How Hard Could It Be?
Oh, pretty hard. A dispatch from Startup Weekend, where would-be company founders learn what can-- and can't--be accomplished in 54 crazy hours. Read more
Strategy and Planning
Recent Strategy and Planning Articles
A Survey Finds 50% of Owners Plan to Invest in the Second Quarter
The March SurePayroll survey reports a tale of two small business economies. Read more
Want to Improve Your Business? Talk to Your Vendors
I find some of the best new ideas come from the companies I already work with. Read more
How to Protect Your Privacy on Facebook 
Dave Kerpen, CEO of Likeable Local, explains exactly how to navigate Facebook's privacy settings. Watch video
What Should You Do About Health Care Reform? You Have 3 Choices
On January 1, 2014, the Affordable Care Act will require businesses with 50 or more full-time employees to offer health insurance. What if you have fewer tha... Read more
Your Business Needs a "Special Sauce"
The most successful businesses define what sets them apart--almost to the point of obsession. Read more
7 Traits That Distinguish Super Successful People From Ordinary Ones
How'd Richard Branson, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett do so well? They lived according to these seven strategic, wealth-building principles. Read more
Why Smart Entrepreneurs Care About Gay Marriage
Hundreds of thousands of gay couples could soon hear wedding bells. Here are five ways for entrepreneurs to capitalize on them. Read more
Starting up? Plan for the Long-Haul
When you're starting a company, you're focused on the here-and-now. But the long-view is just as crucial for success. Here's a checklist to guide you. Read more
Why Zuckerberg's Super PAC Won't Speak for Start-ups
Facebook's CEO and other tech execs want a Washington lobby group. But the needs of small tech start-ups may not be on their agenda. Read more
Does Your Business Need a Sequester?
The end of the first quarter is the perfect time to evaluate where your business stands. Here's why it might pay to take a page out of the government's playb... Read more
4 Ways Pope Francis Masters New Leadership
While the world watches, the new Pope is already making strategic moves that will go a long way toward bolstering his reputation. Read more
A Job Listing Should Be Like a Love Letter
You're not looking for generic employees. So why are you writing generic job listings? Read more
Cory Booker: Start-ups Will Define America's Future
The Newark mayor and video-site founder spent the past week hanging out with hackers, founders, and tech geeks. Here's why. Read more
Move Innovation Beyond Product Design
Just because you've implemented a system doesn't mean your work is done. Read more
New Crowdfunding Site Aims to Understand Manufacturing
For backers of crowd-funded physical products, the mantra has always been 'buyer-beware.' Here's how a new crowdfunding site, Crowd Supply, seeks to fix that... Read more
Why I Nominate a Southwest SVP to Head the SBA
The Small Business Administration needs a leader who can run a large organization that provides the highest level of customer service. Read more
7 Habits of the Ultra Wealthy
Is the secret to success hiding in plain sight? Here's what you need to know about getting ahead (that others don't). Read more
Stumbling Towards Revenue: The Case of 3 Hot Web Companies
Foursquare, Pinterest, and Tumblr have plenty of users; now they need to make money. Here's how they plan to do it--and why it may be a challenge. Read more
8 Essential Parts to a Business (And How They Work Together)
A small business is a system in which all parts contribute to the success or failure of the whole. Read more
Bristle at Customer Complaints? That's the Last Thing You Want to Do
You may be tempted to view negative feedback as a nuisance. But, if you respond the right way, it's a gift. Read more
Want to Grow Your Business? Figure Out What You Suck At
Stop telling yourself that no one can do things as well as you can. You're wrong, and it's impeding your growth. Read more
Why 'Win-Win' Negotiating Is the Surest Way You'll Lose
When it comes to deal-making, you should master this simple three-step strategy of the self-made wealthy instead. Read more
Stop Selling Me Porn
A rash of books and articles instructs career-minded women on how to live their ideal lives. Why I've stopped listening. Read more
How to Set Demanding-Yet-Doable Sales Goals
Sales expectations should be beyond an employee's comfort zone, but not so high that they're unattainable. Here's how to find the right balance. Read more
How to Fix the Unemployment Rate
The calculation underlying the U.S. unemployment rate is broken. It needs to be corrected. Soon. Read more
What If Your Gut Is (Gasp!) Wrong?
Chip and Dan Heath, authors of Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work , on how to make better executive decisions Read more
What to Do When Speed and Quality Are At Odds
Sometimes you have to miss a deadline to make sure you maintain what really matters to your customers. Read more
What Al Gore Predicts for the Future
The 45th U.S. vice president, Apple board member, and Kleiner Perkins partner explains what's next. Read more
A Skimmer's Guide to Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing, by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
Are you wired to win? Or just not to lose? Read more
What a 'Big Bang' Disruptor Could Do to You
A new innovation theory suggests your product could be wiped out suddenly, and swiftly. Here's what you can do about it--and up-and-comers can too. Read more
FACT OR FICTION? It Takes Money to Make Money
Most people say they can't start a business because they don't have the capital. The self-made wealthy say that putting personal capital at risk is the last ... Read more
3 Steps to Keep Growing
Your business is not a start-up anymore. How do you allocate capital and resources to create sustainable growth? Read more
Know-How is Good. "Know-Who" is Better
In this video, we learn from the grand master of money, Warren Buffett, why networks are just as important as knowledge. Read more
The Simplistic Brilliance of 'Pawn Stars'
Why do I find a TV show about a Las Vegas pawn brokerage so interesting? Rick Harrison, the store's owner and show's hero, is all the inspiration I need. Read more