How to Start Your Own Business: The Facts Visually Explained [1 ed.] 0744027349, 9780744027341

Table of contents :
CONTENTS
Introduction
BEFORE YOU START
Making the Big Leap
Why You? Why Now?
Coming Up with Your Idea
Offering Products or Services
Finding a Gap in the Market
Standing Out from the Crowd
Defining Your Goals
Choosing a Structure
Starting a Family Business
Setting Up a Franchise
Alternative Types of Businesses
Choosing a Model
Creating a Strategy
Knowing Your Market
Identifying Your Customers
Assessing Demand for Your Business
Where to Base Your Business
Choosing Where to Locate Your Start-Up
Sourcing Products and Supplies
Outsourcing Tasks
Striking a Balance
Working with Family and Friends
FIRST STEPS
Choosing a Name
Developing Your Brand
Telling Your Story
A Marketing Mix
The Selling Process
Online Selling
Providing a Service
Taking Payments
Fulfilling Orders
Identifying Initial Costs
How Much Do You Need to Spend?
How Much Do You Need to Earn?
Funding Your Business
Who Might Invest?
Pitching for Investment
Balancing the Books
Understanding Business Taxes
Setting Up a Business Account
Protecting Your Business
Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Staying Safe in the Workplace
Thinking Green
Operating Ethically
Writing Your Business Plan
Writing an Action Plan
Understanding Consumer Rights
GETTING GOING
Setting Up Your Workspace
Planning a Website
Designing and Building a Website
Attracting Website Traffic
Data Protection
Finding the Right Talent
Recruiting Staff
Do You Need a Manager?
Diversity and Inclusion
Using a Customer Data System
Preparing for Launch
Spreading the Word
Creating a Buzz
Advertising
Making the Most of Social Media
Networking to Build Your Business
RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS
Encouraging Customer Loyalty
Building Customer Relationships
Working with Other Businesses
Is Your Marketing Leading to Sales?
Analyzing Business Performance
Maintaining Momentum
Managing Your Finances
Managing Budgets and Cash Flow
Establishing a Culture
Managing the Business
Managing a Team
Retaining Talent
Running a Sales Team
Establishing a Healthy Workplace
Managing and Resolving Conflict
Managing Staff Performance
Streamlining Business Processes
Managing Your Supply Chain
Improving the Business
Preparing for a Business Crisis
Harnessing Technology
GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
Growing Your Business
Expanding Your Business
Growth Strategies
Financing Business Growth
Attracting New Business
Retaining Your Customers
Changing Your Direction
Managing Change
Licensing
Selling Your Business
Moving On
Resources
Index
Acknowledgments