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Planning a business
Assessing your readiness, choosing a business structure, market research and writing a business plan.
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Developing your business idea.
Turning your idea into a profitable business model
Types of business ownership
Determining whether incorporation, partnership or sole proprietorship is right for your business
Writing a business plan
How to write a successful business plan
Business plan template
Download templates and examples of a business plan and financial plan
Choosing a location for your business
What to consider when selecting a commercial space for your business
Researching your target market
Get the demographic data you need to better understand your potential customers and their needs
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Create a business plan
Explore the ways tailored advice from TD can help your business, today.
Starting a Business in Canada
Starting a business can be a challenging and rewarding endeavour. With the right planning, resources, and groundwork you'll enjoy a better chance of success.
Find out if your business idea will work
Clarify your idea and get it in writing
Find the money and manage your cashflow
Think about the legal stuff
TD Business Accounts, lines of credit, and more
Write a Business Plan
Clarify your idea and get it in writing.
There's a lot of work involved in writing a business plan but it prepares you for the even bigger task of starting a business.
It will help refine your idea, outline goals, and make it easier to explain what you hope to accomplish. This comes in handy when you're looking for money.
Download our business plan template which addresses product and service information, competitive analyses, the financial feasibility of starting up, and more.
Why You Need a Plan
If you're pitching your idea to banks or other financial institutions for a loan, you'll need a business plan because people want to see that you've put serious thought into your idea.
Thinking about the details will help you make decisions about your business, and will open you up to new ideas or approaches you might not have considered.
Writing out a business plan will give you an action plan to work with, but if you need help getting started use our interactive checklist .
Why You Need a Unique Selling Point
One of the most important aspects to consider when writing your business plan is asking why customers would buy your product or service .
Will it be better quality? Better price? Is it backed by a guarantee? Will it have more features? Will you be able to provide outstanding customer service?
Once you establish what differentiates you from the competition, it's essential to communicate it consistently when you go to market.
Use our interactive checklist to define your unique selling point.
Determine Demand & Profit Potential
Once you know (or are reasonably sure) that customers are likely to buy your product or service, figure out if you'll be able to make a profit.
Determine what you need in sales to cover costs plus a profit margin. Also ensure you have capacity - the physical ability to work a certain number of hours in a week or produce the required amount of product.
Use our interactive checklist for more ideas on determining demand and profit including ways to research, test marketing, and future trends.
Tools & Calculators
Download our business plan template.
Download our start-up costs template.
Figure out your income vs expenses.
Determine your monthly interest and payments.
Products and services to help get you started
Small business bank accounts.
Discover the benefits of a TD Small Business Bank Account to meet your business needs.
See our accounts
- Business Credit Cards
Choose the cash back, travel rewards, or low interest rate credit card that fits your business needs.
See all cards
Receiving & Making Payments
Keep your cash flow moving successfully and stay on top of things.
Articles on Starting Your Business
Four Steps to Find Out if Your New Idea Will Work
Research, validate, talk to industry insiders, and test your idea to ensure it has what it takes to succeed.
Selling Online and Other Ways to Expand Your Business
Marketplaces, subscription models, drop-shipping, and freemium offers are four ways to expand your business online.
Sources of Small Business Funding
Ways to fund your business include: self-financing, partnering with another business, angel investors, grants.
Breaking Barriers — A series on women entrepreneurs
Get inspired with our first article in a series highlighting successful women entrepreneurs who have overcome challenges to build successful businesses.
Breaking barriers — Spotlighting female entrepreneurs
Get inspired with our latest article in a series highlighting successful women entrepreneurs.
Celebrate Pride with Florence Gagnon
Her journey was so inspirational it was adapted to the silver screen, but it started with a focus on her local community.
Spotlighting Female Entrepreneurs — Gloria Kim, Gloryous Productions
A series of articles that highlight various successful women entrepreneurs who bank with TD Small Business Banking. Discover their success.
Get in touch
Contact an account manager.
Talk to an Account Manager Small Business (AMSB) to discuss your business needs.
Talk to a Small Business Specialist at our Small Business Advice Centre.
See you in a bit
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Free business plan template
- Download business plan template
- Try Xero for free
Download a business plan template and start bringing your ideas to life. Choose a one-pager, or multi-pager. Or try Xero accounting software for free.
Download the business plan template
Fill in the form to get a free business plan template as an editable PDF. We’ll send a one-pager and a multi-pager to choose from.
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Getting started with the business plan template
We’ll send you two types of business plan template – a one-pager and a multi-pager. Choose the one that’s right for you. They come with instructions to help fill them out.
Doing a business plan will improve your idea. It helps you think about your business from different points of view. The process will flag up unseen risks, but also new opportunities. Aside from helping refine your idea, a business plan will move it forward. It’ll give you a concrete set of steps to go from "I should" to "I did".
Are you looking forward to the bookkeeping and accounting that comes with a new business? Na, we didn’t think so. Xero can automate a lot of that stuff away for you.
One-page business plan template
Great for making a start
Helps you pin down the main idea
Easy to update as things evolve
Multi-page business plan template
Ideal for nailing down the details
Required by most investors and lenders
Good if you face big startup costs
Tips to help with your business plan
Don’t obsess over every detail to start with. That will make the plan long and hard to change. Keep it short and concise initially.
Financing your business
Need cash to get going? Check out our finance guide.
How to finance your business
Starting a business
Check out our guide for information about getting started.
How to start a business
Find a bookkeeper or accountant
Accoutnants and bookkeepers can help build financial resilience into your business budgets.
Find a financial advisor near you
Plan on making business fun
Xero does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice. This template has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business.
Start using Xero for free
Access Xero features for 30 days, then decide which plan best suits your business.
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Need a business plan? Try our template.
Invest in the future of your business by taking the time to create or update your business plan using our free template.
The importance of your business plan
Perhaps the most important document for any new business is a business plan. Yet too many business owners fail to sit down and prepare or update one.
A business without a plan is adrift. Decisions are made reactively based on the owner’s emotions, rather than prudent research. Employees, vendors, investors and other stakeholders (as well as the owner) are unclear about the direction of the company. That lack of focus results in wasted dollars, energies and resources as the company zigzags along instead of following a well-planned straight line to its goals.
Writing a business plan can seem a daunting task. Many entrepreneurs simply don’t have the time, inclination or the proper tools.
Business planning template
We have developed a template that makes creating your Business Plan easy. And it’s free !
This template guides you through all of the steps required to complete a proper business plan. It has explanations of the terms and definitions. It lets you add your own thoughts and comments.
Once you’ve completed the steps, you’ll have a business plan complete with cover page, contact information, financial tables, product descriptions and marketing details. You can save and print the plan, or send it electronically to anyone.
Use your plan to move your business forward with confidence, to motive your team, or to present to investors or lenders.
Depending on how much research and preparation you’ve already completed, creating your plan won’t consume much time at all. While it’s very easy, don’t worry if you get stuck because help is available throughout the process.
Take your plan to the bank
Once you’ve completed your business plan, you may take it to a Scotiabank Small Business Advisor . The advisor can review your plan, supply feedback, and, if requested, help you to explore your financing options.
Get feedback on your plan
Asking people to review your plan will make it stronger because you’ll receive valuable feedback. Share it with your accountant, lawyer, financial advisor and trusted businesspeople so they can offer their suggestions to improve your plan. If you are really worried about someone reading your secrets, consider attaching a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to the plan. An NDA is a legal document that prevents others from sharing your information with unauthorized parties.
Try our free business plan template
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Business Development Canada (BDC) - Business Plan Template
Business Development Canada (BDC) - Business Plan Template This is one of the best downloadable business plan templates. The business plan contains 2 sections, with a glossary and user guide.
Business Plan Tools for Producers
A business plan is like a road map. It helps you define your ag operation’s core objectives and build a detailed plan for how to achieve them.
Free business plan bundle for farmers
We want to help make writing your business plan easier. The FCC business plan bundle was designed specifically for farm operations and anyone involved in Canadian agriculture.
The bundle includes:
Business plan guide with instructions and resources
Blank business plan template
Sample business plan
Why you need a business plan
There's a lot involved in writing a business plan, but it’s a worthwhile investment. It can help secure financing from a lender, attract investment or act as an internal guide, keeping your management team focused on the same goals.
Related business plan tools
Analyzing cash flow drivers
Assessing your liquidity
Assessing your management ability
Building and sensitizing financial projections
Creating an organizational chart/job description
Financial Asset Analysis
Foundational financial ratios
Net worth template
Bringing our best business management content to your inbox.
IMAGES
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Find out how to write a business plan and access templates, sample business plans, market research information and statistics. ... Canada.ca; Business and industry; Starting a business; Planning a business. Planning a business. Assessing your readiness, choosing a business structure, market research and writing a business plan. ...
Entrepreneurs. Create a business plan that will serve as a roadmap for your business and help you make a successful pitch to lenders. Fill in the form to get your tool. It's 100% free. We allow you to use these templates only as part of your business activities, but we do not guarantee that they fit your needs.
Sample pages from How to Write a Business Plan: Your Template in 10 Steps. Note: Review your mission statement often to make sure it matches your company purpose as it evolves. A statement that doesn't fit your core values or what you actually do can undermine your marketing efforts and credibility. 3.
Fryling often sees business plans that lack key elements, sufficient detail or realistic financial assumptions. He recommends using a business plan template to create the plan. "Using a template helps ensure that you cover all the bases and don't forget essential details that bankers, investors and others expect to see in a business plan," he says.
Write a Business Plan. Clarify your idea and get it in writing. There's a lot of work involved in writing a business plan but it prepares you for the even bigger task of starting a business. It will help refine your idea, outline goals, and make it easier to explain what you hope to accomplish. This comes in handy when you're looking for money.
Remember to stay flexible as your business grows and make sure to update your plan regularly! Download the Canada Starts Business Plan here. This business plan has everything you need to put your best foot forward. Make sure to keep in mind everything you've learned, and feel free to add to the template where required.
Free Business Plan Template and Examples for Small Businesses (2024) Starting with a business plan template is the easiest way to simplify the work of writing a business plan. We put together a template (and an example) to help you optimize your planning time. by Desirae Odjick. Dec 18, 2023.
Access Xero features for 30 days, then decide which plan best suits your business. Safe and secure. Cancel any time. 24/7 online support. Email address. Start your free trial. Or compare all plans. Get the ball rolling with our free business plan templates and tips. Choose from a multi-page template, or a one-pager to help flesh out your idea.
Prepare an elevator pitch. Apart from your business plan, you should also prepare an elevator pitch. This is a short and compelling description of your business that can be delivered in 60 to 90 seconds. The idea is that not everyone will have the time or the interest to read your business plan.
An interactive, online, tool that allows you to customize your business plan. Includes tips & tricks and can be downloaded to a word, excel or PDF file. Business Development Canada (BDC) - Business Plan Template This is one of the best downloadable business plan templates. The business plan contains 2 sections, with a glossary and user guide.
Business Plan Writer. Our interactive Business Plan Writer has been designed to simplify the business planning process. Not only is this tool dynamic, allowing you to customize your plan, we've also provided tips & tricks and plenty of examples to guide you as you write. We understand that writing a business plan can be a daunting experience.
A business plan describes what your business does and outlines the opportunities you wish to capture. Writing your business plan can help build your confidence in how you will achieve success. A business plan can also: Serve as a roadmap for your business. Answer and even create more questions.
Invest in the future of your business by taking the time to create or update your business plan using our free template. Mon Jul 12 2021 20:18:00 GMT+0000 The importance of your business plan. Perhaps the most important document for any new business is a business plan. Yet too many business owners fail to sit down and prepare or update one.
Find business plan templates from Canva's premade document gallery for a crash course on how to effectively present your objectives. Business plans can come in various formats, and our ready-made selection reflects that. We've got simple business plan templates, which you can use while brainstorming ideas on your own or with a team. ...
Use this business continuity plan template to minimize the risk that an emergency could pose to your operations. Learn more. Business model canvas tool. Download this free, one-page model to map out your business activities and plan your business growth. Learn more. Business proposal template.
Create Your Plan with the RBC Business Plan Template. This comprehensive template will guide you through a series of questions, resources and tips to help you write your plan. Best of all, you can go at your own pace and come back to work on it anytime. Start Your Business Plan.
Workshop 2: Rock My Business Plan. Develop a robust business plan. You'll learn how to write the four main sections of the business plan: Company Profile, Marketing Activities, Market Research, and Operations. Note: We recommend that all participants also register for the subsequent workshop, Rock My Cash Flow. Day/Date.
Business plan template Introduction The structure of this document is a guide only - you may wish to delete (or add) sections depending on your business type or the intended audience of your business plan. If you need more space, just keep typing. Delete the explanatory text and instructions as you go. Business plan for [ENTER BUSINESS NAME HERE]
Templates for download. Our free business resources are designed to help you set your business on the right path and increase your chances of success. Business plan template. Marketing plan template. Job offer letter template. New staff onboarding checklist. Business proposal template. Cash flow calculator.
Small Business Accelerator Program. Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, UBC Library, 1961 East Mall. Vancouver Campus, Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z1. Business Development Canada (BDC) - Business Plan Template This is one of the best downloadable business plan templates. The business plan contains 2 sections, with a glossary and user guide.
The FCC business plan bundle was designed specifically for farm operations and anyone involved in Canadian agriculture. Bundle includes: Word documents and pdfs. By accessing, downloading, and using the FCC Business Tool Template, you acknowledge and agree that any use of the materials and their contents is entirely at your own risk.