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BUYING A BUSINESS - ADVICE FOR THE FIRST TIME BUYER/ INVESTOR
As a professional M&A intermediary I am amazed when I hear others in my profession at industry meetings proclaim, “I don’t work with individual buyers.” They put it out there almost like a badge of honor or an indication of reaching a higher level...
Plan for Business Success - 6 Reasons to Succession Plan
There are many valuable reasons to plan for the future - not least because it reduces the inexperience when people leave the business or organisation - yet there are other reasons too. Succession Planning provides many valuable assets to your...
Survival Without Computers
I was slowed down when my computer crashed and I had no data, no address book and not even my passwords to get back online. I didn't think I was doing anything remarkable by bouncing back to productivity even with this handicap for a week. But...
Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Try, Try, Again
This article relates to the Career Opportunities competency and explores issues such as internal growth opportunities, potential for advancement, career development importance, and the relationship between job performance and career advancement....
The Five Biggest Mistakes an HR Professional Can Make...From the Client's Perspective
A number of years back I was in a meeting with two HR representatives at my company. They were explaining to me how the HR organization wanted to be more "strategic" with its clients and how they wanted to help us with annual resource planning. At...
 
Preparing to be an Entrepreneur

I believe the free market economy and the wealth of a community is built on the back of the entrepreneur Taking the entrepreneurial business path can be exciting, exhilarating, and an emotional roller coaster of ups and downs. There are a number of factors you should consider as you consider, prepare, and move forward into the world of the entrepreneur.

Consider your motivation for pursuing self-employment

Many people consider going into business for the wrong reasons.
– They want more free time
(You’ll work longer hours owning your own business)
– They want to be wealthy and have their own money
(Remember, you as the owner get paid last)
– They want to turn a hobby into a business
(Many times hobbies lose their enjoyment when they become businesses)

Go into business because you love business. If you can combine a love for business with another talent then you’ve got a shot at making it. Some of the most talented hobbiests make terrible business people because they don’t love business.

== personal note ==

I’m a great example of this. I love to write and I love to write about success, business, growth, and development. I love to do research and share that information with others. Unfortunately, I’m terrible at business and don’t have a strong passion for it. I’ve learned this the hard way by starting and closing a number of micro businesses. So if you love business and combine it with talent go for it.

== personal note ==

So if you believe entrepreneurship is right for you, what should you do as you begin you entrepreneurial path?

1. Make a long term strategic plan
You won’t be able to jump right in. You’ll need to look into the future and set some time tables. Consider the next year as a year for planning and preparing.
– How will you obtain funding?
– You’ll need to develop a comprehensive business plan
– You’ll need to garner the support of family and friends
– You’ll need to develop leasing, licensing, and facilities
– You’ll need to prepare for the emotional roller coaster of small business
– You’ll need to develop a debt reduction plan

– You’ll need to develop your product and/or service
– You’ll need to do some market


analysis
– You’ll need to do some feasibility studying.

== note ==

I understand that some business people don’t do all this and are successful but I also understand that the successful business people I know who’ve started their business from ground zero have done as much of this as possible to ensure greater chances of success. The more up front preparing you do, the better your chances of success and wealth creation

== note ==

Finally, there are a few educational issues that small business owners should consider. I think every potential entrepreneur should gain some level of proficiency in areas of:

– Accounting
If you know what the books are saying and can speak the lender’s language this gives you an advantage. There are many home study courses, computer tutorials
and good old fashion books that you can use to learn some basic accounting.

– Sales and Management Supervision
Selling a product or service is the life blood of business. Developing some basic skills in the areas of sales, management, leadership, and supervision will greatly
enhance your ability to grow your business. Don’t be afraid to take a sales seminar
or class. Spend some time studying good leadership and marketing.

– Continuing Education
It is vital that you stay abreast of your business and industry. You don’t want your
business becoming obsolete because you are not staying current. Take the time to
join business and trade organizations; read the journals; and study your ongoing
local business climate.
Also, take the time to learn about complimentary markets as well as
in other areas. Study areas of personal weakness. Perhaps you’re great
with numbers but struggle with marketing creativity? Spend some time
studying marketing and creative development.

If you are willing to invest the time and energy into a long term plan for the right reasons I believe you can be a successful entrepreneur. Remember, success is the ongoing achievement of a worthy goal or ideal. If you’re moving forward you’re a success.

About the Author

Darrin Coe is a weekly columnist and the author of Micro Loans: Finance Your Dreams at http://dcoe1.tripod.com/microfinance

 

Strategic Planning (in nonprofit or for-profit organizations)
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www.managementhelp.org
 
Basic Description of Strategic Planning (including key terms to know)
Adapted from the Field Guide to Nonprofit Strategic Planning and Facilitation. ... Strategic planning often includes use of several key terms. ...
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Strategic Planning, Strategic Plan, Business Strategy, Strategic ...
Strategic planning advice with free strategic planner & sample strategic plan covering mission statement, SWOT analysis with business plan software for cash ...
www.planware.org
 
Strategic Planning
FAQs regarding strategic planning - geared primarily toward non-profit organizations but with enough detail and general information to provide useful ...
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Frequently Asked Questions
Strategic Planning · Fundraising · Financial Management · Risk Management · Credit Card Acceptance. The FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) listed on this ...
www.allianceonline.org
 
Strategic planning - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Strategic planning involves defining objectives and developing ... Strategic planning uses "the big picture" to pursue large scale, long term objectives. ...
en.wikipedia.org
 
08/26/96 STRATEGIC PLANNING
You guessed it: strategic planning. Suddenly, the idea of rising above the ... But if strategic planning is back with a vengeance, it's also back with a ...
www.businessweek.com
 
Dr. Strategy - Dr. Pete Johnson, Keynote Speaker, Marketing ...
StrategicPlanning.com “Turning Change Into A Competitive Advantage”. Dr. Pete's Preview Video Click Here. Take-Away Value Sample Program Handouts ...
strategicplanning.com
 
Strategic Planning Society: Strategy Development and Implementation
Strategic Planning Society: Strategy Development and Implementation.
www.sps.org.uk
 
Guide 7
Strategic Planning in Smaller Nonprofit Organizations ... In short, as a result of a strategic planning process, an organization will have a clearer idea of ...
www.wmich.edu
 
STRATEGIC PLANNING MANUAL
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
Your browser may not have a PDF reader available. Google recommends visiting our text version of this document.
 
BPubs.com: Strategic Planning & Business Planning Articles
Business Publications related to Corporate Strategic Planning.
www.bpubs.com
 
Strategic Planning Tools
Strategic Planning is a method for positioning an organization to take ... A strategic planning process incorporates an in-depth planning model that takes ...
www.nsba.org
 
Center for Simplified Strategic Planning, Inc.
The Center for Simplified Strategic Planning offers training, seminars, consulting, speakers, workshops, a book and a newsletter on strategic management for ...
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LEADERSHIP: Strategic Planning and Strategic Management
Introduction: Is strategic planning really worth it? ... The purpose of strategic planning is to encourage thinking about your organization's "big ...
vskn.ca
 
The CEO Refresher Archives - Strategic Planning
When done right, the integrated strategic planning process can take a ... Strategic Planning and Project Management: The Key to Successful Implementation ...
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HEFCE : Publications : 2000 : 00/24 - Strategic planning in higher ...
This guide reviews good practice in strategic planning in higher education (HE). It originated in a consultation exercise which we held in 1998 to review ...
www.hefce.ac.uk
 
The Association for Strategic Planning
The Association for Strategic Planning (ASP), is a non-profit professional society whose mission is to enable people and organizations to succeed through ...
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Amazon.com: Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations: A ...
Amazon.com: Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations: A Practical Guide and Workbook: Books: Michael Allison,Jude Kaye by Michael Allison,Jude Kaye.
www.amazon.com
 
Amazon.com: Simplified Strategic Planning: A No-Nonsense Guide for ...
Amazon.com: Simplified Strategic Planning: A No-Nonsense Guide for Busy People Who Want Results Fast!: Books: Robert W. Bradford,Robert W. Bradford,J. Peter ...
www.amazon.com
 
 

 
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