Sportsuchtig is a company that specializes in the sales of baseball and softball equipment and apparel from established manufacturers, such as Easton, Wilson, and Under Armour.

The purpose of this business plan is for Sportsuchtig to obtain a conventional business loan of $700,000 to continue the purchasing of assets of the business, and implementation of key opportunities as part of their growth forecast. Such opportunities include redesign, relocating, and optimization of inventory.

In general, business plans must contain key elements. Sportsuchtig’s business plan contains key financial, managerial, and product market understanding elements that allow Sportsuchtig’s business plan to be considered a strong one.

Financially, the start-up requirements of expenses, assets, investments, and loans are well defined and considered when concerning the profitability of the business. Along with company ownership, the business’ management has been established and sets realistic goals for future managerial opportunities.

The most expanded upon element of the business plan is the company’s understanding of their product line and market segmentation. These two categories are particularly important when it comes to proving the business’ profitability. Proving profitability is a good reassurance for both investors, and the company when concerning the stability of the business’ future both monetarily, and managerially.

Link: Sportsuchtig Business Plan

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act is a set of rules and regulations for banks and Wall Street signed by American President Barack Obama in 2010. The Dodd-Frank reduces counter-party risks among financial institutions by implementing new provisions that require derivatives to be put on clearing housing and exchanges. It also creates a formal resolution authority and an analytical risk regulator. These elements are seen as positive by Robert Kaplan, Professor of Management Practice.

But not everything about these rules is welcomed by Kaplan.  The Volcker rule restricts the ability of banks whose deposits are federally insured from trading for their own benefit. This rule causes big losses by banks in the trading of financial securities, especially mortgage-backed assets. Its aim is to keep high-risk investors from gambling with federally  insured deposits of average banking customers. It is possible that the Volcker rule will reduces the profitable businesses at financial institutions that did not contribute to the recent crisis.

It is also possible that the protections and limitations on consumers will reduce the availability of credit which could slow economic growth. Is the Dodd-Frank really a good idea? Do the benefits outweigh the downfalls?