Abstract:
Exemplary systems and methods are disclosed for generating a business plan on a network. An exemplary system comprises a first interface that generates business data associated with a client, a second interface that generates review data based on a review of the business data, and a processor connected to the first and second interfaces, wherein the processor generates the business plan based on the business data and review data of the first and second interfaces, respectively.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    This invention is directed to the automated generation of a business plan through network resources. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    A business plan is a formal statement of a set of business goals, the reasons why the business goals are believed obtainable, and the plan for reaching those goals. In essence, business plans are decisions making tools. The content and format of the business plan is determined by the goal and audience. Banks are concerned about defaults, so a business plan for a bank loan will build a convincing case for an organization&#39;s ability to repay the loan. Venture capitalists are primarily concerned about initial investment, feasibility, and exist valuation. Entrepreneurs and small business owners generally lack the time, resources, and knowledge to prepare a business plan that will receive favorable evaluation from either a bank or venture capitalists. The preparation of a business plan draws on a wide range of knowledge from many different business disciplines, these include, finance, human resource development, intellectual property management, supply chain management, operations management, and marketing, among others. It is not surprising that most entrepreneurs find this process time consuming and at times overwhelming. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Exemplary systems and methods are disclosed for generating a business plan for network. An exemplary system comprises a first interface for generating business data associated with a client, a second interface for generating review data based on a review of the business data, and a processor connected to the first and second interfaces, wherein the processor generates the business plan based on the business data and review data of the first and second interfaces, respectively. 
         [0004]    Exemplary embodiments are directed to a computing device configured to perform a method of generating a business plan over a network. The method comprising receiving client data from a first client through a first interface, obtaining industry-related data from resources connected to the network, and receiving review data from a second client through a second interface. The method also comprises generating the business plan based on the client data, industry-related data, and review data. 
         [0005]    In addition, exemplary embodiments are directed to a computer-readable medium that stores a program for executing a method of generating a business plan on a computer connected to a network of devices. The method comprises generating a first interface for receiving data from a first device, generating a second interface for receiving data from a second device, and processing the data acquired from the first and second interfaces to generate a business plan. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail in reference to the drawings, wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates an overview of a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of a method of accessing a diagnostic interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates a diagnostic interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a flow diagram of a method of generating a business plan in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates a review interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary system directed to generating a business plan over a network. The system  100  includes a network  102 , a server  104 , a plurality of client devices  106 , a plurality of industry associate devices  107 , and a plurality of enterprise resources  108 . The client devices  106  and associate devices  107  can be any of various devices, such as personal computers, or internet tablets that can access various servers such as server  104 . The client devices  106  and associate devices  107  are user devices that are connectable to the Internet and/or World Wide Web and that permit a user of the device to download information from the Internet. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the client and associate devices  106 ,  107  include all manner of devices capable of downloading information from the World Wide Web and capable of uploading information to the World Wide Web, and is not in any way intended to limit the type of device that is connectable to the World Wide Web or Internet. 
         [0013]    The network  102  enables multiple computers, processors, and/or computing devices to communicate over a shared bus. The shared bus can be implemented as a wired or wireless medium as desired. The network  102  can be implemented over any of a number of known protocols, including but not limited to an Internet protocol (IP) or World Wide Web. The network  102  can also be of various sizes such as a local area network (LAN), metropolitan network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), or any other scale as desired. 
         [0014]    The server  104  can be configured to execute applications that are associated with generating a business plan. The server  104  can be a multi-user processor or computer that is configured as a server that provides numerous services or resources directed to generating the business plan over the network  102 . The server  104  can be configured to include one or more processor units including routers, sequel servers (SQL), relational databases, processor units, and associated program memory. In operation, the server  104  responds to site users by providing menu screens and responding to actions from the users via an input device including, but not limited to, a keypad, keyboard, mouse, or other suitable device as desired. The operation of the web site portion of the server  104  with its various routers and sequel servers is substantially similar to the operation of known web site servers. The server  104  can be configured to receive requests from clients, process the requests and generate suitable responses. The server  104  can also be configured to include network security features such as user authentication or other known security techniques as desired. The user authentication can include a user ID/password combination for all users authorized to access the network  102  from one of the plurality of client devices  106 . Firewall policies can be enforced to identify which services are allowed to be accessed by the network users. Moreover, data transmitted from the server  104  to other devices on the network  102  can be encrypted via any known encryption technique as desired. 
         [0015]    The client devices  106  can be configured to communicate with the server  104  over a secured connection on the network  102  (i.e., over the Internet). The plurality of client devices  106  can be implemented through any computing device, processor, or any other suitable device as desired for connecting to and communicating over an IP network or the World Wide Web. 
         [0016]    The plurality of enterprise resources  108  having sequel servers, and relational databases can be configured to include providers that retain data such as corporate facts and figures, and industry-related support information and other industry-related data, such as US Census information, SIC business ratios, forecasted Return on Investment, or other suitable data as desired. The data retained by the plurality of enterprise resources  108  can be in the form of books, portals, sources of written information, planning templates, published statistics, articles, abstracts, university resources, marketing reports, archives, and other means containing information for public dissemination as desired. The enterprise resources  108  can also include databases and any other storage location that may include data that is relevant to the industry of which the business plan is directed. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of an exemplary method of accessing a diagnostic interface to a user over the network  102 . The plurality of client devices  106 , which can be allocated to a business client, can be used to access the website of the server  104  over the network  102  (step  200 ). The client device downloads a screen from the server  104  that permits the user to register with the system for the first time, in which instance the user can provide various registration information. The registration process utilized can be similar to any of known registration processes. If the user is already registered the user can provide a personal identification number (PIN) and the PIN can be verified by the server  104  (step  202 ). Once the PIN is verified, the server  104  authorizes the client device to download a menu screen (step  204 ). The user can select from any of a number of options, which can include but are not limited to downloading a diagnostic interface  110 , sending a status request to the server  104 , downloading a final business plan, and uploading the diagnostic interface  110 . 
         [0018]    The options displayed on the menu screen are enabled (i.e., selectable) based on an authorization level associated with the user PIN. For example, low to intermediate access levels can enable a menu selection that allows the user to obtain general information regarding business, request more information on the company providing the service of business plan generation, and/or request a meeting with a representative from the company providing the service. A high access level can enable a menu selection that allows the user to download the diagnostic interface. 
         [0019]    If the user PIN has an associated high access level, at the menu screen, the user can select the diagnostic interface. The client device  106  communicates the user selection to the server  106 , and the server  104  downloads the diagnostic interface  110  to the client device (step  206 ). 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary diagnostic interface  110 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the diagnostic interface  110  includes means, such as a plurality of graphical elements  112  (i.e., fields, radio button and/or other suitable features as desired). The graphical elements  112  can be associated with data related to the user&#39;s business, such as current revenue, owners of the business, revenue needed, vision or mission statement, expectations, and any other data as desired. The diagnostic interface  110  also includes a graphical element  114 , such as a submit button. When activated, the submit button  114  initiates a process in which the business client  106  transmits all information and data input into the diagnostic interface  110  to the server  104 . 
         [0021]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a flow diagram of a process of generating a business plan at the server  104 . The server  104  responds to a communication from a client device  106  that includes log-on request by downloading a log-on screen to the client device  106  (step  400 ). The log-on screen requires that a user provide a PIN number. Upon receiving a communication from the client device  106  that includes the PIN number of the user, the server  104  verifies the validity of the PIN number by searching one or more of the databases for a match (step  402 ). If the PIN entry is determined to be a valid entry, the server  104  downloads a menu screen to the user (step  404 ). If the user selects to download the diagnostic interface  110 , the appropriate application software the client device  106  communicates this request to the server  104  and the server  104  retrieves and downloads the diagnostic interface  406  to the client device  106  via an Internet connection (step  406 ). The server  104  monitors the connection to the client device  106  for a request to upload the diagnostic data (step  408 ). When a request is detected, the server  104  acknowledges the request and initiates an upload of the diagnostic data from the client device  106  (step  410 ). 
         [0022]    The diagnostic data is processed at the managing server  104  in accordance with an algorithm to generate a query (step  412 ). The server  104  retrieves data from enterprise resources, such as related databases based on the query (step  414 ). The server  104  processes the data retrieved through the query and the uploaded diagnostic data based on an appropriate algorithm to generate a preliminary business plan (step  416 ). It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the steps of generating a query and retrieving data from the enterprise resources  108  can be managed and modified, as desired, by a representative of the company providing the service. 
         [0023]    The preliminary business plan can be generated based on the business data received from the client through the diagnostic interface  110  and the industry-related data received from the enterprise resources  108 . For example, the preliminary business plan can be generated from a template that is populated with the data received from the user through the diagnostic interface  110  and data received from the plurality of enterprise resources  108  on the network  102 . It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the preliminary business plan can also be drafted by a representative of the company providing the service based on a review of the data received from the user (i.e., client) through the diagnostic interface  110  and data received from the plurality of enterprise resources  108 . The preliminary business plan can include various sections such as executive summary, organizational background, marketing plans, operational plan, financial plan, risk analysis, and any other sections or data as needed. 
         [0024]    Once the preliminary business plan is generated, the server  104  can select one of a plurality of industry professionals to review the preliminary business plan (Step  418 ). The server  104  compares the industry related to the business plan to a list or table of industry professionals stored in memory (not shown). The industry professional can be a professional that is knowledgeable in the industry associated with the business plan. The list of industry professionals can also identify at least one associate device  107 , which is connected to the network  102  and allocated to the industry professional. The associate device  107  can include computing means, such as a personal computer, portable computer, handheld computer, cell phone, or any other processing device capable of connecting to the network  102  and communicating with the server  104  as desired. The server  104  selects one of the plurality industry professionals based on the industry that matches the industry of the business plan, and an availability of a network node to which the associate device  107  allocated to the industry professional is connected. 
         [0025]    In addition, the industry professional can be selected based on whether the industry professional is available or has the capacity to review a preliminary business plan at that time. It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the availability and capacity can be communicated and tracked between the industry professional and the server through any of a plurality of known scheduling and project management software applications. Prior to being authorized to review a preliminary business plan, the industry professional should execute a confidentiality agreement to protect the client for which the preliminary business plan is generated from the unauthorized dissemination of confidential or proprietary information related to their business venture. 
         [0026]    Once the industry professional is identified and selected, the server  104  sends an electronic communication to the at least one associate device  107  allocated to the industry professional through an electronic address associated with the industry professional and/or associate device  107  (Step  420 ). The electronic communication can be in the form of electronic mail, text message, or other communication technique as desired. The electronic communication can include a PIN that authorizes the industry professional to access the server  104  for reviewing the preliminary business plan. The electronic communication can also include a hypertext link to the preliminary business plan in the review interface  116 . 
         [0027]    The industry professional at the associate device  107  accesses the review interface  116  using the information provided in the electronic communication sent from the server  104 . Interface  116  can be opened in a web browser and includes a plurality of graphical elements, such as fields and/or radio buttons that are associated with each section of the preliminary business plan. To ensure that the client for whom the preliminary business plan was generated remains unknown to the industry professional conducting the review, the server  104  creates aliases for the name(s) of the business owner(s), the company name, and any other data that might reveal the true identity of the client. The aliases can be created at the time data is received at the server  104  from the diagnostic interface  110  or prior to the industry professional accessing the review interface  116 . The creation of aliases provides a level of security for the client and also ensures that the review maintains a high level of veracity. Access to the review interface  116  is contingent on the industry professional executing (i.e., signing) the confidentiality agreement. 
         [0028]    The industry professional logs onto the website of the server  104  (step  422 ). The server  104  verifies the PIN through the associate device  107  sending a communication to the server  104  that includes the PIN of the industry associate and downloads a menu screen to the associate device  107  (step  424 ). The industry professional can initiate the download of the review interface by making the appropriate menu selection so that the associate device  107  can communicate the request to the server  107  (step  426 ). The server  107  downloads the review interface to the associate device based on the user selection ( 428 ). The server  104  monitors the network connection to the associate device  107  for a request to upload the review data from the associate device  107  (Step  430 ). When a request is detected, the server  104  enables the associate device  107  to upload the review data ( 432 ). 
         [0029]    The server  104  processes the uploaded data in accordance with an appropriate algorithm for generating the final business plan by comparing the review data to the preliminary business plan (Step  434 ). The server  104  modifies the preliminary business plan to generate the final business plan based on the comparison result. The comparison involves analyzing the review data to identify text, phrases, figures, and other data that are different from the preliminary business plan. The algorithm enables the server  104  to revise the preliminary business plan based on the review data. The final business plan is then transmitted to the client device  106  for review. It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a representative of the company providing the service can manage or modify the generation of the final business plan as desired. For example, if the representative can communicate with the client and/or the industry professional regarding comments submitted to the server  104  by the industry professional through the review interface  116 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary review interface  116  accessed by the industry professional at the associate device  107 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , each section of the preliminary business plan can be associated with at least one of the plurality of graphical elements  116 . For example, an executive summary section  117  can include means, such as a graphical element  118  (i.e., a field, radio button, or other digital feature as desired) so that the user can provide feedback on the content. The review interface  116  can include means, such as a graphical element  120 , for submitting the contents of the review interface  116  to the server  104 . Once the user at the client device  106  completes a review of the preliminary business plan, and the graphical element  120  is activated, the review interface  116  and all of its contents are transmitted to the server  104 . 
         [0031]    The systems and methods described herein connect a business owner or entrepreneur with a network of industry associates and enterprise resources so that a comprehensive business plan can be produced within a shortened time frame. The server  104  can manage the production of the business plan such each step in the process of generating the business plan is assigned a completion date. The business plan can be efficiently generated by limiting access to the server processes. In one embodiment, the server  104  can issue expiring IDs and/or passwords to the business clients and/or industry professionals for accessing the diagnostic interface  110  and the review interface  116 , respectively. The diagnostic interface  110  and the review interface  116  can be configured so that they will not accept a user ID and password combination of a client (i.e., business owner or industry professional) after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed. The server  104  can be configured to track the amount of time remaining until the user ID and password combination expire and notify the client of the time remaining. 
         [0032]    The systems and methods described herein can implement in software code that is stored on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium can be used in configuring a computing device or processor, which is connected to a network of computing devices, to execute the aforementioned method for generating a business plan. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the computer readable medium can include an optical disk, floppy disk, flash memory, magnetic tape, or any other source medium as desired. The systems and methods can also be implemented in software code that is transferred between at least two computing devices on a network through magnetic signals, optical signals, electrical signals, or any other medium for transferring data between devices on a network as desired. 
         [0033]    While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is merely representative of the invention and is not to be construed to limiting the invention. Various modifications and applications may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appending claims.