you won’t have a problem.

These rules can be either creating a Joint Business plan or following some basic factors that can help maneuver your way through the investment or even using a sample template. When you follow the rules and secrets that guide them, then your investment won’t be the same. If it gets too hard, then contact us here.

To acquire a successful joint business plan, you need to ensure that both parties involved are capable of understanding each other’s goals. They should also understand the nature of their business and customer requirements. When they are on a mutual level, their foundation becomes strong.

To set up your joint business in the United Kingdom you will need to check the exact legal status of the new business. You can also begin due diligence on your joint partners. Know the financial commitment and how profits can be earned.

Before splitting the profits in a joint business, you must ensure that all business partners are in agreement about the profit-sharing. It can be split equally or on a different base according to the original agreement.

Related Articles

• SETTING UP A PARTNERSHIP: How to Start a Business Partnership In simple Steps
• JOINT MORTGAGE: Simple Guide To The Processes
• JOINT LIFE INSURANCE: Guide to Life Insurance Plan

Kenechukwu Muoghalu

Kenny, an accomplished business writer with a decade of experience, excels in translating intricate industry insights into engaging articles. Her passion revolves around distilling the latest trends, offering actionable advice, and nurturing a comprehensive understanding of the business landscape. With a proven track record of delivering insightful content, Kenny is dedicated to empowering her readers with the knowledge needed to thrive in the dynamic and ever-evolving world of business.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Landlord Checklist For Renting a House: Guide For Tenants And Landlords

House hacking: strategies & all you need.

We noticed you're visiting from Netherlands. We've updated our prices to Euro for your shopping convenience. Use Pound sterling instead. Dismiss

Ten Best Practices for Better Joint Business Planning

We recently led an alliance team through an alliance business planning session.  Through that process we captured a number of best practices that lead to better business planning and ultimately better performing alliances.  Here is what we learned:

•  Develop the business plan with your partner.  Successful alliances are win/win/win . Your partners’ strategic objectives, resources, commitment and creative insight are critical to the process and to a successful outcome for you, your partner, and your joint customers.
• Use the templates and checklists as stimuli for thought not a rigid formula.  Your alliance is unique. The value creation thought process and business plan should reflect that.
• Build from the specific to the general.   You may find that over several initiatives you have 80% commonality, but it is that 20% differential that makes for a successful joint offer.  Specifics make an impact – generalizations put you to sleep.
• Articulate the differentiation in the solution clearly, unambiguously. Contrast with the competition…50% more scalable than .
• Individual value propositions should include specific descriptions of how value is created, so that a reader not in the alliance understands it. You will be describing the value of this alliance to executive management and other stakeholders.
• Include customer value and metrics .Hard metrics on customer value ie. “reduces deployment costs by 7%”, gives you a compelling reason to get in the door with customer decision makers and energizes the sales teams to engage collaboratively.  Value props that impact customer business model are especially compelling i.e. increased competitive advantage for your customer. Focusing on your customer maintains common vision between partners.
• Keep focus on specifics: – “saving millions per drill head” is a more powerful vision than ‘saving costs’; “ saving up to $5M per well” even better! Same for alliance objectives, again, the best have very clear, numerically stated objectives for both partners and customer.
• For each metric establish a baseline “where you are today” and a goal “where you want to be in 6 mo, 1 yr”
• Identify risks and obstacles to success and include risk mitigation and contingency plans
• Evaluate your sales and marketing value props from the sales perspective.  Are they strong enough to compel you sales teams to want to sell with a partner?
• Bonus Best Practice: Relationship strength is critical in an alliance.  Measure it regularly via partner health checks and proactively manage the relationship.

Related Posts

Do you have a Recession Strategy for Alliances?

How Do You Know If Your Partner Ecosystem is Healthy?

Do you know why you need a Repeatable Delivery Model?

• Instructor-Led Virtual Training
• Instructor-Led Classroom Training
• eLearning Training Solutions for Individuals
• Assessments
• Team Training for Retailers
• Team Training for Suppliers
• Sales Training
• Space Management Training
• Annual Learning Subscription
• Complimentary Assessments
• Complimentary Learning Tools
• Thought-Leadership Blog
• Train Ahead — Our Difference
• Individual Learner Login to eLearning
• Schedule Consult

Improve Collaboration and Joint Business Planning Results in 3 Steps

Collaboration is on many organization’s strategic plans, with effective Joint Business Planning (JBP) being the outcome. Retailers’ and Vendors’ have the opportunity to determine mutual areas of interest and build their businesses in a collaborative way — namely by taking steps to improve Shopper satisfaction with a better experience.

However, effective Collaboration and JBP require more than a desire or written strategic plan. Both require that your organization undertake 3 consecutive steps:

• Prepare your organization internally for collaboration;
• Align your internal approach across your multifunctional teams through common training; and
• Implement external Collaboration and Joint Business Planning.

Collaboration and Joint Business Planning can help both Retailers and Vendors manage the change that continues to dominate, including:

• Changing partner needs and expectations between Retailers and Vendors
• Changing market and Shopper,
• Less resources available internally due to downsizing / consolidation, and
• Increased requirements due to more and bigger data and a more complex Shopper.

Here are some resources to help you get started:

• Complimentary Download: Collaborative Relationship Continuum Model
• Course Video Preview: Collaborative Business Planning
• Course Overview:   Collaborative Business Planning

3 Steps: Improved Collaboration and Joint Business Planning 

Step 1: be prepared internally.

It’s important for teams and organizations to first understand what collaboration is: 

Collaboration is highly diversified multifunctional teams   working together inside and outside a Retailer / Vendor with the purpose to create value   by improving innovation, Shopper relationships   and efficiency while leveraging technology for effective interactions in the virtual and physical space. (Carlos Dominguez, Cisco) (modified by Sue Nicholls, CMKG)

Are you ready to collaborate?  Start by defining your assets, prioritizing your opportunities and seeking out the right business partners. The questions below can help determine if your organization is ready to collaborate ( taken from the Category Management Association’s whitepaper on “Strategic Collaboration for Shopper Satisfaction” ):

• What do you want to gain by collaborating?
• Is your company set up to foster and support collaboration?
• What multifunctional resources / data / technology / intellectual property can be shared with your collaborative business partners?

Step 2: Create Internal Alignment

Moving to a collaborative approach requires your multifunctional teams to be able to see the “bigger picture”, turn data into insights, think beyond brand into total category, and better understand the consumer AND Shopper. These responsibilities must be expanded to marketing, sales, private label and retail teams in an aligned approach. 

Alignment of all functions in your organization occurs through engagement and training in category management . In fact, training approaches need to change for most organizations, as traditional “point and click” linear approaches based on a new data source or tactic no longer suffice. In a collaborative approach, teams need to start thinking more strategically about how the decisions and recommendations they make align to the overall strategies for the organization and for their external collaborative business partners. This can be accomplished by equipping multifunctional teams with a common set of knowledge and skills acquired through training courses. 

Role-based training in combination with strategic training will help individuals and teams feel more confident they are making choices and recommendations that match with your overall collaborative efforts and Shopper.

Step 3: Move to External Collaboration and Joint Business Planning

Now that you’ve established where you are currently at with your Retailer or Vendor partners, you can undertake Joint Business Planning (JBP) — the “next level” in a collaborative relationship. JBP should build from foundations established in collaborative relationships.

In theory, Joint Business Planning is a collaborative effort between the Vendor and Retailer which involves open sharing of information. Shared information allows for the creation of a common, mutually-agreed-to business plan. But let me insert a bit of reality into this idyllic definition. From a basic level, it is a business plan that is developed between Vendors and Retailers, through sharing of select information. The plan should include expected trends, initiatives and the forecasted market environment, so that there is a greater chance for the goals and objectives within the plan to be attained. 

The higher the level of collaboration between the organizations, the closer you will move toward the theoretical definition of Joint Business Planning.

A successful Joint Business Plan requires each party to clearly understand the others’ goals, business and customer requirements. This shared understanding becomes the foundation of the JBP, with both businesses pooling their resources and expertise to achieve specific goals. The risks and rewards of the plan are also shared.

While specific approaches vary by Retailer, the following framework from CMKG category management training provides the key steps associated with most joint business planning processes:

Let’s look at the first step for the Retailer – identifying corporate strategies and goals . The Retailer, usually led by the senior management team, creates the sales, cost of goods and operating targets for the upcoming year. When you look at a Retailer’s income statement , there are 3 ways that a Retailer can influence net income:

• increased sales;
• decreased cost of goods sold; and
• decreased operating expenses.

Retailers’ targets will most likely include initiatives behind all three of these components of the income statement to increase their net margin and income. Examples of initiatives may include new store openings, the current market, and private label opportunities for the Retailer. Other initiatives may be based on supply chain upgrades, information technology upgrades, or any other types of business process improvements that will impact the bottom line for the Retailer.

In summary, if you have properly defined collaboration internally and strategically selected your business partners upfront, you are less likely to run into problems. Problems are likely to arise in a Joint Business Plan if:

• There are unclear objectives, one of the parties was not transparent in their sharing of information, or the plan was not properly communicated to everyone involved.
• The partners have different objectives or hidden agendas in the joint venture.
• One party is investing much more in terms of expertise, financial, and/or assets than the other party, creating an imbalance.
• Different cultures and management styles with partners may result in poor integration and cooperation.
• The partners don’t provide sufficient leadership and support in the early stages of the program.

The Opportunity?  For Retailers and Vendors to define mutual areas of interest, build business in a collaborative way, and improve the Shopper experience. 

Want to learn more about Collaborative and Joint Business Planning? Category Management Knowledge Group can help you, your team or your organization through a single online, live or webinar course or a customized program. We have some great category management training options available to meet your needs. You can preview our brand new, accredited  Collaborative Business Planning   course below:

Topics: Category Management , Strategic Collaboration / Joint Business Planning

Written by Sue Nicholls, Founder & President CMKG

Posts by audience.

• Analytics Work (15)
• Business Acumen Development (2)
• Business Reviews / Category Reviews (1)
• Career Advancement (1)
• Category Analytics (7)
• Category Definition Work (5)

Latest Posts

Empowering success: trusted online & instructor-led training solutions for retailers, suppliers and solution providers, about cmkg.org.

We're a global training company in Canada, dedicated to retailers, suppliers and solution providers. Whether you're a category manager or part of a sales or marketing team, our personalized programs, for organizations, teams and individuals, are tailored to elevate your skills.

[email protected]

shoptraining.cmkg.org

readytolearn.cmkg.org

QUICK LINKS

• Sue’s Thought Leadership Blog
• Category Management Quarterly Newsletter

Subscribe to Sue Nicholls’ Thought Leadership Blog.

ZenBusinessPlans

Home » Business Plan Tips

How to Write a Joint Venture Business Plan

A joint venture business plan is a document that defines a business arrangement between two or more companies. Just as with a normal business plan, this plan also includes numerous sections and extensively describes the aim, companies, and responsibilities of each company in the joint venture. This plan also outlines temporary activities that help to attain specific goals.

Coming together to form a joint venture is nothing new in the business world. However, the real deal is to have an arrangement that equally protects the interests of each party so that everyone in the joint venture can put their best creative foot forward. Have it in mind that the best way to guarantee all parties understand their obligations and are fully participating is to put together a detailed joint venture business plan .

Although each company in the venture can put together the business plan, a legal review is often recommended to validate if the plan is legitimate. These plans are also known to be above and beyond a standard business plan. Most often, the plans will vary based on the specifics and interests of each party in the arrangement.

Steps to Write a Joint Venture Business Plan

Forming a joint venture involves several critical steps that begin with identifying and analyzing a viable joint venture partner to agree with. This sort of agreement requires well-detailed documentation and other allied/ancillary agreements. To write a solid joint venture business plan, here are steps to take;

Step 1: Write a Detailed Company Profile

Although this wouldn’t be the first page of your joint venture business plan, it is often recommended you start the writing process by first providing a brief description of each company involved in the joint venture. You have to include the management teams of each company, the resources, or goods available, and every other detail vital to the joint venture.

Consider creating a profile to briefly describe the partners in the agreement. You should also outline the expertise of each company and the reason for inclusion in the joint venture. You may also have to write a statement on the purpose of the joint venture as well.

Step 2: Spell Out your Marketing Strategies

The next step will be to discuss the market strategies you intend to leverage to achieve success for the joint venture. Just as with a normal business plan, it needs to define the market the goods and services are meant for. This section will also need to contain a thoroughly done analysis, graphs, and all other vital information that describes the market and why the joint venture will attain success.

Most often, companies in the agreement are advised to cooperate on this section to put together an analysis from each partner. Have in mind that the length and detail of this section will depend on the purpose of the joint venture; a competitive analysis may also be necessary.

Step 3: Input your Financial Projections

Note that every joint venture business plan is expected to include financial projections. While this may be the final section of the business plan, it will include information specific to product prices and cost of goods or services sold, and possible expenses from the activities.

You may need to include Pro forma financial statements in this section. Note that these statements provide a formal look at potential profits and let banks or lenders properly evaluate the venture’s possibility for success. Other statements or documents may also be included in this section.

Step 4: Your Executive Summary

Although the Executive Summary will be the first page of the joint venture business plan, it is always recommended you write it last. This page of your joint venture business plan provides a concise view of the business agreement. Depending on the joint venture activities, the section of the business plan will span anywhere from a few paragraphs to a few pages.

Important Clauses to Include in a Joint Venture Business Plan

A joint venture business plan is the bedrock of any joint venture. It outlines the objective and purpose of the joint venture. Have in mind there are ideal clauses a joint venture agreement is expected to contain. Here are very important clauses that should be inserted in the joint venture business plan:

Definitions

It is critical for every business plan to have a clause that defines all the necessary terms in the plan. This is primarily to avoid any form of misunderstanding and misinterpretation in the plan. Have it in mind that certain words or terms are given confining definitions for the purpose of interpretation of the plan. This clause will help guarantee a mutual understanding between the parties as to what a certain term means.

Parties to the Joint Venture

A joint venture business plan is meant to identify all the parties involved in a joint venture. Have in mind that there is a possibility that the original party won’t be the investing party, and the investing party may be the parent company of the original party. In such circumstances, this clause is very necessary to ensure that the joint venture agreement is binding to the investing parties as well as the original parties.

Nature of the Relationship

This is one of the most vital functions of the joint venture business plan. This clause in a business plan is meant is to outline the nature of the relationship between the joint partners, whether the parties owe any contractual obligations to one another, or whether the arrangement is just a contractual relationship where each party remains at arm’s length.

Business Objectives and Purpose of the Joint Venture

Note that this clause outlines the purpose why the joint venture was established. There are numerous reasons why businesses enter into a joint venture, from expanding their markets to completing a specific project. The purpose of the joint venture will need to be extensively considered before proceeding with finding a joint venture partner.

The Structure of the Joint Venture

This clause will have to include details about what structure the joint venture will be, such as an LLC, LLP, or incorporated. This clause shall also contain the details of the formation of the joint venture thereof. It shall also mention the registered office and the location where the joint venture will be carrying out its business.

Parties’ Contributions

This clause will note if the work will be split 50/50, who’s bringing what to the table, and what you can expect from the other person or company. Outlining this in your joint venture business plan in detail will ensure that all partner’s expectations are aligned. This is to ensure that each party understands what they will be committing to the venture, and also to ensure that they are bound by that commitment.

Distribution of Shares

The shareholding of all the partners will have to be outlined under this clause. Note that the distribution of shares is a very important aspect as the shareholdings will more or less dictate the proportion of ownership among shareholders.

Note that distributions of shares must not be 50:50; they can vary depending on the agreement between all parties. The shares can be distributed by a mutually agreed ratio or based on the capital contribution of the parties.

Rights and Obligations of the Parties

Indeed every party in a joint venture has certain rights that they can exercise and certain obligations. In the joint venture business plan, this clause will have to explain in detail everything that is expected from the parties. This is to limit or avoid future disputes and misunderstandings.

Joint venture business plans will need to explain who will manage the venture and take care of its day-to-day operations. It will also specify different levels of approval for different types of decisions.

Some joint ventures agree to establish a management committee instead of appointing the board of directors where the joint venture has been entered into for a particular short-term project. The mode of management needs to be explicitly outlined in the joint venture business plan.

Representation and Warranties

Note that these are statements of fact made by the parties entering into the joint venture. Representations and warranties are more or less made before entering into an agreement and such representations and warranties will also have to be mentioned in the joint venture business plan.

Representations and warranties are necessary so that the parties have adequate and vital information about each other such as financial standings of the parties or the loans taken by the parties, pending litigation, etc.

Indemnity Clause

Indemnity is a legal obligation on the parties to compensate the other party in case of breach of any contractual obligation. Most often, the party that suffers due to a breach of representations and warranties is entitled to be indemnified for the losses. Have it in mind that the indemnity clause will have to be fair, mutually agreed upon, and well balanced. The language and scope of this clause will also need to be clear and precise.

Dispute Resolution

In all business arrangements, there are bound to have disagreements and issues. While these issues will not always lead to litigation, it is recommended that all parties agree on a mechanism to deal with such situations.

Each party in a joint venture can be from different jurisdictions and governed by varying laws. Therefore the mechanism to resort to in case a dispute arises will need to be mutually agreed upon by the parties and explicitly noted in the plan.

Non-compete clause

This is a very important clause to include in a joint venture business plan. Depending on the nature of the agreement, it might be necessary to note that the two businesses are restricted from directly competing with one another, at least for a stipulated time. However, the non-compete clause will need to be reasonable otherwise it might be treated as a violation of a person’s fundamental right to trade.

Confidentiality

Within a joint venture agreement, parties are expected to disclose certain vital information concerning the company. Note that this information can be related to technology, trade secrets, or intellectual property. The information in the wrong hands might cause the party to incur massive losses.

This is why this clause is very important in a joint venture business plan. The clause may also need to provide that the information disclosed for the joint venture should never be used for personal gains.

Force Majeure

This clause is used to provide relief and protection to a party in a situation where the party is unable to meet some of its obligations. Note that this inability to fulfill obligations may be due to events that are totally beyond the control of the parties. The event could be a flood or an earthquake or a fire so on and so forth.

Termination

You need to understand that not every joint venture survives long and is often terminated. Owing to that, this clause will have to be included in the joint venture business plan. The termination clause centers on instances, breaches, or the occurrence of which the joint venture will be terminated.

Exit Mechanism

Even while still under an agreement, there can be many reasons why the parties would want to exit the joint venture. This could include short of funds or the joint venture going into a loss for some time. It is very common for a party to want out of the joint venture, maybe due to certain unresolved issues. Owing to that, the exit mechanism will need to be noted in the joint venture plan.

Deadlock Resolution

Deadlocks tend to arise when the parties in the joint venture have equal powers and are finding it hard to agree on a common conclusion.

Note that things like this can lead to disagreement especially when neither party is ready or willing to surrender their powers or accept the other party’s decision. While this cannot be entirely avoided in a joint venture, you should establish a mechanism that will help the parties to come to a common agreement or to resolve the deadlock.

Financial and Administrative Record Keeping

All parties in the joint venture must collaborate on maintaining their financial records. They also need to decide the process of administrative record keeping. While this may not be necessary, it is good practice for joint ventures to work with one accounting firm that is agreed upon by all members. This will help to limit the risk of any conflict of interest or complications in the future.

Intellectual Property

For joint ventures that will produce intellectual property that is of potential value to each of the parties, this clause is very necessary to avoid the risk of one party attempting to take advantage of the other’s intellectual property. This clause in the joint venture business plan should note who will own any new intellectual property created by the venture, and the extent to which the parties are permitted to use that property outside the venture.

More on Business Plan Tips

Key Account Management

Empower your key account strategies to grow revenues with Aforza’s connected 360 platform.

Your Business

In today’s competitive Consumer Products landscape, effective Key Account Management (KAM) is essential for driving revenue and building long-term relationships with top-tier clients. With increasing demands and expectations from key accounts, businesses need robust solutions to streamline account management processes and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Today’s Challenges

• Limited Account Insights: Businesses struggle to gather comprehensive data and insights on key accounts, hindering their ability to understand client needs and preferences effectively.
• Lack of Strategic Planning: Without a structured approach to account planning, businesses find it challenging to set clear objectives and track progress towards key account goals.
• Inefficient Stakeholder Management: Managing relationships with multiple stakeholders within key accounts poses a challenge, leading to miscommunication and fragmented engagement efforts.

The Aforza Solution

With Aforza’s Key Account Management solutions, businesses can overcome challenges related to limited insights, strategic planning, and stakeholder management, enabling them to drive revenue growth and strengthen relationships with their most valuable clients effectively.

Complete Customer 360

Gain a comprehensive view of key accounts

• Unified customer data platform.
• 360-degree view of account interactions.
• Real-time account insights and analytics.
• Personalized customer engagement based on historical data.
• Mobile access for on-the-go account management.

Check out the Demo Center

Account Profiling & Segmentation

Segment key accounts for targeted strategies

• Advanced account profiling tools.
• Segmentation based on account value & behavior.
• Customizable segmentation criteria.
• Targeted marketing & sales strategies.
• Integration with CRM systems for seamless segmentation

Strategic Account Planning & Objective Tracking

Set and track strategic objectives for key accounts

• Structured account planning templates.
• Goal-setting and progress tracking features.
• Collaboration tools for cross-functional alignment.
• Real-time performance monitoring and reporting.
• Automated alerts for goal milestones.

Stakeholder Management & Mapping

Identify & engage with key stakeholders within key accounts

• Stakeholder mapping and analysis.
• Contact management tools for stakeholder engagement.
• Communication tracking and logging.
• Relationship nurturing workflows.
• Integration with communication channels for seamless engagement.

Account-level Pricing & Promotion Management

Optimize pricing and promotions for key accounts

• Account-specific pricing rules and workflows.
• Promotion customization based on account preferences.
• Dynamic pricing adjustments for strategic accounts.
• Promotion execution and tracking.
• Integration with pricing and promotion engines for real-time updates.

Get Started Today

Unlock the full potential of your Key Account Management strategies today with Aforza’s integrated solutions. Experience seamless planning, execution and analytics that drives sales and boosts profitability. Get started now by exploring our Demo Center.

• Buying & Merchandising
• Retail Marketing
• Category Leadership
• eCommerce Leadership
• Revenue Management
• Private Brands
• Foodservice
• Organization Design
• Merchandising Services
• Talent Development
• Joint Value Creation
• Retail Data & Insights
• Supply Chain
• Negotiation Skills
• Customer Development
• Data & Insights
• Commerce & Shopper Marketing
• TPG Overview
• Publications
• Corporate Strategy
• Functional Strategy
• Portfolio Optimization
• Omni-channel Strategy
• Assortment Optimization
• Retail Promotion Planning
• Retail Space Productivity
• Supplier Management
• Supplier Contribution Model
• Loyalty Program Design
• Category Marketing
• Digital Acceleration
• Customer Qualitative Research
• Customer Insight Activation
• Omni-channel Category Management
• Front End Excellence
• Department Transformation
• eCommerce Strategy Solutions
• Digital Category Management Solutions
• Digital Consumer Insights Solutions
• Online Grocery Solutions
• eCommerce Fulfillment
• eCommerce Training
• Strategic Pricing
• Promotion Effectiveness
• Brand Development
• Organization
• Operational Execution
• Full Plate Category Leadership
• Collaborative Planning
• Training & Development
• Supplier Segmentation
• Implementation
• Vision & Strategy
• Visual Merchandising
• Merchandising Execution
• Store & Space Planning
• Talent Assessment
• Competency Definitions
• Top Talent Development
• Performance Management
• Succession Planning
• Joint Business Planning
• Value Chain Optimization
• Curriculum Design
• Course Development
• Training Courses
• Understanding Customer Needs & Drivers
• Quantifying Enterprise Opportunities
• Uncovering Department & Category Opportunities
• Data-led Supplier Engagement
• Pinpointing eCommerce Opportunities
• Operationalizing Data, Tools, & Technology
• Inventory Management
• DC Productivity
• In-Bound Consolidation
• Freight Management
• Network Optimization
• Import/Export Transformation
• Business Unit Strategy
• Scenario Planning
• Creating Shared Value
• Strategic Planning Model
• Capability Assessment
• Turnkey Launch Programs
• Innovation Process Rewiring
• Strategy & Product Roadmap
• Category Navigator
• Brand Strategy & Development
• Consumer & Shopper Insights
• Shopper Marketing & Personalization
• Consumer Orchestration
• Pricing Optimization
• Integrated Commercial Business Planning
• Marketing Return on Investment
• Category/Brand Health Monitor
• Commercial Dashboard
• Capability Benchmarking
• Org Designer & Role Clarifier
• Marketing Academy
• Channel Strategy & Plans
• Customer Segmentation
• Customer Business Planning
• Understanding Shopper Needs & Drivers
• Uncovering Category Opportunities
• Defining Brand Opportunities
• Quantifying Omnichannel Retail Opportunities
• Insight Development
• Shopper Engagement
• Category Leadership Plan
• eCommerce Strategy
• Digital Retail Marketing
• Digital Category Leadership with Top Retailers
• eCommerce Supply Chain
• eCommerce Organization Transformation
• Procurement & Strategic Sourcing
• Incentive Based Pricing & Services
• Working Capital
• Manufacturing Productivity
• Sales & Operations Planning
• Revenue Management Strategy
• Customer Planning Discipline
• Revenue Management Discipline
• Revenue Management Analytics
• Full-Funnel Omni-Channel Media Planning
• Organizational Design & Development
• Digital Shelf & Media Plan Assessment & Audits
• Retailer Media, Commerce & Shopper Marketing Training
• Go-To-Market Strategy
• Operator Segmentation
• Trade Spend Effectiveness
• Marketing Training
• Category Management Training
• Sales Training

• Best Practice Joint Business Planning

Joint Business Planning is mission critical for today’s consumer products retailers and suppliers. The consumer products and retailing industry is very competitive and companies are seeking advantage. Companies with a well-defined JBP process are able to formulate win-win plans and execute more effectively and efficiently by focusing their resources to areas of highest returns.

Joint Value Creation

• Best Practice JBP Pilots

TPG’s multi-functional Joint Business Planning Program helps manufacturers and retailers transform the relationship, the value chain and business results through aligned strategies and a collaborative execution plan. The key inputs for success are:

• Shared insights to develop strategies and initiatives
• Dedicated cross-functional resources
• Joint investment to drive demand or reduce cost
• Assessment: Help Suppliers understand their gaps versus JBP Best Practices
• JBP Process/Template/Tool Development: Using our Best Practice methodology, help develop the “Supplier Way” of JBP along with the templates/tools needed to activate
• JBP Training: Help train the entire multi-functional organization on the new way of working
• Facilitation: Help facilitate the JBP process with key Retail Partners, including the development of the JBP Materials needed by the Supplier as well as the facilitation of the actual Retailer meetings and follow up
• Shopper Understanding: Assess the current Shopper Insights and help develop improvements to the insights that help drive JBP Plan development and activation
• 3 Year and Annual Plan: Help develop the long range strategic plan and the 12 month plan of activation
• Value Chain Analysis: Assess and identify opportunities for improvement across all elements of the Value Chain
• Execute: Design and implement a multi-functional execution and monitoring process that is fully integrated across functions, work streams and companies, including joint KPI’s and balanced Scorecard. Identify issues and take corrective action as needed

Connect with us:

• Retail Consulting
• Manufacturer Consulting
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• © 2022 The Partnering Group, Inc

Item added to your cart

Here is a free business plan sample for a burger joint establishment.

Have you been flipping through dreams of grilling the perfect patty and opening your own burger joint? Wondering where to start?

Look no further, as we're about to serve up a juicy sample business plan tailored for the fast-paced world of a burger restaurant.

As any seasoned entrepreneur will tell you, a robust business plan is the secret sauce to launching a successful venture. It's the blueprint that helps you articulate your concept, map out objectives, and strategize on how to achieve them.

Ready to bite into the business world? Get a head start with our burger joint business plan template. And if you need a little extra seasoning, our experts are on standby to review and refine your plan at no cost.

How to draft a great business plan for your burger joint establishment?

A good business plan for a burger joint must cater to the unique aspects of this type of fast-casual dining establishment.

To start, it's crucial to provide a comprehensive overview of the burger market. This includes current statistics and the identification of emerging trends in the fast-food industry, as illustrated in our burger joint business plan template .

Your business plan should clearly articulate your concept. This encompasses your vision, pinpointing your target demographic (such as families, young professionals, students), and the distinctive appeal of your burger joint (gourmet options, plant-based burgers, locally sourced ingredients, etc.).

The market analysis section is vital. It requires an in-depth look at local competitors, industry trends, and consumer preferences specific to the burger market.

For a burger joint, particular emphasis should be placed on your menu offerings. Describe your range of burgers, sides, and beverages, and discuss how they cater to the tastes and demands of your intended audience.

The operational plan is key. It should detail the location of your burger joint, the layout of the kitchen and dining area, supply chain logistics for ingredients, and the cooking process.

For a burger joint, it's important to highlight the quality of your ingredients, cooking methods, and adherence to health and safety regulations.

Then, delve into your marketing and sales strategies. How do you plan to draw in and keep customers coming back? Explore promotional tactics, customer loyalty programs, and potential upselling opportunities (like combo meals or specialty items).

Implementing digital strategies, such as a website or social media engagement, is also crucial in the modern marketplace.

The financial framework is another critical component. This section should cover the initial investment, projected sales, ongoing expenses, and the point at which you will break even.

In a burger joint, understanding the profit margins on each menu item is essential, so meticulous planning and a firm grasp of your financials are imperative. For assistance, refer to our financial projection model for a burger joint .

Compared to other business plans, a burger joint's plan must pay special attention to factors such as the fast turnover of inventory, quick service expectations, and potential for high-volume sales during peak hours.

A well-crafted business plan will not only help you solidify your vision and strategy but also attract investors or secure loans.

Investors and lenders are looking for comprehensive market research, realistic financial projections, and a clear plan for day-to-day operations of a burger joint.

By presenting a thorough and substantiated plan, you showcase your dedication and readiness for the success of your venture.

To achieve these goals while saving time, you can fill out our burger joint business plan template .

A free example of business plan for a burger joint establishment

Here, we will provide a concise and illustrative example of a business plan for a specific project.

This example aims to provide an overview of the essential components of a business plan. It is important to note that this version is only a summary. As it stands, this business plan is not sufficiently developed to support a profitability strategy or convince a bank to provide financing.

To be effective, the business plan should be significantly more detailed, including up-to-date market data, more persuasive arguments, a thorough market study, a three-year action plan, as well as detailed financial tables such as a projected income statement, projected balance sheet, cash flow budget, and break-even analysis.

All these elements have been thoroughly included by our experts in the business plan template they have designed for a burger joint .

Here, we will follow the same structure as in our business plan template.

Market Opportunity

Market data and figures.

The burger joint industry is a robust and ever-popular segment of the fast-food market.

Recent studies have valued the global burger market at over 135 billion dollars, with projections indicating continued growth, driven by the demand for convenient, flavorful, and diverse burger options.

In the United States alone, there are over 50,000 burger-focused establishments, contributing to an annual revenue of approximately 80 billion dollars for the burger sector.

These statistics underscore the burger's iconic status in American cuisine and its substantial contribution to the economy.

The burger industry is not immune to the evolving preferences and trends shaping the food sector.

Health-conscious consumers are propelling the rise of plant-based and lean protein burger patties, while gourmet and artisanal burgers are gaining traction among those seeking premium dining experiences.

Environmental sustainability is also influencing the industry, with a push for locally sourced ingredients and eco-friendly packaging.

Technology plays a role as well, with the integration of mobile ordering, delivery apps, and automated kiosks enhancing customer convenience and operational efficiency.

Moreover, transparency in ingredient sourcing and ethical practices is becoming increasingly important to customers, prompting burger joints to be more open about their supply chains.

These trends are shaping the future of the burger industry, as businesses strive to cater to the new wave of consumer expectations.

Success Factors

Several factors contribute to the success of a burger joint.

Foremost is the quality of the burgers themselves; juicy, flavorful patties with fresh toppings can turn first-time visitors into regulars.

Innovation in menu offerings, including unique flavor combinations and special dietary options like gluten-free or vegan burgers, can set a joint apart in a crowded market.

A prime location with high foot traffic or easy access can significantly boost visibility and patronage.

Exceptional customer service is essential for creating a welcoming atmosphere and encouraging repeat business.

Lastly, managing costs effectively without compromising on quality, embracing sustainable practices, and staying adaptable to the latest food trends are all crucial for the enduring success of a burger joint.

The Project

Project presentation.

Our gourmet burger joint project is designed to cater to the evolving tastes of food enthusiasts and health-conscious consumers. Situated in a bustling urban area with high foot traffic, this burger joint will specialize in crafting a diverse menu of high-quality, gourmet burgers, including options for vegetarians and those seeking healthier alternatives. Each burger will be made with premium, locally-sourced ingredients, ensuring a fresh and flavorful experience.

Attention will be given to the culinary craftsmanship, presentation, and the overall dining experience, aiming to redefine the concept of fast-casual dining.

Our burger joint will strive to be the go-to destination for burger aficionados, setting a new standard for indulgence and quality in the fast-casual dining scene.

Value Proposition

The value proposition of our gourmet burger joint lies in offering a unique blend of taste, quality, and convenience. We provide a menu that features creative burger variations, including plant-based and lean protein options, to cater to a wide range of dietary preferences.

Our commitment to using only the finest ingredients and the latest culinary techniques ensures a superior taste that sets us apart from the competition. We aim to offer a memorable dining experience that combines the comfort of casual eating with the sophistication of gourmet cuisine.

By focusing on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, our burger joint will become a community staple, inviting patrons to enjoy the ultimate burger experience.

Project Owner

The project owner is a seasoned restaurateur with a passion for the culinary arts and a keen eye for emerging food trends.

With a background in hospitality management and a track record of successful restaurant ventures, he is poised to launch a burger joint that emphasizes culinary excellence and customer service. His expertise in sourcing the finest ingredients and his commitment to sustainability are at the heart of the business concept.

Driven by a desire to offer a top-tier dining experience, he is dedicated to making the gourmet burger joint a beloved establishment, where every bite is a testament to quality and innovation.

His dedication to the craft of burger-making and his entrepreneurial spirit are the cornerstones of this project, aiming to delight customers and elevate the standard of fast-casual dining.

The Market Study

Market segments.

The market segments for this gourmet burger joint are diverse and include several key categories.

Firstly, there are fast food enthusiasts who crave high-quality, flavorful burgers but are looking for a more upscale and health-conscious option.

Secondly, there are individuals with dietary restrictions or preferences, such as those seeking gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan burger options.

Another segment includes foodies and culinary adventurers who are always on the lookout for innovative and unique burger creations.

Lastly, the local community, including families and professionals looking for a convenient and satisfying meal option, forms a significant customer base.

SWOT Analysis

A SWOT analysis of this gourmet burger joint project highlights several factors.

Strengths include a focus on high-quality ingredients, a diverse menu catering to various dietary needs, and a strong brand concept centered around gourmet and artisanal experiences.

Weaknesses might involve the higher price point associated with premium ingredients and the challenge of maintaining consistency across all menu items.

Opportunities can be found in the growing trend towards gourmet fast-casual dining and the potential to expand the menu with seasonal or locally sourced ingredients.

Threats include the competitive fast food market and the potential for changing consumer tastes or economic downturns affecting discretionary spending.

Competitor Analysis

Competitor analysis in the gourmet burger market indicates a crowded and competitive landscape.

Direct competitors include other gourmet burger restaurants, traditional fast food chains with premium burger offerings, and local diners or pubs with strong burger menus.

These competitors vie for the attention of burger aficionados and casual diners alike, emphasizing quality, taste, and experience.

Competitive advantages may lie in the uniqueness of the burger recipes, the dining atmosphere, customer service excellence, and the ability to quickly adapt to food trends and customer feedback.

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of these competitors is crucial for carving out a niche and ensuring customer loyalty.

Competitive Advantages

Our gourmet burger joint's competitive edge is rooted in our dedication to culinary excellence and customer satisfaction.

We offer a wide array of burgers, from classic favorites to innovative creations, all made with premium, locally sourced ingredients to guarantee a memorable dining experience.

Our commitment to accommodating various dietary needs, including gluten-free and plant-based options, sets us apart in the market and caters to a broader audience.

We also emphasize the importance of a welcoming and engaging dining environment, where every customer feels valued and eager to return.

You can also read our articles about: - how to establish a burger joint establishment: a complete guide - the customer segments of a burger joint establishment - the competition study for a burger joint establishment

The Strategy

Development plan.

Our three-year development plan for the gourmet burger joint is designed to cater to the evolving tastes of burger enthusiasts.

In the first year, we will concentrate on perfecting our signature burgers and establishing a strong local following by offering unique flavors and high-quality ingredients.

The second year will be focused on expanding our presence by opening additional locations in high-traffic areas and possibly exploring food truck options to reach a wider audience.

By the third year, we aim to diversify our menu with innovative burger options and seasonal specialties, as well as considering franchising opportunities to scale our successful business model.

Throughout this period, we will remain dedicated to culinary excellence, customer experience, and brand consistency to become a leader in the gourmet burger market.

Business Model Canvas

The Business Model Canvas for our gourmet burger joint targets not only burger lovers but also those seeking high-quality, artisanal food experiences.

Our value proposition revolves around crafting exceptional burgers with gourmet toppings, artisan buns, and premium meats, complemented by a selection of sides and beverages.

We plan to serve our customers through our physical locations, online ordering, and delivery services, utilizing our key resources such as our skilled chefs and state-of-the-art kitchen facilities.

Key activities include burger creation, customer service, and maintaining a strong brand presence.

Our revenue streams will be generated from the sales of our gourmet burgers and related products, while our costs will be primarily associated with ingredients, labor, and marketing efforts.

Access a complete and editable real Business Model Canvas in our business plan template .

Marketing Strategy

Our marketing strategy is centered on creating a memorable brand experience.

We aim to engage our target audience through mouth-watering visuals and interactive content that highlights the uniqueness of our burgers. Our promotional tactics include social media campaigns, local events, and collaborations with food influencers.

We will also offer loyalty programs and limited-time offers to encourage repeat visits and word-of-mouth referrals.

Additionally, we plan to partner with local businesses and food festivals to increase our visibility and reach a broader customer base while upholding our commitment to quality and innovation in our burger offerings.

Risk Policy

The risk policy for our gourmet burger joint focuses on mitigating risks associated with food service, supply chain management, and customer satisfaction.

We will adhere to stringent food safety protocols, source our ingredients from reputable suppliers, and train our staff extensively in food handling and preparation.

Regular menu reviews and customer feedback sessions will help us maintain high standards and adapt to changing tastes. We will also implement a conservative financial strategy to manage costs effectively.

Comprehensive insurance coverage will be in place to protect against potential liabilities. Our goal is to deliver exceptional gourmet burgers while ensuring the well-being of our customers and the sustainability of our business.

Why Our Project is Viable

We are excited to introduce a gourmet burger joint that meets the demand for high-quality, innovative burger experiences.

With our dedication to culinary creativity, customer engagement, and strategic growth, we believe our business is well-positioned for success in the competitive food industry.

We are committed to adapting to market trends and customer feedback to ensure the longevity and prosperity of our gourmet burger venture.

We look forward to the opportunity to delight our customers and establish a legacy as a premier destination for burger aficionados.

You can also read our articles about: - the Business Model Canvas of a burger joint establishment - the marketing strategy for a burger joint establishment

The Financial Plan

Of course, the text presented below is far from sufficient to serve as a solid and credible financial analysis for a bank or potential investor. They expect specific numbers, financial statements, and charts demonstrating the profitability of your project.

All these elements are available in our business plan template for a burger joint and our financial plan for a burger joint .

Initial expenses for our burger joint include the cost of kitchen equipment tailored for burger preparation, remodeling the dining and kitchen areas to comply with health regulations, sourcing high-quality meat and fresh produce, training staff in food safety and customer service, as well as expenses related to branding and executing targeted marketing campaigns to attract our desired customer base.

Our revenue assumptions are based on a thorough market analysis of the local demand for gourmet and specialty burgers, taking into account the popularity of fast-casual dining and the trend towards premium burger offerings.

We expect a steady increase in sales, beginning with conservative estimates and expanding as our burger joint gains recognition in the community.

The projected income statement outlines anticipated revenues from our burger sales, production costs (ingredients, labor, utilities), and operating expenses (lease, marketing, salaries, etc.).

This leads to a forecasted net profit that is essential for assessing the long-term profitability of our venture.

The projected balance sheet displays assets unique to our business, such as kitchen equipment, food inventory, and liabilities including loans and projected expenses.

It provides a snapshot of the financial condition of our burger joint at the conclusion of each fiscal period.

Our projected cash flow statement details the inflows and outflows of cash, enabling us to predict our financial requirements at any point. This will assist in the effective management of our finances and in preventing cash flow issues.

The projected financing plan identifies the specific sources of funding we intend to utilize to cover our initial costs.

The working capital requirement for our burger joint will be meticulously managed to ensure we have sufficient liquidity to support daily operations, such as ingredient purchases, inventory control, and payroll.

The break-even point for our venture is the volume of sales necessary to cover all our costs, including startup expenses, thereby beginning to generate profit.

It will signal the moment our business transitions to profitability.

Performance indicators we will monitor include the profit margin on our burgers, the current ratio to evaluate our ability to meet short-term obligations, and the return on investment to gauge the efficiency of the capital we have invested in the business.

These metrics will aid us in assessing the financial robustness and overall success of our burger joint.

If you want to know more about the financial analysis of this type of activity, please read our article about the financial plan for a burger joint establishment .

• Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
• Opens in a new window.