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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
Should Your Business Customize Its Products?
By Jamie Johnson | August 27, 2024

Customized and personalized products are becoming popular as companies gain more access to consumer data. Here is what your business needs to know.

Article
Business Insurance Guide
By David Gargaro | August 23, 2024

This guide to business insurance can help you understand the policies available to your small business and determine which policies are right for you.

Article
The Shocking Truth: Why Every Company Is a Technology Company
By Kimberlee Leonard | August 22, 2024

Companies must adopt a tech mindset in their corporate identity. Learn why every business is a tech company and how to incorporate tech in your operations.

Business owner working on a laptop
Article
Starting a Business From Home: The Ultimate Checklist
By Julie Thompson | August 22, 2024

Starting a business requires an organized approach to administrative, legal and practical tasks. Follow this checklist to start a business from home.

online customer
Article
How to Set a Price for Your Service
By Jennifer Dublino | August 20, 2024

Setting the proper prices for your services is one of the most crucial elements of business. Learn how to set fair and accurate prices for your services.

Article
11 Scams That Prey on Small Businesses
By Jennifer Dublino | August 19, 2024

Scammers often target small and midsize businesses. Beware of these 10 business-related scams, and learn how to avoid cybercriminals and hackers.

Smart Rivals book cover
Article
Smart Rivals: How to Compete Against Tech Giants [Full Q&A]
By Tina Nazerian | August 16, 2024

An interview with Harvard Business School’s Feng Zhu and Bonnie Cao

Article
6 Benefits of Forming an S Corporation
By Jamie Johnson | August 15, 2024

An S corporation helps you avoid double taxation and the self-employment tax. Learn the pros and cons of S corporations and other corporate structures.

Office workers
Article
Get It Together: 7 Quick Ways to Make Your Business More Organized
By Leah Zitter | August 13, 2024

Use these simple tricks to make your business more efficient with the minimum resources.

Hyper Efficient book cover
Article
Hyperefficient: Dr. Mithu Storoni Shares Productivity Brain Hacks
By Jane Meggitt | August 05, 2024

Our full Q&A with the author and neuroscience researcher.

Article
How to Attract Customers to Your Restaurant
By Jennifer Dublino | August 02, 2024

Here are several online and offline marketing techniques that you can use to reach more potential customers for your restaurant business.

Article
Requirements for Keeping Paycheck Records
By Julie Thompson | July 10, 2024

Employers keep paycheck records to comply with federal and state laws, complete tax returns, and use in audits. Here's what you need to know.

Article
Benefits of Using an Order Fulfillment Service
By Sean Peek | June 14, 2024

Learn how outsourcing your e-commerce business's order fulfillment needs can streamline operations, save time and conserve resources.

woman using a laptop
Article
Common Mistakes That Can Lead to Product Failure
By Jennifer Dublino | May 31, 2024

What pitfalls cause most products to fail? Learn about these common traps so you can avoid mistakes and a failed product launch.

Uptime book cove by Laura Mae Martin
Article
Maximize Your “Uptime” With Tips From Google’s Productivity Expert (Full Q&A)
By Tina Nazerian | April 25, 2024

An interview with author Laura Mae Martin

tropical island
Article
3 Famous Restaurants and Bars That Weren’t Supposed to Be
By Ali Saleh | April 19, 2024

An unexpected origin story adds character.

Financially Lit book cover
Article
Podcaster Jannese Torres Wants to “Level Up Your Dinero”
By Antonio Ferme | April 19, 2024

Our full Q&A with the author of Financially Lit!

Article
15 Essential POS System Features for Your Retail Business
By Jennifer Dublino | April 10, 2024

POS systems come with numerous features, but your retail business may not need them all. Learn the top 15 POS system features for your retail business.

busy office
Article
Small Business Statistics: The Most Interesting Data of 2025
By Mike Berner | April 10, 2024

This list of small business statistics provides a snapshot of the most important business trends

Article
How Your Product Packaging Can Win Buyers’ Hearts
By Julie Thompson | April 05, 2024

Find out how product packaging can win over customers, and get tips for successful packaging strategies.

Article
Time for Change: When to Rebrand and How to Begin the Process
By Julie Thompson | April 01, 2024

Businesses rebrand for various reasons, including growth and new market outreach. Learn how to begin rebranding and what rebranding mistakes to avoid.

Hello Alice CEO Carolyn Rodz
Article
Hello Alice CEO Carolyn Rodz On 2024’s Biggest Challenges for Small Businesses (Full Q&A)
By Maya Afilalo | February 14, 2024

Plus her reasons for optimism — and how small businesses benefit whole communities

Article
Rockefeller Foundation President Rajiv Shah Wants You to Make Big Bets (Full Q&A)
By Tess Barker | February 14, 2024

How to turn ambitious plans into measurable results

Lynsi Snyder book cover
Article
In-N-Out Burger President Lynsi Snyder Serves Up ‘Slow-Growth Philosophy’ (Full Q&A)
By Rob Gabriele | February 14, 2024

She took over the company at 27 and “Double-Doubled” its success.

marketing meeting
Article
Big Profits, Big Layoffs: Tracking Earnings Per Laid off Employee
By Chad Brooks | February 01, 2024

Meta earned $3.9M per laid-off employee in Nov; Microsoft earned $9.8M per layoff. Amazon's figure was $2.8M, while WeWork and Spotify had negative EBITDAs.

woman working from home on a laptop
Article
Is the U.S. Home to the World’s Most Remote Workforce?
By Elizabeth Barton | January 03, 2024

America lags behind other countries in return-to-office rates. Instead, employees are still working from home. See the data.

People standing in line outside of a Cannabis Store
Article
More Lows Than Highs: Let’s Get Blunt About Starting a Cannabis Brand
By Daniel Thomas | January 03, 2024

Learn more about some key steps you must take in order to start a successful cannabis brand.

Alice Everdeen
Article
From Content Manager to Stay-at-Home Voiceover Actor
By Dan Ketchum | January 03, 2024

Forget a 9-to-5 in a traditional office. Former content manager Alice Everdeen shares how an old school bus became her new place of work – and her home.

Kid at a restaurant
Article
New Jersey Restaurant Bans Kids and Gets 40,000 Likes
By Antonio Ferme | December 18, 2023

The business case for peace and quiet.

Article
What Is a Loss Payee on an Insurance Claim?
By Nicole Urbanowicz | November 07, 2023

The loss payee has the first-in-line legal rights to an insurance claim payout. Here's what you need to know.