Learn how to Write a Business Plan
This page contains our free online business planning course. It will teach you business planning basics and help you create a business plan template. You can also download the business plan template for free at the bottom of this page.
The Course Covers:
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The basics of business planning
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Fundamental documents and terminology
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How to create a business plan forecasts and financials
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Deep business planning insights and tips
Course Modules:
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Lesson 1: Business Planning Introduction
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Lesson 2: The Expenses Forecast
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Lesson 3: The Sales Forecast
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Lesson 4: The Asset & Liability Forecasts
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Lesson 5: The Cash Flow Forecast
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Lesson 6: Projected Profit and Loss Statements
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Lesson 7: Projected Balance Sheets
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Lesson 8: Writing a Business Plan
To start the online course, scroll down
This course is FREE, and no registration is required. It is perfect for start-up businesses and companies looking for financing.
Free Online Business Planning Course
Part 1: Business Planning Introduction
Module overview:
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Course Outline
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Course Aim
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Business Planning Basics
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And more
What is a business plan?
A business plan is a set of strategies, projections, forecasts, goals, and ambitions for a business or company. It details crucial financial information about a company and detailed market research and growth plans.
Why do you need a business plan?
Before starting a business or planning for company expansion, there are many things to consider, such as:
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Is the business idea profitable?
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How much cash will the company need?
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How much is the business start-up or expansion going to cost me?
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How much will need to be invested?
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How will the company attract customers?
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How will the business be competitive?
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What is the company's marketing strategy?
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How much should the business charge for its services or goods?
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When should the business start?
All of these questions, and many more, will be answered in a detailed business plan.
It may sound cliché, but the saying, 'if you fail to plan, you plan to fail', summarises the importance of business planning. If you want to give a business every opportunity to succeed, ensure the company has a business plan!
A business plan is also needed for a company to require bank financing or to attract investors.
What should a business plan include?
A business plan covers at least twelve months of projections, forecasts, research and goals. Most business plans cover three years (36 months).
The plan is split into two parts: the business plan financials and the business plan notes.
The Financials
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Sales Forecasts
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Expenses Forecasts
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Cash Flow Forecasts
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Projected Profit and Loss Statements
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Projected Balance Sheets
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Other Financial Analysis and Projections
The Notes
These generally include:
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Information about the business, such as the business name, address, company structure, and company organisation
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Market Research
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The business's marketing strategies
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Business goals
Learn how to create a Business Plan with Template and Samples
Part 2: Expense Forecast
Module overview:
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How to create an expense forecast
Expense Forecast
An expense forecast projects a company's expenses (overheads) for a specified period.
Common expenses include:
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Rent, rates, power and water
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Wages and salaries
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Printing, postage, and stationery
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Motor vehicles and travelling
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Insurance
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Bank charges and interest
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Accounting and legal costs
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Equipment hire
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Subcontractors
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Taxes
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Phone and internet
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Software
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Subscriptions
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Training
Part 3: Sales Forecast
Module overview:
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How to create a sales forecast
Sales Forecast
A sales forecast projects a company's sales (revenue/turnover) for a specified period.
It is crucial as it heavily influences the cash flow forecast and projected profit and loss statement.
Sales are generated through providing goods or services.
Part 4: Assets & Liabilities
Module overview:
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How to account for assets and liabilities
Assets
Liabilities
Assets are items owned by a company that have value.
Common assets are:
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Machinery and equipment
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Tools
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Vehicles
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Cash
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Stock
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Property
Liabilities are something a business owes.
Common liabilities are:
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Loans and overdrafts
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Credit cards
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Finance agreements
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Cash owed to suppliers
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Other debts
Part 5: Cash Flow Forecast
Module overview:
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How to create a cash flow forecast
Cash Flow Forecast
A cash flow forecast projects available cash at a given time.
The forecast displays the flow of money in and out of the business, which includes:
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Payments from customers
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Payments to suppliers
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Tax payments
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Investments from shareholders
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Drawings to shareholders
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Loans and finance from banks
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Purchase of assets
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Cash sales
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Cash expenses
A cash flow forecast is not a profit and loss statement.
Part 6: Projected Profit and Loss Statement
Module overview:
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How to create a projected profit and loss statement
Projected Profit and Loss Statement
A projected profit and loss statement shows a company's profit (or loss).
The statement details the business's sales minus its expenses.
Part 7: Projected Balance Sheet
Module overview:
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How to create a projected balance sheet
Projected Balance Sheet
A projected balance sheet shows a company's assets and liabilities. In other words, what the company owns and what it owes.
Part 8: Written Side of the Business Plan
Written business plan
A business plan includes a set of financials and a written plan containing research, company information, goals, ambitions, and notes for the financials.
Downloadable Business Plan Templates
Use the button below to access my free business plan templates. They are all safe to download.
Do you need help?
The Bookkeeping Master provides complete business planning services, which include sales, expense and cash-flow forecasts, and projected profit and loss statements.
To learn more, visit the Bookkeeping Master's Business Planning Services page