Here’s how to get a Joint Business Plan (JBP) template and put it into action immediately.

Immediate Download Options

Free Template Sources:

• Google/Search: Search "joint business plan template retailer supplier" + filetype:pdf – major retailers (Walmart, Target, Amazon) often publish their JBP frameworks publicly
• HubSpot/Canva: Search "strategic partnership plan" or "vendor collaboration plan" – modify for joint business planning
• Trade Associations: If you’re in CPG, check CGT (Consumer Goods Technology) or GMA (Grocery Manufacturers Association) resource libraries

Build Your Own (Convert to PDF in 10 minutes):

1. Open Google Docs or Word
2. Use the section structure below
3. File → Download → PDF Document (.pdf)

Essential JBP Sections (Copy This Structure)

A Joint Business Plan typically runs 4-8 pages. Include these sections:

1. Executive Partnership Summary

• Joint Vision Statement: One sentence on what success looks like for both parties
• Roles: Who leads what? (e.g., "Brand X owns inventory planning, Retailer Y owns shelf placement")
• Term: 12 months? 3 years?

2. Mutual Objectives (The "What")

Use the RSOP framework:

• Revenue: Target sales, basket size, margin goals
• Share: Market share targets, category growth vs. competitor theft
• Operations: Inventory turns, fill rates, forecast accuracy targets
• Profit: Gross margin %, promotional ROI, supply chain cost reductions

3. Growth Initiatives (The "How")

4. Joint Operating Model

• Meeting Cadence: Monthly business reviews? Quarterly steering committees?
• Data Sharing: POS data frequency, inventory visibility, forecast sharing protocols
• Escalation Path: Who resolves disputes when targets are missed?

5. Financial Summary

• Joint Investment Pool: Total combined spending
• ROI Projection: Expected return for each party (separate columns)
• Risk Mitigation: Plans if market conditions shift

6. Signatures

Both senior executives sign to indicate strategic commitment, not just operational agreement.

Step-by-Step Action Plan

If you need this TODAY:

Step 1: Draft the "Mutual Objectives" section first (30 mins)

• Call your partner counterpart
• Ask: "What are your top 3 business priorities this year?"
• Find the overlap with your goals

Step 2: Populate the Growth Initiatives table (45 mins)

• List 3-5 specific projects (not vague strategies)
• Assign owners from BOTH companies to each

Step 3: Add the financial envelope (30 mins)

• Be specific: "We will jointly invest $X" not "we will invest significantly"

Step 4: Review & PDF (15 mins)

• Use standard business fonts (Arial/Calibri, 11pt)
• Save as PDF/A format for archival quality
• Password protect if sharing sensitive forecasts

Pro Tips for Success

• Start small: Pilot the JBP for one category or region before enterprise-wide rollout
• Use shared documents: Create the draft in Google Docs/SharePoint so both parties edit simultaneously rather than emailing PDFs back and forth (PDF comes last, for signatures)
• Include a "Sunset Clause": State that either party can exit with 90 days notice if targets miss by >20% for two consecutive quarters—this builds trust through accountability

Need help with a specific section? Tell me:

1. What industry/relationship is this for (e.g., CPG brand + grocery retailer, SaaS vendor + enterprise client, manufacturer + distributor)?
2. Are you the vendor/supplier or the retailer/anchor partner?
3. Do you have existing data sharing agreements, or is this the first formal collaboration?

I can then provide industry-specific metrics and language for your exact situation.

A Joint Business Plan (JBP) is a collaborative strategy between two partners (typically a supplier and a retailer) designed to drive mutual growth. Instead of a simple transactional relationship, a JBP aligns both companies' goals for a set period (usually 12 months).

Since I cannot send a physical PDF file directly, I have provided a comprehensive, structured template below that you can copy into a Word or Google Doc and "Save as PDF."

Joint Business Plan (JBP) Template

1. Executive Summary

• Partners: [Partner A] & [Partner B]
• Period: [e.g., FY 2024]
• Primary Objective: (One sentence on the "North Star" goal, e.g., "To achieve 15% YoY category growth through premiumization and digital expansion.")

2. Strategic Alignment & SWOT

Identify where your goals overlap.

• Shared Vision: What do both companies want to achieve in this category?
• SWOT Analysis:
  • Strengths: (e.g., Strong brand loyalty, excellent shelf placement)
  • Weaknesses: (e.g., Supply chain delays, high price point)
  • Opportunities: (e.g., New demographic entry, seasonal events)
  • Threats: (e.g., Rising competitor spend, inflation)

3. Financial Targets & KPIs

Be specific with the numbers.

4. Key Growth Drivers (The "How")

Detail the specific pillars that will hit your targets.

• Assortment Strategy: (e.g., Launching 3 new SKUs in Q2; optimizing tail-end SKUs).
• Pricing & Promotion: (e.g., Monthly "Buy One Get One" events; holiday pricing strategy).
• Marketing & Media: (e.g., Co-branded social media ads, in-store end-cap displays).
• Supply Chain/Operations: (e.g., Improving fill rates to 98.5%, reducing lead times).

5. Execution Roadmap (Action Plan)

6. Governance & Review Cadence

How will you stay on track?

• Monthly Review: KPI tracking and course correction.
• Quarterly Business Review (QBR): Deep dive into strategy and budget re-allocation.
• Annual Review: Final performance wrap-up and planning for the next year.

7. Approval & Sign-off

• [Partner A] Representative: ____________________ Date: __________
• [Partner B] Representative: ____________________ Date: __________

How to Successfully Execute This Plan

Step 1: Data Transparency

Before the first meeting, both parties must share data. You cannot build a plan if the supplier is looking at "sell-in" data and the retailer is only looking at "sell-through." Agree on a "single version of the truth."

Step 2: The "Top-to-Top" Meeting

Start with a high-level meeting involving executives from both sides. This ensures that the JBP isn't just a "to-do list" for account managers, but a strategic priority backed by leadership and budget.

Step 3: Focus on Category Growth, Not Just Brand Growth

Retailers care about the entire category. If your plan only helps your brand by stealing share from a competitor the retailer also carries, it’s a "zero-sum game." Show the retailer how your plan will bring new customers to the category or increase the average basket size.

Step 4: Be Agile

Market conditions change. Build a "contingency fund" or a "Flex Pillar" into your JBP so you can pivot spend if a specific product launch fails or a new competitor enters the market.

To help me tailor this further for you:

1. What industry are you in? (e.g., Consumer Goods, SaaS, Manufacturing?)
2. Are you the supplier/vendor or the retailer/client in this scenario?
3. Do you need specific KPIs for a particular channel (like Amazon, Brick & Mortar, or D2C)?