Starting a Business. Step 2: Prepare a Business Plan
The Library’s series of guides, Starting a Business, follows the City of Toronto’s 9-step guide, How to Start a Business:
Step 1: Conduct Market Research
Step 2: Prepare a Business Plan
Step 3: Create a Marketing Plan
Step 4: Choose a Business Structure
Step 5: Register Your Business
Step 6: Secure Your Financing
Step 7: Choose Your Business Location
Step 8: Apply for a Business License
Step 9: Determine Tax Requirements
Other Considerations
Table of Contents
What is a business plan?
Learning about business plans
Creating a business plan
Additional business plan guides
What is a business plan?
“A solid business plan is a ‘road map’ for your business: it shows where you are going and how you will get there.” How to Start a Business (City of Toronto)
“A business plan is a written document that describes your business, its objectives and strategies, the market you are targeting and your financial forecast. It […] helps you set realistic goals, secure external funding, measure your success, clarify operational requirements and establish reasonable financial forecasts.” Business plan guide (FedDev Ontario)
“A business plan explains your business idea, short and long-term business goals and what resources are available to start and operate your business.” Prepare business plan (Gov. of Ontario)
Learning about business plans
Books (and eBooks)
Search the Library catalogue with the following subject headings.
See also:
Videos
- Gale Courses [TPL database]
Enter “business plan” in the search box.
Courses include: Creating a Successful Business Plan. See also: Effective Business Writing; Business and Marketing Writing.
- LinkedIn Learning [TPL database]
Select Business, then Business Development Manager, then scroll down and select Business Planning. Select Type to filter by Courses or Videos (sections of courses).
Courses include: Creating a Business Plan; The 45-Minute Business Plan. Videos include: Why you need a business plan?; Business plan pitfalls.
See also courses and videos on business writing. Enter “business writing” in the search box. Courses include: Business Writing Principles; Tips for Better Business Writing.
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Creating a business plan
Sample plans
- Gale eBooks [TPL database]
Select Business, under Browse Collections. Select Business Plans Handbook. Search for a kind of business in the “Search within series” search box.
Plan templates
- LawDepot [TPL database]
Select Business, then Business Plan under Corporate Services and Documentation. OR enter “business plan” in the search box.
See also:
- Sample business plans and templates (FedDev Ontario)
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Additional business plan guides
Government guides
- Business plan guide (FedDev Ontario). Sections include:
What is a business plan and why do I need one?
What should be included in a business plan?
The executive summary (business description)
Identifying your business opportunity
Marketing and sales strategy of a business plan
Your team
Operations
Financial forecasts of a business plan
- Prepare business plan (Gov. of Ontario)
- Write your business plan (U.S. Small Business Administration). Sections:
Business plans help you run your business
Pick a business plan format that works for you
Traditional business plan format
Lean startup format
Other guides
- Start your business > Filter by topic = Business plan (BDC). Articles include:
How to avoid common mistakes when building your business plan
How to pitch your business plan
How to write a business plan
University and college guides
- Business & Marketing Plans, in Entrepreneurship (University of Ottawa Library)
- Business Planning, in Entrepreneurship (University of Toronto Libraries. Gerstein Science Information Centre)
- Business Plans, in Entrepreneurship (George Brown College Library Learning Commons)
- Business Plans, in Entrepreneurship (Toronto Metropolitan University Libraries)
- Business Plans, in Entrepreneurship > Business Planning (Brock University Library)
- Create a Business Plan, in Entrepreneurship – Starting Your Own Business (Western University Libraries)
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