"A 'must-read' book ... filled with practical information and numerous case studies on what aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners need to know to run a profitable business...the author reminds the reader not to confuse the excitement and enthusiasm of starting a business and being a business owner with the skills required to be successful and avoid becoming one of the 80% of businesses that will eventually fail. A major contribution of this book is its continuous emphasis on the importance of having a business model as a critical requirement to start and manage a profitable business."-Edgar Ortiz, CEO of Strategic Analytic Solutions and business columnist for the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution"Ralph Blanchard, a successful entrepreneur with a background in economics, provides a detailed analysis of what it is really like to buy, start, operate, and eventually sell a small business. Topics covered include: why most businesses fail ten management skills found in successful small businessowners strategies to transition from self-employment toentrepreneurship advantages that small business owners have over largercompetitors tips to develop profitable pricing strategies innovative ideas to help develop a sound business model

"A 'must-read' book ... filled with practical information and numerous case studies on what aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners need to know to run a profitable business...the author reminds the reader not to confuse the excitement and enthusiasm of starting a business and being a business owner with the skills required to be successful and avoid becoming one of the 80% of businesses that will eventually fail. A major contribution of this book is its continuous emphasis on the importance of having a business model as a critical requirement to start and manage a profitable business."-Edgar Ortiz, CEO of Strategic Analytic Solutions and business columnist for the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution"Ralph Blanchard, a successful entrepreneur with a background in economics, provides a detailed analysis of what it is really like to buy, start, operate, and eventually sell a small business. Topics covered include: why most businesses fail ten management skills found in successful small businessowners strategies to transition from self-employment toentrepreneurship advantages that small business owners have over largercompetitors tips to develop profitable pricing strategies innovative ideas to help develop a sound business model

Public and university libraries are at a crossroads, hard-pressed by competition from Internet search engines, declining budgets and changes in popular culture. Libraries must respond aggressively. Otherwise they will be marginalized by the impact of digital technology on their traditional customer base. Author Ralph Blanchard, drawing on twenty years of experience as an information services entrepreneur, argues that it is irresponsible for librarians to simply turn academic tasks over to search engines, as many do. Instead, libraries should expand digital services and, using the tactics and strategies of successful for-profit information service businesses, reconnect with their customers by promoting themselves as 21st Century information experts. Topics in this wide-ranging study include: The library as a service business Change, risk and unintended consequences The Internet search engine business model Problems with students using search engines The evolution of "ambient information" Music and information technology "Millennials" as library customers Hiring and training library information workers Push and viral marketing strategies for libraries "The Digital Challenge for Libraries" calls for new initiatives by librarians and for a rekindling of interest in the vital role libraries play in an informed, prosperous and democratic society.