Entrepreneurship · Self-paced course

Writing a Lean Business Plan

Write a clear, one-page lean business plan covering your problem, customer, offer, channels, numbers, and milestones, and keep it current.

$350

One-time payment · Self-paced course · 6 modules · 18 lessons

Enroll now — $350Read a free preview lesson
Writing a Lean Business Plan — CourseVu course cover
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Photo: Unseen Studio / Unsplash

What this is

A business plan does not have to be a fifty-page document nobody reads. A lean plan captures the essentials of your business on a page or two: the problem you solve, who you serve, what you offer, how you reach people, the basic numbers, and the milestones ahead. This course walks you through writing each section in plain language, with worked examples and practical exercises. You will learn how to turn rough thinking into a clear written plan and how to keep it current as you learn. What the plan helps you achieve depends on your situation and the effort you put in.

You work through it at your own pace, lesson by lesson, applying each exercise to your own situation. It does not promise that a business will succeed or earn a particular amount; results depend on your market, your decisions and your effort.

What you will be able to do

  • Explain how a lean business plan differs from a traditional plan and when to use each
  • Write clear problem and solution statements that a reader outside your field understands
  • Describe your first customer, your offer, and your pricing in specific, plain terms
  • Choose and document realistic channels and a simple sales process for reaching customers
  • Build simple estimates for startup costs, monthly expenses, sales, and break-even

The curriculum

Module 1

Foundations of a Lean Plan

  1. What a Lean Business Plan Is and Is Not
  2. The One-Page Plan Structure
  3. Writing for Your Real Audience
Module 2

Problem and Solution

  1. Stating the Problem Clearly
  2. Describing Your Solution in Plain Language
  3. Listing the Assumptions Behind Your Plan
Module 3

Customer and Offer

  1. Defining Your First Customer
  2. Writing Your Offer and Pricing
  3. Positioning Against the Alternatives
Module 4

Channels and Operations

  1. Choosing Channels to Reach Customers
  2. Mapping Your Sales Process in a Few Lines
  3. Key Resources, Partners, and Operations
Module 5

Simple Numbers

  1. Estimating Startup Costs and Monthly Expenses
  2. Building a Simple Sales Forecast
  3. Break-Even and Cash Runway
Module 6

Milestones and the Living Plan

  1. Setting Milestones and Key Metrics
  2. Running a Monthly Plan Update
  3. Assembling and Using Your Finished Plan
Pen on white lined paper selective focus photography
Photo: Aaron Burden / Unsplash

This is for you if…

  • You are starting a business and need a plan
  • You want a short plan you will actually use
  • You want clear goals, numbers and milestones
  • You want to revise the plan as you learn

What you get

  • 6 modules and 18 lessons, self-paced
  • A short practical exercise at the end of every lesson
  • A free preview lesson so you can check the format before you buy
  • Access in your CourseVu account after a one-time payment
  • A clear, ordered path from the fundamentals to applying the skill in your own work

Questions

Do I need any experience to start?

This course is for early-stage founders, side-business owners, freelancers formalizing their work, and anyone who has an idea and wants a clear written plan. It suits people who find traditional business plans overwhelming. You should have at least a rough business idea in mind, but no finance or writing background is required.

How long does it take?

It is self-paced. There are 6 modules and 18 lessons, and you can move through them as quickly or slowly as suits you.

Can I see a lesson before I buy?

Yes. Use the "Read a free preview lesson" button to open a full lesson from the course before you enroll.

Does this promise income or business results?

No. It does not promise that a business will succeed or earn a particular amount; results depend on your market, your decisions and your effort.

Does this include a certification or credential?

No. This is a practical skills course for your own learning. It does not award a certification, licence or professional credential.

Writing a Lean Business Plan

$350 · one-time payment

Enroll now — $350

Educational content only. No income, revenue or earnings results are promised or implied. What you get out of this depends entirely on your own effort, circumstances and market. Earnings disclaimer.

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