Start Your Own Business

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Authors: Inc The Staff of Entrepreneur Media

BOOK: Start Your Own Business

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Table of Contents

Title Page

Editor: Marla Markman

Foreword

ON YOUR MARK ...

part 1 - THINK

chapter 1 - INTRODUCTION

chapter 2 - TAKING THE PLUNGE

The Entrepreneurial Personality

Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Go For the Goal

chapter 3 - GOOD IDEA!

Just Do It!

chapter 4 - GOOD TIMING

Market Matters

Financial Plan

Family Affairs

Getting Personal

Decisions, Decisions

chapter 5 - BUILD IT OR BUY IT?

Buying an Existing Business

Buying a Franchise

Calling All Franchisees

Buying a Business Opportunity

part 2 - PLAN

chapter 6 - CHOOSE YOUR TARGET

Practicing Nichecraft

On a Mission

chapter 7 - IF YOU BUILD IT, WILL THEY COME?

What It Is, What It Does

Market Research Methods

Secondary Research

Primary Research

chapter 8 - THE NAM E GAME

Expert Assistance

What Does It Mean?

Making It Up

Namestorming

Testing, Testing

Final Analysis

Say It Loud

chapter 9 - MAKE IT LEGAL

Sole Proprietorship

Partnership

Corporation

Limited Liability Company

The Nonprofit Option

chapter 10 - PLAN OF ATTACK

Executive Summary

Business Description

Market Strategies

Competitive Analysis

Design and Development Plan

Operations and Management Plan

Financial Factors

A Living Document

chapter 11 - CALL IN THE PROS

Hiring a Lawyer

Hiring an Accountant

part 3 - FUND

chapter 12 - ALL IN THE FAMILY

Do It Yourself

Friends and Family

How Much Is Enough?

chapter 13 - NOTHING VENTURED, NOTHING GAINED

Equity Basics

Venture Capital

Earth Angels

chapter 14 - LOOKING FOR LOANS

Types of Loans

Sources of Financing

Applying for a Loan

chapter 15 - FED FUNDS

7(a) Guaranty Loan Program

Making the Most of the SBA

Granting Wishes

part 4 - PREPARE

chapter 16 - WHAT’S YOUR DEAL?

What Is Negotiation?

Preparing for Negotiation

What Do You Want?

The Negotiation Process

Everything Is Negotiable

chapter 17 - SITE SEEKING

Types of Locations

Issues to Consider

What Can You Expect To Pay?

Commercial Leases

chapter 18 - LOOKING GOOD

Office Space

Designing a Logo

Business Cards

Selecting Stationery

Designing Your Sign

chapter 19 - STOCK ANSWERS

Inventory Control

Inventory Accounting

Suppliers

chapter 20 - IT’S IN THE MAIL

Mailing Equipment

chapter 21 - CHARGING AHEAD

Establishing a Credit Policy

Accepting Checks

Accepting Credit Cards

Accepting Debit Cards

chapter 22 - COVER YOUR ASSETS

Basic Insurance Needs

Choosing an Insurance Agent

Insurance Costs

chapter 23 - STAFF SMARTS

How To Hire

Alternatives to Full-Time Employees

chapter 24 - PERK UP

Benefit Basics

Health Insurance

Retirement Plans

Low-Cost Benefits

Employee Policies

Workplace Safety

Discriminatory Treatment?

part 5 - BUY

chapter 25 - BUYER’S GUIDE

Cost Cutters

Wise Buys

chapter 26 - BUSINESS 24/7

Equipping Your Virtual Office

Being Well-Connected

Choosing Partners

Office Productivity Software

chapter 27 - NET WORKS

Sounds Like a Plan

The Name Game

Website Basics

chapter 28 - KEEP IN TOUCH

Do Your Homework

Just the Beginning

Talk Is Cheap

Which Smartphone Is the Smartest?

At Your Service

Wireless Wonders

I’m IMing

Web Calling

It’s Your Turn

part 6 - MARKET

chapter 29 - BRAND AID

What Is Branding, Exactly?

Building a Branding Strategy

Bringing It All Together

Read All About It

chapter 30 - MARKETING GENIUS

Creating a Marketing Plan

Where to Advertise

Print Advertising

Radio and TV Advertising

Direct Mail

Classified Ads

Co-Op Advertising

Measuring Advertising Effectiveness

chapter 31 - TALKING POINTS

Getting Publicity

Special Events

Networking

chapter 32 - SELL IT!

Understanding Your Unique Selling Proposition

Cold-Calling

Making Sales Presentations

Speaking Effectively

chapter 33 - NOW SERVING

Building Customer Relationships

Customer Service

part 7 - ENGAGE

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