Six-week start-up
Subtitle: a step-by-step program for starting your business, making money, and achieving your goals!
By: Rhonda Abrams
Edition: 2nd ed.
Publisher: Planning Shop
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Palo Alto, CA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 309
ISBN-13: 9781933895093
Subjects: New business enterprises; Planning; Management; Finance
Other titles: 6-week start-up; Step-by-step program for starting your business, making money, and achieving your goals!
Description: Overview: You have a great idea for a business-but now comes the tough part: making it happen. If you're ready to start your business, but have no idea where to begin, this book by best-selling author and nationally syndicated columnist Rhonda Abrams is for you! Rhonda breaks down the entire process of launching a business into a six-week process. Each week, you'll address specific goals and tasks, such as developing your company brand (name, logo, etc.), analyzing your competition, or finding an office or retail location. And at every step of the way, Rhonda will be there to provide specific instructions, tips, advice, and resources. This step-by-step guide for getting a successful business up and running fast helps you: Clarify your business concept and defining meaningful goals; Conduct market research and develop your strategic position; Handle government requirements: licenses, permits, taxes; Manage your money: bookkeeping, budgets, credit cards, investors; Plan a social media marketing strategy; Develop an effective marketing and sales campaign; Hire and lead great employees; Set up your office/store/plant effectively; Get and stay organized> From licenses to bookkeeping to marketing to setting up shop, Six-Week Start-Up helps get your business up and running successfully-and fast! Where will you be in six weeks?
Notes: Includes index.
Table of contents: title: Who this book is for; title: About Rhonda Abrams; title: How to use this book; title: Introduction; title: Week 1: Lay The Foundation:; title: Clarify your business concept:; title: Identify your personal goals; title: Spell out your business values; title: Remind yourself of your source of inspiration; title: Describe your business concept; title: Identify your strategic position; title: Decide whether you want partners; title: Decide whether you want investors; title: Consider potential exit strategies; title: Discuss the impact of starting a business with your family; title: Make an appointment with and SBDC counselor; title: Create your company identity:; title: Choose a name; title: Check out trademarks; title: Secure a domain name; title: Consider logos, taglines, and colors; title: Meet with a graphic designer; title: Get organized:; title: Set up files; title: Create digital records; title: Set up a contact management system; title: Keep track of your company's vital statistics; title: Keep track of expenses; title: Week 2: Get The Information You Need:; title: Learn more about your industry:; title: Make a list of your research questions; title: Contact your industry association(s); title: Do online research; title: Research your target market:; title: Define your target market; title: Determine if there are enough customers; title: Check out your competition:; title: Identify your competitors; title: Analyze your competition; title: Compare competitor's pricing; title: Find suppliers; title: Consider strategic partners; title: Broaden/establish your network:; title: Attend a community, entrepreneur or industry organization meeting; title: Build your online connections; title: Week 3: Cut Through Red Tape:; title: Deal with legal and licensing matters:; title: Choose a legal form and ownership structure for your company; title: Discuss ownership of your company; title: Apply for business licenses, permits, and identification numbers; title: Discuss collecting sales tax; title: Draw up basic contracts and other legal agreements; title: Protect your intellectual property; title: Build your team and personnel structure:; title: Consider your support structure; title: Decide who you need on your team; title: Figure out how much you can afford; title: Examine the use of independent contractors; title: Understand employment laws and consider personnel policies; title: Appraise your management style; title: Week 4: Take Care Of Operations:; title: Find and secure a location; title: Option 1: Rent space:; title: Decide on the necessary attributes of your location; title: meet with a real estate agent; title: Compare properties; title: Consider whether you need more than one location; title: Option 2: Set up a home office:; title: Find the space to work; title: Figure out your phone, fax, and internet connections; title: Plan how to meet with customers; title: Decide whether you need a separate business address; title: Understand home-based office tax deductions; title: Plan ways to separate work life from home life; title: Deal with kids and pets; title: Option 3: Set up an "office" in your vehicle; title: Design your work space and production process; title: Design your layout; title: Design your production process; title: Order/install utilities and facility improvements; title: Get furniture and equipment; title: Order inventory and/or raw materials; title: Research and purchase computers, software, and other technology:; title: Develop an approach to buying technology; title: Choose a phone system; title: Choose software; title: Choose hardware; title: Get online; title: Find ways to get technical help; title: Consider how you will distribute your products; title: Design procedures for handling administrative tasks; title: Deal with insurance; title: Week 5: Deal With Money Issues:; title: Deal with money matters:; title: Meet with an accountant; title: Learn the lingo; title: Take stock of your personal financial situation; title: Clean up your credit; title: Set up your books; title: Establish your prices; title: Open a bank account; title: Consider accepting credit cards; title: Prepare simple financial forecasts; title: Learn about taxes; title: Consider financing:; title: Determine whose money you want; title: Develop a business plan; title: Week 6: Open Your Doors:; title: Develop a marketing plan:; title: Clarify your company's message; title: Come up with your elevator pitch; title: Decide on marketing vehicles; title: Set up a simple website; title: Begin online marketing; title: Start making sales!; title: Hold your grand opening; title: Look towards the future; title: Index; title: Worksheets:; title: Goals for starting my business; title: My personal goals: the four C's; title: My business values; title: My role models; title: My "bright idea"; title: My business concept; title: Basic business description; title: Discussing partnership terms; title: Business name comparison chart; title: Creating my identity; title: My research questions; title: Research sources; title: Who are my customers?; title: My customer profile; title: Size of my market; title: My competitors; title: Competitors' price comparison chart; title: Potential strategic partners; title: Organizations to join; title: Forms of business organization compared; title: People you've given or promised stock; title: Stock distribution plan; title: Business licenses & permits; title: Vital statistics; title: My support system; title: Who do I need on my team?; title: How much can I afford?; title: My personnel policies; title: Recruiting employees; title: My leadership skills; title: Things to consider when renting space; title: Location/space comparison chart; title: Mobile office plan; title: Floor plan layout; title: Designing my production process; title: Office move-in checklist; title: Furniture shopping list; title: Equipment shopping list; title: Warranties and service contracts; title: Supplier comparison chart; title: My phone needs; title: My hardware needs; title: My software needs; title: Comparison chart: Internet hosting companies; title: Distribution agreement; title: Retailer comparison chart; title: Comparison chart: Insurance coverage; title: Taking stock: what are my existing assets?; title: My credit cards; title: Comparison chart: Banks; title: Sales projections; title: Marketing budget; title: Profit & loss projection; title: Cash flow projection; title: My tax deadlines; title: Comparison chart: Investors; title: My elevator pitch; title: Marketing vehicles comparison chart; title: My printing needs; title: Trade shows and industry events; title: Getting publicity; title: Media contacts; title: My Website checklist; title: My social media strategy; title: My sales pitch.