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 - 繁體中文
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Google Cloud Platform, Big Data, Customer Relationship Management, Applied Machine Learning, SQL, Predictive Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Data Analysis
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google Cloud
Work with Gemini Models in BigQuery - 한국어
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Customer Relationship Management, Google Cloud Platform, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), SQL, Predictive Analytics, Python Programming, Natural Language Processing
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
O.P. Jindal Global University
MBA Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Operations Management, Design Thinking, Active Listening, Business Ethics, Data Visualization, Working Capital, Database Management, Sampling (Statistics), Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Project Estimation, Financial Statements, Business Analytics, Financial Accounting, Predictive Analytics, Marketing Planning, Regression Analysis, Employee Performance Management, Pivot Tables And Charts, Marketing Management
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of North Texas
Bachelor of Science in General Business
Skills you'll gain: Operations Management, Compensation and Benefits, Organizational Change, Event Management, Grammar, Sales Process, Negotiation, Data Mining, Data Visualization, Marketing Planning, Design Thinking, Public Policies, Global Marketing, Cultural Diversity, Business Mathematics, Social Justice, Social Media Strategy, Sociology, Life Sciences, Social Studies
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Business Analytics Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Extract, Transform, Load, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
Adobedx
Introduction to Adobe Commerce
Skills you'll gain: E-Commerce, Business Development, Scalability, B2B Sales, Business Solutions, Order Management, Customer Engagement
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Adobedx
Adobe Commerce Best Practice and Use Cases
Skills you'll gain: Project Documentation, Project Implementation, System Implementation, Technical Documentation, User Feedback, Configuration Management, E-Commerce, Project Management, Constructive Feedback, Product Knowledge, B2B Sales, Business-To-Consumer, End User Training and Support
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of London
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Skills you'll gain: Process Design, Global Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Statistical Analysis, Organizational Change, Process Mapping, Customer Retention, Integrated Marketing Communications, Advertising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Branding, Performance Measurement, Training and Development, Virtual Teams, Databases, International Finance, Research, Team Management, Economic Development, Cultural Diversity
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Global Challenges in Business Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Extract, Transform, Load, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Managerial Economics & Business Analysis Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Extract, Transform, Load, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
HEC Paris
Executive MSc & MSc in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Skills you'll gain: New Product Development, Research Methodologies, Performance Measurement, Design Thinking, Value Propositions, Private Equity, Social Media Strategy, Business Modeling, Active Listening, Business Planning, Business Strategy, Supplier Relationship Management, Ideation, Entrepreneurship, Stakeholder Engagement, Innovation, Corporate Sustainability, Negotiation, Creativity, Game Theory
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Certificate in Accounting Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Extract, Transform, Load, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months