The
key to success in anything you do is to plan, and it is no
different when starting a business. You need to research your
market, know your staff requirements, understand business
concepts – like cash flow – and incorporate these
into a business plan. The CPA Australia Plan Your Own Enterprise
Competition gives you the opportunity to prepare a business
plan that one day might become a reality. |
| What
to do? |
Start
with creative ideas for a small business venture. Arrange
the ideas as a business plan which will give an overview
of the business in no more than 2000 words. You may include
appendices of no more than 10 pages.
The
plan should include:
|
|
Description
of the product/service or idea. |
|
Ownership
structure (partnership, private company). |
|
Location
of business. |
|
Business mission. |
|
Staffing
requirements including management and training required. |
|
Overview
of market research including target market, your competition
and marketing strategies. Show evidence of market research
undertaken. |
|
Financial
plan providing cash flow projections for the first 12
months. Include establishment costs and how you plan
to finance these costs. Explain how the pricing structure
was determined. |
|
Future
prospects of the business. |
|
| Who
can enter? |
The
competition is open to all full-time secondary school students
enrolled in a secondary school in Australia or New Zealand
at the time of submission of their entry.
The competition has three divisions:
|
| Division
One: |
Individual
students open to any age. |
| Division
Two: |
Individual
student entries for students aged up to 16 years of age
as at 1 January 2003. (Please note that these students
can also submit their entry for division one). |
| Division
Three: |
Group
entries (maximum of six students). |
|
Awards will be provided at a state/territory and national
level. Contact your state/territory coordinator for information
– they are listed on the back of the declaration
form which can be download here.
BEA reserves the right not to make awards at a state/territory
or national level if it is considered that entries are not
of a suitable standard. BEA also reserves the right to change
the date of national judging and presentation ceremony.
|
| When? |
Entries
close Friday 12 September 2003.
All entries must be sent to the state/territory coordinator.
State/territory judging will be held during September and
national judging and presentation ceremony will be held
in October in Melbourne.
State/territory finalists of Division One will be required
to personally present their plan to the judging panel in
October in Melbourne.
|
| What
are the prizes? |
The
following national prizes will be awarded to the national
finalist. State awards will also be available. Contact your
state/territory coordinator for details. Details are on
the back of the declaration
form.
|
| Division
One |
| Student
Winner: |
| |
|
$1000
cheque, travel and accommodation to national judging
and presentation ceremony in Melbourne courtesy
of CPA Australia. |
|
Quicken
Personal Computer Package courtesy Quicken Australia |
|
| School
of Winning Student: |
| |
|
Complimentary
registration and airfare to COMVIEW Conference 2003
(Melbourne) courtesy of Victorian Commercial Teachers
Association |
|
| Division
Two |
| Student
Winner: |
| |
|
$1000
cheque courtesy of CPA Australia |
|
| School
of Winning Student: |
| |
|
Complimentary
membership to Victorian Commercial Teachers Association |
|
$250
books courtesy of Warringal Publications –
specialists in senior school resources |
|
| Division
Three |
| Group
Entry: |
| |
|
$1000
cheque courtesy of CPA Australia |
|
| School
of Winning Students: |
| |
|
Quicken
Computer Package courtesy Quicken Australia |
|
$250
books courtesy of Warringal Publications –
specialists in senior school resources |
|
|
| Would
you like to see past winning plans? |
To
see a copy of previous finalists plans and view additional
details please visit the CPA website www.cpacareers.com.au
or call 1800 631 203 and we will send you a copy.
|
| What
next? |
Complete
your plan and mail it with the declaration
form to the address for your state/territory (listed
on the back of the declaration
form).
|
