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Online Class: How to Write a Business Plan 101

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IACET Authorized Provider Enroll today! This is a self-paced, continuing education, online course with instructor. You have 6 months to complete.
Course Cost: 6 Month Subscription
Course (no Certificate)   =   $40.00
Course with CEU Certificate*   =   $65.00
* Instantly download, print, and share your CEU Certificate at course completion (additional shipping/handling charges apply for hard copy delivery). UniversalClass™ offers many wonderful learning tools including an online portfolio service that manages all your course completions and CEUs.  
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Course Description

Most CPAs will tell you that the number one mistake people make in starting a new business is that they fail to write a business plan. Without a written set of plans and directions, a new business will struggle on many levels. You may start out doing well only to find yourself shipwrecked a year into your work. On the other hand, you may sit and struggle to ever get your business off of the ground and productive. You may find yourself struggling with small things that have simple solutions and for which the answers are easy to implement. But if your plan is not written, then you don't have a clear vision in a very literal sense of the word.

A well written business plan takes time, patience, detail, research, and a right approach to presentation. This course will walk you through the process of writing your business plan. You will learn why certain details are vitally important, which parts of your business plan can make or break your finance query with investors, and how to sharpen your public presentation of your company and its business.

You will also learn some writing tricks to help you create a polished written plan without necessarily having to hire someone to write it for you. At the end of this course, you should have enough information to make a well informed effort in writing your business plan. Happy planning!
 
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Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Plan your business writing plan.
  • Define structure and sequence in the scope of a business plan.
  • Describe the important details of a business writing plan.
  • Describe the executive summary.
  • Summarize the financials.
  • Identify and describe market research
  • Analyze the competition, and
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.

Course Lessons

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Lesson 1: Plan Your Plan

Your business plan is something that must be planned in order to be a successful document that will support and enhance the presentation of your company's short and long term objectives, position, market, appeal and profitability.

Lesson 2: Structure and Sequence

People who read your business plan should be reading the most attractive summary of you and your business available anywhere.

Lesson 3: Important Details

If you cover each of these details in each of the business plan's segments, then your final plan will be comprehensive and answer any banker's or investor's questions.

Lesson 4: The Executive Summary

The Executive Summary is perhaps the most detailed "sales oriented" business presentation you will make in everyday business interactions.

Lesson 5: Financials

It is especially important to upstart companies and non-profit organizations to have your financial plans and financial statements professionally prepared by your CPA or accountant.

Lesson 6: Market Research

Market research relates to the information that you gather on your clients and prospective clients, about their likes and dislikes, what they want and need, demographics, market prices, your competitors and related points of interest.

Lesson 7: Competition

A Competitive Analysis is where you exhibit your knowledge of your company's competitors and what they are up to in their business.

Lesson 8: Support Documents & Working Your Plan

You will want to be prepared for other supporting documents that a banker or investor may require you to produce. These other documents are supporting pieces that will not be listed anywhere in your business plan.

Additional Information

Course Title : How to Write a Business Plan 101
CEU Value :

0.9 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)

Standard :

Course Adheres to the ANSI/IACET 1-2007 Standard

Accreditation :

Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500, McLean, VA 22102.

Languages : English - United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and other English speaking countries
Course Number : 7550132
Course Type : How To
Course URL :

http://businessplan.onlineclasses.com

Course Rating : Excellent Course! 4 Star Rating
Instructor :

Linda Zavadil

Syllabus :

View Syllabus

Grading Policy :

Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive a CEU Certificate documenting CEUs earned

Assessment Method :

Lesson assignments and review exams

Duration : Continuous: Enroll anytime!
Requirements : View Technical Requirements
Course Fee :

Basic Course: $40.00 (no CEU Certificate)

   

with CEU Certificate: $65.00

NOT FOR COLLEGE CREDIT
This is a non-credit course, and is provided for your personal enrichment. This course is not intended to be a substitute for any state, government, licensing, certification or educational requirements.

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Student Testimonials

  • "What was most helpful was the structure and Content sections. They were very complete." -- Steven C.

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