The first thing you must understand before writing your business plan is that your plan is a marketing document. It is not a 50-page dossier explaining everything there is to know about your business.

A strong, well-thought-out business plan is crucial for a business's success. Without one, it's tough to maintain a vision of the future and what the next steps for your business should be. Think of ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about the franchising, restaurant and food services industry. An executive summary is a short but powerful document that ...

Lorin Cohen describes what you need to include in your business plan to ensure that it is an effective tool for fundraising. You have full access to this article via ...

An effective marketing strategy must have clear objectives for success. Although a company's marketing plan is always subject to change because of shifting market conditions, the primary objectives ...

Okay, so you enjoy baking, and you've lost count of the number of times friends and family have suggested that you open your own bakery. But the idea of finding a building and then creating a business ...

Pete Rathburn is a copy editor and fact-checker with expertise in economics and personal finance and over twenty years of experience in the classroom. Zoe Hansen / Investopedia A marketing plan is a ...

The classic business plan writer is an entrepreneur seeking funds to help start a new venture. Many great companies had their starts in the form of a plan that was used to convince investors to put up ...

A business plan is a concept that many startups think is either unnecessary or just a nice-to-have. It's often seen as an annoying extra bit of admin that's simply keeping you away from the fun of ...

Despite what many may think, writing a business plan is the most fun any new or aspiring owner can have in their lifetime. Want to double that fun? Write one on a Friday night when there's something ...