Reviewer User Manual

Updated 4/10/08 

 

 Here are some tips for navigating the registration process and use of the gccbussinessplans website, which will be used throughout the Business Plan Competition process. 

For further questions, contact Mrs. Lynn Stillwaggon at lastillwaggon@gcc.edu.

 

 

Important Documents:       For-Profit Frame of Reference            Non-Profit Frame of Reference 

 

1.      Access your reviewer account at: www.gccbusinessplans.com using the Username and Password issued to you by email.

 

2.     The page you will see will resemble the following:

Thank you again for your willingness to review a business plan. Honest and professional feedback is very important since your feedback will be shared with the students (with names omitted.) Please keep in mind that even though this is an undergraduate assignment it should be what you would expect from a "real world" business plan.

Instructions

  1. As you read the student entrepreneur's plan, please be aware of the following criteria:
    1. Is this area covered in adequate detail?
    2. Does the plan show a clear understanding of the elements that should be addressed?
    3. Are the assumptions realistic and reasonable?
    4. Are the risks identified and the ability to manage those risks conveyed?
  2. Provide both written comments and a numeric rating for each topic area.
  3. Please verify your contact information.

Please note that each topic should be addressed in the business plan; however, plans may not necessarily follow the same order as the evaluation form ratings.

Your Assigned Business Plans

[Team Name]   [File Name].doc
  [File Name].docx		 Business Plan Evaluation


 


 

3.       To Read the plan assigned to you, choose from the file types on the left.  Students will submit their business plans in various document types.  If one format doesn't work for you, try another.  Files ending in ".docx" are made using Word2007, and work best when viewed with that program.  Choose any format according to your convenience.  All documents contain the same information.

If you experience difficulty opening the file, please let us know so that we can assist you.  email Mrs. Lynn Stillwaggon at lastillwaggon@gcc.edu

4.      You may begin entering your evaluation responses as soon as you are able by following the Business Plan Evaluation link on the right.  The online "ballot" that you will use will resemble the following:

Please Page Down for Important Instructions!

Rating Scale

 
5
Excellent		 4
Superior		 3
Average		 2
Below Average		 1
Poor
Top 10% of plans. Appropriate detail, thorough, accurate, information well presented. Top 25% of plans. Good detail, some minor gaps but none fatal, revisions needed. What you would expect of an undergraduate business plan, major revisions needed. Legitimate ideas but weak and poorly written; large gaps in information, key errors, needs significant revisions. Unworkable ideas and/or un-repairable errors, need to start over.

 

  Comments Rating
1. Executive Summary
Clear, exciting, and effective as a stand-alone overview of the plan.
2. Industry, Company, and Products
Clear overview of the company, its purpose, history, genesis of concept, current status, overall strategy, and objectives. Description, features and benefits, pricing, current stage of development, proprietary or not.
3. Marketing Strategy
Description of market, competitive analysis, needs identification, market acceptance, unique capabilities, available funding and/or revenue generation sales/promotion.
4. Business Strategy
Description of the business model: how the firm makes money, their competitive advantage, and understanding of their industry.
5. Organization and Operations
Plan for production and delivery of services, costs, operating complexity, resources required.
6. Management Team
Backgrounds of key individuals, ability to execute strategy, personnel needs, organizational structure, role of any non-student executive, which students will execute the plan.
7. Critical Risks, Problems, and Assumptions
Description of business ending risks, appropriate level of anticipation of problems. Details and assumptions, underlying plan details, numbers, etc.
8. Writing Mechanics
Well written, articulate expression; no significant factual errors; no typographical, grammatical, or spelling errors; build to a conclusion.
9. For-Profit Plan
Funding
Strategies for funding the business or attracting investors.

9. Non-Profit Plan
Problem/Solution
Provides a solution to a problem and a positive impact or changes for the community.

10. Viability
The likelihood this business will survive its first three years.
Financial Plan
Presented in summary form and easy to read/understand. Consistent with plan and effective in capturing financial performance; monthly for year 1, quarterly for years 2-3.
11. Cash Flow Statement
12. Income Statement
13. Balance Sheet
14. Funds Required/Uses
Total Score: /70

YOUR ASSESSMENT OF THE OVERALL PLAN:   
(NOT an addition of scores, but your overall "feel" for this plan.)
5--Excellent 4--Superior 3--Average 2--Below Average 1--Poor

Additional Comments:

     

 

 

 

IMPORTANT:   

        ·         You may progressively enter responses; you do not have to review the entire plan in one sitting.

        ·         You must SAVE your comments and ratings before closing the page EACH TIME you make entries.  Use the option to do this.

        ·         MOST IMPORTANT: When you select your review ballot will be submitted to us.  Do this only after you complete all your entries.

        ·         Also, you must enter a numerical value in every evaluation category.  Because of the mathematical system, omitting any selection will greatly punish the team. 

4.