What is a business plan?

A business plan is a document in which you write out the goals for your business, the steps you'll take to achieve those goals, and the timeframe in which you want to achieve them. You can use a business plan both as an aspirational document to motivate you to perform well in your business and as a tool to attract investors to your business venture. Your business plan may also include strategies for the marketing and promotion of your business. If you consult your business plan regularly, you'll be able to find incentives and encouragement to help you reach the goals you set.

Why is it important to learn to write a business plan?

When you write a business plan, it can serve as a blueprint for developing and growing your business. Your business plan serves as a means of accountability to yourself for the business you seek to start. The goals you set in your business plan, along with the steps and timeframe you map out for reaching those goals, will be your prime motivator for success. When you've written your business plan well, it can help you reach your goals more effectively and efficiently. You can also use your business plan as a way to attract investors. Lenders are more likely to fund your business if you're able to show them a workable plan.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn how to write a business plan?

Online courses on Coursera can help you write an effective business plan by showing you both the fundamentals and practical applications of business plan development. The suite of online courses on Coursera can show you the basics of entrepreneurship, or you can study deeper topics like social media for startups, business for entrepreneurs in creative fields, and how to seek international financing for your business. Think of online courses on Coursera as a source of knowledge that can help you achieve success as a business owner.

What are the benefits of taking an online Business Plan course?

Online Business Plan courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Business Plan skills. With a wide range of Business Plan classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Business Plan career skills.

What Business Plan courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Business Plan, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Business Plan Courses - Learn Business Plan Online

Explore the Business Plan Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
Macquarie University
Excel Skills for Business: Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Microsoft Excel, Data Entry, Spreadsheet Software, Excel Formulas, Productivity Software, Data Management
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
50K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
ESSEC Business School
Strategic Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Marketing Analytics, Business Analytics, Forecasting, Peer Review, Data Presentation, Predictive Analytics, R Programming, Customer Analysis, Information Technology, Digital Transformation, Business Marketing, Advanced Analytics, Marketing Strategies, Statistical Analysis, Complex Problem Solving, Analytics, Business Analysis, Data Synthesis, Data Analysis, Data Storytelling
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Advanced · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Macquarie University
Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate II
Skills you'll gain: Excel Formulas, Microsoft Excel, Excel Macros, Data Validation, Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Data Modeling, Financial Forecasting, Predictive Modeling, Workflow Management, Financial Modeling, Data Integrity, Business Modeling, Automation, Process Optimization
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
8.3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of New Mexico
International Business II
Skills you'll gain: International Finance, Entrepreneurship, Global Marketing, Business Management, New Business Development, Business, Organizational Structure, Workforce Management, Organizational Strategy, Economics, Market Dynamics, Cultural Diversity
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
791 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Business English: Basics
Skills you'll gain: Target Audience, Business Analysis, Business Communication, Communication Strategies, Analysis, English Language, Business Writing, Vocabulary, Verbal Communication Skills, Grammar
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Copenhagen Business School
Social Business Model and Planning for Social Innovation
Skills you'll gain: Team Oriented, Business Planning, Organizational Structure, Business Modeling, Entrepreneurship, Business Strategies, Fundraising, Value Propositions, Innovation, Investments, Presentations
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
121 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Virginia
Business Growth Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Growth Strategies, Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Strategy, New Business Development, Innovation, Organizational Strategy, Market Dynamics, Competitive Analysis, Market Opportunities, Strategic Decision-Making, Business Valuation, Risk Management
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
689 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of New Mexico
International Business I
Skills you'll gain: Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences, Economic Development, Global Marketing, Socioeconomics, Cultural Diversity, World History, Business Economics, Economics, Business, Financial Market
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.3K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of London
Managing the Company of the Future
Skills you'll gain: Organizational Change, Leadership and Management, Business Management, Innovation, Change Management, Organizational Structure, Leadership, Personal Development, Decision Making, Goal Setting, Collaboration
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.6K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Macquarie University
Excel Skills for Business: Advanced
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Data Cleansing, Finance, Business Intelligence Software, Data Validation, Financial Modeling, Data Visualization, Loans, Depreciation, Automation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Driving business towards the Sustainable Development Goals
Skills you'll gain: Corporate Sustainability, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Business Transformation, Business Ethics, Environmental Issue, Systems Thinking, Socioeconomics, Economic Development, Strategic Partnership, Business Modeling, Goal Setting, Innovation, Collaboration
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Washington
Business English: Networking
Skills you'll gain: Business Writing, Business Correspondence, Professional Networking, English Language, Writing, Oral Expression, Business Communication, Rapport Building, Telephone Skills, Language Competency, Relationship Building, Verbal Communication Skills, Grammar, Vocabulary, Scheduling
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.4K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months