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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
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.

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.

Article
The 7 Biggest Challenges of Starting a Business (and How to Overcome Them)
By Jennifer Dublino | October 25, 2024

Starting a business is a difficult endeavor. Learn the biggest challenges that come with entrepreneurship and how to overcome them and find success.

Article
Committing to Eco-Friendly Packaging Practices Can Save Your Company Money
By Jennifer Dublino | October 25, 2024

Using eco-friendly packaging can cut costs, reduce waste and help your business be viewed as Earth-friendly. Learn about going green in your business.

Article
Why You Should Develop a Relationship With a Business Lawyer
By Mark Fairlie | October 25, 2024

Hiring the right business lawyer is crucial. It's also helpful to develop a strong relationship with them as your business grows. Here is what you need to know.

Article
7 Ways to Build a Successful Construction Business
By Jennifer Dublino | October 22, 2024

Reputation is crucial to a construction business because the stakes are high. Learn how to build a successful construction company with the right tools.

Article
How to Celebrate National Women’s Small Business Month
By Mona Bushnell | October 18, 2024

October is National Women's Small Business Month, which means it's time to celebrate women-owned businesses everywhere.

Greggv Majewski headshot
Article
Craveworthy Brands CEO Takes a Bite Out of High Fast-Food Prices [Full Q&A]
By Antonio Ferme | October 18, 2024

An interview with Gregg Majewski

rainbow slinky
Article
The Slinky Was Originally Designed for Navy Warships
By Ali Saleh | October 16, 2024

“A spring, a spring, a marvelous thing!”

Robert Irvine Overcoming Impossible book cover
Article
Robert Irvine’s Advice to Get Your Business Cooking
By Maya Afilalo | October 16, 2024

The Food Network host and Overcoming Impossible author shares his tips on scaling up with the right mindset.

Woman holding a Stuckey's bar in a diner
Article
How Stuckey’s Chair Rebuilt an American Snack Empire (Full Q&A)
By Dawn Allcot | October 16, 2024

A Q&A with Stephanie Stuckey

Sail to Scale book cover
Article
The Dangers of Scaling Your Startup Too Fast (Full Q&A)
By Antonio Ferme | October 16, 2024

An interview with Sail to Scale co-author Mona Sabet