The Everything Start Your Own Business Book

by Harrington, Judith

• ISBN13: 9781593376611
• ISBN10: 1593376618
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-10-01
• Publisher: Adams Media Corp

Summary

The Everything[Registered] Start Your Own Business Book, 2nd Edition has everything you need to start your own business-and keep it running in the black. Completely updated and expertly revised by successful businesswoman Judith B. Harrington, this one-stop resource contains new information on: Online business strategies, Critical professional associations and organizations, Regulatory pitfalls, Competitive concepts, such as leased employees.

Author Biography

Judith B. Harrington lives in Newton, Massachusetts and is the president of Print Management Commercial Printing Brokers

Table of Contents

Top Ten Things You'll Learn from This Book	xii
Introduction	xiii
Ready, Set, Go!	1	(16)
Self-Evaluation	2	(2)
Pros of Starting Your Own Business	4	(1)
Cons of Starting Your Own Business	5	(1)
Before You Start	6	(2)
Avoiding Common Mistakes	8	(3)
Thinking Like a Businessperson	11	(2)
Getting Help from Advisors and Mentors	13	(1)
Plan Your Exit Strategy Now	14	(3)
Choosing a Business	17	(12)
It Starts with a Dream	18	(1)
Not All Good Ideas Are Profitable	19	(1)
Buying an Existing Business or Franchise	20	(2)
Selling Services	22	(2)
Retail Sales	24	(2)
Business-to-Business (B2B)	26	(1)
Manufacturing the Products You Sell	27	(2)
When Opportunity Knocks	29	(8)
The Upside to Downsizing	30	(1)
Option 1: Stick with It	30	(1)
Option 2: Radical Change	31	(1)
Your Idea, Someone Else's Know-How	32	(1)
Coming Into the Family Business	33	(2)
Can a Business Broker Help?	35	(2)
Use the Tools You Have	37	(8)
Industry Knowledge	38	(1)
Licenses and Certifications	39	(1)
Advanced Degrees	39	(2)
How Many Letters Do You Need after Your Name?	41	(1)
Public Speaking	42	(1)
Create a Buzz with Unsolicited Articles	43	(2)
Researching the Market	45	(12)
Conducting Market Research	46	(1)
Assessing Your Potential Market	47	(1)
Industry Trends	48	(2)
Staying Current	50	(1)
Scouting Out the Competition	51	(1)
Filling of Void	52	(2)
The Name Game	54	(3)
Structuring Your Business	57	(12)
Overview	58	(1)
Partnerships	58	(1)
General Partnerships	59	(1)
Limited Liability Partnerships	60	(1)
Sole Proprietorships	61	(1)
Corporations	62	(3)
Get Tax Advice Now!	65	(4)
Writing a Business Plan	69	(16)
When Will You Need a Business Plan?	70	(1)
Getting Ready	71	(2)
A Step-by-Step Guide	73	(2)
Business Overview	75	(5)
Financial Plan	80	(1)
Reviewing and Tweaking Your Plan	81	(4)
Money: Mother's Milk	85	(10)
Finance 101	86	(1)
Get Your Funding Act Together	87	(1)
Prove You Are Loan-Worthy	88	(1)
Prove Your Business Is Loan-Worthy	89	(1)
Good Documents Are Gold	90	(1)
Looking for Equity Investors	91	(4)
Loans and Other Funding	95	(10)
Traditional Loan Offerings	96	(1)
Special Loan Programs	96	(1)
Loan Sources Other Than Banks	97	(1)
Vendor Teammates	98	(1)
Silent Partners	98	(3)
How Soon to Profitability?	101	(3)
When You Have the Money in Hand	104	(1)
Regulations and Legal Matters	105	(10)
Licensing and Regulations	106	(2)
Inspections	108	(1)
Zoning Ordinances	108	(1)
Leases	109	(1)
Fictitious Name Forms	110	(1)
Trademarks, Patents, and Copyrights	111	(2)
Agencies, Agreements, and Regulations	113	(2)
Location, Location, Location	115	(12)
The Right Space	116	(1)
Storefront Businesses	117	(3)
Office Space	120	(1)
Manufacturing Space	121	(1)
Home-Based Businesses	122	(2)
Shared Services	124	(3)
Furnishings and Equipment	127	(20)
Assessing Your Needs	128	(1)
Comfort and Layout	129	(2)
Telephone Systems	131	(2)
Cost-Effective Decisions	133	(1)
Cutting Costs	134	(2)
Technology---Get Up to Speed	136	(1)
Computer System Components	137	(2)
Shopping for a Computer	139	(1)
The Search for Software	140	(2)
Computer Networks	142	(5)
Getting Online	147	(14)
Taking the Web Site Plunge	148	(1)
Building a Web Site	149	(1)
Hiring a Professional Web Designer	150	(3)
Web Hosting	153	(1)
Domain Names	154	(1)
Preparing to Launch Your Site	155	(6)
Selling Online	161	(10)
Service Business	162	(1)
Retail Sales	163	(1)
Keywords Bidding	163	(1)
Auction Sales	164	(2)
Payment Options	166	(2)
Stand Out from the Crowd	168	(3)
Product and Services Management	171	(12)
The Importance of Inventory	172	(1)
Product Procurement	172	(5)
Pricing Your Goods and Services	177	(1)
Pricing to Draw More Business	178	(1)
Brokering	179	(1)
Services	180	(3)
Marketing Makes All the Difference	183	(16)
Start with Market Research	184	(3)
Identifying Your Target Market	187	(1)
Reaching Your Market	188	(4)
Advertising	192	(4)
Publicity	196	(1)
Public Relations	197	(2)
Networking	199	(8)
Associations and Organizations	200	(1)
Industry Awards	200	(2)
Join Your Tribe	202	(1)
Civic Organizations	203	(1)
Professional Networking Groups	204	(1)
Volunteer Opportunities	204	(3)
Hiring and Handling Employees	207	(16)
Getting Organized to Hire	208	(1)
Finding Qualified Employees	208	(2)
Using Contractors, Freelancers, and Interms	210	(2)
Components of a Job Posting	212	(1)
Interviewing Candidates	212	(2)
Running Background Checks	214	(1)
Do You Want Love, Respect, or Both?	215	(1)
Establishing Rules and Policies	216	(1)
Show Them the Money---and Benefits	217	(2)
Letting People Go---Know the Law	219	(4)
Consulting	223	(10)
Landing on Your Feet	224	(1)
Finding Opportunity Between Jobs	224	(1)
Why Be a Consultant?	225	(1)
Making the Leap	226	(1)
Setting Fees	227	(2)
Getting Started	229	(1)
Clients Who Are a Good Fit for You	230	(1)
Structuring the Business	231	(2)
A Look at Taxes	233	(10)
Good Records Prevent Headaches Later	234	(1)
What You Need to Pay and When	234	(2)
Proper Deductions Help Profits	236	(2)
Employment Taxes	238	(3)
Tax Planning with a Pro	241	(2)
Bookkeeping, Record Keeping, and Administrative Tasks	243	(14)
Good Records Keep Things Going Smoothly	244	(1)
Establishing Bookkeeping Procedures	245	(1)
Cash or Accrual---Which Accounting System Is for You?	246	(2)
What to Keep Track Of	248	(3)
Choosing Accounting Software	251	(2)
Record Keeping and Administrative Needs	253	(1)
Who Should Do the Administrative Duties?	254	(3)
Insurance	257	(14)
Risk Management	258	(1)
Retaining or Transferring Risk	259	(1)
Evaluating Your Insurance Needs	260	(2)
General Coverage Considerations	262	(1)
Buying Insurance	262	(1)
Real Property	263	(1)
Contents Inventory	264	(1)
Workers' Compensation	265	(2)
Liability	267	(2)
Other Coverage Considerations	269	(2)
Managing for Long-Term Success	271	(16)
Customer Service	272	(2)
Stay Loose and Available	274	(1)
Employee Development	274	(3)
Staying Abreast of Industry Changes	277	(2)
Keeping Your Presence Known	279	(1)
Monitoring Cash Flow and Productivity	280	(1)
Planned Expansion	281	(1)
No One Knows Your Business Better Than You	282	(1)
Hold On to Your Sanity	283	(1)
Know When to Hold, Know When to Fold	284	(3)
Appendix A: Sample Business Plan	287	(8)
Appendix B: Additional Resources	295	(5)
Index	300