search for books and compare prices
Tables of Contents for 101 Survival Tips for Your Business
Chapter/Section Title
Page #
Page Count
Acknowledgments
xi
Introduction
xiii
Section 1: The future of small business
Section 2: Getting advice survival tips
6
8
What type of help is available?
7
2
Know when to look for help
9
1
Embrace technology and save money
10
2
You might be eligible for a grant
12
2
Section 3: Financial survival tips
14
32
Don't be undercapitalised---have enough money from the start
16
3
Budgets and planning---welcome to reality (plan for the worst, not the best)
19
3
Financing---it pays to shop around
22
2
Keep your personal and business records separate
24
2
Find and use a good accountant
26
2
What's the difference between an accountant and a financial planner?
28
2
What to do if you get into financial trouble
30
2
The real cost of expanding---can you afford it?
32
2
Beware of giving credit
34
2
Chasing bad debts---is it worth it?
36
2
Keep good records from the start
38
1
Keeping costs down without losing customers
39
1
How to know what to charge
40
2
Don't invest your superannuation in a business venture
42
2
Beware the third-year boom and fourth-year bust
44
2
Section 4: Business relationship survival tips
46
16
Partnership pitfalls---how to avoid them
47
2
Build a relationship with your suppliers
49
2
Build a relationship with your landlord
51
2
Build a relationship with your professional advisers
53
1
Build a relationship with people in your industry
54
1
Find a balance between work and home
55
2
Use mediation to solve conflict
57
2
Accept that others may not share your enthusiasm
59
3
Section 5: Staff survival tips
62
18
Put the job description in writing
63
2
Always check references
65
1
A trial period protects both you and the new employee
66
1
Train your staff (and yourself) properly
67
2
Lead by example and your team will follow
69
1
Communicate effectively with your staff
70
2
Conduct performance reviews
72
2
Be conscious of security issues---protect your business
74
2
Dismiss staff who don't work out
76
2
Balance your staff numbers
78
2
Section 6: Customer service survival tips
80
17
Build a relationship with your customers
81
2
Learn to say `no'
83
2
Use simple market research to keep on track
85
2
Continually ask your customers if they are happy
87
2
Deliver what you promise---if you can't do this get out of the game
89
1
Be honest and upright in all your dealings
90
1
The right and wrong way to handle a complaint
91
3
Treat your customers with the respect that they deserve
94
1
Learn to recognise when you need a break from your customers
95
2
Section 7: Advertising and marketing survival tips
97
18
Develop your own marketing philosophy---what type of business are you?
99
1
Do a course or read a marketing book
100
1
Take small steps to market your business
101
1
Start with looking the part---develop a strong corporate image
102
2
Don't be pressured into buying advertising
104
2
Market your business to a simple plan
106
2
Don't lose touch with your customers
108
2
Don't stop marketing because business is booming
110
1
If you haven't got the time to market your business, find someone who has
111
1
Talk to other people in business
112
1
Find a business that you admire
113
2
Section 8: Internet survival tips
115
12
Be realistic about the Internet
116
3
A lousy website makes your business look lousy
119
2
Make sure that you market your website
121
1
The number one reason that businesses fail on the Internet
122
2
Budget for the Internet to be an ongoing expense
124
1
Beware of spam
125
2
Section 9: Insurance survival tips
127
11
What type of insurance should you have?
128
1
How much insurance should you have?
129
1
Always read the fine print
130
2
Make sure that you meet your requirements as per the policy schedule
132
1
Using an insurance broker
133
2
Don't just sign the renewal policy---always compare products and prices
135
1
Prevention is better than cure
136
2
Section 10: Legal survival tips
138
11
When to use a lawyer
139
1
Choosing a lawyer
140
1
Keeping legal costs down
141
1
Make sure that everything is up-front
142
1
Get a second opinion
143
1
Even lawyers make mistakes---take control and ask questions
144
1
The real cost of taking someone to court is it worth it?
145
2
Make sure that everything is in writing
147
2
Section 11: Personal survival tips
149
25
Start your business feeling refreshed and healthy
151
1
Don't give up your hobbies when you start your business
152
1
Try to separate work from home
153
2
Maintaining your enthusiasm
155
1
Learn to laugh and lighten up
156
1
Learn to handle stress
157
1
Listen to your instincts---they are normally right
158
2
Take regular holidays, even though there is never a good time
160
2
Develop your negotiating skills
162
2
Be supportive of the community where you make your living
164
1
Use photographs to record your progress
165
1
Know when to call it a day
166
1
Break the habit of doing things the way they've always been done
167
2
Don't be afraid to make changes (name, location, etc.)
169
2
Keep copies of important documents
171
3
Section 12: Planning for the future survival tips
174
17
Know exactly where you are going
175
1
Know exactly how you are going to get there
176
2
Stay aware of, and up to date with, what is happening in your industry
178
2
Competition---you need to be better than the rest
180
2
Always have a plan for when things go wrong
182
2
Be aware of your business's peaks and troughs
184
2
Don't just look at your business in terms of facts and figures
186
2
Set your business up so that someone will want to buy it
188
3
Bonus section---20 more survival tips
191
28
Don't be afraid to charge what you're worth
193
2
Monopolies---the ultimate competition
195
1
Learn to delegate
196
1
Become a spokesperson
197
1
Try to win an award for your business
198
1
Don't let a bad experience leave you feeling jaded
199
2
Don't lose a good customer over a few cents
201
2
Enjoy the journey
203
1
Constantly strive to improve your business
204
1
Surround yourself with successful people
205
1
Get to know your bank manager
206
1
Make your business environmentally friendly
207
2
Make your business a good place to work
209
1
Learn to manage your time
210
1
Don't be afraid to be unconventional
211
1
Read as much as you can
212
1
Persevere, persevere, persevere
213
1
Be open to ideas, suggestions and recommendations
214
1
Spend a few hours each week surfing the Internet
215
1
Compile your own operations manual
216
3
Appendix: Blank forms that may come in handy
219
14
Credit request form (for your customers)
220
2
Goals and objectives form
222
2
Professional services checklist
224
2
Job description form (position description)
226
1
A checklist for employing staff
227
1
A step-by-step marketing plan
228
1
Insurance checklist
229
1
A stress checklist
230
1
A de-stress checklist
231
1
Developing an Internet plan
232
1
Recommended reading
233
1
About the author
234