Starting a Business

1.    Know the basic terms of telecom and internet providers.
2.    Build a relationship with trusted professionals, vendors, or advisers.
3.    Understand the difference between the cost, and the price (the lowest bidder for your telecom business could cost you the most if it doesn’t work)
4.    Read your bill! Make sure you reconcile […]

1.    Buy the right software for your company.  The pricing model and delivery method won’t matter if it isn’t the best software for you and your company.
2.    Become educated or pay the price.  Even for those businesses who outsource the purchasing of SaaS, there is no substitute for a little research and education.
3.    Read the […]

“Know the basics before buying a hosted solution”
SaaS Defined
SaaS (software as a service) is best described as a “hosted solution” or “web based solution”. The software application is accessed via the internet by the end user. This delivery method previously called the “ASP” model (Application Service Provider) or “On Demand” model allows the end user […]

Communications are Vital
The goal of this paper is to provide a quick guide to assist any business with the basic choices regarding phone and internet services. Today’s business owner has the benefit of many providers and a wide selection of technology options to choose from. Communications will be an ongoing expense, but doesn’t have to […]

Looking for help on how to start a business? Bplans.com offers a variety of free startup resources, all intended to guide you through the process of creating a business plan and getting financing for your new venture. Beyond these tools, we also offer Business Plan Pro software, which we recommend for new businesses, although it […]

To help you start a restaurant, we’ve listed our resources and tools that will help you effectively write a restaurant business plan and get your business off the ground.
Restaurant startup kit
Provides all the information that you need to start a food-service business such as location considerations, facility requirements, personnel needs, legal requirements, finance, marketing, operations […]

Start your business plan with a quick assessment. Even for an ongoing business, take the time to step away from the business and look at the basics. Do your business numbers make sense? One of my business school professors used to refer to this process as finding out “is there a there there?”
For a first […]

1. What kind of person makes a successful entrepreneur?

Research of successful entrepreneurs has documented that successful small business people have certain common characteristics. This checklist can not predict success, but it can give you an idea of whether you will have a head start or a handicap with which to work. How do you measure […]

Terry Levine took a European commonplace - the lingerie boutique - and made it a novelty in Kansas City. She opened “clair de lune” on October 1, 2004, and has so far heard nothing but accolades. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here.” “I haven’t had so much fun buying a bra before.” “Thanks for taking […]

Most people overvalue ideas and being first. You don’t have to be first to have a good business, and you don’t have to be unique. Far more important than being the first is just the simple foundation of giving your customers good value. Give good value for every dollar spent, and that will build return […]