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 .

Best Business Plan Courses Online with Certificates [2024]

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Explore the Business Plan Course Catalog

Status: Free
The State University of New York
Launch Your Online Business
Skills you'll gain: Strategy, Brand Management, Marketing, Digital Marketing, Communication, E-Commerce, Leadership and Management, Strategy and Operations, Business Development, Research and Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
749 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Michigan State University
How to Start Your Own Business
Skills you'll gain: Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Management, Strategy, Strategy and Operations, Planning, Marketing, Accounting, Sales, Business Process Management, Business Analysis, Supply Chain and Logistics, Business Design, Finance, Financial Accounting, General Accounting, Software Testing, Business Development, Innovation, Creativity
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Coursera Project Network
Create a Business proposal with Visme for businesses
Skills you'll gain: Entrepreneurship
3.7
Rating, 3.7 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
University of Virginia
Business Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Strategy, Strategy and Operations, Leadership and Management, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Sales, Market Analysis, Business Development, Business Analysis, Business Transformation, Finance, Investment Management, Planning, Product Strategy, Business Design, Game Theory, Research and Design
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
4.3K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Coursera Project Network
Create a business mind map with Coggle
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
31 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Kennesaw State University
Business Model Canvas: A Tool for Entrepreneurs and Innovators (Project-Centered Course)
Skills you'll gain: Planning
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
633 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Universitat de Barcelona
The entrepreneur's guide for beginners
Skills you'll gain: Business Analysis, Business Development, Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Management, Business Intelligence, Entrepreneurial Finance, Market Research, Organizational Development, Planning, Strategy and Operations
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
469 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Business Analysis & Process Management
Skills you'll gain: Business Analysis, Business Process Management
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
5.5K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free
University of Pennsylvania
English for Business and Entrepreneurship
Skills you'll gain: Entrepreneurship, Business Analysis, Market Research, Marketing, Business Development, Decision Making
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
University of London
Corporate Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Management, Marketing, Sales, Strategy, Strategy and Operations, Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Development
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Universidad de Palermo
Plan de Negocios
Skills you'll gain: Business Analysis, Communication, Leadership and Management, Strategy, Strategy and Operations, Entrepreneurship, Market Analysis, Planning
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
116 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
IE Business School
The Marketing Plan
Skills you'll gain: Marketing, Planning, Strategy
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
466 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular business plan courses

Launch Your Online Business: The State University of New York
How to Start Your Own Business: Michigan State University
Create a Business proposal with Visme for businesses: Coursera Project Network
Business Strategy: University of Virginia
Create a business mind map with Coggle: Coursera Project Network
Business Model Canvas: A Tool for Entrepreneurs and Innovators (Project-Centered Course): Kennesaw State University
The entrepreneur's guide for beginners: Universitat de Barcelona
Business Analysis & Process Management: Coursera Project Network
English for Business and Entrepreneurship: University of Pennsylvania
Corporate Strategy : University of London

Filter by

Explore the Business Plan Course Catalog

Launch Your Online Business

How to Start Your Own Business

Create a Business proposal with Visme for businesses

Business Strategy

Create a business mind map with Coggle

Business Model Canvas: A Tool for Entrepreneurs and Innovators (Project-Centered Course)

The entrepreneur's guide for beginners

Business Analysis & Process Management

English for Business and Entrepreneurship

Corporate Strategy

Plan de Negocios

The Marketing Plan

Searches related to business plan

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular business plan courses

Skills you can learn in Entrepreneurship

Frequently Asked Questions about Business Plan

What is a business plan?‎

Why is it important to learn to write a business plan?‎

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn how to write a business plan?‎

What are the benefits of taking an online Business Plan course?‎

What Business Plan courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?‎

Other topics to explore