Starting and Running a Business All-in-One For Dummies

Written by a team of business and finance experts, Starting & Running a Business All-In-One For Dummies is a complete guide to every aspect of setting up and growing a successful business.

Featuring straight-talking advice on everything from business planning and marketing, managing staff and dealing with legal issues, to bookkeeping and taking care of tax obligations, this book is your one-stop guide to turning your business plans into profit. This amazing all-in-one guide brings together specialists in finance, bookkeeping,planning, marketing and sales, staffing, taxation and more, all of them eager to share their hard-won expertise with you.

• Discusses ways to identify new business opportunities and how to put together a business plan

• Get the scoop on securing the financing you need to get started

• Includes tips on finding, managing, and retaining excellent staff

• Offers information on marketing and selling your products or services

Autorentext

Colin Barrow is a strategic advisor and the author of more than 30 books. He has held senior staff and line positions in business and was head of the Enterprise Group at Cranfield School of Management for ten years. He was also a non-executive director of a high-tech venture capital fund and has served on government task forces.

Inhalt
Introduction 1

Book 1: Laying the Groundwork 5

Chapter 1: Preparing for Business 7

Chapter 2: Structuring Your Business 19

Chapter 3: Can You Do the Business? 43

Chapter 4: Preparing the Business Plan 55

Chapter 5: Establishing Your Starting Position 73

Chapter 6: Researching Your Customers and Competitors 85

Book 2: Sorting Out Your Finances 119

Chapter 1: Finding the Money 121

Chapter 2: Seeking (Nearly!) Free Money 143

Chapter 3: Keeping Track of Finances 161

Chapter 4: Budgeting for Beginners 181

Book 3: Finding and Managing Staff 193

Chapter 1: Staying on the Right Side of the Law 195

Chapter 2: Finding Person Friday Advertising and Interviewing 207

Chapter 3: Employing People Successfully 229

Chapter 4: Disciplining and Dismissing Staff 245

Chapter 5: Inspiring Employees to Better Performance 259

Chapter 6: Coaching and Development 277

Chapter 7: Being an Expert at Performance Appraisal and Management 291

Book 4: Keeping on Top of the Books 307

Chapter 1: Recording the Financial Facts 309

Chapter 2: Managing Your Tax Position 325

Chapter 3: How Investors Read a Financial Report 337

Book 5: Marketing and Advertising Your Wares 355

Chapter 1: Taking a Closer Look at Customers 357

Chapter 2: Considering Your Business Mission, Vision and Objectives 371

Chapter 3: Marketing and Selling Your Wares 377

Chapter 4: Creating and Placing Ads 409

Chapter 5: Public Relations and Publicity 439

Chapter 6: Doing Business Online 457

Chapter 7: Social Media Engagement 483

Book 6: Growing and Improving Your Business 511

Chapter 1: Thinking Strategically 513

Chapter 2: Managing More than One Product 533

Chapter 3: Improving Performance 563

Chapter 4: Franchising for Growth 575

Chapter 5: Funding Expansion 583

Chapter 6: Becoming a Great Manager 607

Index 625