Small Business, Big Vision

ISBN-13: 9781118018200 / Angielski / Miękka / 2011 / 224 str.

Matthew Toren;Adam Toren;¬Abar

Opis

Lessons in applying passion and perseverance from prominent entrepreneurs In the world of entrepreneurship, your vision solidifies your resolve when things get tough, and it reminds you why you went into business in the first place. Authors, brothers, and serial entrepreneurs, Matthew and Adam Toren have compiled a wealth of valuable information on the passionate and pragmatic realities of starting your own business. They've also gathered insights from some of the world's most successful entrepreneurs. This book delivers the information that both established and budding entrepreneurs need, explains how to implement that information, and validates each lesson with real-world examples. Small Business, Big Vision provides inspiration and practical advice on everything from creating a one-page business plan to setting up an advisory board, and also delivers a call to social entrepreneurship and sustainable business practices. This powerful book:

• Offers instruction in whether and how to seek investors
• Outlines the pros and cons of hiring employees and provides guidance on how to find the best outsourced workers
• Presents a comprehensive action plan for effective social media marketing
• Explains how to build an information empire and become an expert

Small Business, Big Vision proves that with a flexible mindset, practical skills, and the passion to keep pushing forward, entrepreneurs can find success, even in today's ever-changing business landscape.

Spis treści

Foreword Gary Whitehill xi

Preface xvii

Acknowledgments xxi

Permissions xxii

Introduction 1

Why You Need This Book and Why You Need a Big Vision 1

Our Story 3

Chapter 1 The Importance of Having BIG Vision 9

Entrepreneurial Profile: Dan Schawbel of Millennial Branding, LLC 13

Fuel Your Fire with Passion and Perseverance 16

Entrepreneurial Profile: Siamak Taghaddos and David Hauser of Grasshopper Group 22

Chapter 2 Rethinking Your Business Plan 25

The One–Page Business Plan 29

Entrepreneurial Profile: Brent Oxley of HostGator.com 35

The Finance–Centered Plan 38

Entrepreneurial Profile: Brock Blake of FundingUniverse 46

Chapter 3 Investors Out Collaborators In! 51

Investors: A Question of Need versus Want 54

Entrepreneurial Profile: Gabriel Shaoolian of Blue Fountain Media 58

When Your Needs Call for Investors 62

Collaboration Is Key 63

An Advisory Board as a Replacement for Investors 65

Entrepreneurial Profile: Anita Campbell of Small Business Trends and BizSugar.com 69

Chapter 4 Hiring Employees: The Good, the Bad, and the Alternatives 77

The Magic of Leveraging Your Time 79

The Downside of Hiring Employees 80

Entrepreneurial Profile: Ali Brown of Ali International 83

The Best of Both Worlds 89

How to Find the Best Outsourced Workers 94

Entrepreneurial Profile: Daven Michaels of 123Employee.com 96

Chapter 5 Laser–Sighted Marketing through Social Media 101

The Magic of Social Media Marketing 106

Entrepreneurial Profile: Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV 108

Four Keys to Social Media Marketing Success 111

Entrepreneurial Profile: Mike Roberts of SpyFu.com 123

Chapter 6 From Entrepreneur to Icon: Achieving Expert Status 129

Embracing Your Expertise 132

Building Your Information Empire 133

Entrepreneurial Profile: Shama Hyder Kabani of The Marketing Zen Group 139

Chapter 7 The Socially Responsible Entrepreneur: It s Not Always about You 143

Social Entrepreneurship Is True Entrepreneurship 146

Entrepreneurial Profile: Adam Braun of Pencils of Promise 148

Sustainability Is the New Bottom Line 151

Entrepreneurial Profile: Scott Harrison of charity: water 155

Chapter 8 Pulling a 180: The Business Turnaround 159

Flexibility Allows for Transformation 162

Entrepreneurial Profile: Matt Mickiewicz of SitePoint and 99designs 167

What to Do Before You Give Up 171

Entrepreneurial Profile: Mike Michalowicz of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur 177

Afterword 183

Resources 187

Epigraph Sources 195

Index 197

O autorze

MATTHEW TOREN and ADAM TOREN are brothers, serial entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors. For nearly twenty years, they have provided instruction in management concepts, marketing, and finance to emerging and distressed small businesses. They currently own and operate a successful media company and founded YoungEntrepreneur.com, one of the largest online forum communities for entrepreneurs worldwide. The Toren brothers are also the authors of the award–winning book, Kidpreneurs: Young Entrepreneurs with Big Ideas! Visit www.SmallBusinessBigVision.com.

Blurb

Lessons in applying passion and perseverance from prominent entrepreneurs

In the world of entrepreneurship, your vision solidifies your resolve when things get tough, and it reminds you why you went into business in the first place. Small Business, Big Vision draws on the experience of some of the world′s most successful entrepreneurs and proves that with a flexible mind–set, practical skills, and the passion to keep pushing forward, entrepreneurs can find success, even in the most turbulent business landscape.

"While reading Small Business, Big Vision, I kept thinking one thing: These guys get it! In a world where information is coming at us from all directions, you′ve got to know how to focus on the good stuff and filter out the rest."
RYAN HOLMES, founder and CEO, HootSuite

"Matthew and Adam Toren get to the point of what separates the good from the great in business and entrepreneurship: vision. What′s remarkable about the book is that it actually gives you the insight on how to take passion and turn it into tangible results."
RYAN SHEA, President and Corporate Publisher, Entrepreneur Media, Inc., Entrepreneur.com, and Entrepreneur magazine

"In Small Business, Big Vision, Adam and Matthew Toren provide practical, real–world advice for entrepreneurs at all levels. Motivational and tremendously insightful, this book gives you the tools you need to succeed in your business."
DOUG IMBRUCE, founder, Qwiki.com

"Why anyone starting a business wouldn′t want to learn from those who blazed a brilliant path before them is beyond me. Get this book and start dominating now."
JOHN JANTSCH, author of Duct Tape Marketing and The Referral Engine