Getting Started in Small Business For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance))

Description

The big ideas that you’ll need to run your small business  So, you’ve decided to take the plunge into being an entrepreneur. (Congratulations, by the way!) Do you need advice about business structures, marketing, hiring employees, keeping the books or modelling financial scenarios? You can do it all, with Getting Started in Small Business For Dummies. Turn your bright idea into a real-world success and have fun while you’re at it!  Planning is the trick for succeeding in small business. This process needn’t be daunting, especially if you can get the timing right, pick a strategy that works and chart a sound financial course. And if your best-laid plans go sideways, there’s always hope, and a practical way forward, right inside this book.  Decide whether small business ownership is right for you, and assess the viability of your business idea  Devise a clear strategy so you can get ahead of the competition  Master the marketing must-haves to build a successful brand  Find that extra bit of profit with smart business decisions  Hire the right employees and build a winning team  This latest edition is fully updated to respond to Australia’s rapidly changing business environment, delivering an easy-to-understand guide which will help you get your business off the ground!  Title Page Copyright Table of Contents Introduction About This Book Foolish Assumptions Icons Used in This Book Where to Go from Here Chapter 1: Is Small Business for You? Working for Yourself — A Dream Come True? Working for Yourself — Reality Strikes Factoring Yourself Into the Whole Deal Staying Safe or Inventing the Wheel? Getting Clued Up Believing in Yourself Chapter 2: Finding the Path that Works for You Deciding What Path You Want to Take Wearing Different Hats Building a Business with a Life of its Own Appreciating the Limitations of Your Business Chapter 3: Creating Your First Business Plan Getting Started with Your Plan Step One: Describing Your Business Step Two: Assessing the Environment Step Three: Plotting Your Plan Step Four: Selling Your Marketing Plan Step Five: Describing Your Dream Team Step Six: Presenting Financials Chapter 4: Getting the Legals Right Picking a Business Structure Matching the Name to the Game Protecting Your Brand Registering with the Powers That Be Working with Contracts Negotiating Lease Contracts Chapter 5: Projecting Your Profits Forecasting Sales for a New Business Understanding Costs Forecasting Expenses Building Profit Projections Chapter 6: Marketing With Your Heart on Your Sleeve Laying Down the Elements of Your Plan Defining Who Your Customers Are Analysing Your Competitors Setting Sales Targets Building Sales Strategies Expanding Your Reach Offline Keeping Yourself Honest Chapter 7: Hiring Your First Employee Becoming an Employer: The First Steps Meeting Minimum Pay and Conditions Playing Safe and Playing Fair Creating a Positive Workplace Chapter 8: Tracking Every Dollar Figuring How Often to Do the Deed Choosing Software that Fits Creating Recordkeeping Systems Keeping Track of How Much You’re Owed Meeting Bookkeeping Deadlines Budgeting for Tax Chapter 9: Ten Tips For Getting Ahead Focus on What Works Remember You Need to Eat Balance Reality against Ambition Manage Growth Carefully Play the Percentage Game Recruit Staff Super Carefully Deliver on Your Promises Create a Customer Service Culture Ask for (and Listen to) Feedback Plan to Sell, Right from the Start Index About the Author Connect with Dummies End User License Agreement