business planning for startups course
This course is designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners with the knowledge, tools, and skills required to create a solid business plan. A business plan is a critical document that outlines a company’s vision, strategy, market positioning, operations, and financial projections. Whether you’re pitching to investors or guiding your business decisions, this course ensures you’re well-prepared to succeed.
Why Business Planning is Crucial for Startup Success
Business planning helps startups map out their journey, anticipate challenges, and allocate resources effectively. In this course, you’ll learn how a structured business plan improves decision-making, attracts investors, and provides a roadmap for growth. Without proper planning, many startups fail due to a lack of direction or financial mismanagement. This section highlights the importance of planning before launching your startup.
What You Will Learn in the Business Planning for Startups Course
This course is structured into modules that cover every key aspect of business planning:
Identifying a Business Idea: Learn how to evaluate the viability of your idea.
Market Research: Understand your target audience, competition, and trends.
Business Model Development: Explore how your startup will generate revenue.
Marketing and Sales Strategy: Plan how to attract and retain customers.
Operations Planning: Outline how your business will run day-to-day.
Financial Projections: Learn to forecast expenses, income, and profitability.
Pitching to Investors: Gain skills to present your business plan confidently.
Who Should Take the Business Planning for Startups Course
This course is ideal for:
New entrepreneurs with a business idea.
Students studying entrepreneurship or business.
Small business owners seeking structure.
Anyone looking to start a side hustle with a clear strategy.
You don’t need prior business knowledge—this course is beginner-friendly and practical.
Overview
Gathering and analysing relevant information for a business plan, formulating an ethical framework for operational plans in a new venture, establishing and prioritising business, financial, and/or operational goals and objectives, and designing and presenting comprehensive business, financial, and/or marketing plans based on a budget are integral steps in the strategic planning process for a new business venture.
Description
This unit standard aims to equip learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to produce business, financial and operations plans for implementing a new venture. It will also address the economic and administrative issues that prevent starting a new venture and contribute to the inability of an entrepreneur to sustain a new venture. The qualifying learner will be able to identify, gather and analyse the relevant information needed to compile a business plan. Formulate an ethical framework for the operational plans of a new venture. Establish and prioritise business, financial and operational goals and objectives for a new venture. Design and present business, financial and marketing plans based on a budget for a new venture.
- The purpose and importance of a business plan is discussed in terms of its contribution to a successful business.
- The different elements of a successful business plan are listed and described with examples.
- Information on the resources needed and procedures to be followed to achieve the plan is compiled.
- The industry-specific and legal requirements for own venture are identified and explained in terms of how they will affect the venture
- Legislation and relevant regulations relating to the type of venture are identified for use in drawing up a code of ethics for the business.
- Non-statutory regulations applicable to the sector are identified and used for use in drawing up a code of ethics for the business.
- Codes of conduct that are used by similar organisations in the sector are evaluated and elements identified for inclusion in an ethical framework for the business.
- Social and ethnic considerations are identified for inclusion in the ethical framework of a new venture.
- Personal values are identified for modifying an ethical framework for a new venture.
- An ethical framework and codes of ethics and conduct are drawn up for the new venture.
- Personal objectives are clearly articulated and aligned to the plans of own venture.
- Business objectives are analysed and specific goals formulated to achieve objectives set out for own business.
- A vision statement of a new venture is compiled to represent goals and objectives set for own venture.
- Specific short and long term goals are formulated allowing flexibility for possible changing circumstances.
- Possible contribution to community and regional growth objectives are identified and considered.
- Cultural values and beliefs of prospective employees and expected consumers are incorporated into the plans of own venture.
- The business of the venture is introduced and described based on research and analyses of competitors.
- Structure and layout of the business plan are designed to be compatible with the nature of own venture.
- Marketing and promotion of the own venture are concisely presented in the business plan.
- Finance requirements for the business are stated in the business plan.
- The projected income and expense items for own venture are tabulated in the business plan.
- The costs, risks, and proposed infrastructure of the operations plan are presented in the business plan of own venture.
- Relevant documentation is compiled to support the business plan.
- Business plan information is presented in a relevant and clear format.
- Procedures to present the business plan for own venture to a financier are explained.
- Non-accredited: Short course only
- Duration: 3h 20m
- Delivery: Classroom/Online/Blended
- Access Period: 12 Months
