Useful Databases
A complete list of business databases available
- Business Source Complete This link opens in a new windowFull text articles and abstracts for the most important scholarly business journals, dating back as far as 1886.
- Mergent Online This link opens in a new windowProvides global business and financial information. The database includes current and archival U.S. Company data, international data, full text annual reports, SEC filings and historical stock prices. Also includes executive biographies, competitive landscape data, global industry profiles, and equity research reports.
- Hoover's Online This link opens in a new windowBrief company descriptions and financials for over 10,000 companies and approximately 4,000 company profiles plus industry information. (Not compatible with mobile devices - use desktop/laptop only.)
- Mintel Reports Database This link opens in a new windowMarket research reports covering US and International marketplaces including food and drink, retail and apparel, technology, travel, and more. Also includes demographics and lifestyles.
Sample Business Plans
- BPlansProvides over 100 free examples of business and marketing plans. [Note: The website also promotes Business Plan Pro software.]
- WSJ MiniPlanSample business plans for a variety of different industries provided by Wall Street Journal's MiniPlan service.
- Center for Business PlanningExamples of business plans presented by MBAs at the Moot Corp Competition.
- Encyclopedia of Small BusinessThe Business Plans section is composed of actual business plans written by entrepreneurs in North America who are seeking financing for their business.
Read more: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/business-plans/#ixzz1uxVx7gua - Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Business Plans & Profiles IndexThis index lists types of small businesses and a corresponding sample business plan, profile or book about the business with sources provided after each entry.
- Business Plans Handbooks (11 volumes)This Business Plans section of Encyclopedia of Small Business is composed of actual business plans written by entrepreneurs in North America who are seeking financing for their business.
- Score Business Plan TemplatesSCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. Business plan templates are provided for a start-up business, established business, nonprofit, and others.
Purpose
Business plans are an integral part of communicating the viability of the business model. They can serve as the operating guidelines, describing the goals and organizing the details of the conceptual model.
"Business plans don't exist to predict the future, they exist to manage the future." -Tim Berry
- How to Write a Business Plan (SBA.gov)Includes essential elements of a good business plan, how to make your business plan stand out, and a guide for writing a business plan.
- Mastercard's Step-by-Step Business Plan WorkbookPresents the components of a good plan, with in depth explanations of ratios.
- The Tactics of Creating a Business PlanA detailed question and answer guide to writing a business plan with links to online resources and collections of data
- Business Plans from Entrepreneur MagazineArticles and resources on types and elements of plans, as well as over 125 samples of business plans.
- How to Write a Great Business PlanClassic Harvard Business Review article by William A. Sahlman
Videos & Podcasts
- How to Write a Business PlanThis session will provide practical insight into how to write a winning business plan, as well as provide both a VC's and an entrepreneur's perspective on business plans. The presentation will address the nuts and bolts detail of what is important in a plan.
- Creating a Business Plan PodcastDon Martin, Business Counselor and Trainer from the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center at Kutztown University, discusses having a good business plan if you are thinking about starting or expanding a small business.
- SCORE - Small Business SuccessListen to interviews of the best and brightest in the world of small business, covering topics such as business plans, securing financing, marketing, human resources, online marketing, social media, SEO and more.
Books
A comprehensive list of books on business plans available from the library
The Entrepreneur's Guide to Writing Business Plans and Proposals by Call Number: HD 62.5 .C423 2008ISBN: 9780275994983Publication Date: 2007-12-01
Business Planning Guide by Call Number: HD30.28 .B362 2002ISBN: 079315409XPublication Date: 2002-05-15
Total Business Planning by Call Number: HD 30.28 .B84 1999ISBN: 0471316296Publication Date: 1999-04-13
The Ernst and Young Business Plan Guide by Call Number: HD 62.5 .S556 2007ISBN: 0470112697Publication Date: 2007-06-04
Anatomy of a Business Plan by Call Number: HD 30.28 .P5 2005ISBN: 9780793191925Publication Date: 2004-11-01
Business Plans That Work by Call Number: HD30.28 .T5766 2004ISBN: 0071412875Publication Date: 2004-05-05
The Perfect Business Plan Made Simple by Call Number: HD 62.5 .L37 2005ISBN: 0767918584Publication Date: 2005-04-12
How to Write a Business Plan by Call Number: HD 30.28 .M3839 2005ISBN: 1413300928Publication Date: 2004-12-01
