Reader Mail: June 2011
Readers respond to our cover story about Etsy founder Rob Kalin, a feature about spying on the competition, and Jason Fried's column about running a flat com... Read more
Writing a Business Plan
Recent Writing a Business Plan Articles
10 Steps From Idea to Business
A cheat sheet to turn your vision for a successful new business into a reality Read more
Business Plans by the Numbers
When writing a business plan, here's how to run the numbers that matter without getting hung-up on those that don't. Read more
10 Tips on How to Research Your Competition
Keeping tabs on your competition is a great strategy for growing your business. Follow these tips, from fellow small business owners, on which tools are best... Read more
What Exactly Is a Business Plan?
Add more -ing to your business plan, to build your business faster and smarter. Read more
Elevator Pitch: Vozeeme
Vozeeme matches manufacturers with trucking companies. Can it raise $500,000? Read more
The Social Entrepreneurship Spectrum: B Corporations
A new type of organization that uses business to solve social problems Read more
The Social Entrepreneurship Spectrum: Nonprofits
For these organizations, the mission matters more than the money. Read more
The Social Entrepreneurship Spectrum: Nonprofits With Earned Income
Who ever said that nonprofits can't have an income? Read more
The Social Entrepreneurship Spectrum: Hybrids
It's very complicated, but you can link together a nonprofit and a for-profit. Here's how. Read more
The Social Entrepreneurship Spectrum: Impact Investors
In addition to financial returns, impact investors seek social change and environmental progress. Read more
The Social Entrepreneurship Spectrum: For-Profit With a Social Mission
For entrepreneurs seeking to make a social impact, an organization cannot be separated from its social mission. Read more
Why Women Are Great Strategic Planners
...And what men can learn from them. Read more
10 Business Plan Dos and Don'ts
Insights from a judge at Harvard Business School's Business Plan Contest Read more
How to Write a Business Plan for a Consulting Business
There are four key areas that you should focus on when developing a business plan for your consulting business. Read more
When Writing a Business Plan Is a Waste of Time
Spending months writing a business plan can make you feel like you're being productive, but what you really need is market data and some experience. Read more
How to Predict Your Start-up's Financial Future
Need help forecasting (or re-forecasting) your company's financials? Consider these four basic elements of the projection process. Read more
Speed Dating for Co-founders
Networking events such as FounderDating and Startup Weekend help entrepreneurs meet potential co-founders. Read more
Elevator Pitch: StorageByMail
StorageByMail lets customers ship away their clutter to a storage facility. Can it get $1.3 million from investors? Read more
5 Tips for a Useful Mission Statement
Too many company mission statements don't follow the few simple rules necessary to be truly effective and memorable. Here are five tips on writing one that w... View slideshow
How to Write a Business Plan for a Marketing Firm
Eights tips from the experts on what you should focus on when writing a business plan for your marketing firm Read more
Why a Clear Focus Is Essential to Success
Six key reasons why you should keep things simple in the beginning Read more
How to Start a Business
Get advice on identifying a market need, writing a business plan, and setting up a new venture. Read more
4 Ideas From SXSW: StartupBus Edition
From dozens of ideas hatched aboard coach busses, judges have chosen the 2011 winners: two outstanding service-oriented start-ups. Read more
Elevator Pitch: Smackages
Smackages gives women free makeup samples online. Can it get $1 million for its own makeover? Read more
Ask Inc.: How Do You Research Your Competition?
Ask Inc. is an open forum for entrepreneurs to ask questions and get answers. Join the conversation. Read more
5 Steps to Retooling Your Business Model
For entrepreneurs, tinkering with a company’s business model can be a tough and emotionally charged process. Here are five tips for making a successful pi... View slideshow
The Art of The Pivot
Lean startup guru Eric Ries recommends that start-ups refine their business models through small tweaks—or pivots. Read more
Steps to a Pivot
Five tips for changing your company’s business model and direction. 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
Elevator Pitch: Lifesta
Lifesta lets people resell their unused Groupon coupons. Can it raise $1.5 million? Read more
Getting Started on a Vision
The 14 questions you need to ask when crafting a vision for your businesses success. Read more
What is Your “Why”?
Happy and successful solopreneurs are most often in business for a reason larger than themselves. They know their "why", do you? Learn to find your why and d... Read more
10 Marketing Musts
Are you are spending enough time and money marketing your business? If not,you are ignoring a critical success component. Customize these ideas to work for y... Read more
The Battle for Your Living Room
TVs up the Wi-Fi ante. Plus, Four Loko's life after death, Facebook follies, and the rest of the day's news. Read more
