In a perfect world, starting a small business would be risk free, but just as with everything else; the degree of risk determines the value of the reward.
According to the National Commission on Entrepreneurship, at any given time, 6% to 9% of the United States adult population is involved in planning for a new business. Most of these aspiring entrepreneurs, they say, will start a "Lifestyle Business" ? primarily providing employment to themselves and their families. The balance will find themselves in "Entrepreneurial Firms" ? those growth companies that, according to the NCE, created two-thirds of net new U.S. jobs in the 1990s.
Both are fraught with risk ? and potential reward. Ask a small business veteran about the risks, and three likely come to mind: employees, inventory, and accounts receivables. These are both the bad news and good news of business. In the audiobook, "Sound Advice on Small Business," author Jim Schell says, "The bad news is that they're a headache to manage, but the good news is they exert leverage."
What business would Schell, a seasoned entrepreneur and co-author of "Small Business for Dummies," start if he had it to do all over again? With his tongue planted firmly in his cheek, he says in a perfect world it might be any business without employees, inventory, and minimal accounts receivables. Seriously, though, Schell says, "Without [them], you can only grow so far, so big. With them, the world is our oyster."
Jim Schell offers advice to entrepreneurs on managing a small business each week in the free audio newsletter from What's Working in Biz, http://www.whatsworking.biz/full_story.asp?artid=92
About The Author
Cunningham is a principal of What's Working in Biz, http://www.whatsworking.biz/full_story.asp?artid=92, a publisher of business audiobooks and online audio programs on marketing, sales, and small business strategies.
Villa Park executive chauffeured services .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareSeventy percent of US households use the web when shopping... Read More
While there are few career paths that some would call... Read More
How do you find the best business partners?Finding a good... Read More
Support is critical for your small business survival. You may... Read More
The Boston suburbs seem to be rich with possible locations... Read More
How is your pipeline structured?I assume most of you have... Read More
Many small businesses do quite well due to the blood,... Read More
Summer is a time for the outdoors, for that well-deserved... Read More
-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --An effective and compelling... Read More
There is a rather famous true story called "Acres of... Read More
The bad things starts with the letter 'O'?.like Obstacles, Obstruction,... Read More
It seems so long ago that I started my first... Read More
Running a business, whether large, small or in your home,... Read More
Q: I'm curious. What is the dumbest business question you've... Read More
What image do you and your people portray to your... Read More
You see it often in large shopping complexes. Customers seem... Read More
It's just like a marriageTo expect a bank manager or... Read More
In your small business debt collection laws will eventually become... Read More
There were only an estimated 1800 active franchisors in this... Read More
CONSIDERING COMPANY NEEDS: In identifying your needs for the internship,... Read More
Q: I have outgrown my home office and need to... Read More
As you reflect on this year and prepare for next... Read More
Do you know what your genius work is? It's the... Read More
What are the 5 best ways to gain new contacts?There... Read More
When pressure washing heavy equipment each piece of equipment has... Read More
limousine airport Itasca ..Pressure washing companies must look for customers in the retail... Read More
Why should you always maintain a good report with a... Read More
If you ask most small business owners what priority CRM... Read More
Doesn't it frustrate you when you've given good service, sometimes... Read More
When it comes to cost, how much can you afford... Read More
For really tough boat hull cleaning you will need to... Read More
Mobile detailers will find themselves with lots of competition even... Read More
I was floored! I couldn't believe what they were saying!... Read More
Every home business has the same problem of how to... Read More
Why do you need an account plan?When you first decide... Read More
I've got good news and bad news. The good news... Read More
Sexual Harassment is a disturbing part of employment life in... Read More
Mobile carwashing is hard work, it is tough on the... Read More
When working properly, computers enable small businesses to make big... Read More
Ok, you have successfully accomplished your dream of being the... Read More
Did you know that satisfaction is the number one emotion... Read More
When working from home, it is usual to find that... Read More
New Franchisors and Entrepreneurs need to watch out as they... Read More
After over 30 years of participating in hundreds of businesses,... Read More
What are the benefits of using a Freelance Consultant /... Read More
A Small Business Opportunities Magazine is one of the new... Read More
Deciding to start your own franchise is just one of... Read More
$37.4 million funded from venture capital today. $86.4 million funded... Read More
How do we keep track of our business deals?If you... Read More
A cluttered world of marketing communications diminishes the ordinary. The... Read More
Small Business |