So, you want to start a business? 8 steps to take before making the leap

Two former corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and now professors Hess and Goetz combine their wisdom and experience to offer new and wannabe business owners some critical thinking, management strategies, and tried-and-tested pointers. Their book is written in a simple albeit very academic style, with logical headlines, practical sidebars, and summarized lessons learned at the end of each chapter. Although the authors are generous about sharing the ABC's of business, whether it's how to find and keep good employees or explanations of financial gotta-haves, the overall subtitle 8 Steps to Take gets buried in a welter of other numbers: the 8 mistakes business owners make (e.g., pricing incorrectly), the 7 techniques to get a customer to try your product (references/testimonials), the rule of 3s and the rule of 7s (only manage 7 or fewer people at any given time). Use this as a novice's springboard (and remind the authors to follow their own advice: keep it simple!).--Jacobs, Barbara Copyright 2008 Booklist

Praise for So, You Want to Start a Business? "I used So, You Want To Start a Business? to restructure my furniture hardware company. The book was full of applicable information that I have used and will continue to incorporate into my company. I couldn't ask for a better resource." --Adam Prestwood, Vice President, Pampco, Inc. "Practical, sensible advice to anyone starting a business. A great short course in entrepreneurship." --Billy D. Prim, Chairman and CEO, Primo Water Corporation, Winston-Salem, NC "This is exactly the kind of book first time entrepreneurs always needed but was never available. Everyone who is thinking about becoming an entrepreneur must read this book." --Dr. E.W. Leonard, Associate Dean, Executive MBA Program, Goizueta Business School, Emory University "Here is the straight story about being a successful entrepreneur from people who have been one and taught many. Clear, practical, and concise, this book delivers the goods." --Andy Fleming, Principal, Core Growth Partners, Atlanta, GA "Solid advice for building and growing a sustainable business." --Andrew Bourne, CEO, WayPoint Technologies, Phoenix, AZ "Professor Hess's book has helped me improve my services and make clients feel appreciated, respected, and most of all, like they're getting a great service at a fair price." --Sammy Starnes, Owner, Hair Concepts, Inc. "A treasure trove of information! I just started my company, and I have to say that this book helped me make the right decisions from the very beginning." --Derica Justice, Owner, Bon Bini Print & Design "This is a great practical guide with lessons and insights for anyone who wants to start a business. You will go back to it again and again." --Ned Morgens, CEO, SarahCare.com, Atlanta, GA "Whether you are a striving young entrepreneur or a middle-aged person with the courage to trust your wits, this book is indispensable." --Ben Dyer, General Partner, Cordova Ventures, Atlanta, GA "A must read for entrepreneurs who want to know what it really takes to launch a successful small business." --Jay Myers, CEO, Interactive Solutions, Inc., Memphis, TN "A precise, pragmatic, wisdom-dripping, rich read. The authors walk the talk." --Jim Christian, CEO, Kandumedia.com, Denver, CO "A powerful book full of good how-to advice." --Philippe Sommer, Director of Entrepreneurship Programs, Batten Institute, Darden School of Business, Charlottesville, VA "This book is a great primer and an excellent reference book for an entrepreneur." --Walter Negley, CEO, TSP, Houston, TX (c) Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved. Excerpted from So, You Want to Start a Business?: 8 Steps to Take Before Making the Leap by Edward D. Hess, Charles F. Goetz All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.