Business Tools

  

These tools and publications are available to assist you in the development of your small business. For the pdfs, you will need the free Acrobat Reader to view the files.

If you would like additional assistance, please complete our online Request for Advising or contact a regional office directly to schedule a no-cost and confidential appointment with a business advisor.  
 
 

Before You Start

• SBA Small Business Assessment Tool
     …a simple tool designed to help you better understand your readiness for starting a small business
• Do you have what it takes to succeed in business?
     …characteristics that are common among entrepreneurs who achieve success
• SBA's 2024 Small Business Resource Guide (national edition)
   
   

Videos

• How Do I Get a Business Loan? (video, 6:42 mins)
     ...specifics about the bank loan process
• Choosing a Name for Your Business (video, 4:37 mins)
     ...key elements of a good business name, including an association to what the business does, easy to say, and other small details
• How Much Money Do You Need to Start Your Business? (video, 6:50 mins)
     ...types of upfront costs new business owners need to take into consideration
• I Have Multiple Ideas for a Business, Which One Do I Choose? (4:10 mins)
     ...weighing the many different factors that go into starting a successful business
• Choosing the Right Legal Structure for Your Business (video, 5:58 mins)
     ...different legal business structures and different aspects to consider when choosing one

   

Basic Business Planning

• Starting a Business in Massachusetts
     …use these easy steps to jump-start the process of launching your company
• Checklist for Starting a Business
     …this document gives an overview of the steps necessary in starting a small business
• Business Planning Guide (pdf)
     …this document gives an outline of a well-structured business plan
• Business Plan Outline (pdf)
     …a written document that defines goals and how they will be achieved
• Elements of a Strong Business Plan
     …guidelines will help you build a successful business plan
• Massachusetts SBDC Request for Advising
     …complete the form and be on your way to free and confidential business advising
• Checklist for First Business Advisory Session
     …relevant information needed for the first meeting with a business advisor
  
    

Business Information

• Business Insurance...What You Need to Know
     …compilation of information on business insurance to help you understand these important issues
• Business Obligations
     …brief overview of your business's legal obligations
• Corporate Structures (pdf)
     …introduces a new entrepreneur to the different forms of business entities
• Partnership Agreements
     …questions for business partners to think about before entering into any partnership
• Partnership Agreement Worksheets (pdf)
     …considerations so that you have a successful and rewarding partnership

 
Financial Information

• Financial Planning Worksheet (Excel)
     …helps you understand your current financial situation
• Develop a Personal Budget
     …determine future personal income towards expenses, savings and debt repayment
• SBA Personal Financial Statement (pdf)
     …includes information about the individual, such as name and address, along with a breakdown of total assets and liabilities
• Start Up Expenses Worksheet (Excel)
     …expense categories for a business start-up
  

 

Cybersecurity Resources

• Cybersecurity Guidance For Small Businesses
     ...an invaluable source of information from NorthStar and America's SBDC
• Cybersecurity Webinars

 
Marketing Information

• Marketing Plan
     …a written document that describes the current market position of a business and its marketing strategy over a period of time
• Competition Analysis (Excel)
     …Identifying your competitors and evaluating their strategies to determine their strengths and weaknesses relative to those of your own product or service
• Customer Analysis (Excel)
     …Identifying your customers and evaluating their strategies to determine their strengths and weaknesses relative to those of your own product or service
• Internal Analysis (Excel)
     …explores your organization's competency, cost position and competitive viability in the marketplace
• Market Analysis (Excel)
     …studies the attractiveness and the dynamics of a special market within a special industry

  

Articles

• Get Free Publicity for Your Business (pdf)
  
• Public Relations Materials (pdf)
  
• Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
  
• Employers' Guide to Understanding Workplace Law (pdf) - courtesy of Foley & Foley, PC
• 7 Steps to Recession-Proof Your Business - courtesy of Oracle Netsuite

 

Venture Business

• Venture Capital Executive Summary
     …helps entrepreneurs catch the eye of venture capitalists and other investors
• Sample Venture Presentation (pdf)
     …slides with questions to answer before your meeting
• Venture Business Plan Outline (pdf)
     …Your business plan outline is the first step in organizing your thoughts
• What a Venture Capitalist or Angel Investor Really Needs to Know
     …questions to think about before meeting with a venture capitalist or angel investor

   

Calculators

• Markup Calculator is used to calculate a sale price.
• Margin Calculator is used to find an item's revenue, assuming you know its cost and your desired profit margin percentage.
• Selling Price Calculator is used to determine the required selling price of an item in an online marketplace so that you achieve your desired profit.

  

Spanish Resources

• Consideraciones Pre-negocio
• Antes de Comenzar un Negocio
• Primer Paso
• Plan de Negocios / Propuesta Financiera
• Tipos de Organizaciones de Negocios
• Preguntas Frecuentes