Business Plans
This guide identifies some of the information for the key elements of a business plan. It lists some sources of samples of business plans in different industries as well as templates to assist in writing your own plan. This guide is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all resources available in the Walker Management Library but a guide to get started.
In addition to the sources listed below there are many books in the collection not listed here that can be checked out. To find these books search in ACORN the library's online catalog by using the subject terms "business planning," "new business enterprise" or "small business."
Jump to:
- Books, Reference & Print Resources
- Internet Resources & Websites
- Related Research Guides
- Additional Information
Books, Reference & Print Resources
Business Plans Handbook: A Compilation of Actual Business Plans Developed by Small Businesses throughout North AmericaREF
HD 62.7 .B865
A basic resource made up almost entirely of actual service, product, high tech, non-profit, food, virtual reality and other sample business plans.
A basic resource made up almost entirely of actual service, product, high tech, non-profit, food, virtual reality and other sample business plans.
How to Write a Business Plan
REF HD 30.28 .M3839
Search for more books in the ACORN Catalog
Internet Resources & Websites
Bplans Provides some sample start-up business plans in as many as 60 different industries.
BizMiner Basic
Free Industry Reports, including industry average financial ratios, balance sheets and income-expense statements.
Small Business Administration
An excellent resource for information on starting and running
a business aimed at both the beginner and current small business owner. Click
on the tab for “Small Business Planner” tab to find guides to writing a business
plan and sample plans. Click on the "Tools" tab to get to the Library and Resources
section with a link to publications.
SBDCnet
A national information clearinghouse originally set up to serve the Small Business Development Centers nationwide, this website and clearinghouse provide more sample business plans, information on franchises, e-commerce, procurement, home businesses, inventions and more.
Center for Business Planning
This website is maintained by Business Resource Software, Inc., a company that sells business and marketing planning software. However, their site offers links to general business planning resources and dozens of winning sample business plans.
CCH Business Owner's Toolkit
In addition to business plan guides, this source includes links to 100's of resources to operating a business. Most information is free.
The Wall Street Journal--Small Business
This source includes an online step-by-step guide to developing a mini-plan and provides sample plans, start-up cost and cost-flow-calculators and other resources. Most information is free.
Inc.Com: The Daily Resource for Entrepreneurs
This source covers the A-Z of starting a business and feature
daily columns and articles on topics ranging from “Raising Capital” to "How
We Did It" articles. Excellent online source with primarily free information
.
Related Research Guides
Additional Information
- Use of the databases implies acceptance of our Copyright and Licensing Restrictions.
- Need help accessing a resource from off-campus? Take a look at the Troubleshooting Tips page.
- Don't know where to begin? Check out the How do I begin my research? page for information on how to get started researching various topics and use citation information.
- Do you know the name of a database that you'd like to use? Use Databases (A-Z) to locate a known resource and get more information.
- The Databases by Subject page can help direct you to similar resources by topic.
- Additional databases are also available through the Jean & Alexander Heard Library.
- Want to browse electronic journals? Check out the E-Journals (A-Z).
Need help? Ask
a Librarian for more assistance.
