Writing a Business Plan

This course is currently available as E-Learning, or a private instructor-led class scheduled to suit your availabilty. You can click here to inquire further or you ask us for recommendations on similar classes.

Recommended Prerequisites

• Research Skills
• Business Writing That Works
• Advanced Writing Skills

Course Overview

This course is designed for business owners and entrepreneurs who are ready to create a business plan. All the essential steps are covered, including drafting the original document; identifying the audience; gathering information; researching; describing product plans; and marketing, sales, and accounting terms. Students will come away from the course energized and prepared to write their business plan.

Learning Objectives

• Research and analyze the individual components needed for a business plan
• Apply skills to create a business plan for different audiences, including investors, banks, and other stakeholders
• Explain the purpose and future of your business in easy to understand terms
• Use accounting terms to describe the future for your business
• Describe your marketing, sales, and planning strategies

Course Outline

1. Course Overview
2. What is a Business Plan For?
3. A General Business Plan Framework
4. Creating a Framework
5. Pre-Assignment Review
6. Identifying Your Audience
7. Who Are You Writing For?
8. The Rules of Writing
9. Gathering and Analyzing Information
10. GO-PARSE
11. PARSE in Action
12. Defining Your Company
13. Identifying Your USP
14. Writing Your Company Description
15. Describing Your Products and Services
16. Performing a Market Analysis
17. Developing an Operations Plan
18. Types of Operations
19. Getting to Work
20. Creating a Marketing Strategy
21. Introduction to Marketing
22. Analyzing the Competition and Yourself
23. Analyzing Distribution Channels
24. Creating a Marketing Plan
25. Sketching Out the Plan
26. Evaluate, Review, and Revise
27. Leveraging Social Media
28. Creating the Sales Plan
29. Building Your Sales Force
30. The Sales Cycle
31. Developing Financial Projections
32. Accounting Terminology
33. General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
34. Key Reports
35. Financial Projections
36. Putting It All Together
37. Writing the Executive Summary
38. Making a Strong Presentation
39. The Finishing Touches
40. Reviewing and Revising
41. Personal Action Plan
42. Recommended Reading List
43. Post-Course Assessment