Entrepreneurship & Small Business
(page 3 of 4)
Business Plans
Preparation of a good business plan is essential. Any of the sources below will provide guidance.
-
Among the information provided here are sample business plans for many kinds of business; also sample marketing and web site plans. Expert advice, articles, etc. also available here.
-
Formerly known as "Business & Company Resource Center", this database provides company histories, market share articles, business ranking annual, company profiles and industry profiles.
more...
-
Entrepreneur.com Business Plans
How-tos, sample plans, and lots of ideas for preparing your business plan.
-
From the British Columbia Business Service Centre, an outline of what to include in a standard business plan, how to approach lenders, and how to attract investors.
-
From the U.S. Small Business Administration, a review of the steps involved in preparing a business plan, an outline of content, and sample plans to review. Includes section with special tips for women entrepreneurs.
-
Gale Business: Entrepreneurship
This database provides information on how to start, finance or manage small business. Resources include sample business plans, how to guides, articles and website
more...
-
The Elements of a Business Plan: First Steps for New Entrepreneurs
EditSign
This 12 pages pamphlet by Purdue U. Extension gives you a general idea about the basic elements of a business plan.
-
The SBDC National Information Clearinghouse serving the Small Business Development Center Network and America's small business community.
​
Tools to create business models
-
BMCANVAS is based on Alexander Osterwalder’s inspiring book Business Model Generation.
The business model canvas itself is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License. -
The Business Model Fiddle, is a free strategic management and entrepreneurial tool. It allows you to describe, design, challenge, invent, and pivot your business model.
Finance
Locating financing for your business will be a primary objective. These sites should provide guidance.
-
From the U.S. Small Business Administration, advice on planning for finances, obtaining loans and other outside funding, and handling business expenses.
-
Small Business Owner's Toolkit--Finance
How to obtain financing and how to manage finances are two featured sections of this small business guide. Both have many links to articles and resources useful for entrepreneurs.
-
Created by the Edward Lowe Foundation, provides data and charts illustrating the composition, growth, and performance of business, both nationally and locally. Includes industry ranking data by business size for the U.S, states, and metro areas.
-
Provides help finding the right franchise opportunity and advice on how to be a successful franchisee. Includes a directory of franchise opportunities plus articles, news stories, guides, and profiles to help determine the best franchise choice.
-
​
Financial Ratios/Norms
Use the financial ratios/norms of your industry to help create your financial statement and projections.
-
Financial Studies of the Small Business
Call Number: Ref. HD2346 .U5F55a
Available in paper and up to 2007. Provides financial ratios and balance sheet/income statement data for firms having a total capitalization under $250,000. Data for four asset size groups and a total for all groups is given. About fifty industries, primarily retail and service industries, are covered. -
Almanac of Business and Financial Ratios
Call number: Ref. HF5681 .R25T68
Available in paper. Organized by NAICS codes. Has annual operating and financial ratios for up to 12 asset size groups within each industry. -
Call number: Ref. HF5681 .B2R64
From Robert Morris Associates, available in paper. Organized by NAICS codes. Each industry is presented in several asset size groups. Balance sheet and income data are also given for each industry segment.
-
Corporate profiles, downloadable financial data, stock prices, and annual reports for U.S. and international corporations.
more...