Writing a Business Plan


Recent Writing a Business Plan Articles

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

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