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Recent Articles Published by Jonathan Michael
planning
How to Answer Emails Professionally in 6 Easy Steps
Email is one of the best ways to communicate with customers—it's important to get it right. Here's how to send a professional email response. Read more »
starting
Entrepreneur Quiz: Do You Have What It Takes to Succeed?
How do you know if you're ready to become an entrepreneur? Starting your own business is a big step, and it's important to make sure you've got the necessary drive, experience, and support network. Take our entrepreneur quiz to find out! Read more »
managing
Pause: 15 Quotes on Why You Should Take Breaks, Relax, and Play
15 quotes from famous authors, poets, and speakers on why time away from work is vitally important. Here's to time off, relaxation, and a bit of play! Read more »
planning
Mission Statement Examples
Are you writing a mission statement for your business? Sometimes it helps to look at samples of other companies’ mission statements to get a better idea of how to write your own. In 30 seconds or less, a good mission statement should define: What the company does for its customers What the company does for... Read more »
starting
How to Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Whether you're just now starting a business or are a seasoned entrepreneur, it's important to know yourself. Have you taken a good, hard look at your strengths and weaknesses? Read more »
starting
What I Learned from Starting a Travel Company
Are you starting a travel company? It's always smart to turn to those who've already been there. We asked Tara Cappel, founder of For the Love of Travel, to share five lessons she’s learned about what it takes to start a successful travel business. Read more »
managing
How Photographer Joshua Rainey Broke Into the Wedding Photography Business
Over the last decade, Joshua and Rachel Rainey have joined the list of Oregon’s premier wedding photographers. We asked Joshua to share five lessons he has learned over the years about what it takes to reach a level of success in a highly competitive market. Read more »
managing
Master Your Business’s Cash Flow Using Our Expert-Written eBook
Download our free eBook, and you’ll learn cash flow basics, how to build a Cash Flow Statement for your business, and the best ways to manage your cash flow. Read more »
starting
Your 2016 National Small Business Week Read-Along Guide Is Here!
At Bplans, we’re happy to celebrate National Small Business Week by giving you access to the best resources and advice we have for small businesses. Read more »
planning
Episode 12: How to Define Your Target Market, Guest Eric Siu, and the #MinimumWage | The Bcast
Peter and Jonathan discuss how to define your target market, competitive analysis with Eric Siu (The Growth Everywhere podcast), and whether or not the federal minimum wage should be increased. Read more »
managing
The 5 Scariest People to Work With (Plus: The 3 BEST People to Work With)
The Vampire, the Ghost, the Zombie—under no circumstances should you put yourself in a work environment with these terrifying monsters. Read more »
managing
Episode 11: Business Buzzwords, False Assumptions, and Content Tips from Joe Pulizzi | The Bcast
This week, Peter and Jonathan list their most-hated business buzzwords and false assumptions, and Joe Pulizzi (founder, Content Marketing Institute) also joins in. Read more »
funding
Episode 10: How to Pitch Your Business, and Brand Storytelling with Park Howell | The Bcast
This week Peter and Jonathan talk about how to pitch your business. Park Howell (from The Business of Story podcast) explains how to tell your brand story. Read more »
managing
The 15 Best Business Podcasts for Startups (and Our Podcast Too…)
Whether you are considering starting your own business, or you are already an entrepreneur, listening to podcasts can be a great way to learn from others. Read more »
planning
Episode 9: Lean Business Planning With Tim Berry | The Bcast
This week Peter and Jonathan talk to Tim Berry, founder of Palo Alto Software, about lean business planning, strategy, tactics, specifics, and the forecast. Read more »
planning
Episode 8: Charlie’s Bcast Email, Startup Incubators, and 10 Reasons Why Startups Fail | The Bcast
This week we get an email from one of our listeners, Peter and Jonathan discuss startup incubators, and our guest Caroline talks to us about the "F" word and 10 reasons why startups fail. Read more »
planning
Episode 7: Changing Plans, Niche Marketing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) | The Bcast
This week Peter and Jonathan debate whether your should stick to your plan or change it. Lara Galloway joins the show to discuss niche marketing. Finally, is the “Internet of Things” the sign of progress, or pushing us toward a grim future? Subscribe: Stitcher | TuneIn | Pocket Casts | PlayerFM | Soundcloud Do you have... Read more »
managing
Episode 6: Cameron Hates Our YouTube Ad | The Bcast
This week, we talk to Cameron about our LivePlan YouTube ad. Who is Cameron? Well, he hates our YouTube ad. We also chat with our eCommerce expert, John Procopio, about what to do when you get negative customer feedback. Listen to Episode 6: Show notes: The Backstory (with John Procopio) – (:37) Watch our LivePlan YouTube... Read more »
starting
Episode 5: Alex Blumberg, Business Credit, and Cloud-Based Subscription Services
This week, we hear from Alex Blumberg from Gimlet Media and the Startup Podcast in our new Bcast Bytes segment. Peter and Jonathan talked to Levi King from Creditera about why your business credit matters, and we share a few of our favorite subscription services. Only have time for a Bcast Byte? Here’s our first one... Read more »
starting
Free Webinar: How to Build Your Brand
Do you want to learn how you can get big brand value on a small business budget? What can you do to increase customer loyalty, and get the recognition your business needs? Discover what a brand is, why it matters, and how easy it is to create one for your business. If you completed our Big... Read more »