Strategy and Planning


Recent Strategy and Planning Articles

Ditch Your Strategy, Keep Your Vision

Winning strategies are not set in concrete, but your long-term vision should remain rooted.  Read more

Start-ups Form First Line of Defense Against Cyberwarfare

The United States has essentially doubled-down on its cyberdefense spending--and much that funding is fueling the next generation of cybersecurity start-ups.  Read more

Get a Board of Advisors. Now 

LinkShare founder talks about Heidi Messer the difference between a board of advisors and a board of directors.  Watch video

How to Manage a Banker

As your business seeks to expand, chances are you will need bank financing to do so. The challenge is to approach your bank with eyes wide open. Here's how.  Read more

The Price of Tea In China Does Matter for Small Business

Here's how U.S. relations with China, tensions in the Middle East, and economic problems in Europe impact even a little pizza shop in Pennsylvania.  Read more

Guy Kawasaki: 'Why I'd Love to Pay More Taxes' 

Venture capitalist Guy Kawasaki explodes the notion that entrepreneurs care only about lower taxes and regulation.  Watch video

3 Lousy Leadership Traits from the Campaign Trail

Politicians can be great leaders. But if you're running a business, here are three leadership traits from the campaign trail you don't want to employ.  Read more

Explore a Seemingly Unrelated Industry for a Day

Where will you find your next powerful idea? It might just be when you take a close look at a different business.  Read more

Hey, Boss: Avoid a 'Binders of Women' Moment

Sure, there are generational differences in the workplace. But no manager wants to stick his foot in his mouth with a gender gaffe like Mitt Romney. Here's h...  Read more

Temper Excitement Over Recent Positive Economic Indicators

The recent series of positive economic reports could be misleading. Here's why.  Read more

Afraid of Being Sued? 4 Ways to Keep Lawyers at Bay

Here are four surprising ways to protect yourself in a law suit and keep legal fees to a minimum.  Read more

JJ Ramberg: Her Business Is Your Business

As host of Your Business , Ramberg has talked to countless business owners over the course of the 282 episodes she's taped. And she's a small busine...  Read more

Many Small Businesses Still Support Obama. Here's Why

President Obama is holding his own among small business voters and, depending on which report you read, even beating Governor Romney. Let me explain.  Read more

3 Entrepreneur Lessons for the Presidential Candidates

As the election approaches, it's apparent that government officials--Republicans and Democrats alike--need to take their cues from small businesses owners.  Read more

Let's Talk About the Real Job Creators

At tonight's presidential debate, the candidates will be pushing for better policies for "job creators." Who are they really talking about?  Read more

What Entrepreneurs Need From Washington: It's Not Debatable

So far, the debates have painted tax policy as the holy grail for small business. Too bad the facts don't support it.  Read more

Examining the Thiel Fellowship: Is It Worthwhile?

The Thiel Fellowship is looking for its next batch of 24 college students to pay $100,000 to drop out of college. But has the model been a success?  Read more

How to Make Great Decisions (Most of the Time)

You make thousands of decisions each day, but struggle when the big ones come along. Here are three key tips to making the right decision when it counts.  Read more

You Really Need Outside Directors. Here's Why

Trying to save time and money by cutting your advisory board? You could find yourself short on both.  Read more

What You Should Know: Nobel Prize in Economics

Alvin Roth and Lloyd Shapley won the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. Here's how innovative thinkers are applying the Gale-Shapley algorithm in new and crea...  Read more

Build a Path to Your Customers

Your start-up needs customers to succeed. Which channels will you use to reach them?  Read more

Annihilate Your Competition: 6 Rules of Battle

While you are busy being friendly, your competitors are racking up wins. Learn these simple rules to erase them from the game.  Read more

Business Lessons From Arnold Schwarzenegger

A Schwarzenegger level of clarity in vision can provide a motivating force for you and your team.  Read more

Be Worthy of Your Customers' Attention

Make sure that your product or service is worthy of receiving your customers' attention. Here's how to do it.  Read more

Failure, Baseball & Entrepreneurship

One founder shares what a famous quote, a baseball player and entrepreneurship all have in common.  Read more

Washington Makes an Appeal to New York Tech Entrepreneurs

Todd Park, the chief technology officer of the U.S., sought to prove at the New York Tech Meetup that, yes, the White House is becoming more tech savvy.  Read more

Be Like Mitt Romney: Admit When You're Wrong

Running a successful small business means being trustworthy and admitting your mistakes, like Mitt Romney did last week. (Yes, I'm talking about what he said...  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

Grab Your Customer's Attention (& Keep It)

Before you can help customers solve their problems, you have to prove that you deserve their attention. Here's how to craft a compelling unique value proposi...  Read more

4 Creative Ways to Grow Your Business Using the Web

Take your business further than your budget. Think imaginatively to market your business online.  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

Do One Thing & Do It Better Than Anyone Else

Become the best darn whatever-you-are that you can be. Set aside your other good ideas. The rest will follow.  Read more

Luxury Brands Losing Next Generation of Customers

A marketing study warns that traditional luxury branding strategies fail to woo Millennial shoppers.  Read more

Are You Leading Your People, or Just Running a Company?

Best-selling leadership author Simon Sinek explains 5 ways to really look after your employees.  Read more

It's Ridiculous How Good You Have It

Sure--like all entrepreneurs--you've got challenges. But I'm sure you'd rather be running a business in 2012 than in 1906.  Read more