Six-Week Start-Up

by Abrams, Rhonda

• ISBN13: 9780966963595
• ISBN10: 0966963598
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-04-01
• Publisher: Planning Shop

Summary

You have an idea for a business -- but now comes the tough part: making it happen. From licenses to bookeeping to marketing to setting up shop, Six-Week Start-Up guides you through every step of getting your business up and running successfully -- and fast! Book jacket.

Table of Contents

Who this book is for	iii
About Rhonda Abrams	v
How to use this book	vii
Introduction	xv
Lay the Foundation	1	(46)
Clarify your business concept	5	(21)
Identify your personal goals	7	(2)
Spell out your business values	9	(3)
Remind yourself of your source of inspiration	12	(3)
Describe your business concept	15	(2)
Identify your strategic position	17	(1)
Decide whether you want partners	18	(3)
Decide whether you want investors	21	(1)
Consider potential exit strategies	22	(2)
Discuss the impact of starting a business with your family	24	(1)
Make an appointment with an SBDC counselor	25	(1)
Create your company identity	26	(15)
Choose a name	27	(4)
Check out trademarks	31	(3)
Secure a domain name	34	(1)
Consider logos, taglines, and colors	35	(4)
Meet with a graphic designer	39	(2)
Get organized	41	(6)
Set up physical files	41	(2)
Set up computer files	43	(1)
Set up a contact management system	43	(1)
Keep track of your company's vital statistics	44	(1)
Keep track of expenses	45	(2)
Get the Information You Need	47	(32)
Learn more about your industry	50	(6)
Make a list of your research questions	50	(1)
Contact your industry association(s)	51	(3)
Do online research	54	(2)
Research your target market	56	(7)
Define your target market	59	(1)
Determine if there are enough customers	60	(3)
Check out your competition	63	(6)
Identify your competitors	63	(1)
Analyze your competition	64	(4)
Compare competitors' pricing	68	(1)
Find suppliers	69	(3)
Consider strategic partners	72	(1)
Broaden/establish your network	73	(6)
Attend an entrepreneur or industry organization meeting	77	(2)
Cut Through Red Tape	79	(48)
Deal with legal and licensing matters	82	(22)
Choose a legal form and ownership structure	83	(5)
Discuss ownership of your company	88	(4)
Apply for business licenses, permits, and ID numbers	92	(6)
Discuss collecting sales tax	98	(2)
Draw up basic contracts and other legal agreements	100	(1)
Protect your intellectual property	100	(4)
Build your team and personnel structure	104	(23)
Consider your support structure	104	(3)
Decide who you need on your team	107	(3)
Examine the use of independent contractors	110	(3)
Understand employment laws & consider personnel policies	113	(8)
Appraise your management style	121	(6)
Take Care of Operations	127	(64)
Find and secure a location	130	(1)
Option 1: Rent space	131	(8)
Decide on the necessary attributes of your location	131	(4)
Meet with a real estate agent	135	(1)
Compare properties	135	(3)
Consider whether you need more than one location	138	(1)
Option 2: Set up a home office	139	(9)
Find the space to work	139	(1)
Figure out your phone, fax, and Internet connections	140	(1)
Plan how to meet with customers	141	(1)
Decide whether you need a separate business address	142	(1)
Understand home-based office tax deductions	143	(1)
Plan ways to separate work life from home life	144	(2)
Deal with kids and pets	146	(2)
Option 3: Set up an ``office'' in your vehicle	148	(1)
Design your work space and production process	149	(14)
Design your layout	149	(3)
Design your production process	152	(2)
Order/install utilities and facility improvements	154	(1)
Order furniture and equipment	155	(6)
Order inventory and/or raw materials	161	(2)
Research and purchase computers and other technology	163	(15)
Develop an approach to buying technology	163	(2)
Choose a phone system	165	(2)
Choose software	167	(1)
Choose hardware	168	(4)
Get online	172	(5)
Find ways to get technical help	177	(1)
Consider how you will distribute your products	178	(4)
Design procedures for handling administrative tasks	182	(3)
Deal with insurance	185	(6)
Deal with Money Issues	191	(40)
Deal with money matters	194	(26)
Meet with an accountant	194	(1)
Learn the lingo	195	(2)
Take stock of your personal financial situation	197	(2)
Clean up your credit	199	(3)
Set up your books	202	(1)
Establish your prices	203	(3)
Open a bank account	206	(1)
Consider accepting credit cards	207	(3)
Prepare simple financial forecasts	210	(2)
Learn about taxes	212	(8)
Consider financing	220	(11)
Determine whose money you want	222	(6)
Develop a business plan	228	(3)
Open Your Doors	231	(51)
Develop a marketing plan	234	(21)
Clarify your company's message	234	(2)
Come up with your Elevator Pitch	236	(4)
Decide on marketing vehicles	240	(15)
Set up a simple website	255	(4)
Start making sales!	259	(16)
Hold your grand opening	275	(1)
Look towards the future	276	(6)
Index	282