Business Resources for Planning and Start-Ups

Start your business planning with the Start Up resources. Stay informed in the Business News section. Wade through the mountain of business books and focus on our book recommendations - each title had a significant and positive impact our team of NobleOak business experts.

i. Start Up Resources (United States)
	U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a fantastic resource called the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Offices are located in each state. This site should be one of your first stops when researching your small business.

Service Corps Of Retired Executives The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is a non-profit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business throughout the United States.

The Ultimate Start Up Guide Get on the fast track and launch your business today! Learn about naming considerations, legal corporate entities, web presence and corporate resolutions.

Exploriem.org - Professional Entrepreneurs Organization Exploriem.org is an Organization for Professional Entrepreneurs. The Organization appeals not only to entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs but also intrapreneurs and high achievers interested in participating in helping to shape the technological, economic and sociological future.

ii. Start Up Resources (Canada)
	Canada Business and Service Centres The Government of Canada offers a great resource called the Canada Business and Service Centres that even include an online interactive business planner.

Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) Canada Customs and Revenue Agency provides informative small business information guides that highlight the numerous tax considerations and requirements. You will have to register for Provinical Sales Tax if your business is making taxable sales, and for the Good and Services Tax if your business will gross $30,000 or more in sales over a one year period. More information is available on the GST page of the CCRA site.

Canada Scientific Research and Experimental Development Did you know that if your business expenses include Scientific Research and Experimental Development that you may be entitled to a significant tax break? Find out more and don't miss out.

The Ultimate Startup Guide Get on the fast track and launch your business today! Learn about naming considerations, legal corporate entities, web presence and corporate resolutions.

Business Startup Assistant Canada Business Service Centres run an information site that provides provincially specific information about starting a business in Canada.

Are you a Canadian Student? e-START is a joint venture between ACE – Canada and Strategis to provide an online community dedicated to helping Canadian students start successful businesses and find meaningful employment.

Exploriem.org - Professional Entrepreneurs Organization Exploriem.org is an Organization for Professional Entrepreneurs. The Organization appeals not only to entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs but also intrapreneurs and high achievers interested in participating in helping to shape the technological, economic and sociological future.

iii. Business News
	Wall Street Journal The 'journal' is the most comprehensive financial and business newspaper on the planet. Subscribe and receive 2 free weeks of complete access to the WSJ online.

CNN Business News From the editors of CNN and Money magazine.

Financial Times Get your business news from a European perspective.

The Globe and Mail: Report On Business Get the Canadian business news.

iv. Book Recommendations
	Co-opetition - Brandenburger & Nalebuff Learn how your customers, suppliers, competitors, and complementors all interact in order to grow not only your slice of the pie, but the whole pie! This is required reading for the first year Strategy course at many top ranked business schools. More information is available at Co-opetition Interactive.

Attracting Perfect Customers - Hall & Brogniez Use the power of strategic synchronicity to attract and retain the perfect customers. A Bain & Company study confirmed that the average Fortune 500 company could instantly double its revenue-growth with a 5 percent increase in customer retention. A small to midsize company could double its profits in ten years by simply increasing its customer retention rate by 5 percent. (source: Brewer, Geoffrey "The Customer Stops Here", 1998). More information is available at www.perfectcustomer.com.

Business Planning Guide - David H. Bangs, Jr. Named by Forbes magazine as its "favorite, most useful small business book" and required reading for many top university Entrepreneurship courses. The Business Planning Guide provides a simple and logical structure for you to use when creating your business plan. It is full of examples, charts and tables that enable you to focus and capture your many ideas. In its eighth printing, it has demonstrated value and staying power.

Crossing The Chasm - Geoffrey Moore Get insight into the realities of high tech marketing. This book is even more important in light of the high tech implosion.

Entrepreneur America - Rob Ryan Learn from Rob Ryan, the founder of Ascend Communications, and receive sound advice and mentoring for business start-ups. The book has limited availability so pick one up if you find one!

Getting to Yes - Fisher & Ury Every business owner will need to negotiate. Sharpen your skills so you don't get left with the short end of the stick.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey Stephen Covey's classic helps you to get focused on what is important well before it becomes an urgent issue. This is equally applicable at home or in the workplace.

Awaken The Giant Within - Anthony Robbins You may laugh when you recall his role in 'Shallow Hal', but Anthony Robbins has some powerful strategies that you can incorporate into your approach in business and personal matters. You can also look into the Tony Robbins Personal Power program if you really need an assist in getting motivated.

Power Sleep - Dr. James Maas Another book selection that may raise a few eyebrows... The reality is that seventy million Americans are sleep-deprived and are making crucial business and personal decisions in an impaired state. Improve your mental and physical well being dramatically by improving your sleep habits.

Looking for other books?

v. Magazines
	Forbes Magazine Get in the right frame of mind with a subsciption to Forbes Magazine.