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
Coursera Instructor Network
GenAI for Legal Risk Management
Skills you'll gain: Compliance Management, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Data Ethics, Risk Management, Risk Mitigation, Artificial Intelligence, Risk Analysis, Generative AI, Workflow Management, Business Process Automation, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Predictive Modeling, Natural Language Processing
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Maryland, College Park
Core Project Management Process
Skills you'll gain: Team Building, Project Controls, Project Scoping, Agile Project Management, Project Management, Risk Management, Agile Methodology, Sprint Planning, Team Leadership, Communication Planning, Process Management, Project Implementation, Requirements Management, Stakeholder Management, Expectation Management, Lean Methodologies, Design Thinking
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Google Cloud
Gemini in Google Drive - 繁體中文
Skills you'll gain: Google Workspace, Cloud Storage, File Management, Generative AI, Business Process Automation, End User Training and Support
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google Cloud
Gemini for Data Scientists and Analysts - 한국어
Skills you'll gain: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Customer Insights, Applied Machine Learning, Customer Analysis, Artificial Intelligence, Marketing Analytics, Sales Strategy, Generative AI, Google Cloud Platform, Data Integration, Predictive Analytics, Customer Data Management, Big Data, Data Analysis Software, Marketing Strategies
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Lund University
Klimat, miljö och hälsa
Skills you'll gain: Environment, Health Systems, Environment Health And Safety, Environmental Issue, Epidemiology, Water Resources, Infectious Diseases, Health Care, Mental Health, Preventative Care, Mitigation, Pollution Prevention, Physical Science, Systems Thinking, Natural Resource Management, Vulnerability, Risk Analysis
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Google Cloud
Looker Studio Pro Essentials - Português Brasileiro
Skills you'll gain: Looker (Software), User Accounts, Security Controls, Authorization (Computing), Business Reporting, Scheduling, Google Cloud Platform, Client Support, Data Visualization Software, Data Sharing, Administration, Auditing
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Google Cloud
Change Management for Google Workspace - 日本語版
Skills you'll gain: Change Management, Organizational Change, Business Transformation, Google Workspace, Communication Planning, Training and Development, Needs Assessment, Stakeholder Communications, Stakeholder Engagement, Employee Engagement
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Indian School of Business
Certificate in Investment Management
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statement Analysis, Portfolio Management, Financial Statements, Financial Analysis, Income Statement, Financial Trading, Balance Sheet, Investments, Financial Market, Equities, Business Valuation, Return On Investment, Performance Analysis, Financial Modeling, Accounting, Finance, Cash Flows, Working Capital, Market Data, Market Dynamics
University Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
Google Cloud
Change Management for Google Workspace - Español
Skills you'll gain: Change Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Organizational Change, Google Workspace, Culture Transformation, Training and Development, Business Transformation, Stakeholder Communications, Organizational Strategy, Customer Success Management, Communication Strategies, Needs Assessment
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Meta
Introduction au Marketing des réseaux sociaux
Skills you'll gain: Social Media Marketing, Social Media, Target Audience, Marketing, Social Media Strategy, Instagram, Marketing Channel, Marketing Strategies, Facebook, Digital Marketing, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Customer Engagement, Goal Setting, Policy Development
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Huddersfield
MSc Management
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Board Infinity
Deploying and Scaling iOS Applications
Skills you'll gain: Apple iOS, Apple Xcode, Secure Coding, iOS Development, Core Data (Software), Application Deployment, Swift Programming, Scalability, Application Programming Interface (API), API Design, JSON, Application Security, Release Management, Encryption, Application Performance Management, Performance Testing, Debugging
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks