Complete Small-Business Sourcebook : Information, Services, and Experts Every Small and Home-Based Business Needs
ISBN: 9780812928242


Table of Contents
PART ONE A Crash Course in Starting and Growing a New Business 3(32)
1 The Idea
3(4)
Testing the Concept
3(1)
Do You Have What It Takes? A Self-Test
4(1)
Putting the Business Plan on Paper
5(2)
2 Surveying the Business Landscape-Locating Resources
7(17)
Chambers of Commerce
7(1)
Service Corps of Retired Executives
7(11)
Local Business Libraries
18(1)
Fraternal Organizations
18(1)
Government Printing Office
18(3)
Continuing Education Centers
21(1)
Competitors
22(1)
Entrepreneur Magazine Group
22(1)
State Information Centers
23(1)
3 Start-up Options
24(2)
Corporation
24(1)
S Corporation
24(1)
Proprietorship
24(1)
Partnership
25(1)
4 Managing the New Business
26(3)
Management Functions
26(1)
Management Tools
27(1)
Management Pitfalls
28(1)
5 Coping with Problems Down the Road
29(6)
The Psychological Side Effects of Limited Growth
29(1)
Avoding the Typical Causes of Failure
30(5)
PART TWO Resources by Category 35(330)
Financing: Finding and Using Start-up Money
6 Crafting the Funding Blueprint: Your Business Plan
35(33)
Introduction
35(1)
Sources of Information
36(3)
Tip Sheets
39(27)
Complete Guide to Developing a Business Plan
39(27)
Diversification, Growth, and Financial Viability
66(1)
Recommended Reading
66(2)
7 Raising and Using Capital
68(20)
Introduction
68(1)
Sources of Capital
68(1)
Understanding Venture Capital
69(2)
Sources of Information
71(2)
Tip Sheets
73(14)
Finding Venture Capital on the Web
73(2)
Investments for Start-up Businesses
75(1)
Getting a Small-Business Grant
76(2)
How to Qualify for Small-Business Loans
78(1)
Your Chances of Obtaining a Loan
79(1)
Forecasting Profits and Losses
80(1)
Preparing Profit and Loss Statements
80(7)
Recommended Reading
87(1)
8 Accounting
88(7)
Introduction
88(1)
Sources of Information
89(2)
Tip Sheets
91(3)
Understanding Budgets
91(1)
Calculating Cash Flow
92(1)
How to Draw Up a Balance Sheet and Financial Statement
93(1)
Recommended Reading
94(1)
9 Compensation and Benefits
95(7)
Introduction
95(1)
Sources of Information
96(2)
Tip Sheets
98(3)
Retirement Plans
98(1)
Finding Health Care Information on the Web
98(1)
Health Insurance Plans
99(2)
Recommended Reading
101(1)
Managing: Optimizing Your Own and Your Employee's Skills
10 Basics of Business Management
102(13)
Introduction
102(1)
Sources of Information
103(5)
Tip Sheets
108(6)
The Danger of Growing Too Quickly
108(1)
External Factors Affecting Growth
109(1)
Time Management in a Nutshell
109(1)
Expense Accounts
110(1)
Reducing Theft and Loss
111(1)
Writing a Procedures Manual
112(2)
Recommended Reading
114(1)
11 Human Resource Management
115(16)
Introduction
115(1)
Sources of Information
116(5)
Tip Sheets
121(8)
HIV/AIDS in the Workplace
121(3)
When to Employ Temporary Workers
124(1)
Trends in Small-Business Personnel
125(1)
Crafting an Employee Handbook
126(1)
Job Analysis Checklist
127(1)
Your Responsibilities under Equal Opportunity
127(1)
Job Orientation Checklist
128(1)
Hiring the Disabled
129(1)
Recommended Reading
129(2)
Creating an Image: Your Advisers and Your Values
12 Hiring the Right Legal Services
131(10)
Introduction
131(1)
Sources of Information
132(6)
Tip Sheets
138(2)
Legal and Tax Structures for Business
136(2)
Licensing
138(1)
Trademarks, Copyrights, and Patents
139(1)
Recommended Reading
140(1)
13 Finding Knowledgeable Consultants
141(7)
Introduction
141(1)
Sources of Information
141(3)
Tip Sheets
144(2)
Locating the Right Consultant
144(1)
Ten Tips for Getting the Best Service from Your Consultant
145(1)
Recommended Reading
146(2)
14 Bringing Your Corporate Values to Life
148(4)
Introduction
148(1)
Sources of Information
149(1)
Tip Sheets
150(1)
Are You Acting Ethically?
150(1)
The Seven Deadly Sins of Business
150(1)
Recommended Reading
151(1)
Operating Your Business: Planning and Measuring Results
15 Leasing Office and Storage Space
152(4)
Introduction
152(1)
Sources of Information
153(1)
Tip Sheet Choosing the Right Location
154(1)
Recommended Reading
155(1)
16 Product Testing and Research
156(4)
Introduction
156(1)
Sources of Information
156(2)
Tip Sheets Research and Development for the Small Business
158(1)
Recommended Reading
159(1)
17 Locating Sources of Supply
160(6)
Introduction
160(2)
Sources of Information
162(1)
Tip Sheets
163(3)
Office Supply Checklist
163(1)
Resources for Researching Your Purchases
164(1)
Recommended Reading
165(1)
18 Manufacturing and Processing
166(4)
Introduction
166(1)
Sources of Information
166(1)
Tip Sheet Manufacturing Engineering
167(1)
Recommended Reading
168(2)
19 Sales and Marketing
170(12)
Introduction
170(1)
Sources of Information
171(6)
Tip Sheets
177(3)
Telemarketing
177(1)
Marketing Information Online
177(1)
Distribution
178(1)
Collection Letter Techniques
179(1)
Retailing
180(1)
Recommended Reading
180(2)
20 Public Relations and Advertising
182(10)
Introduction
182(3)
Sources of Information
185(2)
Tip Sheets
187(4)
How to Choose an Advertising Agency
187(2)
Letterheads and Stationery
189(1)
Demographics
190(1)
Recommended Reading
191(1)
21 Training and Continuing Education
192(8)
Introduction
192(2)
Sources of Information
194(4)
Tip Sheets
198(1)
Video and Online Sources of Continuing Education
198(1)
Business Information Centers on the Web
198(1)
Recommended Reading
199(1)
Growing Your Business: Expanding Operations Profitably
22 Mergers, Acquisitions, and Joint Ventures
200(6)
Introduction
200(1)
Sources of Information
201(2)
Tip Sheets
203(2)
Buying a Business
203(1)
The Pluses and Minuses of Mergers and Joint Ventures
204(1)
Recommended Reading
205(1)
23 Getting Connected: Computers, the Internet, and the World Wide Web
206(9)
Introduction
206(1)
Sources of Information
207(1)
Tip Sheets
208(5)
Alleviating Inventory Woes
208(1)
Crash Course on Computers and the Internet
209(4)
Recommended Reading
213(2)
24 Importing and Exporting
215(8)
Introduction
215(1)
Sources of Information
216(4)
Tip Sheet Ten-Question Checklist to Determine if Your Product Is Exportable
220(1)
Recommended Reading
221(2)
25 Transportation and Relocation
223(142)
Introduction
223(1)
Sources of Information
223(2)
Tip Sheets
225(1)
How to Evaluate Transportation Options in a New Location
225(1)
Finding Cheap Flights via the Internet
226(1)
Recommended Reading
226(139)
PART THREE A to Z Listings 365(1)
Index 365




Made available by Baker & Taylor, Copyright 2006.