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Business Planning

Our business planning hub has all of the essential tools, strategies and insights needed to build and maintain a successful small business — a complete resource for starting, managing and growing your business. Discover everything you need to know at business.com.

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Latest: Advice, Tips and Resources

Article
The State of the B2B Sharing Economy
By Danielle Fallon-O’Leary | December 12, 2024

The sharing economy, also known as the peer-to-peer sharing economy, is a system where assets or services are shared between consumers.

Article
9 Surefire Strategies to Help You Stand Out From the Competition
By Stella Morrison | December 09, 2024

Differentiating your brand from the competition gives you a competitive advantage. Learn ways to differentiate your product from the competition.

Article
What to Know When Choosing Business Insurance
By Sean Peek | December 04, 2024

Choosing insurance for your company or employees is important, and should not be done casually. Here’s what to consider when getting insurance.

Article
The Road Map to Starting a Membership Site From Scratch
By Mark Thompson | December 04, 2024

A subscription site is easy to start and can offer big rewards. Follow these steps to build a loyal member base.

Article
5 Reasons Your Business Should Have Strategic Partnerships
By Chad Brooks | December 03, 2024

Strategic partnerships have mutual benefits and can lead to long-term profits. Here are the advantages of partnering with another company and examples.

Article
10 Successful Businesses You Didn’t Know Were Run By Women
By Jennifer Dublino | November 27, 2024

Female entrepreneurs own 42 percent of American firms. Check out this list of women-led companies and some great resources for small business owners.

Article
How Women-Owned Businesses Can Use Social Media Marketing
By Ryan Ayers | November 25, 2024

How women-owned companies can highlight their business’s unique features using social media marketing.

Article
5 Tips for Setting SMART Goals in Your Business Plan
By Jennifer Dublino | November 22, 2024

SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based. Learn how to apply SMART goal principles to your business to boost success.

Article
Outgrowing Your Office Space? Should You Lease or Buy?
By Karina Fabian | November 20, 2024

Here is a list of things to consider before deciding whether to purchase or lease your new office space, including pros and cons of both options.

Article
4 Reasons Why Texas Is a Hot State for Starting a Business
By Sean Peek | November 20, 2024

The heat and the sun aren't the only reasons Texas is a hot state. Check out why Texas is a fantastic state to start a business.

Article
Does Your Business Have a Battle Rhythm? Why You Need One
By Danielle Fallon-O’Leary | November 19, 2024

Battle rhythm is an operational knowledge management process. It is equal parts strategic routine and information processing.

Article
Trademark Basics: How to Submit a Trademark
By Max Freedman | November 19, 2024

Submitting a trademark is a way to protect your intellectual property. Learn how to submit a trademark properly, how it differs from a copyright, and more.

Article
How to Determine How Much Office Space You Need
By Jennifer Dublino | November 18, 2024

When buying or leasing an office, planning the right amount of space is crucial for efficient operations. Learn how to determine your office space needs.

Article
How to Learn From Your Failures: 4 Valuable Lessons
By Thomas Griffin | November 07, 2024

Failure is inevitable as an entrepreneur, so it’s important to develop a healthy attitude about it. Here are four lessons you can learn from failing.

Article
The Dropbox Effect: How to Utilize the Lean Startup Methodology
By Sean Peek | November 07, 2024

The lean startup technique is a three-step approach designed to help companies improve their decision-making in order to reach a broader market.

Article
How Virtual Reality Technology Is Changing Manufacturing
By Danielle Fallon-O’Leary | November 07, 2024

The manufacturing industry is changing as next-generation VR and AR become readily available.

Article
How to Create a Sustainable Business Model
By Drew Hendricks | November 07, 2024

A sustainable business model is a top priority for SMBs. Learn how to build a sustainable business that benefits customers without jeopardizing the planet.

Article
What Is a Workers’ Comp Exemption?
By Kimberlee Leonard | November 07, 2024

This guide explains how workers' compensation exemptions work and to which employees these exemptions may apply.

Article
Grants For Felons, SBA Programs & More Funding Options
By Sean Peek | November 06, 2024

The government and nonprofits provide funds for felons who want to start a business. Here is a list of options, from grants to crowdfunding to loans.

Article
5 Simple Ways to Pinpoint Your Brand’s Target Audience
By Chris Christoff | November 06, 2024

When you start a business, you need to understand your target market at a fundamental level. Here's exactly how to identify your audience.

Article
62 Inspiring Quotes From Trailblazing Women We Admire
By Sean Peek | November 05, 2024

These quotes from women who paved the way in their respective fields can serve as inspiring motivational tools to keep working towards your goals.

person drawing logos in a sketchbook next to a color palette
Article
How to Create a New Brand Image From Scratch
By Jennifer Dublino | October 30, 2024

Creating a brand image is a crucial marketing task to establish a brand identity. Learn what's involved in a new brand image and branding do's and don'ts.

Article
Think Like a Startup, Scale Like an Enterprise: Balancing the Best of Both Worlds
By Mark Fairlie | October 30, 2024

Both startups and enterprises must disrupt and innovate to survive. Learn how thinking like a startup and scaling like an enterprise can help ensure success.

Businesswoman on the phone
Article
Would You Make It on Shark Tank? The Importance of Scalable Business Models
By Jamie Johnson | October 30, 2024

Scalability is a crucial factor in business growth and success. Learn the components of a scalable company and how to scale your business.

Article
8 Keys to Upscaling Your Business
By Asim Rais Siddiqui | October 30, 2024

Upscaling your business is a risky decision, but you can minimize those risks with a sustainable business growth strategy. Find out the dos and don'ts here.

accountants using computers and calculators
Article
Is Your Small Business Achieving Profitable Growth?
By Emil Abedian | October 29, 2024

Small businesses must understand if their growth is profitable. Learn about the profitability-growth relationship and achieving profitable growth.

Article
Q1 Reflections: Important Ways to Take Stock of the First Quarter
By Sean Peek | October 29, 2024

The most successful businesses set goals and review them quarterly. Find out why setting goals is important and how to evaluate your Q1 goals.

group of young adult friends sitting on a couch watching TV together
Article
TV Executive Ken Basin Explains Why Hollywood Imploded [Full Q&A]
By Antonio Ferme | October 29, 2024

The Business of Television author has a few ideas to rescue networks from their own bad decisions.

Article
The Pros and Cons of Virtual Offices
By Jennifer Post | October 29, 2024

Virtual offices haven’t lost their popularity but do they have more cons than pros at this point? Here is what you need to consider.

Article
14 KPI Tools to Track Your Business’s Goals
By Lauren Kubiak | October 29, 2024

Key performance indicators (KPIs) measure how effective your company is at achieving its goals. Learn how to find the right tools to track your business.