Business Planning


Recent Business Planning Articles

The Case for Hiring Unskilled Workers

Did you create your business with the intent of gaining freedom and financial security? Here's how to get what you want without creating just another job for...  Read more

Business Plans Are a Waste of Time. Here's What to Do Instead

Throw your business plan in the recycling bin. Instead, focus on your team and on getting to market as quickly as you can.  Read more

How to Master the Art of Perfect Timing

As owner, you are your business's timekeeper. Here's how to tell when you should speed things up--or slow them down.  Read more

Why Strategy Matters Most

It's the strategic plan, stupid. Have you reconsidered yours lately?  Read more

10-Step Roadmap for Simple Hiring

Think it's time to hire? Don't do it! (Not until you're well prepared with this checklist.)  Read more

How to Identify Your Target Customers

The clock is ticking on our 20-minute business model. Today's task: Describing potential customers for the new business - in five minutes or less.  Read more

Behind the Scenes of a Hot Nightclub Business

AV Nightclub boasts one of the toughest doors to get through in Hollywood. Owner Matt Bendik explains how he built it.  Read more

Eight Ball, Corner Pocket: Think 6 Steps Ahead of the Competition

Want explosive growth? Strategize like a world-renowned pool player.  Read more

The Basics of a Fast-Growth Business Plan

Starting up boils down to having a clear path forward. Here are the three stages of a fast-growth business plan.  Read more

The Impact of an International Market

Are you preparing your business for an international market? You should be.  Read more

Why Your Start-up Dreams Shouldn't Be About Making Money 

Robert Kaplan, professor of management at Harvard Business School, says that defining your business' vision is one of the most difficult things for an entrep...  Watch video

Your Most Valuable Asset Is Your Time 

Robert Kaplan, professor of management at Harvard Business School, says you should make sure your time is spent on top priorities.  Watch video

When to Cut a Customer

How much leeway should you give a client who's not paying his bills?  Read more

Partnership or S Corp?

One concern is taxes; another is protecting assets. What's the best way to set up your business?  Read more

How We Made the Inc. 500 List - Again

Avondale Strategic Partners was named to the Inc. 500 list for the second year in a row. Here's the story of how we managed our growth.  Read more

3 Ways to Meet Your Goals This Year

Tick, tick, tick. Time to complete your 2012 goals is running out. How are you doing with that? It's not too late to achieve your year-end goals with these s...  Read more

'It Was All My Mother's Idea' 

Entrepreneur Lisa Price talks about naming her business after her mother, Carol.  Watch video

Behind the Scenes With Carol's Daughter 

Carol's Daughter founder Lisa Price talks about the learning process behind some of her beauty company's biggest deals.  Watch video

How to Pick the Perfect Co-founder

When it comes to picking a partner, you can't just go with your gut. There are steps to choosing someone perfect for your future business.  Read more

What to Consider Before You Take a Meeting 

Meeting planning advice from John Berkowitz, co-founder of Yodle, and Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council.  Watch video

Accountability Drives Results 

Former L.A. Police chief William Bratton talks about why your company will instantly be more effective once you hold it accountable for results.  Watch video

On the Front Lines of Leadership 

Former NYPD Commissioner William Bratton talks about the goals all leaders should have.  Watch video

To Start-up or Not to Start-up? 

Will your idea make a good business? Advice from John Katzman, co-founder of 2tor, and Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council.  Watch video

The Anatomy of a Killer Business Plan

What key elements should you include in your business plan? Here you go.  Read more

How to Make $2 Million in One Day

This little start-up hit the jackpot by playing all the right notes in an online campaign. Here's how you can, too.  Read more

Happiness Generates Revenue 

Serial entrepreneur Ted Leonsis asks entrepreneurs to question their definition of success.  Watch video

If You're Happy, You're More Likely to Succeed 

Serial entrepreneur Ted Leonsis talks about teaching his kids the difference and relationship between happiness and success.  Watch video

7 Ways to Apply Scenario Planning

How do you expect the unexpected? Check out how you can benefit from a little preparation.  Read more

Turn Your Hobby Into Company Profits

I've practiced improv comedy and climbed ice formations. But I never thought that one of my hobbies would translate into a significant new revenue stream for...  Read more

Bring Purpose & Profit Together 

Naked Pizza founder Robbie Vitrano talks about building a business based on community feedback.  Watch video

How Do You Fit into the Marketplace? 

Naked Pizza founder Robbie Vitrano says today's marketplace demands profitability and responsible behavior from businesses.  Watch video

How to Prepare for the Unexpected

Strategic thinkers see big changes coming before everyone else in their industry. Fortunately, it's an acquired skill.  Read more

Biggest Obstacle to Business Growth

Some of the biggest market shifts of the past 15 years happened when people challenged the existing assumptions.  Read more

Here's a Business Model that Works 

Kevin Cleary, president and COO of Clif Bar, talks about how his company's bottomline is directly related to its mission.  Watch video

Become the Next McDonald's: 3 Steps

Can you scale your business like McDonald's did? Here are three steps to take during the journey.  Read more