The importance of a comprehensive, thoughtful business plan cannot be overemphasized. Many factors critical to business success depend upon your plan: outside funding, credit from suppliers, management of your operation and finances, promotion and marketing of your business, and achievement of your goals and objectives.
Essential Elements of a Business Plan
A business plan should be a work in progress. That’s because your business will evolve over time, and be influenced by outside factors such as the economy and local conditions. Marketing sections of the plan will include Market Analysis and Marketing & Sales Management.
Build Your Business Plan
The SBA’s Business Plan Tool is a step-by-step guide and template that allows you to create a plan at your own pace. You can save your work, update it as needed, and print it out as a PDF.
Free Sample Business Plans
Choose the category that is closest to your own business or industry, and find a plan you like. You can use it for reference in writing your own plan.
After you have successfully launched your small business, you have the ongoing challenge of managing it – of nurturing it and growing its profitability, while at the same time adhering to laws and regulations that govern your industry.
Managing a Business
After you have successfully launched your small business, you have the ongoing challenge of managing it – of nurturing it and growing its profitability, while at the same time adhering to laws and regulations that govern your industry.
Maintaining an Agile Company_
In today’s business world, with its ever-changing marketplace, many companies recognize the need to adapt and change in order to remain competitive. This article will help you reinvent your company’s vision to more closely match trends and customer preferences. By doing so, you will be better equipped to satisfy customers and increase profits.
To Keep track of your finances, you need to first determine who will be responsible. Will your payroll, tax & basic financial accounting services be handled in-house or outsourced to a qualified professional such as a CPA, accountant or bookkeeper. If you take responsibility, find out which one of the latest accounting software packages is the best for your business.
QuickBooks
QuickBooks offers small businesses a portfolio of products and services that go beyond accounting. Whether brick-and-mortar or on the Web, from home-based businesses to firms with hundreds of employees, more small business owners choose QuickBooks products and services to help them manage and market their companies – and succeed – than any other product.
Bizstats
Get instant access to useful financial ratios, business statistics & benchmarks, effective and understandable online analysis of businesses & industries.
Peachtree Accounting Software
Sage Peachtree is accurate, easy-to-use accounting software that provides the insights and control needed for businesses that are committed to getting the numbers right and improving results.
Managing Business Financing and Accounting
Years ago, many businesses had a “Cash Only” policy. Purchases were made and services performed only if cash changed hands. These days, a cash-only business would limit its potential customers. Even so, as a business owner you need to be smart about how you handle non-cash transactions, and how you manage payments to your employees.
In addition to hiring people with the right qualifications, be sure that your hiring practices are aligned with all laws pertaining to your industry.
Texas Workforce Commission: Businesses and Employers
Information and services for Texas employers
Workforce Solutions Heart of Texas
Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas is committed to improving the skills and knowledge of our labor force and assisting employers in obtaining the most qualified applicants. Counties served include Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, and McLennan.
Workforce Solutions DFW: Improve Your Business
Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas is dedicated to helping grow and strengthen in the local economy. We are here to help you understand the current economy, assist with your business needs and provide you with labor market and economic information.
Employee Handbooks
The company employee handbook is one of the most important communication tools between your company and your employees. Not only does it set forth your expectations for your employees, but it also describes what they can expect from the company.
10 steps to setting up a payroll system
Whether you have one employee or 50, setting up a payroll system not only streamlines your ability to stay on top of your legal and regulatory responsibilities as an employer, but it can also save you time and help protect you from incurring costly Internal Revenue Service (IRS) penalties.
Navigating DOL Laws and Regulations
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is committed to providing America’s workers, employers, job seekers, and retirees — with clear and easy-to-access information on how to comply with federal employment laws. This information is often referred to as “compliance assistance,” which is an important part of the Department’s efforts to protect the wages, health benefits, retirement security, employment rights, safety, and health of America’s workforce.
Emergencies and accidents are unavoidable and unwanted circumstances that can grind your productivity to a halt. Be sure that you protect your business from the unexpected.
Small Business Administration: Insurance
Insurance for your business will protect you from unforeseen dangers, and adequate insurance could make the difference between having to close your business after a disaster or continuing to operate. Don’t short-change your business when it comes to insurance coverage.
Insure U for Small Business
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) presents
Insure U for Small Business to provide helpful information, tips and considerations about insurance for owners of small companies and home-based businesses.
Before starting your business, gather information about federal income taxes, tax identification numbers, business tax credits, and employment tax regulations to determine your federal, state, and local tax obligations.
Business Tax Responsibilities
An important step before starting a business is to determine the federal, state, and local tax obligations. The following sections briefly discuss each of these areas. It is strongly recommended that a professional tax advisor, accountant, and/or attorney be consulted before starting a business.
IRS: Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center
When you’re running a business, you don’t need to be a tax expert, too. But you do need some tax basics. IRS Small Business Advantage gives you the information you need to stay tax compliant so your business can thrive.
Tax Information and Transactions
Establish a tax account in Texas, file and pay taxes, update tax account or learn more about tax