Just fifteen years ago, "pet sitter" meant the kid down the street who helped feed pets when the neighbors traveled. Today, this fledgling field is fast becoming an established profession. Combining the appeal of working with animals, a viable customer base, and truly low start-up costs, it is for many people "the" ideal home-based business. And yet its "fun" aspects are often overshadowed by the daunting tasks of registering the business, purchasing insurance, and knowing what first steps to take and how to continue from there. With a simple, step-by-step format, "How to Start a Home-Based Pet Sitting Business" guides aspiring pet sitters from the "dreaming" stage to the "doing" stage more clearly and comprehensively than any such book to date.

SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) comprise 99% of all businesses in the UK, account for 55% of non-governmental jobs and provide 51% of the national turnover. Competitive Advantage in SMEs, Organising for Innovation and Change draws on the experience of staff at Manchester Metropolitan University, focusing on how smaller firms can improve company performance to create and sustain long-term competitive advantage.

The book draws on up-to-date empirical data and the latest research to illustrate ways in which SMEs can become:

This is the first book of its kind to systematically integrate crowdfunding in the entrepreneurial finance research field and extend the current debate to show how crowdfunding can be leveraged as a strategic tool to grow new ventures. Utilising original empirical evidence of companies that have raised funds via crowdfunding, it discusses the value-added services that the crowd provides to entrepreneurs, as well as how and under which conditions crowdfunding helps company development by facilitating subsequent access to critical financial and non-financial resources from external stakeholders. The first part introduces the most popular models and tactics for a successful crowdfunding campaign and illustrates the characteristics of the crowdfunding phenomenon and its evolution across the world during the last decade. The second part of the book, demonstrating how crowdfunding can be a starting point to seed financing, illustrates and discusses how entrepreneurs can use crowdfunding as a strategic tool for accessing subsequent resources from external stakeholders - showing the benefits, beyond capital, that entrepreneurs can gain from the crowd, as well as potential risks. Crowdfunding for Entrepreneurs is particularly useful for academics, advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students in entrepreneurship and innovation, entrepreneurial finance, strategic management, as well as professionals interested in how crowdfunding can be utilised as a strategic tool to create competitive advantage.

A groundbreaking approach to unlocking the power of energy for professional productivity and business success The Energy Equation provides a new approach to achieving marketplace success by leveraging the internal workings of your business. The energy of your business is part of a physical system. Just like any other form of energy, it can be drained and wasted or be harnessed and optimized. This book offers a revolutionary contribution to management science that can be used to drive change, improve collaboration, enhance performance, strengthen organizational health and agility, and much more. Author Greg Baker, CEO of Advance Consulting--a leading management consulting and professional development firm specializing in the transformation of people, teams, and organizations--shows you how to use "enterprise" energy to dramatically increase professional productivity and enhance business performance. The Energy Equation teaches you how to "see" the energy of your company, enabling you to understand why some things work and others don't. The traditional "surface-level management" model no longer works in the 21st century; a much deeper view is needed. The Energy Equation will help you unlock the hidden power of energy in your business: Eliminate unnecessary conflict that saps the energy of your business Build business agility, boost employee engagement, and establish a positive culture throughout your organization Optimize your daily business, manage change, and prepare for the future of work View your business through the lens of energy to see what is really happening beneath the surface The Energy Equation is a powerful resource for any person or business seeking to adapt and thrive in the challenging global business environment.

Millionaire maker Dan S. Kennedy, joined by successful franchisors Forrest Walden and Jim Cavale, debunk the branding lies and myths shared by small business owners and entrepreneurs and deliver a heavy dose of reality--YOUR BRAND SHOULD BE A HAPPY, FREE BY-PRODUCT OF DIRECT MARKETING--NOT PURCHASED OUTRIGHT. Kennedy and his co-authors don't offer a strategy for creating a company logo, writing a slogan or issuing a press release. You won't learn how to follow in the footsteps of big brand advertisers (and thus, brand-build your business into bankruptcy). This book isn't about buying brand power. It's about getting a highly valuable brand--FREE. Led by Kennedy and contributors, learn the principles behind power-house brands that didn't pour oceans of money into the branding of their business. Then, master these truths for yourself, put them into practice, and gain your own brand tribe-- customers who believe in, promote and buy your brand.

There is more to setting up a successful business than just a good idea. Creating a Business examines concisely all the relevant aspects: the excitement and satisfaction that business entails, the challenges that face the entrepreneur, the risks that lie in wait.

The textbook is organized around a practical example: a company setting out to launch a new line of clothing. Aspects of setting up a business, including management, marketing, legislation, and financial management are examined.

Including pedagogical features, such as end-of-chapter questions and illustrations, Creating a Business will interest students of small business and entrepreneurship.

In The Automatic Customer, John Warrillow provides the essential blueprint for turning your customers into subscribers The lifeblood of your business is repeat customers. But customers can be fickle, markets shift and competitors are ruthless. So how do you ensure a steady flow of business? The secret - no matter what industry you're in - is finding and keeping automatic customers. These days virtually anything you need can come through a subscription. Far beyond Spotify and Netflix, companies in nearly any industry, from home contractors to florists, can build subscriptions into their business. Subscription is the key to increasing cash flow, igniting growth and boosting the value of your company. Whether you want to transform your entire business into a recurring revenue engine or just pick up an extra 5 per cent of sales growth, The Automatic Customer will be your secret weapon. 'Read, apply and watch your bank deposits grow every month' Chris Guillebeau, bestselling author of The $100 Startup 'If you have a business, or are thinking about starting one, this book will be the best investment you've ever made' Bo Burlingham, editor-at-large of Inc. and author of Small Giants and Finish Big John Warrillow, the author of Built to Sell, is the founder of The Value Builder System (TM) where advisors help company owners increase the value of their business. Previously, he founded Warrillow & Co., a subscription-based research business dedicated to helping Fortune 500 companies market to small business owners. A sought-after speaker and popular Inc.com columnist, he lives in Toronto.

Few crises in modern history have so completely disrupted every aspect of daily life as has the COVID-19 pandemic. What began as a small medical ripple in Wuhan, China, a city many of us had never heard of, quickly erupted into a tsunami of epic proportions. Every market, industry, vertical, profession, service, and category of product was in some way rocked by its impact. And, for the first time in recorded history, every wheel, cog and gear in the global retail industry ground to a virtual halt. From two-time, international best-selling author and futurist Doug Stephens, Resurrecting Retail is not just a riveting story of the unprecedented crash of an industry during this time of crisis but a roadmap for its rebirth. Meticulously researched in real time from inside the crisis, Resurrecting Retail provides a comprehensive and surprising vision of how COVID-19 will reshape every aspect of consumer life, including the very essence of why we shop. Above all, Resurrecting Retail provides an inspirational and actionable future vision for any business leader looking not only to survive but to thrive in a very different looking post-pandemic retail world.

How do I know if my idea will work?How do I decide on the business model?How do I find my audience?

Your digital business start-up journey begins here.

From the bestselling author of "The Small Business Start-up Workbook," Cheryl Rickman brings you a thoroughly practical guide to starting up a digital business, covering the full journey from idea to exit, with easy-to-implement strategies to make your online venture an ongoing success. With a combination of tips, exercises, checklists, anecdotes, case studies and lessons learned by business leaders, this workbook will guide you through each step of digital business.

Learn how to:

- Assess whether your business idea will work online/digitally- Choose the right business model for your proposition and avoid wasting time- Assess demand, viability and uncover untapped needs and gaps in the market- Build a usable, engaging website and mobile app- Create a buzz using social networking- Drive high quality traffic to your site and convert visitors into paying customers- Use search engine optimization (SEO) and marketing (SEM) tools effectively- Raise finance and protect your business- Build and maintain a strong brand- Recruit and retain a strong team- Sell the business or find a suitable successor.

Reviews for the book:

" "If you want advice on starting your own internet business, don't ask me, read this book instead. It is more up-to-date and costs far less than a good lunch." "Nick Jenkins, Founder of Moonpig.com""

""This book excels in providing practical guidance on how to create a successful digital business which exceeds customer expectations and keeps customers happy each step of the way." "Scott Weavers-Wright, CEO of Kiddicare.com, and MD of Morrison.com (non-food)""If you read just one book on digital business, make it this one... It is inspirational, informative and interactive in equal measure. Highly recommended " "Rowan Gormley, Founder and CEO of NakedWines.com

""Interspersed with inspiring and useful stories from successful entrepreneurs, this book can help aspiring business owners through a step-by-step process of refining their start-up ideas and building a solid business." "Elizabeth Varley, Founder and CEO of TechHub

David Stockman, Ronald Reagan's budget director, proclaimed the Small Business Administration a "billion-dollar waste -- a rathole", and set out to abolish the agency. His scathing critique was but the latest attack on an agency better known as the "Small Scandal Administration".

Loans to criminals, government contracts for minority "fronts", the classification of American Motors as a small business, Whitewater, and other scandals -- the Small Business Administration has lurched from one embarrassment to another. Despite the scandals and the policy failures, the SBA thrives and small business remains a sacred cow in American politics.

Part of this sacredness comes from the agency's longstanding record of pioneering affirmative action. Jonathan Bean reveals that even before the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the SBA promoted African American businesses, encouraged the hiring of minorities, and monitored the employment practices of loan recipients. Under Nixon, the agency expanded racial preferences. During the Reagan administration, politicians wrapped themselves in the mantle of minority enterprise even as they denounced quotas elsewhere.

Created by Congress in 1953, the SBA does not conform to traditional interpretations of interest-group democracy. Even though the public -- and Congress -- favors small enterprise, there has never been a unified group of small business owners requesting the government's help. Indeed, the SBA often has failed to address the real problems of "Mom and Pop" shop owners, fueling the ongoing debate about the agency's viability.

This book examines the relationship between family influence and financial performance and non-economic goals in small and medium family-owned enterprises (SME) in Portugal. Research on the performance of family-owned firms is growing but results are mixed, especially for non-listed companies. This book examines smaller family-owned firms that operate in a small, open economy, characterised by a context of relatively weak capital markets and predominantly bank-based financing. Delving into the impact of key variables such as the power dimension, experience and culture on performance establishes, the book goes on to analyse the determinants of performance in such family-owned SMEs. Given the importance of family firms to open economies, this book would be a valuable read to scholars aiming to understand the reasons behind their success, managers seeking out strategic and operational guidance and to regulators and policymakers at the regional and national levels.

Marketing can be confusing for business owners. That's why author Jill Brennan created this clear and concise guide to small business marketing. Business owners can follow the simple, yet powerful, step-by-step framework for connecting existing customers and attracting new customers to their business.

The Payroll Book is the only book that demystifies payroll with clear, concise, and real-world examples on how to tackle the process. "The Payroll Book will be a valuable resource for the small business owner as well as for the entrepreneur planning a new venture. Thorough, well-organized, and thoughtfully written, this practical guide is an essential tool for managing the payroll process." Marilyn K. Wiley, Dean, College of Business, University of North Texas "Failing to comply with the withholding, tax remittance, and report filing requirements in handling business payroll carries a high cost. Charles' book will guide entrepreneurs through the minefields of payroll processing and reporting in language that business owners can understand. Whether you already own or are planning to start your own business, The Payroll Book is an essential tool." James A. Smith, Past President and Chairman, Texas Society of CPAs "If accounting is something you have not paid keen attention to in your startup, then this book can demystify the whole thing for you and then some! Logically set-up and highly practical in its approach! I highly recommend this book for any startup, entrepreneur, and, frankly, anyone thinking about starting a business. That said, if you already started a business it's just as important this is a must-read!" Hubert Zajicek, CEO, Co-founder and Partner, Health Wildcatters "Wow! This is the most comprehensive book of its kind. I have worked in payroll for over 25 years, and I would recommend this book as a reference to anyone who has a hand in payroll. From the novice just entering the field to the seasoned veteran, there is something in this book for everyone." Romeo Chicco, President, PayMaster

Thinking of starting a business? Chances are you will be excited by your ideas, but daunted by what might lie ahead. Most start-up guides make that feeling worse, by overloading you with complex, yet missing out the essentials that you really need to focus on to succeed. From Acorns is a different kind of book. Free from jargon and full of practical tips from countless entrepreneurs, it's the only guide that tells you exactly what you need to know - no frills, no complications. In its second edition, this bestselling book now includes information not only for small start-ups, but for those with ambitious growth plans who need to plan big financial pitches, initiate and nurture large scale expansions, and, eventually, sell and move on to the next venture. From Acorns is the no nonsense guide to starting a business - whether your plans or modest or on a grand scale, this book helps you get it right first time around.

Small business owners know that success doesn't follow a script, and neither should they. The Success Factor will take small business owners through the first, most important things to consider when starting a company, and will contrast conventional wisdom on the topic with the latest ground-breaking, but proven, unconventional wisdom. By the time small business owners finish reading The Success Factor: Unconventional Wisdom for Small Business Success, they'll have goals, a timeline, a business model, and a product service offering in place for their small business or start-up. Additionally, they'll gain an understanding of how their ideal customer thinks, where and how to find them, and how to market in a way that attracts the customers they want. Lastly, they'll learn to do more of the things they love, how to get paid faster, and how to keep more of the money they earn than they ever thought possible.

This book offers a primer on the valuation of startups. Innovative startups are characterized by high growth potential that usually absorbs liquidity. This is unattractive for traditional banks, replaced by other specialized intermediaries such as venture capital or private equity funds, which diversify their portfolio basing their strategies on a multi-year exit. Startups coexist in an evolving ecosystem with established firms, to which they transfer innovativeness, technology, flexibility, and time-to-market speed, contributing to reinvent the business models and receiving from mature firms feedback on the current market features, the existing clients, and their unsatisfied needs. The valuation paradigms represent a central issue for any start-upper seeking external finance, either from family and friends or through a wider professional placement. This book, complemented by practical cases (concerning, for instance, FinTechs, digital platforms, and e-Health applications) offers a guide to practitioners, students, and academics about the trendy valuation patterns of the startups based on their strategic business planning

Family Firms (FFs) form the majority of all firms around the world and they account for an enormous percentage of the employment, the revenue, and the GDP of most capitalist countries. While MNCs have long been thought of as the main contributors to international business, it is now recognised that a substantial number of family firms are active in the international arena. This handbook focuses on the features which make family firm internationalization unique. Chapters provide FF specific theories and cover the process of FF internationalization. It examines the role of network ties and provides an insight into the development of family firms that have grown into big multinationals. Importantly this Handbook equips you with a better understanding of specific features of family firms as they internationalize from or to Asian or emerging markets. Family firms offer a fruitful context to study internationalization through a process perspective, therefore this Handbook is an invaluable source of knowledge for students, scholars and policy makers in the areas of family business, entrepreneurship and internationalization.

Do you have a hobby you wish you could do all day? An obsession that keeps you up at night? Now is the perfect time to take those passions and make a living doing what you love. In Crush It! Why Now Is The Time To Cash In On Your Passion, Gary Vaynerchuk shows you how to use the power of the Internet to turn your real interests into real businesses. Gary spent years building his family business from a local wine shop into a national industry leader. Then one day he turned on a video camera, and by using the secrets revealed in this book, transformed his entire life and earning potential by building his personal brand. By the end of this book, any reader will have learned how to harness the power of the Internet to make their entrepreneurial dreams come true. Step by step, Crush It! is the ultimate driver's manual for modern business. Gary Vaynerchuk has captured attention with his pioneering, multi-faceted approach to personal branding and business. After primarily utilizing traditional advertising techniques to build his family's local retail wine business into a national industry leader, Gary rapidly leveraged social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook to promote Wine Library TV. Gary has always had an early-to-market approach, launching Wine Library's retail website in 1997 and Wine Library TV in February of 2006. His lessons on social media, passion, transparency, and reactionary business are not to be missed!

A close-up examination of several important consultation models and of the structure, dynamics, and operation of family businesses in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ireland, South Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States This book is designed to fill an important gap in the family business literature. Florence W. Kaslow, Ph. D., Editor, an internationally respected authority in both family psychology and family business consultation, presents a disciplined look at how family businesses are structured, the ebb and flow of their dynamics, and the ways they operate in thirteen diverse countries spanning four continents. Top family business consultants working in those countries share their methods of helping clients increase earnings and fulfill the missions of their companies. The contributors examine essential aspects of the world of family business today, including family offices, globalization, and the management of a family's wealth. Tables and figures, plus a helpful glossary, make complex and unfamiliar information easy to understand. As the world's economies interface and intertwine with the evolution of international markets and globalization, the Handbook of Family Business and Family Business Consultation provides the essential broad knowledge that family business consultants need in today's business climate. It provides a capsule history of the premiere organization dedicated to helping family businesses, the Family Firm Institute (FFI), and then examines issues essential to anyone involved in, or consulting to, family businesses, including: the importance of family businesses to the economic well-being of countries worldwide family officeswhat they are and why they're important the significance of differentiating between the family business and the business of being a family for everyone involved in these overlapping relationships the multiple and diverse roles that family business consultants play in different kinds of businesses and in different countries the roles of non-family employees in family businesses gender issues that affect family businesses sibling rivalry and other issues of family conflict the trend toward globalization in various family businessesand the implications of this trend in terms of family wealth dispersion, international understanding, competitiveness, and other emerging phenomena With expert commentary from family business consultants in such a wide variety of countries, the Handbook of Family Business and Family Business Consultation is an essential read for family business consultants, family business owners, and Family Business Forum staff and member families, as well as professors and students in MBA programs and family business courses.