Business Planning


Recent Business Planning Articles

5 Cues You're Pursuing A Bad Business Idea 

How to determine you're on a dead-end business path. Tips from Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council, and Marc Barros, CEO of Contour hands...  Watch video

Is That Partnership Going to Work?

Joint ventures can yield tremendous results. They can also be a huge pain. Here's how we learned to master certain rules of engagement, and make great partne...  Read more

Before You Launch Your Business Idea 

How do you get a company started? Take these tips from Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council, and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, founder of Gilt ...  Watch video

What the Smartest People Focus On

Alexander Osterwalder is an expert on business model innovation. Here’s what he has to say about your current business model -- and why it’s not working.  Read more

New Concept? Ask These 3 Questions First

To rigorously evaluate a new idea, business plan, sales pitch, or product feature, be sure you ask these three simple questions. They will save you.  Read more

Best Time to Start a Company

Don't wait. Here are seven reasons to launch a venture today.  Read more

Looking To Raise Capital? 

Pravina Raghavan, New York District Director of the Small Business Administration, recommends you take advantage of free resources.  Watch video

The Big Business of Local News: Main Street Connect

In early 2010, Jane Byrant Quinn and Carll Tucker launched a community-based news website. Today they compete with AOL. Here's how they changed the game.  Read more

How to Pick Between Two Logical Options

Making a decision with imperfect information is a challenge. The rule of the one-way street might be the tie breaker you're looking for.  Read more

5 Ways to Build a Resilient Company

The best companies are those that can bounce back from failure. Here's what it takes to do it well.  Read more

Why the Real Secrets of Success Are in Your Past

When most executives are looking to the future for their success, maybe it's better to first look back at your past. Here's why.  Read more

This One Mistake Can Eat Your Business Alive

P&L targets are supposed to help a company create more value. But used incorrectly, they can erode business value and consume growth opportunities from the i...  Read more

Don't Forget These Year-End Tasks

Before you ring in 2012, you'll want to get a head start on taxes, insurance, suppliers, among other things.  Read more

Five Things You Shouldn't Do When Writing a Business Plan 

Don't fall prey to these common business plan no-nos. Plus, advice from Daniel Gómez, co-founder of Solben, on how to separate the practice of your business...  Watch video

Reinvigorate a Failing Business 

Turnaround specialist Howard Tullman talks about how to bring about change--and avoid needing it in the first place. Plus, why you need employees who don't b...  Watch video

Book Review: Demand

Authors Adrian J. Slywotzky and Karl Weber offer tips on creating what people love before they know they want it.  Read more

The Third Part of Your Business Plan: How You’ll Fund Your Idea

Break a business plan into bite-sized pieces to save time, and focus on what matters most for you right now. The last of a three-part series.  Read more

Is Planning Bad for Business?

A young entrepreneur presents a few “disruptive” strategies to help grow your business. Her message: Stop planning. It’s useless.  Read more

5 Reasons Why You Need a Business Plan

Starting a business? You should write a business plan--even if you're not raising money any time soon.  Read more

Renaat Ver Eecke Interview: Customer Research Leads to Success

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Navman Wireless’s  Vice President,...  Read more

My On-Again-Off-Again Relationship With My Business Plan

Entrepreneur Eileen P. Gunn describes the role of the business plan in her start-up strategy. Now taking on a partner, she's returning to the business plan.  Read more

Why Women Are Great Strategic Planners

...And what men can learn from them.  Read more

Prioritize Goals to Profitably Grow Your Business

Birger Steen, the new CEO of Parallels, talks about how he grew a private and profitable company with more than $100 million in revenue and 850 employees aro...  Read more

Interviewing Geoffrey Moore: How to Gain Market Power

This article is part three of an eight-part series.  Read Read more

The Truly Global Business Plan

Start-ups such as Somnio and Lookout Mobile Security are working on global expansion right from Day One.  Read more

When Family Businesses Bungle Succession Planning

Handing off a business to the next generation is the realization of a dream—or a complete nightmare.  Read more

20 Essential Tools for Project Management

Every tool you need to take you from brainstorming to launch of any project  Read more

Creating a Company Vision

Do you have a vision of where your company will be in three years? In five? 10? Here’s a sure-fire way to get clear about the future you want.  Read more

Understanding Your Company

Advice for small business owners when winging it is not enough to build your company  Read more

Getting Started on a Vision

The 14 questions you need to ask when crafting a vision for your businesses success.  Read more

Stop Living Project to Project

Here's how Jim Vagonis of Hassle Free Home Services turned the typically project-based home repair business into one generating recurring revenue.  Read more

2 Keys to Playing Big in 2011

Michael Alter, Inc.com blogger and president of SurePayroll, talks about starting 2011 thinking about your big ideas—ones that "stir men's blood" and inclu...  Read more

How to Win a Business-Plan Competition

Smart strategies can lead you to the top of your class, earn you credibility, and even reel in investments.  Read more

How to Manage Seasonal Fluctuations in Sales

This year, more businesses are tech-savvy and leveraging new ways to drive sales and manage fluctuations during the holiday season. Here are their tips.  Read more

7 Tips for When Road Construction Affects Your Business

Roadwork can really hurt a storefront business but owners are finding ways to maintain sales and customers.  Read more