"Jack Kaplan is an entrepreneur‘s entrepreneur. His book reflects his in-the-trenches experience and provides practical wisdom for anyone launching a company. Read this and get started right!"––Ray Smilor, Vice President, Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

"Jack is not only a successful entrepreneur, but also a student and teacher of entrepreneurship. Getting Started in Entrepreneurship is a guidebook of experience and wisdom from the inception of an idea to starting a business. This is an important book about the science of entrepreneurship."––Kevin O’ Connor, Chairman, DoubleClick Inc.

"If you want to start a business but have no time for an MBA, all you‘ll need is in this book. It‘s full of up-to-date, easy-to-understand information that will save you time and money. Don‘t put it on your shelf. Put it beside your bed for those sleepless nights that are part of the entrepreneurial journey."––Professor Murray Low, Executive Director, Eugene M. Lang Center for Entrepreneurship at Columbia Business School

"Jack brings a unique perspective to the world of entrepreneurship; his success in his own business has taught him what needs to be done to build a business; his years as a judge for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® award program have given him a close-up view of how others have succeeded; and his years as a business school professor have taught him how to organize, summarize, and share that knowledge. The road to entrepreneurial success starts here; read this book!"––Ralph A. Subbiondo, Partner, Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneurial Services Group

Kaplan (entrepreneurial studies, Columbia Business School) describes the basics for beginning entrepreneurs. Coverage spans all stages of a company from startup and initial funding through growing the business and possibly selling it. Guidelines are provided for starting a home- based business, opening a franchise, and buying an existing business. Other topics include analyzing the market, writing a business plan, financing, the IPO process, and launching an Internet company.
Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

"...an extremely practical guide..." (Gulf Business, November 2001)

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JACK M. KAPLAN is President of Datamark Technologies, Inc., an entrepreneurial firm specializing in stored value, electronic gift certificates, and customer loyalty programs. He is also Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at the Eugene M. Lang Center for Entrepreneurship at Columbia Business School and judge of the Ernst &Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award program.

Introduction.

Developing Ideas and Business Opportunities.

Analyzing the Market, Customers and Competition.

Starting Home-Based Businesses, Opening Franchises, and Buying Existing Businesses.

Preparing a Winning Business Plan.

Getting the Funding.

Bank Loans and Debt Financing.

The IPO Process (Going Public).

Launching an Internet Business.

Discovering Value in Intellectual Property: The Competitive Edge.

Building the Resources and Setting Up the Company.

References.

Glossary.

Index.