Every business starts with a bright idea, and many a bright idea has been hatched in a pub - scribbled on a nearby discarded beermat. But how do you turn the moment of inspiration into a well oiled plan? who do you need to talk to? How do you find the cash to back the idea? How many people do you need to work with to get the idea off the ground? And how on earth do you find them?
This book tells you exactly how to convert your jotted notes into a big and successful business. It takes you step-by-step, with no jargon, no complex theory and no visits to arrogant pinstriped venture capitalists who aren't really interested in just 'an idea'.
This revised edition follows the same successful format of the previous editions with new up to the minute advice including: how to work with a bank to your greatest benefit, a new expanded section on growing your business and how to handle the 20-plus employee stage.
Using these tried and tested techniques, your beermat inspiration could become reality.
Author Biography
Mike Southon is a serially successful entrepreneur. He co-founded The Instruction Set, an open systems consultancy in 1984, and sold the company five years later to what is now Cap Gemini Ernst & Young. Mike has since been involved in seven start-up ventures, responsible for sales and marketing as well as helping to secure funding from venture capitalists. Mike is very active as an independent consultant, and has been a keynote speaker at conferences all over the world for Microsoft, IBM, Novell, Dell, Hewlett-Packard and many others. He has been a visiting lecturer at City Univeristy Business School since 1992. Chris West is a professional writer, with a background in marketing and PR. He has written novels, including the award-nominatedDeath of a Blue Lantern, and non-fiction, including (as co-author) Think like an Entrepreneur. He also teaches business and writing skills. Chris has many years experience of start-ups and small business, and has lectured on the subject in the UK, mainland Europe and the USA.
