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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 | |