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Entrepreneurship: Business Planning

Library Entrepreneurial Research Hub

Business Planning Articles

Below is an article search guide to get started for general research that can be found within the ProQuest Entrepreneurship database: (The "view documents" link will take you to a list of current articles on the below subject matter.)

Business models View documents

Business plan View documents

Finding a location View documents

Making the pitch View documents

Planning resources View documents

 

Business Plan Templates

Standard Business Plan Outline. Bplans.com.  Lists elements of a business plan.

Business Plan Template.  U.S. Small Business Administration.  Fill in content and generate a business plan using the template.

NEBS Business Plan Tool.  A company that markets directly to small businesses provides this template that can be filled in to generate a business plan.

Business Plan for Nonprofits and Social Enterprises.   Nonprofits Assistance Fund.

Business Canvas Model

Business Models are now being used by many people instead of Business Plans. Instead of trying to project years down the road, Business Models emphasize Product-Market fit and adjusting to changing circumstances.

A popular tool for creating business models is the Business Model Canvas:

Business Plan Guides

  • Business Plan Preparation

  • Tools for "Writing a Successful Business Plan", written by Stephen Lawrence and Frank Moyes, Deming Centre for Entrepreneurship, Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado at Boulder. Contains sample plans, tips, spreadsheet tools ....

  • Bplans.com Free Sample Business Plans

  • "Bplans.com contains the largest single collection of free sample business plans online. In addition to that, it has helpful tools and know-how for managing your business." Also includes interactive tools and calculators, webinars, and more. Created and maintained by Palo Alto Software.

  • CCH Business Owner's Toolkit: Writing Your Business Plan

  • Part of CCH Incorporated's Business Owner's Toolkit, including a thorough guide to preparing a business plan and varying methods of writing an effective one.

  • U.S. Small Business Association: Create Your Business Plan

  • A U.S. government resource for writing a business plan.

  • SCORE Business Plans & Financial Statements

  • Business plan templates from SCORE, "a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship." SCORE is staffed by volunteer entrepreneurs and business professionals.

  • My Own Business

  • Detailed guide to business plans by My Own Business, Inc., a non-profit organization founded by Los Angeles entrepreneur Phil Holland, founder of the Yum Yum Donut Shops chain.