More Useful Information for the Small Business

(Organizations below can help your small business success. Their names link to their respective Web sites and open in a new window.)

Business Networking International (BNI)
BNI is a business and professional networking organization that offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and, most importantly, referrals.

Chamber of Commerce
Your local Chamber of Commerce is an indispensable source of information for starting and running a small business in your local community.

Federal Citizen Information Center
Free or nearly-free information on a variety of subjects. Includes a section on small-business issues.

IRS
A one-stop resource for all aspects of the tax code as it relates to small businesses.

National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
This organization is said to “understand the unique needs of micro-business owners and removes many of the hurdles to starting and growing a business by providing the most comprehensive range of benefits found anywhere.”

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)
What a great concept: mentoring for the small-business owner (or soon-to-be) by retired executives! SCORE is a nonprofit organization of retired professionals who can help you with small-business marketing plans, business plans and advice. They are resource partners with the U.S. Small Business Administration and have chapters all over the country. They also offer seminars and personal counseling.

Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA supports many aspects of the small business: from initial startup to financing and management. Since 1953, it “delivered about 20 million loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses.” This Web site contains much useful information including training materials and inspirational small-business success stories.

Small Business School
This Web site is based on and excerpted from the PBS series that focuses on the successes/problems/challenges facing small businesses in America. Find out if you're a candidate for a home-business (not everyone can do it). Learn what it takes to start a business. See profiles of successful small businesses to get ideas and tips.

United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service offers tips for achieving your business goals with mailing and shipping solutions. Good advice on how you can use the mail to grow your business.

Business.gov
This organization touts itself as the business gateway to federal resources where small-business owners can get information on workplace issues, how to access government services, understand regulations or apply for money and training.

Other Business Resources

Check your local Chamber of Commerce, or city or county Web sites for links to your regional Microenterprise Center, Economic Development Commission or Small Business Center.

Internet Business Directories

1 2 3 Link — Provides business directory, search engine submission, free link exchange, banner exchange, banner advertising, banner design and web site design services.

EarthBiz.com — Internet business solutions: tools and resources for starting and marketing your profitable online business!

!tzalist Business Directory — A listing of a wide variety of business-related Web sites, as well as those in areas of Art, Science, Sports, and more.

Books to Expand Your Knowledge

(Book titles link to amazon.com and open in a new window.)

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
by Stephan R. Covey
This book presents a principle-centered approach for solving life's problems (both personal and professional) that involves the concepts of fairness, integrity, honesty and human dignity. It continues to be a business bestseller with more than 10 million copies sold.

The E-Myth Revisited
by Michael E. Gerber
The subtitle of this book best describes its content: “Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It.” The E-Myth Revisited was voted the #1 business book by Inc. 500 CEOs.

Hurdle: The Book on Business Planning
by Timothy Berry
This book guides you in the creation of your own, professional business plan. It also includes concrete, detailed advice on how to actually manage and implement your plan with two sample plans, plan comparisons, as well as sections on starting your business, financing a business, and running your business.

Tax Savvy for Small Business: Year-round Tax Strategies to Save You Money
by Frederick W. Daily
For more than two decades, author and attorney Frederick Daily has taught entrepreneurs the ins and outs of the tax code and offered suggestions to help them remain in the black and out of hot water with the IRS.

Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business
by Fred Steingold
This books offers a clear and concise path around many of the legal pitfalls encountered regularly by today's entrepreneur.

Tools You Should Investigate

Palo Alto Software: A top-rated market leader in business-related software products (links open in new window)…

Web Site Building Products:

Site Build It! — This all-in-one site-building, site-hosting, and site-marketing product makes it easy for you to build (or have one built for you) a professional and profitable Web business quicker and easier. An integrated system, like this one, saves many hours because it includes services that Web builders must often find piecemeal, like: brainstorming keywords for search engine optimization, Web site hosting, researching and submitting to search engines, etc.

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