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
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
AI Agents in Java with Generative AI
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Generative AI Agents, Productivity, Java, Agentic systems, OpenAI, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Modeling, Software Design, Creative Thinking, Ingenuity, Brainstorming, Software Architecture, Software Development Tools, Secure Coding, Application Development, Business Logic, Systems Integration
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.9K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of London
Fundamentals of International Business
Skills you'll gain: Business Ethics, Global Marketing, Social Sciences, International Relations, Business Management, Business, Political Sciences, Business Economics, Corporate Sustainability, Intercultural Competence, Business Strategy, Cultural Diversity, Corporate Strategy, Economics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
87 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Small Business Marketing Using YouTube
Skills you'll gain: Marketing Analytics, Video Production, Social Media Marketing, Business Marketing, Marketing Channel, Customer Engagement, Gmail, Target Audience, Content Creation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
University of Glasgow
MBA Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Business Administration, Leadership Studies, Digital Transformation, Supply Chain Management, Marketing, Financial Data, Innovation, Corporate Sustainability, Accounting, Business Modeling, Change Management, Business Economics, Project Management, Business Strategies, Global Marketing, Digital Marketing, B2B Sales
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
196 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Yale University
Introduction to Negotiation: A Strategic Playbook for Becoming a Principled and Persuasive Negotiator
Skills you'll gain: Negotiation, Contract Negotiation, Conflict Management, Mediation, Leadership, Communication, Persuasive Communication, Influencing, Relationship Building, Game Theory, Strategic Decision-Making
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
West Virginia University
Today’s Music Industry
Skills you'll gain: Music, Music History, Intellectual Property, Performing Arts, Consumer Behaviour, Event Management, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Production Process, Digital Transformation, Promotional Strategies
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
124 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Università Bocconi
Private Equity and Venture Capital
Skills you'll gain: Private Equity, Business Valuation, Entrepreneurial Finance, Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, Investments, Financial Management, Legal Risk, Tax Laws, Entrepreneurship, Due Diligence, Cash Flows
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
8.8K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Introduction to Financial Accounting
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Reporting, Financial Accounting, Balance Sheet, Accrual Accounting, Financial Analysis, Cash Flows, Income Statement, Bookkeeping, Revenue Recognition, Depreciation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
8.3K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Virginia
Digital Product Management
Skills you'll gain: Usability Testing, Agile Product Development, New Product Development, Continuous Delivery, Agile Software Development, User Story, Product Management, Agile Methodology, Product Testing, Agile Project Management, Team Performance Management, Team Management, Design Thinking, Team Building, Team Leadership, Product Improvement, Customer Analysis, Innovation, Analytics, Business Analytics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
9.6K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Maryland, College Park
Developing Innovative Ideas for New Companies: The First Step in Entrepreneurship
Skills you'll gain: Business Modeling, Strategic Decision-Making, Entrepreneurship, Market Opportunities, Ideation, Innovation, Business Strategies, Customer Insights, Market Analysis, New Business Development, Competitive Analysis, Value Propositions
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Google
Analyze Data to Answer Questions
Skills you'll gain: Data Validation, Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis, Analytics, Data Manipulation, Excel Formulas, Data Compilation, Pivot Tables And Charts, SQL, Data Integration, Data Transformation, User Feedback
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
12K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Product Manager
Skills you'll gain: Usability Testing, New Product Development, Product Management, Product Lifecycle Management, Agile Software Development, Product Development, Innovation, Product Roadmaps, Agile Methodology, Kanban Principles, Product Planning, Product Strategy, Product Testing, Project Management Life Cycle, Agile Project Management, User Story, Stakeholder Engagement, Sprint Retrospectives, Stakeholder Management, Competitive Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.5K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months