Nolo's Crash Course in Small Business Basics by Richard Stim

Nolo's Crash Course in Small Business Basics is just what it claims to be. It is a very good source for basic business information. It is provided on 5 audio CDs that are approximately one hour each. The packaging is not as fancy as many of the other audio programs I have, but that does not distract from what is important, the content. (Basically you have five CDs in slip covers inside the box).The information on the five CDs would be very valuable for the person with little business knowledge who wants to start a business. As the title suggests, this is Small Business Basics. It is by no means everything, but it is a very good start. There is a lot of practical advice on these discs. For the experienced business owner, or someone who has studied business, there would not be as much value because it is just the basics.The five CDs contain information as follows:Disc 1This disc points out that this set is aimed at people who need the basics and the briefly defines success for
a small business owner: Love what you do, be good at what you do, and there has to be a market demand for what you are selling.The rest of disc one focuses on money matters. It starts with managing your money. The program covers a lot of important topics and provides useful information such as the difference between accounting and bookkeeping, accounting methods (cash vs. accrual), cash flow, basic accounting principles, equity, debt, and financial forecasting.The program includes a lot of good advice such as keeping your business and personal accounts separate, including checking accounts and credit cards. There are also a lot of references and information sources provided with places to find these on the Internet.An important topic regarding money is getting paid. This program provides some good basic information on ensuring you get paid for your products or services including things like accepting checks and credit cards to dealing with debtors and those customers who hav
e not paid.The last portion of the program on disc one has some advice on raising money for your new business.Disc 2This disc focuses on protecting your assets. It covers topics such as setting up corporations or LLCs to provide liability protection and insurance that also provides protection. There is a general description of the various business formations such as sole proprietorships, Corporations, Partnerships, and LLCs. The second half of the CD focuses on insurance and the kinds of insurance available and how some insurance is required and some just recommended.This would be a very good CD to listen to before going to see your attorney to help with business formation or going to see your insurance agent to discuss your insurance needs. This disc provides some good basic information that will assist you in discussing your needs with your legal or insurance professional.Disc 3This disc focuses on marketing basics. The disc starts out saying word of mouth from happy custo
mers is the best. The disc then goes on to discuss various ways to market and advertize your business to help increase sales. It starts out describing the difference between marketing and advertising and then the disc provides strategies for both, but focuses more on marketing without advertising, and they even provide a good reference on marketing without advertising.There is a lot of good practical information on this CD to help market your business. Even if you are marketing, you may find some alternate ideas and some tips to make what you are doing even better. There are also some good suggestions for advertising.The final portion of this CD covers taking your business online, and it provides some good information regarding creating websites and blogs and the information you need to get going, drive traffic to your site, and make sales.Disc 4Employees, contracts, permits and licenses are topics that must be dealt with by some businesses. Some types of businesses don't ha
ve near as many of these as others. This CD sets forth the basics and offers general guidance for those small business that need to hire someone, and how to ensure you have the right permits and licenses. It provides the basics for employees vs. independent contractors, something very useful for many small businesses. There is also some good advice regarding hiring family members. The general information on this CD provides guidance as to what kind of licenses and permits you should check on to make sure you are operating with all your local requirements.The final portion of this CD covers basic contracts. Oral and written agreements are part of everyday life, and especially with business life. One must have a basic understanding of contracts to run a business successfully and this CD provides those basics. Again, this information would be good to listen to before discussing the specific contracts you have your own lawyer draft. Or, you may want to draft your own, and there
are some tips and suggestions for resources to do-it-your-self contract drafting.Disc 5The fifth and final CD in this set focuses on business taxes and deductions. Just like the previous disc would be useful before talking with you attorney or insurance agent, this CD would be useful to listen to before talking with your accountant.There is a general overview on how various businesses are taxed and what kinds of taxes need to be paid such as income taxes, self-employment taxes, and sales taxes. There is also a good bit of information regarding deductions, and very important topic for small business owners. Listening to this CD will provide ideas for the small business owner as to what kinds of things can be deducted. As I stated, listen to this before going to your accountant to discuss your business tax needs.Conclusion:Personally, I really like audio programs. I am always listening to them in my car, while exercising, and at various other times. This is a good program to l
isten to in order to gain some general information on starting a small business. They are good to listen to in order to prepare to discuss your business with those professionals that are assisting you.One negative thing about listening to these is all of the outside sources that are suggested and provided are not accessible when I am usually listening to audio programs. While driving, exercising, etc., you can't look up those sources, so you have to remember where to go back when you are in front of a computer. (Don't get me wrong, I like the extra resources, but they are not useful in my car or other places)I also received a set that had CDs 2 and 3 mislabeled. No big deal, just have to remember which is which next time I listen.This would be a very good audio program for the individual who is starting out with a small business. There is a lot of practical information provided and a wealth of other resources as well.

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