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| Top 10 Things You'll Learn from This Book | |
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| Introduction | |
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| Ready, Set, Go! | |
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| Self-Evaluation | |
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| Pros of Starting Your Own Business | |
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| Cons of Starting Your Own Business | |
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| Before You Start | |
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| The Upside of a Down Economy | |
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| Know What You Don't Know | |
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| Think Like a Businessperson | |
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| Talk to the Experts | |
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| Plan Your Exit Strategy Now | |
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| Choosing a Business | |
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| All You Need Is One Great Idea | |
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| Make Sure Your Idea Can Be Profitable | |
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| Buying a Proven Winner | |
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| Franchises-Thumbs Up or Down | |
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| Services | |
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| Retail | |
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| Business-to-Business (B2B) | |
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| Manufacturing the Products You Sell | |
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| When Opportunity Knocks | |
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| The Upside to Downsizing | |
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| Your Idea, Someone Else's Know-How | |
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| Taking the Family Business's Reins | |
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| Business Brokers Shop for You | |
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| Know What's Hot | |
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| Meet the Expert: You | |
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| Highlight Your Track Record | |
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| Licenses and Certifications | |
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| Advanced Degrees | |
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| How Many Letters Do You Need after Your Name? | |
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| Get on the Speaker Circuit | |
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| Blog Your Way to the Head of the Pack | |
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| Research the Market | |
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| Conducting Market Research | |
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| Assessing Your Potential Market | |
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| Industry Trends | |
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| Scouting Out the Competition | |
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| Finding Your Niche | |
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| The Name Game | |
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| Structuring Your Business | |
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| Overview | |
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| Partnerships | |
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| General Partnerships | |
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| Limited Liability Partnerships | |
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| Sole Proprietorships | |
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| Corporations | |
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| C and S Corporations | |
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| Limited Liability Company | |
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| Get Tax Advice Now! | |
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| Crafting a Business Plan | |
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| How to Know If You Need a Business Plan | |
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| Getting Ready | |
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| A Step-by-Step Guide | |
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| Business Overview | |
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| Financial Plan | |
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| Reviewing and Tweaking Your Plan | |
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| Get Your Capital Act Together | |
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| Finance Basics | |
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| How to Get Start-Up Cash | |
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| Venture Capital-Know All Your Options | |
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| Silent Partners | |
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| Opening Funding Doors in Any Economy | |
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| Personal Credit Scores Matter | |
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| Prove Your Business Is Loan-Worthy | |
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| Good Documents Are Gold | |
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| Putting a Financing Plan in Place | |
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| Traditional Loan Offerings | |
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| Special Loan Programs | |
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| Loan Sources Other Than Banks | |
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| Vendor Teammates | |
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| How Soon to Profitability? | |
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| When You Have the Money in Hand | |
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| Regulations and Legal Matters | |
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| Licensing and Regulations | |
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| Inspections | |
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| Zoning Ordinances | |
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| Leases | |
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| Fictitious Name Forms | |
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| Trademarks, Patents, and Copyrights | |
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| Agencies, Agreements, and Regulations | |
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| Locating Your Business | |
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| The Right Space | |
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| Storefront Businesses | |
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| Office Space | |
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| Manufacturing Space | |
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| Home-Based Businesses | |
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| Shared Services | |
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| Pop-Up Businesses | |
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| Furnishings and Equipment | |
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| Assessing Your Needs | |
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| Comfort and Layout | |
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| Telephone Systems | |
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| Cost-Effective Decisions | |
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| Cost-Cutting Ideas | |
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| Technology-Get Up to Speed | |
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| Shopping for a Computer | |
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| Software Options | |
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| Computer Networks | |
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| Getting Online | |
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| Be Findable Online | |
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| Building a Website | |
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| Hiring a Professional Web Designer | |
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| Web Hosting | |
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| Domain Names | |
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| Preparing to Launch Your Site | |
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| Selling Online | |
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| Service Business | |
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| Retail Sales | |
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| Keywords Bidding | |
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| Get Linked with Compatible Sites | |
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| Auction Sales | |
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| Payment Options | |
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| Play Fair Getting Your Online Customers | |
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| Product and Services Management | |
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| Nimble Inventory Management | |
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| Product Procurement | |
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| Pricing Your Goods and Services | |
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| Pricing to Draw More Business | |
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| Services | |
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| Marketing Your Way to Success | |
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| Start with Market Research | |
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| Identifying Your Target Market | |
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| Reaching Your Market | |
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| Social Media-Power and Pitfalls | |
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| Advertising | |
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| Publicity | |
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| Public Relations | |
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| Networking | |
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| Join Your Tribe | |
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| Civic Organizations | |
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| Associations and Organizations | |
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| Industry Awards | |
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| Professional Networking Groups | |
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| Volunteering as a Strategy to Meet New Customers | |
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| Employees: Choose Well, Manage Well | |
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| Prepping Before Hiring | |
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| Finding the Best Match for Your Needs | |
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| Staff Alternatives: Contractors, Freelancers, and Interns | |
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| Interviewing Candidates | |
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| Running Background Checks | |
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| Attracting and Keeping Good Employees | |
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| Establishing Rules and Policies | |
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| Show Them the Money-and Benefits | |
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| Letting People Go-Know the Law | |
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| Consulting | |
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| Why Be a Consultant? | |
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| Finding Opportunity Between Jobs | |
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| Making the Leap | |
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| Setting Fees | |
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| Getting Started | |
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| Finding Clients That Are a Good Fit for You | |
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| Expanding the Business | |
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| Your Tax Obligations | |
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| Good Records Prevent Headaches Later | |
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| What You Need to Pay and When | |
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| Proper Deductions Help Profits | |
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| Employment Taxes | |
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| Tax Planning with a Pro | |
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| Bookkeeping, Record Keeping, and Administrative Tasks | |
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| Good Records Keep Things Going Smoothly | |
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| Establishing Bookkeeping Procedures | |
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| Cash or Accrual-Which Accounting System Is for You? | |
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| Keeping Track of Your Business | |
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| Choosing Accounting Software | |
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| Record Keeping and Administrative Needs | |
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| Insurance | |
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| Risk Management | |
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| Retaining or Transferring Risk | |
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| Evaluating Your Insurance Needs | |
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| General Coverage Considerations | |
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| Buying Insurance | |
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| Real Property | |
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| Contents-Inventory Coverage | |
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| Workers' Compensation | |
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| Liability | |
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| General Liability Add-Ons | |
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| Other Coverage Considerations | |
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| A Winner's Checklist | |
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| Customer Service | |
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| Make Relationships Your Highest Priority | |
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| Employee Development | |
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| Staying Abreast of Industry Changes | |
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| Make Your Company a Leader | |
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| Monitoring Cash Flow and Productivity | |
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| Planned Expansion | |
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| Hold On to Your Sanity | |
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| Know When to Hold, Know When to Fold | |
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| Sample Business Plan | |
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| Additional Resources | |
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| Index | |