Writing a Business Plan


Recent Writing a Business Plan Articles

Capital: Seeking Seed Money

By Jill Andresky Fraser |  Dec 1, 1995

A CEO spells out how and why he successfully sought his much needed seed money from nonprofits rather than banks.  Read more


The Annotated CEO

By Stephanie L. Gruner |  Oct 15, 1995

A profile of the "typical" 1995 Inc. 500 chief, with data such as age, gender, salary, education, and more.  Read more


Beyond Work

By Christopher Caggiano |  Oct 15, 1995

A look at how some Inc. 500 CEOs play and how that allows them to escape the stress of being in business.  Read more


The Matchmaker

By Alessandra Bianchi |  Sep 1, 1995

A look at how a catalog retailer and his start-up provides customers with hard-to-find batteries.  Read more


Anatomy of a Launch: Step One -- Smart Market Research

By Susan Greco |  Sep 1, 1995

The first in a series on how a start-up launched a nationwide line of evironmentally correct bath products.  Read more


The Wrong Move

By Scott Shaw |  Aug 1, 1995

After enjoying a great success in one region, an entrepreneur explains how he moved into another, and failed.  Read more


How to Succeed in Business in 4 Easy Steps

By Bo Burlingham |  Jul 1, 1995

A detailed look at how a successful entrepreneur guided a couple through various start-up pitfalls.  Read more


The Knockout Lesson

By Amy Miller |  Jun 1, 1995

A CEO discusses the lessons she learned in her boxing career and how she applies them to her business.  Read more


Face to Face

By Michael Treacy |  Apr 1, 1995

Advice on how small companies can compete against big-company competitors.  Read more


Enemies, a Love Story

By Anne Murphy |  Apr 1, 1995

Why the rivalry between two test-prep services makes them both more competitive.  Read more


Learning from Public Companies

Jan 1, 1995

A prospectus can be a great source of information on market competition and a competitor's techniques and tricks.  Read more


Plot Out Cash Flow

Jan 1, 1995

Running a business without outside capital requires a down-and-dirty business plan.  Read more


Keeping Tabs on the Joneses

Jan 1, 1995

A few easy techniques for checking out your competitors.  Read more


The Spoils of War

Jan 1, 1995

How to benefit from fierce competition.  Read more


Mimic the Superstores

Jan 1, 1995

The best way to compete with the "big boxes" might be to change your own box.  Read more


Inside Info on Outside Rivals

Jan 1, 1995

Be sure your employees are up-to-date on what your competitors are up to.  Read more


Product Differentiation: When a Rival Came Spying

By Susan Greco |  Sep 1, 1994

A founder's advisers explained she had better differentiate her business from the competition, and how she managed it.  Read more


Benchmark: Keeping Tabs on Rivals

By Susan Greco |  Sep 1, 1994

Some statistics on Inc. 500 companies that track their competition, with a quick comment from two CEOs.  Read more


Scenes from an Antimall

By George Gendron |  May 1, 1994

The Lab, an 'antimall' in Costa Mesa, Calif., features small retailers and local events in renovated factory space.  Read more


It's Not the Same America

By Edward O. Welles |  May 1, 1994

Barriers to succeeding in business include regulation, special interests, protectionism, access to capital and welfare.  Read more


The (Handbook) Handbook

By Tom Ehrenfeld |  Nov 1, 1993

A guide to writing the perfect manual for employees you care about.  Read more


Image Trouble

By Peter Laundy |  Sep 1, 1993

Ensure that your marketing efforts reflect the character of your company, not an image you hope your market will buy.  Read more


The Annual One-Page Company Game Plan

By Leslie Brokaw |  Jun 1, 1993

Creating a list of goals for each year that incorporates ideas from around the company.  Read more


Constructing a Vision Statement

By Ellyn E. Spragins |  Oct 1, 1992

Guide to creating a vision-statement.  Read more


The Effective and Indispensable Mission Statement

By Teri Lammers |  Aug 1, 1992

A construction company's mission statement works as a long-term and day-to-day strategic planning tool.  Read more