Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Melissa Houston covers financial issues that affect women in business. Creating a successful business starts with a strong plan.

If you are building a startup long enough, someone will ask for your business plan. Sometimes it is an investor. Sometimes it is a bank. Sometimes it is just you, staring at a blank Google Doc at 11 p ...

Wondering if it is time to write your business plan? If you are watching this, then the answer is yes. Simply put, having a business plan is going to help you organize your thoughts on what you plan ...

Most people write proposals in a panic. They rush through templates, recycling old content and hoping something sticks. No wonder conversion rates stay low. When you're up against a busy schedule and ...

Starting a business is no easy feat, and at the backbone of every business is a solid business plan. Before those words scare you, you'll be happy to know there's a simple way to do this. In this ...

Bear this in mind as you write: if you don't do it right, your chances of getting an approval will be extremely low. Knowing how to write a good business proposal is one art that you must learn if you ...

Just like you shouldn’t head down a trail without a map, you shouldn’t launch a new startup without a solid business plan. This document can help guide strategy and keep your company moving in the ...