Business Planning: Answers to Our Clients’ Questions

Hello, future Business Owners and Project Managers!

This blog is for those who are considering starting a business or currently managing projects and want to understand how things work in practice. We've collected the most frequently asked questions that clients bring up before launching. Here you'll find clear and simple answers that may be important to you right now - and can truly help.

A business plan (BP) is not just a formality, but a tool that shows how your idea works, what steps are needed, and where risks are hidden. At MerserPL, we create business plans that are useful not only for launching a project, but also for financing and managing a business in Poland and across the EU.
Below, you’ll find key questions and answers to help you approach starting a business with greater confidence and peace of mind.

On Trust and Risk

1. How do I know that a business plan will actually work and not just be full of pretty words?

A solid business plan isn’t about polished presentations - it’s about common sense and practical logic. It should clearly describe the core idea, launch stages, key risks, and how to avoid them. A simple “what if…” logic should be present.

Numbers matter - especially if you're submitting the plan to a bank or investor. But even without complex spreadsheets, a good plan gives the entrepreneur a clear roadmap: what comes first, where pitfalls lie, and which decisions are critical.

We create plans that don’t sit collecting dust - they actively help move the project forward and support smart decision-making.

2. Why should I pay for a business plan when there are plenty of free templates online?

A template is just a shell. It doesn’t reflect your situation, your product, your market, or your goals. At best, it’s a form with empty boxes.
But a business plan isn’t for show - it’s a tool to understand whether your idea works, where you could lose money, and how to become profitable.

When you order a business plan from us, you get an analysis tailored to your goals: real numbers, competitor research, cost and revenue estimates, and an action plan. This is the kind of document you can show to a bank, investor, or public office (urząd). It has real weight.

Most importantly, instead of guessing or squeezing yourself into someone else’s mold, you get a working tool that shows where to go and how to make the right decisions.

3. Why do business plan prices vary so much between companies?

Because the term “business plan” can mean very different things. Some offer a generic template or a flashy presentation—that’s cheap, but not useful. A full business plan includes: market analysis, competitor research, step-by-step logic, risk evaluation, and alternative scenarios.

The price depends on:

• The time of experts involved (analysts, financiers, marketers, legal advisors),

• The depth of the project (from a simple idea summary to a detailed document with a financial model and growth strategy).

In short, you’re choosing between a low-cost text with no value—or a strategic tool that helps you launch your project and secure funding.

On Purpose and Application

4. Why do I need a business plan if I already know what I want to do?

Knowing the idea is one thing. Understanding how it will actually work is another. A business plan breaks your concept into actionable steps: what to do, when, and with what resources. It highlights risks and how to avoid them.

Even if you’re confident in your direction, a plan offers an objective perspective: is the market ready? Are your resources enough? How quickly can you become profitable?

It’s like a business test-drive on paper that helps you avoid mistakes and save money.

5. What’s the difference between a “personal” business plan and one for investors or banks?

A personal plan is a roadmap: step-by-step actions, risks, priorities. It helps you stay on course and coordinate with your team. An investor or bank plan is made for external evaluation. It must include:

• Profitability metrics,

• Team structure,

• Return-on-investment strategy.

The key difference is the audience: one helps manage the business internally; the other builds trust and attracts capital externally.

6. Can I use a business plan for a visa or residence permit (karta pobytu)?

Yes, in fact, a business plan is often a key document when applying for a visa or residence permit. Immigration offices want to see that your business is serious and well-planned - with strategy, market analysis, financial forecasts, and a working model.

We adapt business plans specifically for urząd requirements, so the document looks convincing and increases your chances of approval.

On Content and Process

7. What must a professional business plan include?

A quality business plan isn’t just a document - it’s a structure that answers the main question: “Is this a viable project?”

It should include:

• Idea and product description

• Market and competitor analysis

• Target audience and marketing strategy

• Revenue and expense model

• Risks and “what if” scenarios

• Step-by-step action plan (1st month, quarter, year)

We build business plans that are clear to anyone: entrepreneur, investor, or government official. It’s a practical map - not a decorative file.

8. Is a financial model and forecast needed for small businesses too?

Yes, even a basic forecast is crucial. Not a 30-page spreadsheet, but a clear view of:

• How much you spend

• How much you earn

• When you break even

Without it, you can easily make mistakes: underestimate expenses, overestimate revenue, or forget about seasonality. The financial model is like GPS - it keeps your project on track.

9. How do you analyze the market and competitors?
We look at the market through the lens of your specific project.

We analyze:

• Clients – who they are, their habits, how they search for your product/service

• Competitors – their offers, pricing, how they keep customers

• Trends and barriers – market growth, legal restrictions, potential blockers

• Unique value – what you can offer better or differently

This isn’t just data collection - it’s about drawing actionable insights: where is your niche? What are the entry points? What risks exist?

10. What is a break-even point and how is it calculated?

The break-even point is when your revenue covers all expenses. Before that point, you're operating at a loss or zero. After that, you start making a profit. It’s calculated by dividing your fixed costs (rent, salaries, utilities) by your profit per unit sold. The result tells you how many sales you need to become profitable.

This number is essential to understand your sales goals, how long until you're in the green, and what risks to watch early on.

On Costs and Timelines

11. How much does a “turnkey” business plan cost, and what affects the price?

Prices depend on:

• Project complexity (more partners, segments = more work),

• The goal (internal use, investor, grant, urząd),

• The level of detail and experts involved.

Often a team works on it: analysts, marketers, financial experts, tech consultants. Their time and skills shape the price.

On average, a professional plan costs between €500 and €3,500. We always discuss the task first, so the client knows exactly what they’re paying for and what they’ll get.

12. How long does it take to prepare a business plan? Can it be done faster?

Typically, it takes 7 to 25 business days, depending on project size and available data. If you already have a basic concept, draft numbers, and clear goals - it’s faster.

We can speed up the process (e.g. for urgent applications), delivering a condensed but practical version within 3–5 days, without sacrificing quality.

13. Can I order just part of the business plan, like the financial model or sales strategy?

Yes, absolutely. You don’t always need the full plan.

You can order:

• A financial model (to see profit and potential),

• Sales/marketing strategy (to build client flow),

• Market and competitor analysis (to assess niche potential),

• Or even an audit of your existing plan (to verify logic and numbers).

This saves time and money - you get exactly what you need, done professionally.

On Funding and Support

14. Can a business plan be used to get a grant from Urząd Pracy to create jobs?

Yes - and often it’s a required document. Urząd Pracy asks for a plan to prove the project is realistic and will create a sustainable job. The plan must be clear and convincing: idea description, cost plan, revenue forecast, and proof the business can survive without a subsidy.

We create plans tailored to these expectations, increasing the chances of approval - but remember, it’s just one piece of the application.

15. What should I include in a business plan to improve my chances of getting a bank loan?

Banks care less about the idea - and more about your ability to repay.

Your business plan should include:

• Realistic financial projections (not overly optimistic),

• Collateral and guarantees,

• Team experience and capability,

• A risk strategy - what you'll do if the market shifts

We format business plans to meet bank expectations, focusing on financial logic and risk control - to show you’re a reliable borrower.

16. Can one business plan be used for both banks and government funding?

Yes, but it needs to balance two perspectives.

Banks focus on repayment capacity, while government funds look at social/economic impact - jobs, regional growth, innovation, sustainability.

We create dual-purpose plans with two versions:

• A financial-analytical version for banks,

• A socio-economic version for grants or public programs.

This approach saves time and increases your chance of getting approved by both.

17. Can I order a business plan or consultation if I’m not located in Poland?

Yes, of course. We work with clients worldwide - from Poland, Ukraine, Israel, EU countries, and beyond. Everything is done online -consultations, research, documents - so your location doesn’t matter. All you need is an idea and a desire to start. We’ll handle the rest: market analysis, strategy, financial logic, and even registration paperwork for businesses in Poland or the EU.

This setup is especially useful if you're living abroad and looking for trusted support in launching your business in Europe.