
One of the most fundamental activities for a startup is deciding how to compete and developing a business plan. From determining critical decisions with your firm, to gaining the support of important stakeholders, a business plan is an important stage in launching a business. This collection of articles covers some of the most important parts of creating your strategy and documenting your approach.
Writing your business plan
Before diving into writing your business plan it is useful to consider it’s role in your firm. The articles below explore the importance of writing your business plan internally – illustrating the benefits of thinking through your business approach beyond just getting financial resources.

Reasons to involve employees in strategic decision making at your startup
This article explores the primary reasons for engaging your employees in shaping the strategy of your startup.

The importance of developing your business plan and strategy yourself
This article explores all the reasons why you should develop your business plan and strategy yourself – rather than rely on outsiders or downloaded plans.

The importance of a business plan: Why all startups should develop one
It is easy to discount the importance of a business plan. As a startup founder, you likely have lots of pressing activities, and since there are likely many uncertainties about your business, it is possible to fall into the trap of continually delaying documenting your firm and its approach.

The importance of a business plan: Why all startups should develop one
It is easy to discount the importance of a business plan. As a startup founder, you likely have lots of pressing activities, and since there are likely many uncertainties about your business, it is possible to fall into the trap of continually delaying documenting your firm and its approach.

The importance of developing your business plan and strategy yourself
This article explores all the reasons why you should develop your business plan and strategy yourself – rather than rely on outsiders or downloaded plans.

Reasons to involve employees in strategic decision making at your startup
This article explores the primary reasons for engaging your employees in shaping the strategy of your startup.
Components of a business plan

Sizing your market opportunity
This article outlines approaches for determining your market sizes and importance of doing so.

Contingency planning your startup
This guide explains contingency planning – or what-if analysis – illustrating the importance of planning for contingencies at your startup.

Applying SWOT analysis to your startup
SWOT analysis is possibly one of the most well-known strategic analysis – allowing you to systematically consider the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats likely to impact your organization.

Sizing your market opportunity
This article outlines approaches for determining your market sizes and importance of doing so.

Contingency planning your startup
This guide explains contingency planning – or what-if analysis – illustrating the importance of planning for contingencies at your startup.

Applying SWOT analysis to your startup
SWOT analysis is possibly one of the most well-known strategic analysis – allowing you to systematically consider the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats likely to impact your organization.
Communicating your business plan
As well as developing your business plant, it is also important to be prepared to communicate your strategy with potentially investors and other stakeholders.

The importance of an elevator pitch
The elevator pitch – a description of the essence of your business’s strategy that you are able to share within about 60 seconds, or the time to go up an elevator – is critical for startups to develop. This article explains the benefits of having an elevator pitch strategy, beyond securing financing.

Communicating your strategy: Creating a shared understanding
This article explores the benefits of communicating the strategy within the firm, and how to do so.

The importance of an elevator pitch
The elevator pitch – a description of the essence of your business’s strategy that you are able to share within about 60 seconds, or the time to go up an elevator – is critical for startups to develop. This article explains the benefits of having an elevator pitch strategy, beyond securing financing.

Communicating your strategy: Creating a shared understanding
This article explores the benefits of communicating the strategy within the firm, and how to do so.