Augusta Bulldogs Blockwatch

Augusta Bulldogs: Consumer Affairs: Small/Home Businesses

10 Keys to Success for Every Entrepeneur

1) MAKE SURE YOUR BUSINESS PLAN IS BULLET-PROOF
Your business plan is your company's roadmap to success. It tells you, your team and current and potential investors where you're going and how you're going to get there. There's a wide range of resources available to help you in that process, including information on financial ratios for businesses like yours, private and not-for-profit organizations that help companies in business plan development, and software and online resources that can help you organize and provide content for your plan. Why not take advantage of them?
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2) KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS
Money is like oxygen for start-up and growing firms. There are more sources of capital available for business now than at any time in history. From hard-to-find private "angel" investors to venture capitalists to Small Business Administration loans, SBIC's and special programs for minority entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs, a wide range of funding sources offer capital to business. Identifying those sources can be a difficult and time-consuming process - but well worth the effort.

(Information on over 800 venture capital firms throughout the United States, along with information on venture capital associations, venture capital clubs, private "angel" investors, Internet-based venture capital matching services, and more, is available in the directory Venture Captial America, published by BriefcasePress, http://www.BriefcasePress.com.)
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3) ALWAYS BE READY TO BUY OR SELL
Every day, countless small and mid-size companies are bought and sold. And every day, countless business transactions of the same kind fall apart -- often because the partcipants weren't prepared to take advantage of the opportunity. Smart entrepreneurs are always ready to consider offers to sell if the right offer is presented, and are always on the lookout to buy if the right opportunity presents itself. They also know where and when to turn to experts to help in that process.
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4) GET ACCESS TO ADVICE, ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT
Every entrepreneur encounters roadblocks on the path to success. You can't do it alone! That's why you need to be aware of the business associations, industry trade groups and government resources that are available to help you through the rough spots.
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5) PROTECT YOUR ASSETS
Getting through the maze of government regulations can certainly be one of the most confusing aspects of doing business. But while this process may be intimidating, it is important to do it correctly since noncompliance can result in costly penalties. Important to protect your own rights and avoid infringing on the rights of others. Clearly, no firm wants to use precious start-up capital for patent and trademark searches, but proceeding in a new venture without them is akin to erecting a building or signing a long-term lease without clearing the real estate title. Searches do not make a new product more appealing to the public, but they help ensure enjoyment of hard-won market success. Searches are comparatively cheap insurance against the risk of, for example, retooling and advertising costs or inventory losses.
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6) GET BETTER RESULTS FROM YOUR MARKETING INVESTMENT
Marketing nearly always demands a major investment of your time, money and effort. Finding the right medium for your message is critical, as well as improving your message to improve your response. Measuring and tracking tells you what's working and what isn't. Explore the exploding new options available to you: Internet, e-mail, ad auctions, tracking software, analysis tools, and media directories.
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7) MAKE THE RIGHT CONTACTS AT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
The government can be a great customer for your business. Not only the federal government, but all city, county, and state government agencies purchase a vast range of goods and services. To win government contracts, you have to learn the system, make the right contacts and get on qualified vendor bid lists.
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8) OPEN THE DOOR TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE OPPORTUNITIES
Many small businesses are finding new markets in countries around the world. Exporting is potentially very profitable, but takes planning and commitment. Plenty of assistance is available for those who know where to look.
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9) IMPROVE YOUR BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SKILLS
Entrepreneurs are often very strong in terms of the skills needed to launch a new business, but may not be as strong in the skills needed to manage an established business. Smart entrepreneurs are always on the lookout for resources that will help them improve their human relations, operations, organizational, and basic management skills. A wealth of materials are available to assist in that pursuit, including books, seminars, workshops, and online resources.
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10) FIND NEW WAYS TO CUT BUSINESS COSTS
Everyone wants to make money. But sometimes cutting costs and saving money can be even more important. Every dollar you save on office supplies, technology and professional services goes straight to your bottom line. So you should never pass up a chance to save money on business purchases.



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Arts/Crafts Business
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b2bNow, A Division of Network Commerce, Inc.
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Business Applications for the Internet - Entrepreneur.com
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Business Dynamics, Inc.
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Cajun Country Candies
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Christmas Depot.com
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Classified King - The Ultimate FREE Classified Ad Site
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A showguide for artists, crafters and vendors
Craftmasters Guide
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Dydacomp
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Entrepreneur.com
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Epinions
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Falloon.com - Gifts and More
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Hip Tips: Career and Development
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Hip Tips: How to Dress for the Job Interview
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I

Internet Business - Stealth Promotions Designs, Hosts, Posts and Promotes Web Pages
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IT News and Search Engines, Finance, Hi-Tech, Add URL, Web Site Promotion, Web Resources, Journalists, PR Agencies, IT Profe
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investmentools - Investment Search Engine and Financial Directory
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promote your business! it's free
Netbusiness Card
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a tool to increase marketing...
ROlbot.com
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SiteSell.com... E-commerce for the Rest of Us
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Small Business Administration: Property Sales
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Small Business Calculators: Financial Ratios
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ThemeStream: Personal Finance
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The Top 10 Areas of Leverage that Every Company Has
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The Top 10 Entrepreneurial Traps/Mistakes
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The Top 10 Great Qualities of the Entrepreneur that Cause the Most Problems
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The Top 10 Ways To Be Effective, Yet Work At Home
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The Top 10 Words That Entrepreneurs Use Which Limit Their Success.
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Home Internet Business
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