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

Google Cloud
Work with Gemini Models in BigQuery - 한국어
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Customer Relationship Management, Workflow Management, Google Cloud Platform, Applied Machine Learning, Big Data, Business Modeling, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), SQL, Predictive Modeling, Python Programming
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of North Texas
Bachelor of Science in General Business
Skills you'll gain: Operations Management, Mediation, Compensation and Benefits, Integrated Marketing Communications, Organizational Change, Event Management, Grammar, Sales Process, Data Mining, Data Visualization, Design Thinking, Global Marketing, Probability & Statistics, Cultural Diversity, Digital Media Strategy, Organizational Leadership, Political Sciences, Social Justice, Music History, Sociology
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Master of Business Administration (iMBA)
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Data Collection, Corporate Tax
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Global Challenges in Business Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Managerial Economics & Business Analysis Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
HEC Paris
Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship University Certificate
Skills you'll gain: New Product Development, Business Strategy, Social Media Strategy, Product Development, Supplier Relationship Management, Ideation, Entrepreneurship, Social Media Marketing, Stakeholder Engagement, Social Media, Decision Making, Content Marketing, Process Analysis, Strategic Thinking, Project Controls, Strategic Decision-Making, Business Operations, Business Planning, Lean Methodologies, Innovation
University Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
HEC Paris
Executive MSc & MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Skills you'll gain: New Product Development, Research Methodologies, Intellectual Property, Innovation, Performance Measurement, Financial Modeling, Design Thinking, Value Propositions, Business Strategy, Private Equity, Social Media Strategy, Business Modeling, Team Building, Active Listening, Business Planning, Supplier Relationship Management, Ideation, Entrepreneurship, Stakeholder Engagement, Corporate Sustainability
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Illinois Institute of Technology
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Skills you'll gain:
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Certificate in Strategic Leadership & Management
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
Universidad de Palermo
Maestría en Dirección de Empresas (MBA)
Skills you'll gain: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Data Storytelling, Selling Techniques, Human Capital, Financial Accounting, Business Process Management, Portfolio Management, Strategic Marketing, Business Modeling, Digital Transformation, Business Planning, Corporate Sustainability, Entrepreneurial Finance, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Statistical Methods, Emotional Intelligence, Marketing Planning, Teamwork, Promotional Strategies, Consumer Behaviour
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Master of Science in Management
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Universidad de Palermo
Administración de Empresas Certificado MasterTrack®
Skills you'll gain: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Human Capital, Human Resource Strategy, Business Process Management, Strategic Marketing, Organizational Strategy, Marketing, Strategic Leadership, Talent Management, Technology Strategies, Employee Performance Management, People Development, Business Process Improvement, Marketing Strategies, Consumer Behaviour, Marketing Planning, IT Management, Business Strategy, Brand Strategy, Brand Management
Credit offered
Mastertrack · 6 - 12 Months