Create Your Business Plan with AI: The VIPER Prompt Framework
Use These Powerful AI Prompts to Build Your Business Plan in Less Time Than a Lunch Break
Hey there 👋
Let's talk about a common challenge in any industry: turning your expertise into a viable business plan. If you're a entrepreneur thinking about starting your own business, you know the traditional business plan templates can feel overwhelming. They often ask for detailed five-year projections when you're still figuring out your basic pricing structure!
Here's the reality: Most business planning templates were designed for pitching to banks in 1985, not for launching a modern business in 2024. What you need is a framework that captures the essential elements without getting lost in unnecessary details.
Today, I'm sharing my VIPER method - a business planning framework I developed during my time leading a media company. This framework helped me and my team to quickly gain clarity on our business idea and move forward with confidence.
I'll show you exactly how to create your own VIPER business plan using AI, including:
My proven prompting system [6x Prompts]
Complete example, including before/after refinements
Step-by-step implementation guide
Works for any business in any industry.
🐍 VIPER: Your Business Plan on a Single Page
Think of VIPER as your business GPS. Each letter represents a critical aspect of your business:
V = VALUE: What you offer & why it matters
I = INTENT: Your vision & milestones
P = PLATFORM: Your product & operations
E = EXPOSURE: Finances & risks
R = RELATIONSHIPS: Key customers & suppliers
Let's explore each element using a fitness studio as our example, then I'll show you exactly how to create your own.
Understanding Each Element
1. VALUE
This isn't just about what you sell - it's about the transformation you create. Let’s use the example of a fitness studio:
Basic value statement:
"We offer personalized fitness training"
(Yawn... who doesn't?)
VIPER value statement:
"We help busy professionals over 40 reclaim their energy and strength through science-backed, time-efficient workouts that fit their schedule"
The difference? The second version clearly shows:
Who it's for (busy professionals over 40)
What problem it solves (lack of energy/strength)
How it's unique (science-backed, time-efficient)
The key benefit (fits their schedule)
2. INTENT
Your Intent is your North Star - it guides every decision. Compare:
Basic intent:
"To open a successful fitness studio"
(What does 'successful' even mean?)
VIPER intent:
"To become the leading science-based fitness studio in downtown Portland, serving 200+ monthly members through a combination of in-person and virtual training programs, achieving an average member retention of 9+ months by December 2025"
Notice how the second version includes:
Clear location (downtown Portland)
Specific numbers (200+ members)
Measurable success (9+ months retention)
Timeline (December 2025)
3. PLATFORM
This is your delivery system - how you'll actually provide your service. So for our fitness studio example, it could be:
Physical Platform:
2,500 sq ft studio space
Premium equipment zones
Recovery area
Assessment station
Digital Platform:
Member app
Booking system
Progress tracking
Virtual training capability
Operational Platform:
Certified trainers
Front desk team
Cleaning service
Maintenance staff
4. EXPOSURE
This section covers both opportunities and risks:
Financial Exposure:
Startup costs: $150,000
Monthly overhead: $12,000
Break-even: 100 members
Revenue target: $45,000/month
Risk Exposure:
Location dependency
Trainer turnover
Equipment maintenance
Market competition
Economic fluctuations
5. RELATIONSHIPS
This is your business ecosystem:
Customer Relationships:
Target members
Referral partners
Local businesses
Corporate clients
Supplier Relationships:
Equipment providers
Software vendors
Maintenance services
Marketing agencies
Real-World Context: Why This Matters
The fitness industry provides perfect examples of why detailed planning matters. Industry reports and market analysis show several key trends:
Strong growth in boutique fitness since the pandemic
Increasing demand for hybrid (in-person/virtual) options
Member retention as a critical success factor
Typical break-even timelines varying based on location and business model
These industry patterns highlight why flexible, adaptable planning is crucial for success.
The Old Way vs. The VIPER MAP Way
Traditional Business Plan:
50+ pages of theoretical projections
Takes weeks to create
Outdated by the time it is comple
Sits in a drawer
VIPER Approach:
Single-page clarity
Created in under 60 minutes
Easy to update and adjust
Actually gets used!
🔥 The Complete VIPER Prompting Framework
Let's walk through exactly how to create your own VIPER business plan using my proven prompting framework.
Overview
These prompts are designed to guide you through creating a complete VIPER business plan. Each prompt builds on the previous responses to create a comprehensive, customized plan. Works for any business in any industry.