Business plans - templates and samples

Sample business plans and business plan templates can help you to develop a professional business plan. There are many organizations and business websites that provide free templates, writing guides and sample plans. You can also find many companies that sell business plan software to assist you in preparing your plan. Listed below are a number of organizations that offer free templates and sample plans.

Canadian Banks

Banks have a vested interest in ensuring that, when you approach them, your business plan includes the information they need to make a decision on financing your project.

• BDC Business Plan Templates
  
  http://www.bdc.ca/en/advice_centre/tools/business_plan/Pages/default.aspx
  The BDC business plan templates let you prepare a professional business plan. The package includes a template to assist you in writing your plan, as well as a template to help you with your financial planning.
• Scotiabank - Scotia Plan Writer for business
  
  http://www.scotiabank.com/cda/content/0,1608,CID10328_LIDen,00.html
  The Scotia Plan Writer is an easy-to-use interactive planning tool that can help you create an effective business plan.
• TD Canada Trust Business Planner
  
  http://www.tdcanadatrust.com/smallbusiness/windocs.jsp
  The TD Canada Trust Business Planner walks you through the development of a seamless business plan to help you get off on the right foot.
• Create the Plan - RBC Royal Bank
  
  http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/RBC:RnbCjI71JsUAAvCskp8/sme/create-plan/business-plans.html
  RBC provides a planning guide, as well as a series of sample business plans, to assist you in preparing your business plan.
• Your Guide to Business Planning - CIBC
  
  http://www.cibc.com/ca/small-business/article-tools/business-planning.html
  CIBC provides you with the Guide to Business Planning. This is a line-by-line approach to business plan writing that takes you through the process one step at a time.
• Bank of Montreal’s Business Coach Series
  
  http://www.bmo.com/home/small-business/banking/resources/business-resources
  The Bank of Montreal's Business Coach Series offers resources such as developing your business plan, cash flow and business planner worksheets, and other tools to help you with business and financial planning.

Industrial Development Organizations

These organizations may provide tools to help their clients prepare professional business plans through their regional offices or via the Web.

• Online Business Plan - CBDC
  
  http://obp.cbdc.ca/?lang=0
  The online business plan is a web-based application allowing new and aspiring entrepreneurs the ability to prepare a three-year business plan online.
• CYBF Interactive Business Planner
  
  http://www.cybf.ca/entrepreneurs/interactivebusinessplanner.php
  This tool is designed to guide both new and experienced entrepreneurs through the process of writing a comprehensive business plan.

Private Sector

Here you will find business plan samples and templates provided by private sector companies.

• Sample Business Plans - Bplans.com
  
  http://www.bplans.com/samples/sba.cfm
  Bplans.com provides numerous categorized business plans that can be viewed online for free.
• Writing an Effective Business Plan
  
  http://www.entrepreneurship.com/tools/pdf/businessPlanWorkbook.pdf
  Great business plans are the cornerstone of entrepreneurship. This guide will help you write a business plan that will reflect your brilliant ideas.