- The Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Women's Business Center (WBC) and other community resources provide workshops, templates, mentoring and one-on-one counseling to help entrepreneurs develop business plans and learn how to manage a business. Typically these programs are free to the public yet can be time intensive for entrepreneurs. Usually, counselors will not write your business plan for you but will provide information, resources and feedback to help you complete it on your own. These types of programs typically operate with funding from the federal or state government and have limited resources to spare. Follow up regularly with service providers to ensure your case receives a desirable amount of attention.
- Self-paced training programs on how to develop a business plan are available on various business-oriented support websites including the United States Small Business Administration, Bank of America's small business resource center and My Own Business Online Course (see Resources). Many are free and allow you to determine the amount of time you need to go through the course but offer little guidance in course completion, which can make it difficult to finish in a timely fashion.
- You can learn how to create a business plan and develop it with the help of an expert. Three-hour to 12-week courses are offered by community colleges, universities and private organizations to help entrepreneurs learn how to structure a business plan. Programs with the least time invested are typically free or cost very little. Two popular programs offered nationally are the Kauffman Foundation's FastTrac New Venture and NxLevel for Entrepreneurs, a private program hosted by many SBDCs. Prices are set by the organizations that host each program with 2011 price ranges varying from free to $585 for FastTrac and $295 to $600 for NxLevel.
- Business planning software can help you crank out a plan very quickly. According to the CNet website, you know you have the right software when there are sample business plans, guidance in creating viable financial projections and visuals that help you identify when you will break even. Business Plan Pro, a popular program sold in retailers nationwide, has 2011 pricing of $99 for its standard edition and $199 for its premier edition. The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) has business plan creation software accessible through its site for no cost. When using this type of program, be sure you do not plagiarize any content. It would be easily recognized by people who you would share your business plan with, especially if they read many of them, like bankers and other business partners.
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