Small Business Kit for Dummies (Paperback)

by Richard D. Harroch (Author) "Wouldn't it be great if all it took to run a business was a great idea or service?..." (more)
Key Phrases: permitted use clause, media relations policy, disclosing party, Sales Contract, Secretary of State, Articles of Incorporation (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Millions of Americans own their own businesses, and millions more dream of doing the same. But starting your own business is a pretty complicated matter, especially with all the legal issues and paperwork. This updated edition of the top-selling small business resource is chock-full of information, resources, and helpful hints on making the transition from a great idea to a great business. If you've got a great idea for your own business, you need the kind of straightforward advice you'll find here -- the kind of advice you'd normally only get from business schools and MBA courses. Small Business Kit For Dummies, Second Edition covers all the basics on:

• Recent tax law changes
• Balancing your finances
• Hiring and keeping employees
• Effective management strategies
• Accounting fundamentals

In addition to the basics of business, you'll also find top-class advice on more advanced business basics, like business plans, the ins and outs of contracts, and using the Internet to expand your business. For entrepreneurs large and small, this comprehensive resource offers authoritative guidance on all your biggest business concerns, and offers unbeatable advice on such topics as:

• Choosing your business structure -- from LLCs to S corps
• How to develop and write a standard business proposal
• Going public, issuing stock, and keeping a stock ledger
• Raising capital and understanding securities laws
• Bookkeeping standard practices
• Tax basics for small businesses
• Handling the paperwork for new hires
• Designing employee compensation plans
• Working with independent contractors and consultants
• Patent and copyright protections
• Dealing with the Press

In addition, the book includes a CD-ROM full of helpful resources -- forms, contracts, and even sample versions of the most popular software for small businesses. With Small Business Kit For Dummies you'll find all the tools you need to get your small business up and running -- and keep it running for years and years to come.

From the Back Cover
A Wall Street Journal business bestseller!

"A thorough and detailed help guide."
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Do you want to start your own business? Do you know how to deal with all the legal and business issues and the endless paperwork? Don’t worry! This friendly and up-to-date guide walks you through every step of the process, covers recent tax law changes, helps you raise capital – and even includes a CD-ROM packed with actual forms, agreements, and policies you’ll need!

All this on the bonus CD-ROM

• Over 250 forms, agreements, and checklists useful to entrepreneurs and small businesses
• Sample letters of intent, confidentiality agreements, and employment forms
• Consulting and independent contractor agreements and Web-related contracts

Discover how to:

• Form corporations and partnerships
• Fund your business with venture capital
• Protect your ideas and inventions
• Negotiate cost-effective leases
• Expand your business on the Web

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (July 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764559842
• ISBN-13: 978-0764559846
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,349 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #49 in	Books > Business & Investing > Reference
  #57 in	Books > Business & Investing > Small Business & Entrepreneurship > Entrepreneurship

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

140 of 141 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Helpful for Everyday Chores, January 9, 2000

By	Gadgester "No Time, No Money" (Mother Earth) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Small Business Kit for Dummies (Paperback)

Initially I was confused over how this book would be different from "Small Business for Dummies." Now I think I know. This book focuses on the everyday chores of starting, funding and running a small business, and gives you lots of legal forms which you can use in order to save money on attorney fees. I find the forms on the CD-ROM extremely useful and helpful.

The book does NOT talk about business ideas or marketing. It approaches the small business from a legal standpoint. For example, how do you talk to venture capitalists? How do you give employees stock options (incredible info in the book!)? How do you deal with employee discontent? How to protect your business legally? How to write a contract? And so on.

If you need to know how to get a small biz idea or how to sell your products/services, this book is not for you. But, once you get your idea off the ground, you ABSOLUTELY NEED this book to survive -- unless you've got lots of cash to afford a good attorney. This book is no substtitute for a lawyer in many situations, but I have been able to use the forms in the book and on the accompanying CD-ROM to save my company thousands of dollars. I think this is a must-have reference for every small business owner.

I wish IDG would put out an updated edition soon.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but slowly being replaced by online resources, January 26, 2004

By	Manny Hernandez "Author of Ning For Dummies" (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Small Business Kit for Dummies (Paperback)

This a good book, don't get me wrong. However, having been edited back in 1998, and being -as it is- largely focused on the documents that you, as a Small Business Owner, are likely to be in need of, it now seems a bit outdated and old-fashioned when you compare if with the ease with which you can get (for free) similar formats (business plans, marketing plans, invoices, etc.) online (in office.microsoft.com > Templates, for instance). It is a good reference of what to look for, though, which is why I give it 4 stars.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for those starting their business, September 26, 2003

By	Dan Mentzer (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Small Business Kit for Dummies (Paperback)

It's great to see a book written by an attorney who also understands business.

Too many other books out there are written by amateur business people who's real business is in promoting and selling lousy books.

The CD-Rom will save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars and time.

Also recommend "The Small Business Kit" and "How to Incorporate in any State" by J.W. Dicks, another attorney and businessman with real world knowledge.

Good luck with your business!