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: New
Coursera Instructor Network
Managing Hybrid & AI-Augmented Teams: The Future of Work
Skills you'll gain: Diversity and Inclusion, Organizational Leadership, Team Leadership, Strategic Leadership, People Management, Leadership, Business Ethics, Innovation, Leadership and Management, Business Leadership, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Teams, Telecommuting, Communication
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera
YouTube Analytics: Optimize Performance
Skills you'll gain: Benchmarking, Search Engine Optimization, Content Performance Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Performance Analysis, Web Analytics and SEO, Performance Measurement, Content Strategy, Trend Analysis, Customer Insights
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
University of Virginia
Coding Algorithms with AI
Skills you'll gain: Model View Controller, Debugging, JSON, User Story, Test Case, Algorithms, User Interface (UI), User Experience Design, Artificial Intelligence, Javascript, Automation
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera
Instagram Reels: Create Engaging Videos
Skills you'll gain: Video Editing, Instagram, Video Production, Drive Engagement, Media Production, Content Creation
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Packt
Defining Project Scope and Managing Resources in Projects
Skills you'll gain: Project Scoping, Scope Management, Resource Planning, Project Management, Change Control, Project Planning, Resource Management, Requirements Management, Change Management, Resource Allocation, Budget Management, Stakeholder Management
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera
Facebook Content Creation Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Facebook, Content Creation, Graphic and Visual Design, Graphic Design, Drive Engagement, Video Production, Storytelling, Generative AI Agents, Writing, Video Editing
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Introduction to Digital Marketing
Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing, Target Audience, Digital Media Strategy, Digital Advertising, Online Advertising, Marketing Analytics, Marketing Effectiveness, Marketing Strategies, Social Media Marketing, Customer Analysis, Web Analytics, Business Metrics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Google Analytics, Marketing Channel, Email Marketing, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Content Marketing, Persona Development
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera Instructor Network
Visio for Professionals: Diagrams & Flowchart Design
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Visio, Process Flow Diagrams, Collaborative Software, Process Design, Data Visualization, Process Mapping, Workflow Management, Business Workflow Analysis, Organizational Structure, Real Time Data, Data Integration, Process Improvement
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Starweaver
Credit Risk Analysis and Underwriting
Skills you'll gain: Credit Risk, Lending and Underwriting, Underwriting, Risk Analysis, Risk Management, Business Risk Management, Financial Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Corporate Finance, Financial Modeling, Stakeholder Communications, Performance Measurement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flows
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Investing and Building Wealth
Skills you'll gain: Wealth Management, Portfolio Management, Investments, Securities (Finance), Financial Planning, Investment Management, Finance, Equities, Risk Management, Asset Management, Business Risk Management, Financial Market, Financial Modeling, Return On Investment, Risk Analysis
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
University of Minnesota
The Ideation Process
Skills you'll gain: Prototyping, Product Design, Design Thinking, Product Development, Ideation, New Product Development, Process Mapping, Brainstorming, Business Analysis, User Research, User Feedback, Innovation, Customer Insights, Prioritization, Technology Solutions
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
SkillUp EdTech
Generative AI: A Game Changer for Program Managers
Skills you'll gain: Program Management, Generative AI Agents, Risk Management, Project Management Institute (PMI) Methodology, Strategic Decision-Making, Business Risk Management, Project Management Life Cycle, Stakeholder Management, Project Management, Organizational Strategy, Business Ethics, Stakeholder Communications, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Requirements Analysis, Governance, Benefits Administration
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Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks