The primary value of your business plan is to create a written resource that evaluates most aspects of your new business including a description of your target customers and markets, profitability, ...

Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Melissa Houston covers financial issues that affect women in business. Creating a business plan is a critical first step for any entrepreneur.

This process of strategic planning 12 months at a time enables the business owner to execute a multi-year strategy needed to make your company bigger than you ever thought, while shaving years of ...

And even 20 percent of companies with more than $10 million in revenue lack a formal process. "When you're trying to just bring in revenue every month, formal business planning seems like ...

Simons, Robert L., Antonio Davila, and Afroze A Mohammed. "Becton Dickinson--Designing the New Strategic, Operational, and Financial Planning Process." Harvard Business School Case 197-014, July 1996.

A trio of business leaders shared ideas and experiences in business succession during a panel discussion in Holmes County.