Business Plans

This collection consists of resources on developing business plans. One of the most frequently used resources for this subject matter is the Business Plans Handbook which is a compilation of actual business plans developed by small businesses throughout North America.  This 51-volume set is available at the Main Library - 4th Floor - Business, Science & Technology Desk. Call No. 658.4012 B964 v1-54. It is also available online.

Online Resources

Gale Business: Entrepreneurship

The Business Plans Handbook mentioned above is available online via Gale Business: Entrepreneurship. Search through a library of hundreds of real business plans. Get advice with how-to guides, articles and websites. Under Browse Topics, find Plan, and select Business Plans.

LinkedIn Learning

Video instruction from industry experts on business, software, etc. Includes courses on developing business plans.  You will learn the process of defining your business, researching the market, and determining your product, thinking through your sales strategy, day-to-day operations, staffing, and financial forecasting. Examples include "Creating a Business Plan" and "The 45-Minute Business Plan".

Mergent Intellect

Find business plan templates in Word format by clicking on Learning Center, and then on Business Templates.

Plan Builder (Gale Business)

NEW! Grow, plan, and optimize a business/nonprofit. Utilize development tools and a step-by-step process to build a business plan. Click "Get Started" on that page to create your account.

Gale Business: Plan Builder for Entrepreneurs 

Video: Gale Business Plan Builder presented with the San Francisco Public Library, sfpl.org, 28.57 minutes.