In Search of the Silver Bullet

By N B Schklair

This book assumes that the reader is seriously considering starting a business and/or expanding an already existing one, MINUS the "fluff"! The author outlines a series of concrete, real steps that he has both personally worked through and researched over a period of some 21 years during his professional career.

While part of his background has been in the consulting, IT, chemical manufacturing area and publishing services, he have been fortunate enough to have derived success and useful experience in all of these areas and with a variety of clients in numerous industries.

Whether the business with which you are involved is large or not, organization in the way you approach all steps of the business planning and execution process is a key element to your ultimate success in business.

Further, this book addresses many of the latest marketing and business elements that are becoming increasingly important to business people today. Even if your business model is a brick and mortar concept, you will very likely have to consider the new media as another avenue for expansion of your business and market.

The first of the book deals with how to write a business plan, and all of its component parts. The second section covers where to turn for financing: venture capital, banks, “angel groups” and family, friends and associates. The last part deals with some of the ancillary issues you should consider, once you’re established. Specifically, what to do about some of the marketing issues, particularly social media, blogging and the internet. What software to use and why, i.e., Quickbooks

Mr. Schklair brings both real world start up experience as well as impressive academic credentials. He hold degrees in economics from St. Johns University, an MBA from Dartmouth's Amos Tuck School and a certification with the US Air Force Institute of Technology of Technology as a Cost Analysis Officer while on active duty.

• Language: English
• Publisher: N B Schklair
• Release date: Jun 16, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458041487

N B Schklair

Nick Schklair is a writer, business executive and consultant having written hundreds of articles and is now in the final stages of publishing a satirical book about the state of business and large companies in America. His education consists of a BS in economics, St. John’s University, NY and is a graduate of the Amos Tuck School of Dartmouth College, NH where he received his MBA as well as having been through the USAF Institute of Technology in Cost Analysis. He is a frequent contributor to various web sites including those dedicated to real estate and investments and is an expert in the development of business plans and business planning. He currently resides in North Florida with his wife and two pets.

Book preview

In Search of the Silver Bullet

The Essential Guide to Funding, Founding

and Operating a New Business

…in a Down Economy

By N B Schklair

Copyright 2011 N B Schklair

Smashwords Edition

www.businessunderbelly.com/silverbullet.htm

Table of Contents

Silver Bullet: Definition and Usage

Dedications

Introduction

Chapter 1- The Basics: The Business Plan

Chapter 2- How to Use the SBA and SCORE

Chapter 3- New Business Funding Options

Chapter 4- Approaching a Venture Capitalist

Chapter 5- The Executive Summary

Chapter 6- The Market: Description, Drivers, Competition, Etc

Chapter 7- The Marketing Plan

Chapter 8- Market Research & Analysis 'Go' or 'No Go'

Chapter 9- How to Conduct Market Research

Chapter 10- Business Plan: Financial Statements

Chapter 11- Easy Pro Forma Cash Flow: Microsoft Excel

Chapter 12- The Pro Forma Income Statement

Chapter 13- Easy Pro Form Income Statement Preparation

Chapter 14- The Staffing Plan

Chapter 15- Online Business Sales and Distribution Plan

Chapter 16- Conventional e Sales and Distribution Plan

Chapter 17- Business Plan: What Could Go Wrong?

Chapter 18- Timelines, Next Steps & Action Plan

Chapter 19- Investment Analysis Using Microsoft Excel

Chapter 20- Business Accounting for Startups

Chapter 21- Building a Website on a Limited Budget

Chapter 22- E Commerce, Paypal and Other Software

Chapter 23- Online Article Marketing

Chapter 24- Setting up a Blog, and Online Marketing

Chapter 25- Free Software: Web design to Bookkeeping

Chapter 26- $250 in Free Special Offers!

About the Author

Silver Bullet (US) n.:

- A quick solution to a difficult or perplexing problem.

- A specific, fail-safe solution to a problem.

- An infallible means of attack or defense.

- A simple remedy for a difficult or intractable problem.

Etymology: Very effective, almost magical remedy, 1808. The belief in the magical power of silver weapons to conquer foes goes back at least to ancient Greece (e.g. Delphic Oracle's advice to Philip of Macedon).

Folklore:

* In the Brothers Grimm fairy-tale of The Two Brothers, a bullet-proof witch is shot down by silver bullets, fired from a gun.

* In some epic folk songs about Bulgarian rebel leader, Delyo, he is described as invulnerable to normal weapons, driving his enemies to cast a silver bullet in order to murder him.

* Silver bullets also act as a calling card for The Lone Ranger in his adventures. The masked man decided to use bullets forged from the precious metal as a symbol of justice, law and order, and to remind himself and others that life, like silver, has value and is not to be wasted or thrown away.

Dedications

I dedicate this book to my wife, Janet and my brother Peter Schklair, M.D. and my two sisters, Therese Impostato and Margie Limthong who all urged me for years to get my book out.

Additionally and most importantly, I especially wish to thank and dedicate this book, as well, to my friend and colleague, Ray Anthony, author, speaker and consultant. His guidance and understanding of the process of writing and publishing a book has been invaluable. He has been a champion and a model for me in terms of clarity, purpose and the pursuit of excellence.

Introduction

This book assumes that the reader is seriously considering starting a business and/or expanding an already existing business. I have outlined a series of steps that I’ve both personally worked through and researched over a period of some 21 years during my professional career. While part of my background has been in the consulting, IT, chemical manufacturing area and publishing services, I have been fortunate enough to have derived success and useful experience in many of these areas and I have imparted much of that experience into this work.

Whether the business with which you are involved is large or not, organization in the way you approach all steps of the business planning and execution process is a key element to your ultimate success in obtaining funding and in business, in general.

Further, this book addresses many of the latest marketing elements that are becoming increasingly important to business people today. Even if your business model is a brick and mortar concept, you will very likely have to consider the new media as another important avenue for the expansion of your business.

The first part of this book deals with how to write a business plan, and all of its component parts. The second section covers where to turn for financing: venture capital, banks, angel groups, family, friends and/or associates. The last part deals with some of the ancillary issues you should consider, once you’re established. Specifically, what to do about some of the marketing issues, particularly social media, blogging and the internet as an expansion of your marketing.

Chapter 1- The Basics: The Business Plan

***Whether raising funds for a start up or entering new markets, developing a cogent business plan is the most important step a business person should take.

There are two good reasons for writing a business plan for a new business venture:

* A business plan is an orderly way of covering all the steps that need to be taken in a new venture to achieve success.

* If outside funding is sought, whether from a venture capital firm, bank or group of individuals, all will demand it of the owner, president or management team.

Even if the business concept is as simple as a small, local retail store, a business plan will define the steps that need to be taken in order to achieve success. With that being stated, it is assumed that the proposed business will require a formal business plan. Realism is the key. If the senior managers are not realistic, the plan is nothing more than a fantasy. Assume