Library: Writing a Business Plan: Introduction

Introduction

A number of your classes require that you write an effective business plan as part of the assignment. This guide will not necessarily tell you HOW to write a business plan, but rather give you some resources that you may need along the way to crystallize some of the concepts.

On this page you will find general sources, like books, periodical articles, and web sites that will help in creating a business plan. By clicking into the navigation box on the left, marked "Steps in the Process", you will find specific sources that support many of the concepts listed.

An excellent place to start......

Small Business Reference Library This link opens in a new window
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Provides resources that include help and advice sections, including guidance in creating business plans. The product also provides business videos with critical information for business owners: interviews, ‘lessons learned’ features, lectures and‘how to’ videos that help foster success in all aspects of managing a business.
The database includes nearly 400 periodicals, over 450 reference books, hundreds of business videos, and state specific data & resources.

Articles

The following business databases contain thousands of articles on business plans and business planning:

ABI/INFORM Collection This link opens in a new window
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Most scholarly and comprehensive way to explore and understand business research topics. Searches three ABI-INFORM databases: Dateline, Global, and Trade and Industry. Covers business and economic conditions, corporate strategies, management techniques, as well as competitive and product information. Its international coverage gives researchers a complete picture of companies and business trends around the world. Search nearly 8,000 publications worldwide, almost 80% available in full text. The database contains complete runs of key business and management journals, providing a unique historical perspective from 1923-present. Full text coverage of the Wall Street Journal is also included from 1984-present.

Use the subject heading, Business Plans, and change the field designation to Subject.
When the search results appear, slide to the left hand column. Under Narrow Results by, select Document Type, then, select More options.
A new box will pop up. Highlight Business Case and Case Study.

Business Source Premier This link opens in a new window
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Use the subject heading, Business Planning.

You will need to be prepared to add more words to your search, since this subject heading will bring up thousands of results.
Provides nearly 3,300 full text scholarly publications, including more than 1,000 peer-reviewed journals. Subject areas include: accounting, banking, finance, international business, marketing, sales, etc. Indexing and abstracting from 1965-present. Some cases indexing go back further than 1965. Updated daily.

Books on Business Plans

Books can be useful in locating background information on writing a business plan. You can find books in the Baker University Library Catalog. Some are even available in electronic format.

Use the term, business planning in the Baker University Catalog to locate books on this topic.

Try it yourself:

Web Sites on Business Plans

Business plans and profiles Index From the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Lists types of small businesses and a corresponding sample business plan, profile, or book, about the business, with sources provided after each entry. If the plan or profile is online, a link is provided.
Business Plan Template & Guide for Entrepreneurs [2020 Updated) Primarily for those who have never created a business plan, but there’s plenty of advice for those who have written one or many plans before.
Entrepreneur's Start-up Kits This commercial site offers industry, market, and operations information for over 40 types of businesses. There is a wealth of free information on this site which includes how-to guides with comments from successful entrepreneurs, suggestions for researching business opportunities and creating a business plan, and links to associations and franchises. Fee-based start-up kits are also available.
How to write a business plan like a pro A comprehensive guide on writing a business plan that gives great tips, pointers on components, metrics, price and even sample templates.
SBA Learning Center Developed by the SBA (Small Business Administration). Take advantage of free online courses from SBA to learn the basics of important topics related to your small business. This is one of the best available Web sites on business plans because it addresses all facets of the process in detail.
Ultimate guide to business plans