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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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Expert Business Advice, Tips and Resources

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Expert Business Advice, Tips and Resources

How to Increase Your Restaurant’s Profits in 2026
Master the art of profitable restaurant hospitality with these 16 strategies to elevate your customer loyalty and overall success.
Sean Peek
Sean Peek
Executive Cars: Guide to the Best CEO Cars
Discover 10 of the best vehicles for CEOs, along with how each one reflects different leadership styles and priorities.
Miranda Fraraccio
Miranda Fraraccio
Open for Business: 5 Options for Setting Up an Online Store
Whether you have a new business or want to add online sales as a revenue stream, setting up an e-commerce store is easy. Here are some options to get started.
Jennifer Dublino
Jennifer Dublino
Trademark Examples: Learn From These Trademark Infringement Cases
You could be committing trademark infringement without knowing it. Here are several trademark cases to learn from.
Sean Peek
Sean Peek

Latest: Advice, Tips and Resources

businesswoman using a smartphone
Article
Best Business Newsletters of 2026
By Sammi Caramela | September 10, 2026
Make this the year you become a better business owner or entrepreneur — all thanks to these newsletters.
business tools
Article
Fast, Good or Cheap — The Iron Triangle
By Jamie Johnson | September 10, 2026
The iron triangle says pick two of three: fast, good, or cheap. Lean startup methods challenge this by using MVPs and iteration to achieve all three at once.
Article
Time Crunch: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Prioritizing Your Tasks
By Jennifer Post | September 10, 2026
Entrepreneurs often find themselves overburdened with tasks. Learn how to allocate your time and prioritize your tasks.
person drawing logos in a sketchbook next to a color palette
Article
How to Create a New Brand Image From Scratch
By Jennifer Dublino | September 10, 2026
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
Build a Brand That Attracts Gen Z and Millennial Customers
By Sean Peek | September 09, 2026
Check out these branding tips for business owners to connect with Generation Z and millennial consumers.
person holding a credit card
Article
The Best Places for Purchasing Office Supplies
By Mark Fairlie | September 09, 2026
Many office supply places offer savings programs for corporate accounts, volume sales and other benefits. Learn how small businesses can save.
person holding an insurance contract
Article
How to Review Your Business Insurance Annually
By Adam Uzialko | September 09, 2026
Reviewing your business insurance annually to make sure you’re still adequately covered can save you big as your business grows. Here’s how to audit your policies.
Article
8 Keys to Upscaling Your Business
By Asim Rais Siddiqui | September 09, 2026
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.
Article
Buying a Car for Your Business? How to Avoid Mistakes
By Jennifer Dublino | September 09, 2026
Buying a company car can help your business run more smoothly and save money. Ensure you invest in the right business vehicle and avoid common mistakes.
professional agency
Article
Funding Woes, Be Gone: 10 Ways to Minimize Your Startup Costs
By Jennifer Dublino | September 09, 2026
Minimize startup costs by following tips like working from home, outsourcing strategically, negotiating with suppliers, and improving cash flow management.
Article
5 Ways a UX Designer Can Benefit Your Company
By Jamie Johnson | September 09, 2026
A user experience, or UX, designer makes products accessible and usable. Learn how a UX designer can optimize your offerings and help your small business.
Article
10 Ways to Reduce Operational Costs for Your Small Business
By Jennifer Dublino | September 09, 2026
Because small businesses operate on tight margins, sustaining a healthy profit is critical. Learn how to increase revenue and reduce expenses.
Article
10 Things You Must Do Before Starting a Business
By Adam Uzialko | September 09, 2026
Find out what you must do before starting a business, from writing a business plan to getting the proper insurance.
Article
Committing to Eco-Friendly Packaging Practices Can Save Your Company Money
By Jennifer Dublino | September 08, 2026
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
Do It for Me: The Next Evolution of the On-Demand Economy
By Jamie Johnson | September 08, 2026
Consumers want convenience, which often means they want someone to do something for them on demand. Learn how to take advantage of the DIFM movement.
Article
Does Your Business Have a Battle Rhythm? Why You Need One
By Danielle Fallon-O’Leary | September 08, 2026
Battle rhythm is an operational knowledge management process. It is equal parts strategic routine and information processing.
Article
Should Your Business Customize Its Products?
By Jamie Johnson | September 08, 2026
Customized and personalized products are becoming popular as companies gain more access to consumer data. Here is what your business needs to know.
Article
How to Cash In on Your Excess Inventory
By Bennett Conlin | September 04, 2026
Surplus stock is an opportunity to make some cash and get further exposure for your business.
Article
Can You Make a Profit and Be Socially Responsible?
By Jennifer Dublino | September 04, 2026
Corporate social responsibility increases customer loyalty and cuts costs through sustainable practices like solar energy that pay back in 3 to 5 years.
person signing a contract
Article
Can You Keep a Secret? The Importance of Nondisclosure Agreements
By Kimberlee Leonard | September 04, 2026
Nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) help businesses to protect critical confidential information. Learn how NDAs work, what to consider and what to include.
Busy office
Article
How to Tell if Your Business Is Growing Too Quickly (and What to Do About It)
By Mark Fairlie | September 04, 2026
Learn how to tell if your business is growing too quickly, with 15 warning signs and practical tips to manage growth, protect cash flow and maintain performance.
Article
How to Build Business Momentum With Limited Resources
By Sean Peek | September 04, 2026
Building business momentum usually requires financial resources. Learn strategies to build business momentum with few resources and how to avoid mistakes.
Article
What a Bill of Materials Is and Why You Need One
By Sean Peek | September 04, 2026
Whether you are making a toy or a rocket, a BOM helps you accurately manage and oversee resources and identify materials to reduce wasteful spending.
Article
8 Reasons Why the Cash-Only Model Doesn’t Work for Small Businesses
By Mark Fairlie | September 04, 2026
Customers want payment options, making the cash-only model inconvenient. If your business doesn’t accept credit cards, here are eight reasons you should.
woman working at a table
Article
7 Pain Points Entrepreneurs Should Expect and Embrace
By Sean Peek | September 04, 2026
As an entrepreneur, you have to roll with the punches. Learn how to deal with these common pain points of running a business.
accountants working at a desk
Article
11 Ways to Drastically Cut Business Costs
By Katharine Paljug | September 04, 2026
Small businesses often have slim profit margins. Learn how to cut expenses to boost cash flow, invest in growth and lower prices without impacting revenue.
Article
14 KPI Tools to Track Your Business’s Goals
By Skye Schooley | September 03, 2026
Compare 14 KPI tools for small businesses, agencies and enterprises. Explore pricing, integrations, dashboards and expert tips for choosing the right KPI software.
Article
How to Develop a Unique Product That Stands Out
By Jared Haw | September 02, 2026
When a business offers a unique product, it distinguishes itself from the competition. Here’s how to develop distinctive merchandise your customers will love.
Article
How to Write a Winning Business Proposal
By Jennifer Dublino | September 01, 2026
In some industries, writing business proposals is a way to win new customers. Learn how to write a successful business proposal and grow your client portfolio.
people discussing a business plan
Article
The New Business Owner’s Starter Checklist: LLC, Domain and Everything in Between
By Chad Brooks | August 11, 2026
From entity formation to your first business email, here's the order to tackle every startup task — and what each one depends on.