How to Write a Business Plan

Small Business Administration

Micro-CredentialCIP: 52.0201

Provides an overview of business plan components and tips for creating an effective plan to start or grow a business.

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

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My LER

How to Write a Business Plan

Small Business Administration

Micro-CredentialCIP: 52.0201

Provides an overview of business plan components and tips for creating an effective plan to start or grow a business.

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 25-1011.00

Skills

Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingWritingMonitoringCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingManagement of Personnel ResourcesActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessTime ManagementSystems EvaluationService OrientationInstructingSystems AnalysisNegotiationLearning StrategiesPersuasionMathematicsQuality Control AnalysisManagement of Financial Resources

Knowledge

Administration and ManagementEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematicsEducation and TrainingPersonnel and Human ResourcesComputers and ElectronicsPublic Safety and SecurityEngineering and TechnologyLaw and GovernmentProduction and ProcessingEconomics and AccountingBuilding and ConstructionTransportationMechanicalAdministrativeSales and MarketingCommunications and MediaChemistryBiologyPsychology

Abilities

Oral ExpressionWritten ComprehensionOral ComprehensionDeductive ReasoningWritten ExpressionProblem SensitivityInductive ReasoningSpeech RecognitionSpeech ClarityInformation OrderingNear VisionFluency of IdeasOriginalityMathematical ReasoningCategory FlexibilityFlexibility of ClosureNumber FacilityVisualizationPerceptual SpeedSelective Attention

Tasks

Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as financial accou
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Assess the nature and level of physical security threats so that the scope of the problem can be det
Respond to emergency situations on an on-call basis.
Recommend improvements in security systems or procedures.
Prepare written reports or presentations on findings and recommendations.
Train personnel and vendors in security procedures or use of security equipment.
Fill customer orders by packaging sold items and documentation for direct shipping or by transferrin
Receive and process payments from customers, using electronic transaction services.
Create, manage, or automate orders or invoices, using order management or invoicing software.
Develop sustainability project goals, objectives, initiatives, or strategies in collaboration with o
Monitor or track sustainability indicators, such as energy usage, natural resource usage, waste gene
Assess or propose sustainability initiatives, considering factors such as cost effectiveness, techni
Deliver sustainability training to employees.
Develop emergency management plans for recovery decision making and communications, continuity of cr
Test documented disaster recovery strategies and plans.
Develop disaster recovery plans for physical locations with critical assets, such as data centers.
Collect fees, commissions, or other payments, according to contract terms.
Send samples of clients' work and other promotional material to potential employers to obtain auditi
Keep informed of industry trends and deals.
Administer employee insurance, pension, and savings plans, working with insurance brokers and plan c
Ensure company compliance with federal and state laws, including reporting requirements.
Research employee benefit and health and safety practices, and recommend changes or modifications to
Gather and organize information on problems or procedures.
Confer with personnel concerned to ensure successful functioning of newly implemented systems or pro
Analyze data gathered and develop solutions or alternative methods of proceeding.
Maintain databases of logistics information.
Remotely monitor the flow of vehicles or inventory, using Web-based logistics information systems to
Communicate with or monitor service providers, such as ocean carriers, air freight forwarders, globa
Identify cost-reduction or process-improvement logistic opportunities.
Analyze or interpret logistics data involving customer service, forecasting, procurement, manufactur
Prepare logistic strategies or conceptual designs for production facilities.
Evaluate the use of technologies, such as global positioning systems (GPS), radio-frequency identification (RFID), route navigation software, drone or robotic technology, or satellite linkup systems,
Maintain and develop positive business relationships with a customer's key personnel involved in, or
Develop an understanding of customers' needs and take actions to ensure that such needs are met.
Manage subcontractor activities, reviewing proposals, developing performance specifications, and ser
Interpret and explain human resources policies, procedures, laws, standards, or regulations.
Hire employees and process hiring-related paperwork.
Maintain current knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action guidelines a
Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustment
Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
Use remote sensing technologies or drones to evaluate site conditions when in-person visits are not feasible.
Identify environmental contamination sources.
Coordinate on-site activities for environmental cleanup or remediation projects to ensure compliance
Identify and apply for project funding.
Coordinate or direct development, energy assessment, engineering, or construction activities to ensu
Manage wind project costs to stay within budget limits.
Lead or support negotiations involving tax agreements or abatements, power purchase agreements, land

Technology

Document management softwareData base user interface and query softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareHuman resources softwareWeb page creation and editing softwareOffice suite softwareDesktop publishing softwareCalendar and scheduling softwareElectronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareAccounting softwareContent workflow softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareCustomer relationship management CRM softwareFacilities management softwareWord processing softwareOperating system softwareGeographic information systemDevelopment environment softwareMaterials requirements planning logistics and supply chain softwareIndustrial control softwareObject or component oriented development softwareCompliance softwareEnterprise application integration softwareInventory management softwareComputer based training softwareInformation retrieval or search softwareData base management system softwareBusiness intelligence and data analysis softwareProject management softwareTime accounting softwareRisk management data and analysis softwareTransaction security and virus protection softwareAdministration softwareWeb platform development softwareMedical softwareProcess mapping and design softwareEnterprise system management softwareInternet browser softwarePresentation softwareCharting softwareData base reporting softwareLabel making softwareRoute navigation softwareVideo creation and editing softwareCommunications server software

Tools

Carousel slide projectorsCompact digital camerasCompact disk CD playersComputer data input scannersComputer laser printersComputer projectorsConference telephonesDesktop computersDigital calculatorsDigital video camerasDigital video disk DVD playersHandheld microphonesInteractive whiteboard controllersInteractive whiteboardsLaptop computersApproach detection systemsAudioconferencing equipmentCard readersClosed circuit television CCTV monitoring systemsComputer network routersComputer server equipmentDigital video recordersElectronic access control systemsIntrusion detection systemsMagnetometersMechanical access control systemsNetwork video recordersPersonal computersTablet computersCredit card machines

Work Values

AchievementIndependenceRecognitionRelationshipsWorking ConditionsSupport

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for