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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
How to Tell if Your Business Is Growing Too Quickly (and What to Do About It)
By Mark Fairlie | June 24, 2024

While small businesses strive for growth, it's crucial to monitor signs of overburdening your company. Learn the signs of a business growing too quickly.

Article
What Is Commercial Property Insurance?
By Mark Fairlie | June 21, 2024

Commercial property insurance covers the building and items that you own or lease against such perils as fire, explosions, theft, and vandalism.

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.

Article
4 Marketing Hacks to Help You Attract the Right Investors
By Jennifer Dublino | May 15, 2024

Marketing strategy is a crucial aspect of landing investors. Use your marketing skills to identify, message and pitch potential business investors.

Article
MLMs Are Preying on the Dream of Entrepreneurship
By Mona Bushnell | May 15, 2024

Learn how to tell the difference between legitimate business prospects and scams.

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

Delivery driver wearing a mask
Article
Average Commercial Car Insurance Costs
By Kimberlee Leonard | April 24, 2024

The average cost of commercial car insurance depends on vehicle, location, driving record, industry, and more. Learn how to choose the right coverage.

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
How to Handle a Business Lawsuit
By Mark Fairlie | April 19, 2024

Business owners are vulnerable to lawsuits. Learn common lawsuit types, as well as how to handle a lawsuit, deal with insurance, and protect your company.

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.

Article
Workers’ Comp and Taxes
By Kimberlee Leonard | February 14, 2024

Workers' compensation has tax implications that every employee and business owner should understand. See our guide.

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.

Article
How Businesses Can Support Other Local Small Businesses
By Jennifer Post | January 30, 2024

You've asked your customers to buy local and you should too. Here's why your local B2B purchases have a positive ripple effect on the SMB community.

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.

Crazy Chemist
Article
Strange Business Patents of the Year
By Dan Ketchum | October 04, 2023

Are these products destined for revolutionary glory or just too far ahead of their time?

Truck driving on a highway at sunset
Article
Where Did All the Truck Drivers Go?
By Carolyn Neuhausen | October 03, 2023

Is the profession running out of gas?

Graphic of diners and a waiter in a fancy restaurant
Article
Eat Up: Supper Clubs Get 21st Century Makeover
By Elizabeth Barton | October 03, 2023

Businesses are turning to an old staple: supper clubs. Learn more about why.

graphic of people looking at a chart
Article
It’s Fashionable to Skip the Business Plan — How Reckless Is That?
By Mike Berner | October 03, 2023

More and more entrepreneurs are winging it. Are they setting themselves up for failure or smartly trusting their gut?