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 of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Certificate in Strategic Leadership & Management
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
Universidad de Palermo
Maestría en Dirección de Empresas (MBA)
Skills you'll gain: Business Modeling, Data Storytelling, Selling Techniques, Human Capital, Business Process Management, Portfolio Management, Business Planning, Business Analytics, Strategic Marketing, Digital Transformation, Equities, Management Accounting, Organizational Strategy, Corporate Sustainability, Entrepreneurial Finance, Market Dynamics, Online Advertising, B2B Sales, Statistical Methods, Marketing Planning
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Certificate in Accounting Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Huddersfield
MSc Management
Skills you'll gain:
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Status: Free Trial
Coursera
Creating Engaging Content for Facebook
Skills you'll gain: Facebook, Social Media Content, Content Creation, Social Media Management, Social Media, Content Performance Analysis, Social Media Strategy, Content Strategy, Drive Engagement, Video Production, Photo/Video Production and Technology, Storytelling, Community Development, Workflow Management, Target Audience, Live Streaming
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Value Chain Management Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Mergers & Acquisitions Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
CPA Pathways Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Variance Analysis, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Generative AI, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
HEC Paris
Leading Innovation With Creativity University Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Innovation, Design Thinking, Active Listening, Creativity, Organizational Structure, Creative Thinking, Creative Problem-Solving, Intellectual Property, Business Modeling, Talent Management, Business Strategy, Organizational Strategy, Ideation, Self-Awareness, Initiative and Leadership, Organizational Effectiveness, Consumer Behaviour, Systems Thinking, Leadership, Strategic Thinking
University Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
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
Universidad de Palermo
Administración de Empresas Certificado MasterTrack®
Skills you'll gain: Human Capital, Human Resource Strategy, Business Process Management, Strategic Marketing, Organizational Strategy, Marketing, Strategic Leadership, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Human Resources Management and Planning, Corporate Strategy, Talent Management, Technology Strategies, Leadership and Management, Branding, Marketing Management, Business Process Improvement, Consumer Behaviour, Marketing Planning, Technical Management, Brand Strategy
Credit offered
Mastertrack · 6 - 12 Months
IIT Roorkee
Executive MBA
Skills you'll gain: New Product Development, Mergers & Acquisitions, FinTech, Capital Budgeting, Supply Chain, Integrated Marketing Communications, Business Marketing, Sales Process, Innovation, Succession Planning, Management Accounting, Supply Chain Management, Statistical Process Controls, Product Management, Marketing Management, Revenue Management, Sampling (Statistics), Production Schedule, Project Portfolio Management, Financial Statement Analysis
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years