BUSINESS MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE
| Business Resource Center | Click on "Management Center" and then on sample business plan, or you can go to "search" and type in "business plan" to get a more comprehensive list |
| Entrepreneurial Edge On-line | Under "Business Builders" you'll find 46 in-depth training modules on marketing, managing, promoting and growing your business |
| U.S. Business Advisor | Answers to common business questions, news of interest to the business community and links to useful government information, services and transactions |
| U.S. Census Bureau | A source for social, demographic and economic information to help your business capture your market |
| Idea Cafe--The Small Business Channel | A fun approach to serious business |
| MoneyHunter | Click on the words "Business Plan" and you'll be taken to another screen where you can download a business plan template with step-by-step instructions |
| IRS Tax Assistance | Federal tax information assistance |
| Tax Advice | Small business tax advice |
| State Tax Assistance | Minnesota Department of Revenue tax information assistance |
| Legal Assistance | Legal assistance for the small business |
| Thomas Register | A comprehensive list of U.S. manufacturers |
| Hoover's Online | Hoover's 500 profiles 500 of America's largest businesses; IPO Central contains up-to-date facts on IPOs; and Earnings Central features the latest earning reports for 7,700 companies. |
| Industry Research Desk | Comprehensive methodology for researching industries. |
| Standard Industrial Classification Codes | Search for Standard Industrial Classification Codes (SIC) |
| Department of Labor | Information about minimum wage, labor statutes, regulations, the department's programs and activities, plus an on-line job bank and a locator |
| FedWorld | A clearinghouse to help businesses access information and services from over 130 government agencies |
| Social Security Administration | Complete information on social security benefits and withholdings requirements |
| U.S. Patent & Trademark Office | Everything you need to know about obtaining patents and trademarks in the U.S. |
Business Builders are a series of 42 comprehensive self-paced training modules developed by the Edward Lowe Foundation that will walk you through the step-by-step procedures of marketing, managing, promoting and growing your business. Each module concentrates on one training topic or task. You'll master the areas most important to your company's growth.
Starting Your Business Getting Started Guide
Get answers to some of the most common business start-up questions.
Answers to some of the most frequently asked pricing questions.
Finding and Maintaining Wholesalers
Tips from the National Association for the Self Employed for finding and maintaining wholesalers' sales representatives.
Tips and hints to make it easier to assemble a board of directors or a board of advisors.
Sample contracts and letters you may need as a small business owner.
Create an Effective Business
Plan
This interactive workshop will guide you through the process of developing a business plan.
How to protect your writings, software code, film and other creative endeavors.
Learn the basics about how to secure your trademarks and symbols.
Invent something cool? Preserve your rights to it with a patent.
Buying and Selling a Business
Nine areas to evaluate when you're looking to buy a business.
Should You Use a Business Broker?
What a broker can do for you if you're selling of buying a business.
Common formulas used to determine the market worth of a small business.
Financing
What mainstream outlets are there for small businesses looking for funds?
Non-Traditional Funding Sources
If you can't get money from a bank or a venture capitalist, where can you go?
List of Small Business Development
Centers
Find the SBDC nearest you for information about starting up and running your small business.
List of Small Business Investment
Corporations
An index of SBICs in all 50 states.
List of Venture Capital Companies
Looking for a venture capitalist? Here's a list of VC's across the U.S.
VC clubs can act as go-between for small businesses seeking venture financing. Here's an index of some to contact.
How One Entrepreneur Built His Company Without Loans
You don't need loans to build a successful company. This is how one entrepreneur did it.
Franchising
Answers to common questions about buying a franchise.
Looking for a franchise? Here are descriptions of some of the hottest areas.
Learn about common biz opp scams and how you can avoid being a victim.
Incorporation
Sole proprietorship? Corporation? LLC? Here's some help for determining which structure is right for you.
Taxes
Plan Ahead for Orderly Business
Continuation
How to plan who will take over your business when you leave.
25 Common Business Deductions
and Expenses
Some of the most common business deductions you should know about.
Here's what to do if you can't file your taxes on time.
Create an Effective Retirement
Plan
The basics of self-employed retirement plans -- including SEPs, IRAs and Keoghs.
Get Your Deductions Straight:
An Expert Roundtable
A panel of small business tax experts gives you advice to help you save money on your taxes.
Basics about some of the taxes a small business will likely incur.
Understanding the Home Office
Deduction
Can you take advantage of the home deduction? This link should help you decide.
Insurance
A Small Business Insurance Primer
Learn more about the different types of insurance small businesses need.
You'll need to know what insurance company ratings mean when you're evaluating a potential carrier.
Finding and Evaluating an Insurance
Broker
What should a small business look for in an insurance broker?
(click on the Business Tools banner to explore these resources)
Here you will find ready-to-use business tools to help you get the job done faster and easier, including:
Business tool categories
Business Finance
Compensation & Benefits
Employee Management
Firing & Termination
Marketing
Recruiting & Hiring
Starting Your Business
Vehicles & Equipment
Worker Safety
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