1 Business Mini-Plan 1.1 Objective/Mission The objective of Light LeaderTM is to help interested beginner guitarists learn to play the guitar with relative ease. Light Leader provides an interactive learning experience using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and computer software. The software contains tutorials and offers customizable guitar tablature that users can read at their own pace. As tablature appears on the screen, LEDs attached to the guitar neck will illuminate fingering positions under the guitar strings. Light Leader has many adjustable settings that users can control to meet their personal skill levels. The LED strap requires no batteries, as it is powered via Universal Serial Bus (USB). Learning guitar has never been easier and more fun with Light Leader! Light Leader is the forefront in fulfilling the company’s mission to provide prolonged customer satisfaction. Product designs are driven by customer feedback, resulting in an item that appeals to users and meets their demands. Light Leader is used by company employees as well to increase awareness of potential technical issues and to encourage consistent quality of development. 1.2 Keys to Success • Develop a useful yet affordable product. The LED strap should be durable and accurately sized, and the software should contain effective programming and a visually appealing design. However, materials and labor costs should not make the product too expensive. • Offer effective customer service. Dependable warranties and quick strap replacements improve customer trust in the product. Online software updates help to increase the lifetime of the product and customer interest. • Research future markets. After Light Leader’s success on guitar, the company can expand its product line to other musical instruments. Consistent research of customer demands determines the best and most profitable steps in the company’s growth. 1.3 Target Market Light Leader’s target market centers on adolescents but can include all adults. Guitar skills can be learned at any age, but older children and young teenagers are most likely to have the interest, free time, and dedication to mastering a musical instrument. Light Leader increases the speed of mastery through its interactive teaching. Light Leader is designed for home use, where adolescents and adults can practice guitar at their own private pace. The product is not limited to this venue, however, as it has applications in public and private schools as well as learning centers. Other markets targeted for Light Leader sales include music stores, guitar instructors, and high schools and universities that have guitar classes. The product’s visual appeal aids in attracting users of all musical backgrounds. 1.4 Competitive Advantage Current guitar trainers are expensive and incompatible with some users. They require the purchasing of a prefabricated guitar with embedded LEDs. This guitar typically costs over $500, and it may not be ofdesired size or design for the user. Light Leader overcomes these disadvantages through its universal LED strap. Users can use their personal and familiar guitars when attaching the LED strap to them. The strap’s small size and composition reduce cost to about one-fifth that of the other trainers. Other guitar learning aids such as DVDs, books, and computer software require the user to focus on diagrams or tablature first, and then to focus next on the fret board during practice. Light Leader’s LED strap allows the user to look only at the fret board during lessons. 1.5 Basic Strategies Most of the company’s initial funding will originate from its founders and their families. Remaining capital must be borrowed or received from angel investors. Software development will remain within the company and will be managed by its employees. Hardware design is also the responsibility of company employees, and manufacturing will be contracted to the cheapest global source. Product shipments will initially be handled by employees to local destinations until company growth demands contracting with large-scale shipping operations. Initial marketing plans include word of mouth, flyers, and product demonstrations. Success relies heavily on company founders and employees to market the product to local schools and music stores. After public interest is gained, advertising can be upgraded to local publications and local television. Target mediums include children’s magazines, family magazines, municipal newspapers, and television networks with a large adolescent viewer base. As sales increase, discounts can be offered to high schools and universities, so music teachers can use Light Leader with interested students, who will be exposed to the product on a regular basis and may want one for themselves. Company growth will gradually expand from the local county level to the state level and then regional level. Larger office space will be acquired as more employees are hired to meet advertising, development, and shipping goals. When Light Leader’s presence as a guitar trainer is firmly established, the company will research other musical instruments that are compatible with its LED-strap technology. Light Leader will become a product line of musical instrument trainers that can reach to new, untouched users and expand appeal to current users. 2 Company Summary Light CorpsTM, LLC formed in August 2006 when its founders discovered a market for new musical instrument trainers. These trainers would become known as the Light Leader series. Based on one founder’s personal expertise in guitar, the first Light Leader product is a guitar trainer. 2.1 Company Type Light Corps began as a limited liability corporation but hopes to become a C corporation in the future once the market shows demand for more Light Leader products. 2.2 Company Location and Facilities Light Corps is located in Starkville, Mississippi. The company’s initial headquarters resides in a founding member’s private apartment. One room will be used for product storage, production, and testing.Until the company grows, a large facility is not required. This saves on expenses by allowing the company to operate with a facilities cost of roughly $800 per month. 2.3 Company Strategy Company representatives will visit high schools and universities in Mississippi to research the market potential for musical instrument trainers. The