Experienced franchisor Shelly Sun shares practical advice, insights, and her own compelling experiences to help readers discover the power and avoid the pitfalls of franchising their businesses. * A low-risk, low-capital path to astounding growth. In today's economic environment, and long into the future, access to capital is limited. Successful business owners have few options for dramatically expanding their brand, taking it to the regional, national, or even international arena. Grow Smart, Risk Less describes how readers, through franchising, can use other people's money and leverage their success for rapid growth. * Covers the entire process of franchising. Most books on franchising focus on educating the franchisee, but this book is designed to fully educate the franchisor. The author walks readers through each stage of the franchising process: from determining if they have a franchisable concept, to assembling a professional team without wasting money, to adjusting the business model along the way for optimum growth, to growing as a leader to assume new challenges. * Written by an experienced, nationally lauded franchisor. Unlike many authors of books on franchising, Shelly Sun has been through the process, growing her business from $1 million to $100 million in five years. She's been named entrepreneur of the year by the International Franchise Association and is being featured on a network prime-time show about compelling companies.

In today’s market, playing it safe is not an option Lead your company to sustainable success by taking the RIGHT RISKS The business world is in flux, and you have to think and act quickly in order to stay competitive. But the last thing you want to do is make reckless business decisions. You have to find the middle ground. You have to take SMART RISKS. In this groundbreaking book, leadership expert Doug Sundheim explains how to find that precise point between comfort and danger for generating the sustained ability to work at the highest level of performance. Taking Smart Risks reveals the secrets to discovering, planning for, and acting upon the kind of risks that will move your company forward and ahead of the competition. Learn how to: Find Something Worth Fighting For—What do you care enough about to risk time, energy, and money to try to make happen? Determining this is half the battle. See the Future Now—Clarify your big idea in terms of real objectives, plans, and intended results. Act Fast, Learn Fast—Make your move quickly, but be sure you don’t squander valuable resources in the process. Communicate Powerfully—Assume communication will break down at points, plan accordingly—and don’t shy away from the tough conversations. Create a Smart Risk Culture— Build teams that share the same mindsets and values about expected smart risk behavior. Applying Sundheim’s advice will help you let go of old assumptions, explore new possibilities, move your organization out of its comfort zone, and experience long-term success. When you take smart risks, you will create. You will innovate. You will grow. And you will WIN. “From Sherwin Williams to Moo.com, Doug Sundheim is onto something here: your work is worth fighting for. A worthy read for everyone in your organization.” —Seth Godin, Author, The Icarus Deception “The risk-taking concepts in this book lie at the heart of effective leadership. Using case studies and stories from executives who have ‘been there, done that,’ Doug Sundheim teaches us that sometimes the most dangerous thing to do—in business and life—is to play it safe.” —Marshall Goldsmith, million-selling author of the New York Times bestsellers MOJO and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There “Sundheim delivers a message that every business needs to hear right now: excessive risk will kill you, but so will complacency. . . . If you’re charged with driving growth in your organization, buy this book—but more importantly, use it.” —Jed Hartman, Group Publisher, Fortune & CNNMoney.com “A spectacular book! The stories were powerful, the advice was crystal clear, and every few pages called me to action. I have bookmarked more pages in Taking Smart Risks than I have in any book since reading Peter Drucker’s classics.” —Michael Hejtmanek, President & CEO, Hasselblad Bron Inc. “Doug Sundheim does an excellent job of demonstrating not only how to take smart risks, but also how to lead the process of risk-taking—a critical skill set for leaders today.” —Cindy Zollinger, President & CEO, Cornerstone Research “A compelling case for why smart risk taking is so important in today’s fast-paced, uncertain world.” —Willie Pietersen, Professor, Columbia Business School; former CEO, Tropicana and Seagram USA

Simply put, most entrepreneurial start-ups fail. Those fortunate enough to succeed then face a second, major challenge: how to grow. This book focuses on the key questions an entrepreneur must answer in order to grow a business. Based on extensive research of more than fifty successful growth companies, Grow to Greatness discusses the top ten growth challenges and how to overcome them. Author Edward D. Hess dispels the myth that businesses must grow or die. Growth can create value. But, too much growth too fast outstrips effective processes, controls, or management capacity. Viewing growth as "recurring change," Grow to Greatness lays out a framework for how to approach business development—and how to manage its risks and pace. The book then takes readers through chapters that explore whether the time is right to grow, how to do it, and how to manage the vital reality that growth requires the right leadership, culture, and people. Uniquely, this book aims to prepare readers for the day-to-day reality of growth, offering up the lived experiences of eleven entrepreneurs. Six workshops to assess where readers stand now and a suite of templates that will prove to be useful over time help bring the book's teachings to life. After reading this book, entrepreneurs will have a real understanding of their readiness to grow and place in the growth cycle, as well as a concrete action plan for where to take their businesses next. Many books address how to start a business, but this is a unique, go-to resource for readers who want to learn how to thrive beyond the start-up phase.

A practical introduction to the necessity of competitive intelligence for smarter business decisions-from a leading CI expert and speaker In Competitive Intelligence Advantage, Seena Sharp, founder of one of the first Competitive Intelligence firms in the US, provides her expert analysis on the issues and benefits of CI for today's businesses. CI is critical for making smarter business decisions and reducing risks when formulating strategies, leading to more profits and fewer mistakes. This is a practical guide that explains what CI is, why data is not intelligence, why competitor intelligence is a weak sibling to competitive intelligence, when to use it, how to find the most useful information and turn it into actual intelligence, and how to present findings in the most convincing manner. Importantly, Sharp argues that businesses would benefit from shifting their perspective on CI from viewing it as a cost to viewing it as an investment that saves money and provides immediate value. Author Seena Sharp is a noted CI expert who established Sharp Market Intelligence in 1979 Addresses all the most common myths and misconceptions about CI Includes more than sixty examples of when to use CI Completely explains the ins and outs of CI, and why your company will act faster and more aggressively with CI Competitive intelligence is a management tool that is misunderstood and underestimated, yet results in numerous benefits. If you are a senior level executive or operate a business-and you aren't tapping the power of CI to improve your decision making-you are missing a potent advantage.

An Introduction to Franchising is a concise yet comprehensive guide to the world of franchising. Looking at the field from the perspectives of the franchisor and the franchisee, the book offers a good balance between the theories behind good franchising practise, and hands-on practical guidance. Applied theory is evident in the broad range of real-life case studies included in the book. With many of the world's leading companies operating franchise models, this book will offer readers a genuine insight into the potential advantages and disadvantages of franchising. The book also examines the financial, legal and ethical implications of franchising, whilst anticipating future concerns and challenges for the franchising model. An Introduction to Franchising is an essential guide for all students of franchising, entrepreneurship and marketing. It is also a must-read for anyone wishing to start their own franchise business.

"Delaney's excellent book truly is the definitive guide. It easily and thoroughly explains everything you need to know." Steve Strauss, USA Today "Exporting: The Definitive Guide to Selling Abroad Profitably is generously sprinkled with Notes and Tips that deliver concise, insightful bursts of advice and counsel. These suggestions alone are worth the price of the book. From planning to execution, Laurel Delaney is like a trusted guide—encouraging one forward, pointing out potential pitfalls, and helping navigate the way through the exciting and challenging world of exporting." John N. Popoli, President and CEO, Lake Forest Graduate School of Management "I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to export. The real world, nuts and bolts kind of advice and information it contains will save you money and time— and make you a more effective exporter." Steve King and Carolyn Ockels, Small Business Labs "Exporting: The Definitive Guide to Selling Abroad Profitably is an invaluable guide to navigating the often-challenging waters of exporting." Rieva Lesonsky, SmallBizDaily "Exporting: The Definitive Guide to Selling Abroad Profitably is the 'how to' manual on how to grow USA factories jobs. Step by step and easy to read." Drew Greenblatt, CEO, Marlin Steel "If you intend to grow your business beyond the U.S. border, Exporting: The Definitive Guide to Selling Abroad Profitably is a great place to start." Anita Campbell, founder of Small Business Trends "As a valued Chapter Chair of the Women Presidents' Organization, Laurel Delaney has addressed a key issue our members face. While 25% of our members are international, another 25% would like to do business internationally. This book is a powerful guide that will help empower business owners and entrepreneurs by giving them everything they need to know about exporting." Dr. Marsha Firestone, President and Founder of the Women Presidents’ Organization "Exporting: The Definitive Guide to Selling Abroad Profitably takes the fear out of going global. It provides a step-by-step roadmap with very detailed and practical advice. From helping to identify markets to developing the relationships necessary for sales and distribution--this book is a must-have for any business trying to expand globally and profitably." Ellen A. Rudnick, Executive Director and Clinical Professor, Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, University of Chicago, Booth School of Business Exporting: The Definitive Guide to Selling Abroad Profitably is for entrepreneurs and small business owners—the makers, movers, and shakers in our world—interested in taking their businesses to the next level of growth through exports. In the old days, creating an international business was left to relatively few--those with the wherewithal to move boatloads of goods into foreign countries. But now, thanks to the Internet, businesses of all sizes have a huge new opportunity to sell both goods and services globally. Yet only 1% of all U.S. businesses export. Why? Typically, exporting begins with unsolicited inquiries from foreign customers on the web via email, website, blog, or posting on a Facebook page. People outside your country want your product, and they want it now. The problem is that most small business owners do not know how to service these inquiries. What's the best way to ship goods? Do I need a license? Should I sell through wholesalers in specific countries or directly to consumers? How will I get paid? Help is here—Exporting equips you with the knowledge you need to market, sell, and fulfill orders internationally, taking full advantage of the Internet and the opportunities it creates. It also imparts a can-do spirit on exporting, leading to greater revenues, stability, and profitability for your business. Exporting: The Definitive Guide to Selling Abroad Profitably: Lays out simple steps to conduct market research, find customers, open new markets, get paid, and ship goods and services. Takes you through the exporting process via the Internet and other means. Shows how to use social media to expand your international presence. Provides insider tips and strategies to export efficiently and profitably. Explains how the U.S. government helps exporters. Walks readers through the export business plan. With 70 percent of global buying power lying outside U.S. borders, exporting is not just an option for ambitious entrepreneurs--it’s an absolute must for building and sustaining a successful future.