Business (Start-Up) - Entrepreneurship Resource Guide: Books in the Library

Database, print, and Internet resources for starting your (small) business

Books on Starting Your Own Business

Entrepreneurship Education : Scholarly Progress and Future Challenges / by Gustav Hägg; Agnieszka Kurczewska The discussion around whether entrepreneurship can be taught is becoming obsolete as the number of entrepreneurship courses, specializations and degrees is rising at an unprecedented rate all over the world and the demand for entrepreneurial education teachers or instructors is constantly growing. The global community of entrepreneurial education proponents is enthusiastic about the possibility of spreading the idea of entrepreneurship, as it is believed to benefit societies and economies in addition to influencing human development on an individual level. The fervour is nurtured by public policies and the development of an enterprising culture in the public discourse. In this discourse, entrepreneurship is treated as a panacea for numerous social and economic problems. This book is a solid reference point for all who are interested in conducting research on entrepreneurial education or engaged in teaching entrepreneurship. It is a compendium of knowledge about entrepreneurial education as a research field, seen from the perspective of the last four decades, its complete contemporary history. It reviews the progress of the field from the outset to the present in terms of its socio-economic context, changes in the academic community, but also its research focus and methodological development. This uniquely comprehensive book is a resource of both knowledge on entrepreneurial education research and inspiration for future studies within the field. This timely and relevant book provides practical insights for educators when developing their teaching practice and will be of interest to entrepreneurship educators and entrepreneurship education researchers.
Call Number: E-book (Click Title for access)
ISBN: 9781032048758
Publication Date: 2021
A Crowdfunder's Strategy Guide : build a better business by building community by Jamey Stegmaier More Than Money Jamey Stegmaier knows crowdfunding. He's a veteran of seven successful Kickstarter campaigns (and counting) that have raised over $3.2 million, and he's the proprietor of the widely read Kickstarter Lessons blog. In this book he offers a comprehensive guide to crowdfunding, demonstrating that it can be a powerful way for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses by building community and putting their customers first. This book includes over forty stories of inspiring successes and sobering disasters. Stegmaier uses these examples to demonstrate how to (and how not to) prepare for a campaign, grow a fan base, structure a pitch, find new backers, and execute many other crucially important "nuts and bolts" elements of a successful crowdfunding project. But Stegmaier emphasizes that the benefits of crowdfunding are much more about the "crowd" than the "funding." He shows that if you treat your backers as people, not pocketbooks--communicate regularly and transparently with them, ask their opinions, attend to their needs--they'll become advocates as well as funders, exponentially increasing your project's chances of succeeding.
Call Number: HD 62.5 .S7413 2015 (NR)
ISBN: 9781626564084
The 7 Day Startup : : you don't learn until you launch by Dan Norris From generating ideas to gaining your first paying customers, The 7 Day Startup is the bootstrapper's bible for launching your next product. In it, you will learn: 1. Why validation isn't the answer 2. How to evaluate your business idea 3. How to choose a business name, fast 4. How to build a website in 1 day for under $100 5. 10 proven ways to market a business quickly And much, much more."People who say there's nothing to learn from failure don't see the big picture. Dan was literally 2 weeks away from insolvency and ready to look for a 9-5 job when he stumbled upon an amazing, yet simple discovery. It doesn't take months to launch a new (and profitable) business. In fact... it might be better if you didn't spend very much time at all.If you've struggled in the past to launch a profitable business and are tired of reading stories about founders who swung for the fences and succeeded, then you need to listen to Dan's story. Dan founded WP Curve and launched it from scratch in just 7 days, turning it into a successful seven figure business.This isn't a puffball story. Dan's journey is common for most of us. Swing and miss. You start to feel like a failure, but listen to what Dan has to say.You'll see that much of what you thought about building a startup simply isn't true. Through Dan, you'll quickly see that launching a profitable startup doesn't have to take years, or even months. It can be done in just 7 days." -- Mike Taber, author of Startups For The Rest Of Us
Call Number: HD 62.5 .N685 2014 (NR)
ISBN: 1502472392
The Startup Owner's Manual : the step by step guide for building a great company / by Steve Blank; Bob Dorf Now a decade after The Four Steps to the Epiphany sparked the Lean Startup revolution, comes its sequel... The Startup Owner's Manual. The Manual incorporates 10 years of learning and best practices that have swept the startup world. It incorporates the Business Model Canvas as the organizing principle for startup hypotheses, provides separate paths and advice for web/mobile products versus physical products, offers a wealth of detailed instruction on how to get, keep, and grow customers recognizing the different techniques for web and physical channels and teaches a "new math" for startups: "metrics that matter for fueling growth." The Startup Owner's Manual is a step-by-step, near-encyclopedic reference manual or "how to" for building a successful, scalable startup. Want to know what to do the first, week, month or year? What's the right distribution channel for your product? How to get traffic to your web site? ...and how to activate customers or users on arrival? Who are the right "first customers," and why? ...plus many more great tips in nearly 500 pages, complete with index, glossary, and Customer Development Checklists. It's the indispensible reference guide for any startup founder, entrepreneur, investor or educator.
Call Number: HD 62.5 .B643 2012 (BX & NR)
ISBN: 9780984999309
The Entrepreneur's Information Sourcebook / by Susan C. Awe For 21st-century entrepreneurs, this book provides the practical guidance they need to overcome the often intimidating challenges of starting, organizing, and running a new business effectively and efficiently.The economic downturn has many individuals considering going into business for themselves, rather than relying on an employer for their income. Unfortunately, according to data from the Small Business Administration, the odds of long-term success are against them: 69 percent of businesses do not last past seven years and 56 percent fail in less than four. This book provides entrepreneurs with a comprehensive guide to the resources they need or will likely want to consult when starting a small business--and in order to stay profitable over the long run.The Entrepreneur's Information Sourcebook: Charting the Path to Small Business Success, Second Edition provides the expert guidance and up-to-date print and web resources an entrepreneur may need to make his business thrive and grow, from inception and information gathering, to raising capital, to marketing methods and human resource concerns. Nearly half of the resources in this newly updated book are new, and the essays have also been updated to reflect current business practices. This book is an essential tool that provides quick and easy access to the information every small business owner needs.
Call Number: HD 62.5 .A94 2012 (BX)
ISBN: 9781598847864
The Lean Startup : How today's entrepreneurs use continuous innovation to create radically successful businesses / by Eric Ries Most startups fail. But many of those failures are preventable. The Lean Startup is a new approach being adopted across the globe, changing the way companies are built and new products are launched. Eric Ries defines a startup as an organization dedicated to creating something new under conditions of extreme uncertainty. This is just as true for one person in a garage or a group of seasoned professionals in a Fortune 500 boardroom. What they have in common is a mission to penetrate that fog of uncertainty to discover a successful path to a sustainable business. The Lean Startup approach fosters companies that are both more capital efficient and that leverage human creativity more effectively. Inspired by lessons from lean manufacturing, it relies on "validated learning," rapid scientific experimentation, as well as a number of counter-intuitive practices that shorten product development cycles, measure actual progress without resorting to vanity metrics, and learn what customers really want. It enables a company to shift directions with agility, altering plans inch by inch, minute by minute. Rather than wasting time creating elaborate business plans, The Lean Startup offers entrepreneurs--in companies of all sizes--a way to test their vision continuously, to adapt and adjust before it's too late. Ries provides a scientific approach to creating and managing successful startups in a age when companies need to innovate more than ever.
Call Number: HD 62.5 .R545 2011 (BX & NR)
ISBN: 9780307887894
School for Startups: the Breakthrough Course for Guaranteeing Small Business Success in 90 Days or Less / by Jim Beach; Chris Hanks; David Beasley The Beginner's Guide to Low-Risk Entrepreneurship You want to start your own business, but "risk" isn't your middle name. You're not alone. Many successful entrepreneurs are averse to risk--but they have learned the tricks to working around it. And now you can too, with School for Startups. This practical guide shows you how to build a business the smart way--without risking major assets such as your house, savings account, or health insurance. You'll learn how to increase your chance of success by: Funding your venture without investors Entering international markets Taking full advantage of tools on the Web Marketing your product or service for little or no cost Deploying a third party to package and ship products Taking control of an existing business or franchise The authors present hundreds of the best ideas for new businesses, along with case studies proving the effectiveness of their approach. Also included with the book is a code you can use to register for The Entrepreneur School (www.theentrepreneurschool.com), where you can access exclusive webinars and supplementary material.
Call Number: HD 62.5 .B43 2011 (NR)
ISBN: 9780071753937
Start Your Own Business : the only startup book you'll ever need by Marla Markman (Editor) Tap into more than 30 years of small business expertise as you embark on the most game-changing journey of your life - your new business. This unmatched guide - the best-selling business startup book of all time - offers critical startup essentials and a current, comprehensive view of what it takes to survive the crucial first three years, giving your exactly what you need to survive and succeed. Plus, you'll get advice and insight from experts and practicing entrepreneurs, alloffering common-sense approaches and solutions to a wide range of challenges. * Pin point your target market * Uncover creative financing for startup and growth * Use online resources to streamline your business plan * Learn the secrets of successful marketing * Discover digital and social media tools and how to use them * Take advantage of hundreds of resources * Receive vital forms, worksheets and checklists From startup to retirement, millions of entrepreneurs and small business owners have trusted Entrepreneur to point them in the right direction. We'll teach you the secrets of the winners, and give you exactly what you need to lay the groundwork for success.
Call Number: HD 62.5 .E559 2010 (BX)
ISBN: 9781599183879

Books on Business Plans

Business Plans Handbook by Kristin Kahrs & Karin E. Koek (Eds.)
Call Number: HD 62.7 .B865 vol. 1 (Click Title for access)
ISBN: 9780810392229
The Secrets to Writing a Successful Business Plan / by Hal Shelton Secrets to Writing a Successful Business Plan: A Pro Shares a Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Plan that Gets Results by Hal Shelton will open your eyes to insider tips, hints, and techniques for creating a winning business plan. Nearly 50 percent of new businesses fail within five years. A well thought-out business plan can dramatically turn the odds in your favor. With this easy-to-follow guide, you will: Discover why you need a business plan and the best style for you Receive step-by-step guidance for creating each section of your plan Write your plan as you go using worksheets in every chapter (link to www.score.org/secrets_business_plan) Get proven strategies for obtaining bank loans and attracting investors Spend less time writing your plan and more time setting up your business Learn how to create a business plan for a nonprofit Are you planning to start a business, grow an existing business, or start a nonprofit? Wherever you are in your journey, you have a need to develop the knowledge and plans to guide you to a successful business operation. While this learning and planning process takes many forms, shapes, and levels of intensity, it is all considered part of the business planning process. If you are in any of the above stages with your business, this book is written for you. It is for entrepreneurs who are thinking of starting a small business or nonprofit, and for small business owners who want to grow an existing business or solve an operating problem. This book will also help if you are looking for assurance that you are headed in the right direction, seeking help with a section of your business plan that you do not understand, feeling that a section of your business plan is not robust enough and want pointers, or wanting to learn where and how to apply for funding. Entrepreneurs should always surround themselves with mentors and advisors, so you will also find ideas on where to find these valuable resources. The Secrets to Writing a Successful Business Plan is packed with actionable advice and real-life examples from Shelton's experience as a senior executive, SCORE small business mentor, and angel investor."
Call Number: HD 30.28 .S54 2014 (NR)
ISBN: 9780989946001
The Successful Business Plan : secrets and strategies / by Rhonda Abrams; John Doerr (Foreword by) This number-one selling business planning guide in the U.S. includes expert help, worksheets to jumpstart the process, a sample business plan, tips on impressing funders, winning tips for competitions, and more. Used in the top business schools throughout the nation, including Stanford; M.I.T.; University of Denver; Hass School of Business, UC Berkeley; and Cornell. Hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs have used this book to launch their businesses. Named by Inc. and Forbes magazines as one of the top ten essential books for small business, this fully revised and updated fifth edition of Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies is a complete, step-by-step guide to researching and writing a business plan to get your company funded! With a foreword by legendary venture capitalist John Doerr, Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies is packed with insider tips and insightful advice on writing and formatting a business plan that will stand out from the crowd.
Call Number: HD 62.5 .A344 2010 (NR) or 2003 (BX)
ISBN: 9781933895147
Business Plans That Work : for your small business / by Alice H. Magos The essential elements of a professional business plan have been updated in accordance with new laws and regulations in this revised guide that translates complicated marketing and financial concepts into down-to-earth, practical advice. Five updated sample business plans are included with instructions that provide a wealth of detailed information about the operation of a successful small business. Plans are presented for simple one-person operations, as well as for corporations with many employees. Aspiring business owners can learn how to create a professional plan, describe the mission and objectives, analyze the competition, target market, create sales and marketing plans, generate financial statements, and use the business plan as a management tool long after it is completed.
Call Number: HD 62.7 .B867 2008 (NR)
ISBN: 9780808017936
How to Write a Business Plan / by Mike McKeever; Mike P. McKeever Use this bestselling guide to attract money from lenders or investors.
Call Number: E-book (Click title for access)
ISBN: 9781413306835
Publication Date: 2007
Your First Business Plan : a simple question-and-answer format designed to help you write your own plan / by Brian Hazelgren The first business plan is often the most difficult to write. A company may have little or no history, and often may not know lender requirements, what to stress and what to avoid. Your First Business Plan simplifies the process by outlining the different parts of a business plan and, in an uncomplicated question-and-answer style, helps the business owner create a winning plan for their business. The easy-to-follow chapters show entrepreneurs how to- Think through strategies and balance enthusiasm with facts Capture and hold the interest of potential lenders and investors Understand and develop their financial statements Recognize the unique selling advantage of their products or services Avoid potentially disastrous errors like undercapitalization and negative cash flow Also included in this book- A glossary of planning and financial terms A complete sample business plan
Call Number: HD 62.5 .C685 2005 (NR)
ISBN: 9781402204128
Contingency Planning and Disaster Recovery : a small business guide / by Donna R. Childs; Stefan Dietrich Improve business efficiency, eliminate day-to-day mishaps, and prepare for the worst-with effective disaster contingency planning Working in lower Manhattan on September 11th, 2001, Donna Childs became keenly aware of the need for small businesses to develop disaster contingency plans and grateful that her own business had implemented such plans and would remain financially sound. Now, with the assistance of IT consultant Stefan Dietrich, she draws upon her unique experience to present proven guidelines for small and midsize businesses to effectively prepare for catastrophes in Contingency Planning and Disaster Recovery: A Small Business Guide. Childs and Dietrich take small business owners through every stage of disaster planning, from preparation to response to recovery. Specific issues addressed include: * What to do if the main office location is not accessible * Getting the business up and running again * Contacting third parties * Handling insurance claims * Adequate insurance for property, business interruption losses, and workers' compensation * Rebuilding an IT infrastructure Successful planning not only can limit the damage of an unforeseen disaster but also can minimize daily mishaps-such as the mistaken deletion of files-and increase a business's overall efficiency. Contingency Planning and Disaster Recovery is the only contingency guide that small business owners need to ensure their company's continued success.
Call Number: E-book (Click title for access)
ISBN: 9780471236139
Publication Date: 2002