Business plan courses can help you learn market analysis, financial forecasting, operational planning, and effective pitching techniques. You can build skills in identifying target audiences, crafting value propositions, and developing marketing strategies. Many courses introduce tools like SWOT analysis, business model canvases, and financial modeling software, which can enhance your ability to create comprehensive and persuasive business plans.

Michigan State University
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Intellectual Property, Value Propositions, Business Planning, Design Thinking, Ideation, Innovation, Income Statement, Entrepreneurship, Customer Acquisition Management, Business Modeling, Product Development, Balance Sheet, Market Opportunities, Verification And Validation, Creative Thinking, Lean Methodologies, Open Mindset, Resource Management, Leadership
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Virginia
Skills you'll gain: Growth Strategies, Business Strategy, Strategic Thinking, Plan Execution, Mergers & Acquisitions, Competitive Analysis, Organizational Strategy, Business Ethics, Peer Review, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Corporate Strategy, Strategic Leadership, Business Planning, Strategic Decision-Making, Governance, Stakeholder Management, New Business Development, Business Research, Analysis, Project Management
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Process Analysis, Business Process, Business Analysis, Workflow Management, Process Management, Process Flow Diagrams, Business Process Modeling, Stakeholder Management, Stakeholder Analysis, Computer Literacy
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

University of Pennsylvania
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Operations Management, Operational Efficiency, Financial Statement Analysis, Return On Investment, Accrual Accounting, Human Capital, Process Analysis, Branding, Financial Accounting, Marketing, Process Management, People Management, Strategic Marketing, Capital Budgeting, Financial Reporting, Finance, Peer Review, Project Design, Corporate Finance
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Requirements Elicitation, Business Analysis, Backlogs, Requirements Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Business Process, User Story, Business Requirements, Requirements Analysis, Business Modeling, Business Risk Management, Business Intelligence, Business Strategies, Financial Analysis, Performance Measurement, Business Process Modeling, Systems Analysis, Root Cause Analysis, Business Planning, Stakeholder Analysis
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Virginia
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Financial Accounting, Balance Sheet, Financial Reporting, Financial Statement Analysis, Design Thinking, Accounting, Annual Reports, Innovation, Process Design, Business Modeling, Entrepreneurship, Philanthropy, Leadership Development, Strategic Leadership, Corporate Sustainability, Professional Development, Business Ethics, Finance, HR Tech
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Skills you'll gain: Risk Management, Business Modeling, Mathematical Modeling, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Portfolio Management, Forecasting, Regression Analysis, Financial Modeling, Statistical Modeling, Risk Analysis, Predictive Modeling, Presentations, Spreadsheet Software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Investment Management, Financial Statements, Data Modeling, Quantitative Research, Business Analytics, Microsoft Excel
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Maryland, College Park
Skills you'll gain: Customer Analysis, Commercialization, Product Planning, Business Modeling, Strategic Decision-Making, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Finance, Market Opportunities, Business Planning, New Product Development, Sales Strategy, Sales Pipelines, Ideation, Sales Presentation, Customer Insights, Product Development, Team Building, Capital Markets, Finance
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Quality Management, Project Management Life Cycle, Requirements Analysis, Project Scoping, Project Closure, Project Management, Project Planning, Agile Project Management, Continuous Improvement Process, Project Controls, Backlogs, Milestones (Project Management), Project Risk Management, Stakeholder Analysis, Quality Assessment, Team Management, Agile Methodology, Change Management, Interviewing Skills, Applicant Tracking Systems
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Kennesaw State University
Skills you'll gain: Value Propositions, Business Modeling, Presentations, Customer Analysis, Innovation, Business Process, Customer Relationship Management, Entrepreneurship, Target Market, Marketing Channel, Business Strategy, Strategic Partnership, Cost Management, Revenue Management, Resource Management
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

The State University of New York
Skills you'll gain: Branding, Marketing and Public Relations, Entrepreneurship, Content Creation, Video Production, Marketing, Copywriting, Business Modeling, Presentations, Customer Engagement, Value Propositions, E-Commerce, Web Design and Development, Photography, Persona Development, Competitive Analysis
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

ESSEC Business School
Skills you'll gain: Social Impact, Business Modeling, Market Research, Business Planning, Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Business, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Marketing, Customer Analysis, Stakeholder Analysis, Business Development, Needs Assessment, Target Audience, Entrepreneurial Finance, Governance, Financial Forecasting
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
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.‎
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.‎
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.‎
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.‎
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.‎