Starting your own medical transportation business in a rural community comes with challenges; however, the service will be undoubtedly appreciated and highly-valued. If your goal is to provide dependable and trustworthy service to customers across the community, you’ll want to lay the groundwork and prepare a plan to ensure your business is offering the highest level of care. Part of building your business will be found in the development of a business plan that will serve as the foundation of your medical transportation business. In the following, we will offer the format and specifics to create a business plan that will place your business on a solid footing to start.
Table of Contents
Harnessing Opportunity
Do Your Homework
To begin the process of building a business plan, you’ll need to collect facts and figures from your target audience and your competitors. Each piece of research will add to your perspective for your own business.
First, research current and potential customers who may require the services of a medical transportation business. Because your community is a rural one, you may already know most of the potential customers and your business is already positioned to fill an important need. Ask some questions to form a complete picture of your customers: Will your transport services assist those who have medical or cognitive impairments? Will patients who’ve been discharged from hospitals want the services of your business? Will customers be accompanied by caregivers or family members? The answers will form the core of the transportation business you create.
Next, research any competitors in the area. Learn what pricing they offer and how their businesses are structured. The goal in doing this will help set up your business to compete, if necessary.
Prepare a Business Plan
A business plan forms the foundation for your medical transportation business and provides the major components into one cohesive document. If you do not yet have a business plan, learn how to start a medical transportation business in this comprehensive guide. This business plan will now form the roadmap for your company from start through the initial years of your business. You’ll want to keep it nearby as a resource and reminder of your goals and mission.
Prepare a Financial Plan and Forecast
The initial outlay and related costs to start a medical transportation business are high. Many startup transportation services secure funding for the launch and growth phases of their businesses. In order to effectively present funding needs to investors or lenders, you’ll want to use the completed business plan. This indicates to prospective lenders or investors that you’ve considered and calculated the startup costs, projected future income and expenses, and covered the essential areas to grow the medical transportation business. Present the plan to lenders with the expectation that the loan will be repaid with interest on a schedule. You may also choose to present to an investor, who will probably not require repayment of funding, but will expect to acquire shares of your business in exchange for the funds.
Outline the Operational Plan
In a rural community, the usage of medical transportation may not be as robust as that of a city area; however, the medical transportation available will become a touchstone for emergency transportation, as well as more routine transport. The services of your business may be in demand more than anticipated. Before the launch of your medical transportation company, prepare an operational plan, detailing maintenance, stocking of inventory, fueling schedules and other necessary tasks. Include the administrative staff roles and responsibilities. Each of these sectors within the company can be placed into the operational plan, which will set the standard for your business overall.
Create Communication Strategies
Within a rural community, most neighbors will carry news to others very effectively. In order to communicate, create a website that lists the information about your medical transportation business and include helpful phone numbers for customers in need. While marketing your services will probably not be an issue, use the website as an announcement center and active billboard for your medical transportation business and other connected services.
Serving a rural community by building a medical transportation business is an active way to support those who need care the most. After assessing your potential customers and competitors, building a business plan and constructing your website, your medical transportation business will be ready to serve others for years to come. We wish you success!
