Anatomy of a Launch: Step One -- Smart Market Research
The first in a series on how a start-up launched a nationwide line of evironmentally correct bath products. Read more
Writing a Business Plan
Recent Writing a Business Plan Articles
The Wrong Move
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
A detailed look at how a successful entrepreneur guided a couple through various start-up pitfalls. Read more
The Knockout Lesson
A CEO discusses the lessons she learned in her boxing career and how she applies them to her business. Read more
Face to Face
Advice on how small companies can compete against big-company competitors. Read more
Enemies, a Love Story
Why the rivalry between two test-prep services makes them both more competitive. Read more
Learning from Public Companies
Companies that have gone public and opened themselves to scrutiny by the world can be great sources of free information. Timothy DeMello, CEO of SkyRock, ... Read more
Plot Out Cash Flow
The biggest challenge for any young company is "making sure that you have enough capital to begin with and that it will last long enough to determine whet... Read more
Keeping Tabs on the Joneses
Finding out what your rivals are up to is one of the trickiest tasks of running a business. Most companies gather intelligence bytalking to their salespeo... Read more
The Spoils of War
If you have a fierce rival in your industry, consider yourself lucky. You can capitalize on rivalries, and aggressivecompanies that target equally combati... Read more
Mimic the Superstores
If you run a small retail operation competing against a superstore like Wal-Mart or Kmart, is it better to cultivate a homey feelingat your shop or a "dis... Read more
Inside Info on Outside Rivals
Be sure your employees are up-to-date on what your competitors are up to. Read more
Product Differentiation: When a Rival Came Spying
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
Some statistics on Inc. 500 companies that track their competition, with a quick comment from two CEOs. Read more
Scenes from an Antimall
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
Barriers to succeeding in business include regulation, special interests, protectionism, access to capital and welfare. Read more
The (Handbook) Handbook
A guide to writing the perfect manual for employees you care about. Read more
Image Trouble
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
Creating a list of goals for each year that incorporates ideas from around the company. Read more
Constructing a Vision Statement
Guide to creating a vision-statement. Read more
The Effective and Indispensable Mission Statement
A construction company's mission statement works as a long-term and day-to-day strategic planning tool. Read more
Now You Can Talk To Your Wheelchair
Not long ago, a quadriplegic at the Veterans Administration Prosthetics Center in New York City moved his motorized wheelchair and its mechanical arms usi... Read more
The Inc. 100: We Missed A Trio Of Winners
I was disappointed to find that we were not included in the INC. 100. Our company has been incorporated since 1972 and our stock is publicly traded. We a... Read more
6 Questions to Ask Before Starting a Business
So you have a big idea and want to start your own company. Is that all it takes? You may think you're a natural-born entrepreneur, but becoming one is easier... View slideshow
Business Plans at Internet Speed
In the July 2000 issue of Inc. magazine, Joel Burtman, president of a seven-year-old construction company, asks a question that's probably on man... Read more
Writing a Business Plan
Building a B... Read more
6 Tips for Restaurant Owners
Restaurants are one of the most common types of small businesses, but also one of the most difficult to make successful. The competition for most restaurants... View slideshow
Business Plan
Most business plans produced each year are prepared by operating elements of corporations. These plans contribute to a broader corporate strategic or long... Read more
