The Entrepreneur Magazine Small Business Answer Book

"What are the most important elements of a business plan?" "How can I afford the time and money to train my employees?" "Where do I turn when my company gets into trouble?" In this no-nonsense guide, you'll find bull's eye answers to these and a hundred other questions you're bound to ask as you launch, develop, and grow your business. Jim Schell, a grizzled veteran of four successful start-ups, helps you avoid the common pitfalls and adapt proven strategies to your company's needs. He shows you how to find the capital you need, create a working environment that lures and keeps the best employees, and develop management skills that are crucial to continued growth. You'll also learn: What makes a successful entrepreneur How to manage your inventory When and whether to grow, sell, or merge a business How to generate a network What to look for in an accountant, lawyer, consultant, and mentor ENTREPRENEUR Magazine is the banner publication of the Entrepreneur Magazine Group. It has the largest newsstand circulation of any business monthly with a total ABC audited circulation of 410,000. Jim Schell has written two previous books about entrepreneurship and management. He has owned and managed four successful sportswear and sporting goods businesses. Also available from the Entrepreneur Magazine library: The Entrepreneur Magazine Small Business Advisor Guide to Integrated Marketing Making Money with Your Personal Computer Small Business Legal Guide Starting an Import/Export Business Starting a Home-Based Business Successful Advertising for Small Businesses

The next best thing to hiring a human resources professional If you need help managing the people side of your small business, you're in luck! This comprehensive, practical guide supplies everything you need to know to manage human resources effectively and avoid legal hassles: * Easy-to-follow guidelines for job advertising, interviewing, hiring, setting wages and benefits, and conducting performance reviews. * Important information on civil rights, affirmative action, and the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). * Guidance on developing workplace policies, dealing with layoffs, managing employees with disabilities, and other sensitive issues. * Sample documents, including performance review forms, job descriptions, and applications. * Sample letters and memos for key types of formal communication with employees. Also available from the Entrepreneur Magazine library: * The Entrepreneur Magazine Small Business Advisor * The Entrepreneur Magazine Small Business Answer Book * Guide to Integrated Marketing * Making Money with Your Personal Computer * Small Business Legal Guide * Starting an Import/Export Business * Starting a Home-Based Business * Successful Advertising for Small Businesses SPECIAL OFFERS! * Free issue of Entrepreneur Magazine. * 50% discount on Entrepreneur Magazine subscription. * 1/2 price admission to any Entrepreneur Magazine Small Business Expo. * Discount on American Entrepreneurs Association membership. See details and coupons in back of book.

Like having a team of top business consultants on call, 24 hours a day...but a whole lot cheaper. From the experts at Entrepreneur magazine comes your total guide to starting, managing, and growing a small business. Written to meet all the information needs of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and those thinking about going into business for themselves, this practical, user-friendly guide tells you everything you need to know about setting goals and objectives, assessing risk, finding the right location, financing, marketing, pricing, taxation, insurance, record keeping, personnel management, purchasing, inventory, time and stress management, legal matters, advertising, sales, obtaining expansion capital, and many other topics of vital importance to smart, enterprising business people like you. Proven strategies, techniques, and expert tips on every aspect of starting, managing, and growing a small business. Defines all important terms and clearly explains difficult concepts in plain English. Packed with useful worksheets, checklists, sample forms, and other valuable business tools that you can put to work for you, today. Chapters include listings of trade associations, periodicals, on-line services, software, government agencies, and other valuable sources of business assistance and information. Also available from the Entrepreneur library: Entrepreneur Starting an Import/Export Business, Entrepreneur Making Money With Your Personal Computer.

The inside scoop . . .for when you want more than the official line Want to be your own boss but aren't quite sure how to make it happen? This savvy guide will show you the way. Now revised and updated to cover the latest regulations, techniques, and trends, it walks you step by step through the entire start-up process, from coming up with a business plan and lining up financing to setting up shop, marketing to your customer base, and dealing with accounting, taxes, insurance, and licenses. Packed with real-world tips and tricks that you won't find anywhere else, it delivers all the know-how you need to declare independence from the 9-to-5 world, launch your business--and watch the profits grow! * Vital Information on real-world entrepreneurship that other sources don't reveal. * Insider Secrets on how to secure financing and choose a winning location. * Money-Saving Techniques, including low-cost ways to market your business. * Time-Saving Tips for creating a business plan and handling legal and accounting basics. * The Latest Trends, including how to launch a profitable home- or Web-based business. * Handy Checklists and Charts to help you plan your start-up and succeed in the marketplace.

Build an empire step by step Don't risk a small fortune trying to make a big one. Let acclaimed consultant Don Debelak show you how to get your exciting new product off the drawing board and into the marketplace--without losing your shirt! In this book, you'll learn what every inventor and entrepreneur needs to know about manufacturing techniques, product design, distribution channels, patents, licensing, and cash flow. You'll also discover how to handle some very tricky issues that are crucial to your success, including * Knowing when your product is market ready * Creating a step-by-step product-to-market strategy * Adjusting your strategy to changing market conditions * Finding financial help from investors, manufacturers, and distributors * Having manufacturers pay development costs prior to licensing Also available from the Entrepreneur Magazine library: * The Entrepreneur Magazine Small Business Advisor * The Entrepreneur Magazine Small Business Answer Book * Guide to Integrated Marketing * Human Resources for Small Businesses * Making Money with Your Personal Computer * Small Business Legal Guide * Starting a Home-Based Business * Starting an Import/Export Business * Successful Advertising for Small Businesses SPECIAL OFFERS! FREE issue of Entrepreneur Magazine * 50% discount on Entrepreneur Magazine subscription * 1/2 price admission to any Entrepreneur Magazine Small Business Expo * Discount on American Entrepreneurs Association membership See details and coupons in back of book.

A comprehensive companion to Entrepreneur's long-time bestseller Start Your Own Business, this essential guide leads you through the most critical startup step next to committing to your business vision—defining how to achieve it. Coached by a diverse group of experts and successful business owners, gain an in-depth understanding of what’s essential to any business plan, what’s appropriate for your venture, and what it takes ensure success. Plus, learn from real-world examples of plans that worked, helping to raise money, hone strategy, and build a solid business. Whether you’re just starting out or already running a business, to successfully build a company, you need a plan. One that lays out your product, your strategy, your market, your team, and your opportunity. It is the blueprint for your business. The experts at Entrepreneur show you how to create it. Includes sample business plans, resources and worksheets.

Whether you're just thinking of starting a business, have taken the first few steps, or already have your own business, this comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide can help ensure your success.

It's like having a team of top business consultants on call 24 hours a day . . . but a whole lot cheaper. Each month for over 20 years, hundreds of thousands of enterprising individuals have turned to Entrepreneur Magazine for news on the latest business trends and expert tips on how to maximize the success of their ventures. Now from the experts at Entrepreneur, here is the ultimate guide to starting, managing, and growing a small business. Written to meet all the information needs of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and those thinking about going into business for themselves, this practical, user-friendly guide tells you everything you need to know about setting goals and objectives, assessing risk, finding the right location, financing, marketing, pricing, taxation, insurance, record keeping, personnel management, purchasing, inventory, time and stress management, legal matters, advertising, sales, obtaining expansion capital, and many other topics of vital importance to smart, enterprising businesspeople like you. Proven strategies, techniques, and expert tips on every aspect of starting, managing, and growing a small business. * Defines all important terms and clearly explains difficult concepts in plain English. * Packed with useful worksheets, checklists, sample forms, and other valuable business tools that you can put to work for you, today. * Chapters include listings of trade associations, periodicals, on-line services, software, government agencies, and other valuable sources of business assistance and information. ENTREPRENEUR is the banner publication of the Entrepreneur Magazine Group. It has the largest newsstand circulation of any business monthly and has a total ABC audited circulation of 531,000. The Entrepreneur Magazine Group also publishes Business Start-Ups and Entrepreneur Mexico, and software that deals with business start-up management. Also available from the Entrepreneur Magazine library: * Starting a Home-Based Business, Second Edition. * Starting an Import/Export Business. * Small Business Legal Guide. * Making Money with Your Personal Computer.