The mechanics of starting a business are generally
the same whether you are starting a bakery or a software business. In
this section, I've identified many valuable Web sites in the hope that
they can help you get your business up and running with reasonable efficiency.
I sure wish they'd been around when I was in the start-up phase at Banner
Blue!
| Business
Plans |
|
| Forms
and/or templates available at all sites in this section.
|
| American
Express
offers a step-by-step workshop, advice by e-mail, and informative
tips on writing your business plan. |
| BizPlan
Pro gives
you a Web-based program and outline to help turn your idea into
a viable business. |
| Jian
Software has
published well-respected business planning programs for years, and
many of its tools are free to use online. |
| Small
Business Association presents
a good outline and an overview that is well suited for planning
a small businesses. |
 |
| Directories
|
|
| Dun
& Bradstreet lists
thousands of vendors, searchable by service, category, and location. |
| Europages
is an extensive directory of European businesses. |
| Thomas
Register helps you identify which tasks to outsource and screen more than 150,000
registered suppliers. |
|
| Employment
Basics |
|
| **
Indicates free forms and/or templates are available.
|
| U.S.
Department of Labor helps
you learn about and comply with current federal employment statutes.**
|
| Winning
Associates, Inc. provides
an article explaining the essential role of employee handbooks.
|
|
| Expert Guidance |
|
|
Bootstrap Austin is a forum for discovering and propagating the unique path and rules associated with bootstrapping a company.
|
|
Idea Cafe covers all the basics for getting your idea off the ground, from e-commerce design to logo-embroidered apparel.
|
|
SCORE
offers
free counseling and other insights from a network of retired executives.
|
|
Small
Business Development Centers pool
local, state, and national resources offered by public and private
organizations.
|
|
Software
and Information Industry Association,
formerly
SPA, is an excellent trade group serving technology businesses.
|
|
| Financing |
|
| National
Business Incubation Association helps
young firms survive and grow during the risky start-up period. |
|
| Franchises |
|
| Be the Boss
has a partial directory of active franchises, listing basic information
such as minimum investment. |
| AAFD
offers
membership in a non-profit trade association for franchisees and
dealers. |
|
|
Government
Sites
|
|
| Securities
and Exchange Commission holds
federal filings on public companies in an online research database.
|
| Small
Business Administration
is a rich gateway to loans, networking, and other resources. |
| U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics offers
data on productivity, compensation, living conditions, and other
labor measures. |
| U.S.
Census Bureau gives
you basic demographics on the U.S. population — great for market
research. |
| U.S.
Department of Commerce issues
reports on the latest economic indicators. |
| U.S.
Treasury features
business and individual tax filing statistics from the IRS. |
|
|
Intellectual Property
|
|
| **
Indicates free forms and/or templates are available.
|
| Delphion lets
you search and view patent documents from the U.S. and other major
industrialized nations. |
| Small
Business Administration defines
patents, trademarks, and copyrights and their relevance to the entrepreneur.**
|
| U.S.
Copyright Office shows
you how to register for protection of your company's original works.**
|
| U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office gives
you a detailed and authoritative overview of their application process.**
|
| Wells,
St. John, Roberts, Gregory & Matkin,
a Washington law firm, provides a layman's overview of the patent
process. |
|
|
Laws & Permits |
|
| **
Indicates free forms and/or templates are available.
|
| California
Trade & Commerce Agency describes the state's requirements for various business licenses.** |
| Entrepreneur
Magazine has basic contracts for non-disclosure, work-for-hire, and other
needs.**
|
| Internal
Revenue Service gives you a wide range of information about your tax responsibilities
as an employer.**
|
| Quicken
Small Business answers basic questions about which permits you need for doing business
in your state. |
|
| Regional
Resources |
|
| U.S.
Chamber of Commerce can
direct you to a chamber in your area for information about local
business concerns. |
|
| Software
& Books |
|
| Entrepreneur
Magazine stocks
several popular how-to books for those starting or running a small
business. |
| Jian
Software has programs and templates that can help you with everything from employment
contracts to marketing plans. |
| Nolo
Press is a long-standing leader in books and publications for the do-it-yourselfer
in business and personal matters. |
