Rule of Thumb: A Small Business Guide to Basics is an introductory guide for first-time entrepreneurs and small business owners seeking to gain a basic understanding of what it takes to operate a small business. A business owner needs to be aware of legal requirements, financial resources, record-keeping requirements, marketing basics and strategies, communication skills, human resource laws, as well as issues that may arise on a day-to-day basis. Knowing and following the laws will keep you out of legal trouble. Knowing and applying the skills needed to run your business on a day-to-day basis will increase the odds of your success. Rule of Thumb: A Small Business Guide to Basics will assist you in gaining a basic understanding of what it takes to operate a small business successfully.

From the experts at Ernst & Young's world-renownedEntrepreneurial Services Group--a host of innovative strategies forfueling business growth! When most owners and entrepreneurs needgrowth capital, they think "bank." But with the explosive growth offinancial markets, there are now as many ways to raise capital asthere are to spend it. This book offers you an invaluableopportunity to tap into both cutting-edge and proven strategiesthat can help you grow your business effectively and efficiently.Whether it's money for product development, expansion into newmarkets, a start-up or a buy-out, The Ernst & Young Guide toFinancing for Growth offers you a host of innovative strategies tohelp you realize your goal. This new edition of The Ernst &Young Guide to Raising Capital has been updated and expanded toinclude all the latest on state, federal, and internationalfinancing programs, all the new SEC reporting requirements, andmore. * Going public * Borrowing * Generating extra cash * Private placement * Leasing * Government financing * Venture capital * And much more For all stages of development, for all areas of business andfinance--Ernst & Young is your #1 business resource. Mergersand Acquisitions, Second Edition The Ernst & Young BusinessPlan Guide, Second Edition The Ernst & Young Guide to Expandingin the Global Market Privatization: Investing in InfrastructuresAround the World The Ernst & Young Almanac and Guide to U.S.Business Cities

Helps entrepreneurs understand corporate growth and learn about available resources. This book will help you learn how to work "on" your business even as you work "in" your business.

Fully updated for this 7th annual edition, the Good Small Business Guide 2013 is packed with essential advice for small business owners or budding entrepreneurs. Offering help on all aspects of starting, running and growing a small business, including: planning, setting up or acquiring a business, getting to grips with figures, marketing, selling online, and managing yourself and others. Containing over 140 easy-to-read articles and an extensive information directory this fully updated guide offers help on all aspects of starting and growing a small business. Features a foreword from the National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses.

Hailed by one reviewer as the creative business "bible," and considered the authoritative book on the subject for over ten years, The Business Side of Creativity is back, updated and revised to include even more invaluable facts, tips, strategies, and advice for beginning creatives. Every year the market for creative services expands, but the competition is increasing even faster. Today, success hinges not on talent alone, but on a thorough understanding of the business side of creativity. The Business Side of Creativity is the most comprehensive business companion available to freelance graphic designers, art directors, illustrators, copywriters, and agency or design-shop principals. Cameron S. Foote, a successful entrepreneur and editor of the Creative Business newsletter, guides you step-by-step through the process of being successfully self-employed - from getting launched as a freelancer to running a multiperson shop to retiring comfortably, and everything in between. Sample business forms and documents to help put the information into practice are included in the appendixes, and are available for downloading at www.creativebusiness.com/bizbook.html. How should you organize? What should you charge? What marketing techniques yield the best returns? How do you know when it's right to expand? What are the most effective strategies for managing employees? How can you build salable equity? The Business Side of Creativity delves into these questions and hundreds more and gives you practical, real-world answers and invaluable expert advice.

Having your own business isn’t the same as having customers, and one is useless without the other. Whether your business is a resale store or a high-tech consulting firm, a law office or a home cleaning service, in today’s competitive environment, strategic marketing is essential. Small Business Marketing For Dummies, Second Edition is updated from the original version that won rave reviews and inspired thousands of small businesses on their way to becoming big businesses. Updates include more information on online marketing, a whole new section on getting and keeping customers, new cost-effective, fast-acting ideas for instant impact, and more. The book covers: Marketing basics that prepare you to rev up your business and jumpstart your marketing program Information to help you define your business position and brand Advice on bringing in professionals A quick-reference guide to mass media and a glossary of advertising jargon How-tos for creating print and broadcast ads that work Ideas for getting the word out without advertising, including information on direct mail, brochures, publicity, promotions, and more Ten steps to follow to build your own easy-to-assemble marketing plan With pages of ideas for low-cost, high-impact marketing from author Barbara Findlay Schenck, a marketing consultant with more than 20 years experience with clients ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, Small Business Marketing For Dummies, Second Edition helps you reach and keep new customers. Whether you’re running a home office, a small firm, a family business, a nonprofit organization, or a retail operation, you’ll discover how to: Custom design your own marketing program Create effective marketing messages Produce marketing communications that work No matter what field you’re in, Small Business Marketing For Dummies, 2nd Edition will help you make your dreams come true. If you buy it, read it, and implement some of the marketing strategies discussed, customers will come.