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

University at Buffalo
Data-Driven Decision Making (DDDM)
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Statistical Process Controls, Process Mapping, Data Ethics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Collection, Process Improvement, Data Visualization Software, Business Process, Business Analytics, Tableau Software, Analytics, Data Analysis, Root Cause Analysis, Data Strategy, Minitab, Lean Methodologies, Six Sigma Methodology, Data Cleansing, Statistical Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
439 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Google Cloud
Building Resilient Streaming Analytics Systems on Google Cloud
Skills you'll gain: Real Time Data, Data Pipelines, Google Cloud Platform, Data Processing, Big Data, Analytics, Cloud Computing, SQL, Performance Tuning, Scalability
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Rice University
Leadership Development for Engineers
Skills you'll gain: Conflict Management, Professional Networking, Team Motivation, Creative Problem-Solving, Team Management, Prioritization, Stress Management, Meeting Facilitation, Relationship Management, Goal Setting, Time Management, Relationship Building, Leadership Development, Team Leadership, Self-Awareness, Communication, Professional Development, Mentorship, Active Listening, Interpersonal Communications
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Create Charts and Dashboards Using Microsoft Excel
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft 365, Spreadsheet Software, Data Visualization, Trend Analysis
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
915 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Institut Mines-Télécom
Digital Business
Skills you'll gain: Growth Strategies, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Digital Transformation, Performance Analysis, Business Metrics, Business Analysis, Competitive Analysis, Action Oriented, Analysis, Business Transformation, Digital Assets, Business Development, Business Planning, Business Valuation, Entrepreneurship, Technology Strategies, E-Commerce, Emerging Technologies, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Business Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
174 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Microsoft
Creative Designing in Power BI
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Power BI, Data Presentation, Dashboard, Data Visualization Software, Data Visualization, Microsoft Power Platform, Data Analysis, Creative Design, Data Mapping, Data Security
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
277 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
HubSpot Academy
Sales Training: Building Your Sales Career
Skills you'll gain: Inside Sales, Consultative Approaches, Sales Training, Sales, Sales Process, Customer Relationship Building, Prospecting and Qualification, Customer Analysis, Personalized Service
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
643 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
SAP
Becoming an SAP Professional
Skills you'll gain: Professional Networking, SAP Applications, Professional Development, Company, Product, and Service Knowledge, LinkedIn, Enterprise Resource Planning, Interviewing Skills, Business Development, Goal Setting, Information Technology
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
189 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Pennsylvania
ESG and Climate Change
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Waste Minimization, Corporate Sustainability, Business Ethics, Insurance, Environmental Resource Management, Environmental Policy, Product Lifecycle Management, Environment, Risk Management, Sustainability Reporting
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
425 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Aprender
Skills you'll gain: Learning Strategies, Quick Learning, Self-Motivation, Lifelong Learning, Mental Concentration, Willingness To Learn, Critical Thinking, Formal Learning, Self-Awareness, Vocabulary
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
5.4K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Investments I: Fundamentals of Performance Evaluation
Skills you'll gain: Investments, Finance, Portfolio Management, Business Valuation, Financial Modeling, Financial Market, Equities, Return On Investment, Financial Analysis, Corporate Finance, Microsoft Excel, Regression Analysis, Risk Analysis, Performance Analysis, Cash Flows
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
912 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Microsoft
Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals PL-900 Exam Prep
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Power Platform, Microsoft Power Automate/Flow, Power BI, Dashboard, Data Visualization, Data Integration, Business Intelligence, Business Process Automation, Productivity Software, Application Development, Microsoft 365, Platform As A Service (PaaS), Performance Analysis, Workflow Management, Data Security, Data Store, Cloud Applications, Business Process, Microsoft Teams, Data Analysis Software
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
157 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months