Planning is an integral part of the success of a business. In every business, there are certain things that should be planned for, using systematic, proven methods. This course will help you to develop a better capacity to plan, and in turn, develop a better capacity to successfully manage a business.

There are 11 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction to Business Planning
2. Focus and Direction
3. Legal and Administrative Requirements
4. Developing Objectives and Strategie
5. Planning for Growth
6. Risk Management and Contingencies
7. Systems
8. Marketing Plans
9. Operation Plans
10. Human Resource Plans
11. Financial Plans

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

• Describe what a business plan is, and it main components
• Differentiate between a vision statement and a mission statement
• Discuss legal and administrative requirements of a business
• Explain the importance of a business name
• Explain the importance of setting goals and objectives in a business setting
• Describe strategies for coping with growth
• Describe different types of business risks
• Explain marketing process
• Explain operations planning
• Explain the importance of human resources
• Explain the purpose of financial planning

• Interview a business owner regarding their business plan
• Visualise the state of a current business in 12 months time
• Contact a Government Department to determine the relevant licenses, permits, approvals and registrations necessary to set up a business
• Interview current business owners to determine their strategies and objectives for the next year
• Identify aspects of a business that would need attention in high growth periods
• Identify risks to a proposed business
• Investigate mechanisms for protection of intellectual copyright
• Investigate the potential of a business currently for sale
• Evaluate the operations of a current business
• Develop an operations plan for a newly conceived business proposal
• Identify potential hazards of a proposed business
• Identify expenses relevant to setting up a proposed business