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
Gemini for end-to-end SDLC - Français
Skills you'll gain: Query Languages, Test Case, Google Cloud Platform, Generative AI, Data Access, Software Development Life Cycle, Software Development Tools, Cloud Applications, Application Development, Web Applications, Debugging, Artificial Intelligence
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, Innovation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Performance Measurement, Training and Development, Virtual Teams, Databases, International Finance, Research, Team Management, Economic Development, Cultural Diversity
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Google Cloud
Gemini for end-to-end SDLC - 日本語版
Skills you'll gain: Google Cloud Platform, Test Case, Software Development Life Cycle, Web Applications, Application Lifecycle Management, Software Development Tools, Application Development, Query Languages, Data Access, Debugging
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google Cloud
Gemini for Data Scientists and Analysts-Português Brasileiro
Skills you'll gain: Marketing Strategies, Customer Analysis, Big Data, Forecasting, Customer Insights, Predictive Analytics, Analytics, Target Audience, Data Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Predictive Modeling, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Data Science, Google Cloud Platform, Generative AI
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google Cloud
Responsible AI: Applying AI Principles with GC - 日本語版
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Business Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Governance, Compliance Management, Google Cloud Platform, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Decision Making
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Master of Business Administration (iMBA)
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, Extract, Transform, Load, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Data Collection
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Status: New
University of Colorado System
Communicating Across Cultures for Team Success
Skills you'll gain: Intercultural Competence, Diversity and Inclusion, Non-Verbal Communication, Teamwork, Cultural Diversity, Cultural Sensitivity, Leadership, Collaboration, Communication, Interpersonal Communications, Active Listening, Conflict Management
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Emory University
Mastering Business Essentials: Marketing
Skills you'll gain: Marketing Effectiveness, Promotional Strategies, Product Marketing, Content Marketing, Customer Acquisition Management, Marketing Strategies, Business Marketing, Marketing Channel, Marketing Communications, Customer Retention, Price Negotiation, Product Strategy, Market Dynamics, Target Market, Marketing Analytics, Consumer Behaviour, Supply Chain
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Dartmouth College
Prescriptive Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Operations Research, Analytics, Business Analytics, Process Optimization, Digital Transformation, Predictive Analytics, Operational Analysis, Advanced Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Logic, Strategic Decision-Making, Business Mathematics, Data Science, Data Analysis, Process Analysis, Complex Problem Solving, Logistics, Python Programming
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Illinois Institute of Technology
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Skills you'll gain:
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
HEC Paris
Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship University Certificate
Skills you'll gain: New Product Development, Supplier Relationship Management, Ideation, Entrepreneurship, Project Controls, Stakeholder Engagement, Product Development, Innovation, Decision Making, Process Analysis, Business Strategy, Social Media Marketing, Business Operations, Business Planning, Lean Methodologies, Operational Efficiency, Project Management, Organizational Structure, Operations Management, Creativity
University Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
Google Cloud
Work with Gemini Models in BigQuery - Bahasa Indonesia
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Customer Relationship Management, Predictive Modeling, Applied Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), SQL, Business Workflow Analysis, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Business Solutions, Python Programming, Data Analysis Software
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks