Complete Idiot's Guide to Running Your Small Business with Microsoft Office 97

by Ulrich

• ISBN13: 9780789717481
• ISBN10: 0789717484
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-01-22
• Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.

Summary

Running a small office, whether it's at your business or in your home, doesn't necessarily mean that you're less than five feet tall. But concerns about software selection, effective communications strategies, and keeping up with the Joneses of the the corporate world are apt to make the small businessperson feel like a midget in the land of behemoths. This book is better than platform shoes.

Author Biography

Working with computers since 1981, Laurie Ann Ulrich has been writing computer reference materials and teaching computer skills to people of all ages and backgrounds since 1990. She is an author and co-author on six computer technology and software books from Macmillan. Laurie is president of Limehat & Company, Inc., a consulting firm in Huntingdon Valley, PA and she teaches continuing education courses at universities and computer training organizations throughout the PA, NJ, and NY areas.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Should My Office Be a Microsoft Office?
If I Had Hammer: Choosing the Right Tool for the Job	7	(10)
Toss your typewriter and all those handwritten notes that pass for business paperwork. Figure out which tasks to automate, and formulate the best approach.
Buying a Reliable, Reasonably Priced Computer for Your Business	17	(14)
How much computer do you need? How much can you afford? Check out your shopping and purchasing options.
Already Got a PC? Consider Upgrading	31	(12)
The computer you bought three years ago may need some tweaking to bring it up to speed. This chapter gives you the what, where, and when to get you started.
Smart Businesspeople, Foolish Choices: Selecting the Right Software	43	(8)
Make sense of all the software deals you see. From the shelves of your local computer superstore to a programmer's custom solution, identify your best options.
Working the Web: Using the Internet to Find Software	51	(8)
Free and cheap software abounds on the Internet. Find out where to get it, whether to bother with it, and how to get technical support.
Understanding Your Microsoft Office Options	59	(8)
What does Office have to offer? Find out which programs do what and how you can get the most business bang for your Microsoft Office bucks.
Part 2: Mastering Business Communication
Business Correspondence: It's Not Just for Secretaries Anymore	67	(18)
Type it yourself, pal! Learn the basics of constructing proper business correspondence.
Playing the Numbers: Designing Your Own Financial Reports	85	(20)
Even if you have some high-falutin' accounting package, you'll need to create spreadsheets for special situations. Use Excel and the Small Business Financial Manager to make it easy.
Mass Hysteria? Marketing with Form Letters	105	(20)
You may have already won! Sell your products and services with form letters, merging data with a carefully-crafted document.
Email: Getting Connected and Staying in Touch	125	(12)
From an icy Internet service provider (ISP) to a cozy online service, choose the right kind of connection for your needs. After you're connected, use email to reach out and touch...the world!
Just the Fax, Ma'am	137	(10)
Learn to send and receive faxes from your computer and to successfully navigate the subtle world of fax etiquette.
Part 3: Marketing: Cheaper and Safer Than Skywriting
Keep Moving with Business Stationery	147	(14)
Sometimes it's okay to be cheap! Create your own professional-looking stationery---letterhead, fax covers, and business cards---inexpensively using Microsoft Word.
Printed Matter: Do-It-Yourself Marketing	161	(18)
You needn't be a graphic artist to create snazzy marketing materials. Learn what works and what doesn't, and where to find all the tools you need.
Three Folds, No Waiting: Brochures, Flyers, and Print Ads	179	(12)
Grab these great ideas for creating marketing materials that speak effectively to your unique audience.
Nail It Up or Send It Out? Distributing Information About Your Company	191	(8)
From Seminars to ads in the church bulletin, there are hundreds of ways to get the word out about your business.
Ta Da! Creating a Sales Presentation	199	(12)
They'll be glued to their seats during your presentation if you use these tips for building a great slide show. Use sound and motion to give your message a high-tech appeal.
Should You Weave a Web (Page)?	211	(14)
Work locally, sell globally! Imagine www.yourcompany.com, advertising your products/services to millions. Microsoft Office makes it easy to design and create a great home page.
Part 4: You're Late! Scheduling Your Time and Resources
Deciding on a Work Schedule	225	(10)
Don't fall into the common snares that rob you of productive hours in the work day. Learn to hang up on friends and not leave your kids stranded, all while you produce great work---on schedule!
Appointments: Be There or Be Square	235	(8)
Meetings can be a huge waste of time, but not if you plan them well and invite the right people.
Mastering Your Calendar 101	243	(8)
Whether you bring your laptop everywhere or rely on a manual calendar system, keep it up-to-date, and most of all, keep it by your side.
Getting It Done with To-Do Lists	251	(8)
Tote that barge, lift that bale! From remembering to pick up your dry cleaning to juggling a large project, learn to keep a list of tasks and monitor your progress.
Appendix Small Business Resources	259	(8)
A group of smart people, places, and things to turn to for advice and assistance.
Glossary	267	(6)
What did she say? If any terms in this book made you scratch your head, check this compendium of computer-speak.
Index	273