GENERAL BUSINESS
INFORMATION
Go to the SBA
site. It has tons of basic help to get you started in lots
of areas of running a business. This is a government site that
really does try to help! It's organized by
starting-up, financing, managing, and business opportunities. Mostly
text, but it get you started.
Another wonderful site for an enormous
number of small business topics is offered by Inc. Magazine. This site organizes its
published articles from the past into categories: starting-up,
business planning, buying a business, business on-line, and customer
service. It also offers a series of "how-to guides" and a
great search engines to help you find what you're looking for.
Inc. magazine site offers many e-newsletters to keep you
updated.
STARTING-UP
The Wall Street Journal offers
its on-line Start-up
Journal, which offers information on such topics as putting
together your business plan, trademarks, businesses/franchises for
sale, technology, running a business, and lots more. It pulls from
many WSJ articles, but also many others. Goes beyond the traditional
information offered at, say, places like the SBA.
BUSINESS PLAN
Business Plan Pro 2006 is the latest, greatest version of the leading software
program to help you write your business plan and keep it updated
over the years. I've taught entrepreneurs with it over the past
seven or eight years and use it myself. includes over 400 sample
plans, step-by-step instructions, and customization for your
business. Add this excellent tool to your business. You'll use it
for years.
DOING BUSINESS ON THE
INTERNET
Learn how use the web to build your
business in this Marketing Your Business on the Internet course by
Cory Rudl. His materials are real-world and provide authentic
methods to successfully integrate the web
business. The guy's hugely
successful. I use it
constantly.
Thinking about using an on-line
newsletter or email marketing to promote your business? Here's
the best tutorial package I've seen on publishing an e-zine or email
newsletter. Get Boost Business With Your Own E-zine by
Alexandria K. Brown. The "E-zine Queen," as she bills herself lays
it all from what software to use to how wide your text can be, and
everything in between. It's very readable and very understandable.
This woman knows what she's talking about. I watched her build her
business for the past three years to the high six figures. Subscribe
to her free email newsletter too.
TRAINING
Microsoft offers lots of
seminars all across the country. Check to see what's coming to your
area at its site. Most that I've attended give great information on
using Microsoft products more effectively, preview new software, and
bring in vendors and related services. Best of all, they're free and
you'll also get excellent examples of some pretty savvy speakers and
presentations.
MARKETING
Marketing through shows, exhibits, and
fairs can be an excellent method to build business. Want to know
what shows are coming to your area? Go to the "ultimate trade show
resource" for listings by show type and location all over
the globe. While it's not as comprehensive as I'd like, it's got the
makings of a great resource. Many auxiliary services and
vendors are also included.
Guerrilla Marketing is probably the best
approach you can take for your small business. The Guerrilla Marketing
Toolkit
is loaded
with guerrilla tactics you can use to build customers. Worksheets,
audio lessons, how-to steps, and thousands of techniques. It's worth
every penny and guaranteed. Become a
real guerrilla marketer!
Need business cards fast and
inexpensively? Here's a great answer from Vista-Print. Get FREE business
cards for your business or personal use. You'll receive premium
quality, full-color business cards - an $85 value. It's easy to add
you information and logo online. You get 250 cards and pay shipping
only. It offers lots of colorful templates and basic type style
options. I found the process fun and easy, and the finished cards
looked good and arrived quickly.
MARKET
RESEARCH
When you need business data, information,
and resources, head for the James J.
Hill Reference Library site. This exclusively-business reference
library is fabulous. Search on-line, enlist the help of its expert
researchers, or browse what's available. The staff is fabulous. If
you're in St. Paul, MN, go in person. A beautiful limestone
building, glass floors for its stacks, and massive solid wood tables
create a serene setting to dig into your business topic.
FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT
If you're not managing your business'
finances, you're not managing your business. Make it easy,
understandable, and time-saving with QuickBooks 2006.
This is the industry-standard for small business financial programs.
I use it daily, and recommend it. It's
especially good for all
of us non-financial types.
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