Business Plan Essentials: How to Write a Business Plan

Introduction

Every successful business begins with a clear plan... This book brings together years of real-world experience gained from preparing professional business plans for banks, investors, and immigration programs across Canada and abroad. It turns a complex process into something practical, structured, and achievable.

About the Book

Business Plan Essentials is designed as both a guide and a companion. Each chapter breaks down a different part of the planning process — from structure and strategy to marketing, operations, and financial modeling — with frameworks drawn from consulting practice.

Table of Contents

1. Chapter 1: Structuring Your Business Plan
2. Chapter 2: Crafting an Executive Summary That Stands Out
3. Chapter 3: Market Research and Competitive Positioning
4. Chapter 4: Business Model and Value Proposition
5. Chapter 5: Marketing and Sales Strategy
6. Chapter 6: Operations and Implementation
7. Chapter 7: Financial Forecasting and Modeling
8. Chapter 8: Writing for Different Audiences
9. Chapter 9: Common Mistakes to Avoid
10. Chapter 10: Presenting Your Plan

Why This Book Matters

Unlike generic templates, the principles in this book come from real submissions to banks, investors, and immigration programs. You’ll learn how to align financial logic with strategic storytelling so the plan earns trust.

Who Should Read This Book

• Entrepreneurs seeking bank loans (BDC/CSBFP) or investor funding
• Professionals and consultants writing client-ready plans
• Students/newcomers learning Canadian business plan standards
• Immigration applicants preparing C11, PNP, or SUV plans

Sample Insights

“A lender-ready business plan is not about convincing; it’s about demonstrating.”

“Every business plan must answer three questions — Can it work? Will it make money? Is the person behind it credible?”

About the Author

Atul Jagga is a CPA (Ontario) and RCIC-IRB with 20+ years in corporate finance, consulting, and immigration strategy. He has led financial projects with RBC, BMO, and CIBC, and founded The Biz Plans to help entrepreneurs secure funding and approvals across Canada.

Key Takeaways

• Exact structure professionals use for lender/investor plans
• Financial modeling and forecasting from a CPA’s perspective
• How to tailor your plan for loans, grants, and immigration
• Common mistakes to avoid (and how to fix them)

Get the Book