Software Publisher Business Plan

We are a small company owned and operated by Ralph and Mabel Smith, husband and wife, as a Subchapter S corporation. Ralph is the developer and designer of the products, and Mabel manages the office.

Management style reflects the participation of the owners. The company respects its community of co-workers and treats all workers well. We attempt to develop and nurture the company as community. We are not very hierarchical.

6.1 Organizational Structure

Ralph Smith, President, is responsible for overall business management. Our managers of finance, marketing, and sales report directly to Ralph.

Jim Graham, programmer, is responsible for product design and development.

As co-owners, Ralph and Mabel jointly develop business strategy and long-term plans. Ralph is strong on product know-how and technology, and Mabel is strong on management and business know-how.

6.2 Management Team

• Ralph Smith: President and founder. Smith worked for 10 years in sales and marketing with Arrog International before returning to California to found what has become Supple Software. He was sales manager of the eastern region when he founded the original software distribution company. MBA from Stanford, MA with honors from University of Oregon, BA magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame. Forty years old, married, five children.
  
• Allen Lombard: on board of directors. ______, _________. Previously General Manager for ________, where sales increased during his 1982-1987 management from less than $3 million to $29 million annually. MBA Harvard Business School, BS Stanford.
  
• Mabel Smith: Consultant, general manager. Was the manager of XYZ Lumber in Standard before being hired by Acme six years ago. BA in Business Administration, University of North Carolina.
  
• Henry Callahan: on board of directors. Well-known and respected public relations and advertising consultant based in Blank.
  
• Perry Masonjar: attorney and secretary of board. Founding attorney of _____, _________, Austec, and other start-ups.
  
• Linda Wilson: Marketing Coordinator. 25 years old. BA Marketing, _____________.

6.3 Management Team Gaps

• The present team is very weak on professional sales.
• The present team, though strong on how to market at a high level, is short on practical front-line marketing experience.
• Product development requires a stable of entrepreneurial inventors willing to work for royalties.

6.4 Personnel Plan

Our people are compensated well, for the Ourtown market. Compensation includes complete HMO health care for the employee and all dependents, plus a dental plan, plus a 401K with generous profit sharing, plus two weeks of vacations. The atmosphere at work is enhanced by teambuilding activities including river rafting, roller skating, pizza parties, etc.

We do expect to increase personnel significantly as sales increase.

Monthly personnel details for 1998 are in the appendix.