Launching New Ventures

In Launching New Ventures, Allen prepares students to spearhead new initiatives--paying special attention to the process and activities required before a start-up can open for business. A conversational approach engages and encourages students to rely on this text as more than just a reference book. Real-world case studies, new venture checklists, plus Allen' s own firsthand experience guide students through the logical process of recognizing an opportunity, testing a business concept, and implementing a formal business plan.Stressing the early stages of the process, Allen outlines the importance of completing a feasibility analysis prior to developing a business plan--unlike other texts that focus immediately on business plans.

Third edition.

Dr. Kathleen R. Allen is the coordinator of the Undergraduate Entrepreneur Program at the Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, which was ranked by Success as the #1 Entrepreneur Program for Curriculum. She is a founding member of a commercial development firm, as well as a brokerage and a new high-technology manufacturing venture. Her expertise in new and emerging ventures, coupled with her experience in feasibility analysis and market research, has made her a valuable resource for many government agencies and businesses. In 1997, Dr. Allen was chosen as the National Spokesperson for the Microsoft Office Small Business Edition Campaign. The author of five books, she has also published numerous articles in prominent journals and magazines.

I. Entrepreneurial Opportunity 1. Understanding Entrepreneurship The Promise of Entrepreneurship The Nature of Entrepreneurs The Nature of Entrepreneurial Start-ups A Brief History of the Entrepreneurial Revolution Researching the Entrepreneurial Phenomenon Looking Ahead: The Organization of the Book 2. Preparing for the Entrepreneurial Journey Saying Goodbye to Stereotypes The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly about Entrepreneurs Preparing to Become an Entrepreneur Entrepreneurial Leadership Increasing the Chances of Success 3. Recognizing and Creating Opportunity The Nature of Creativity Challenges to Creativity Removing the Roadblocks Sources of New Product/Service Ideas 4. Developing a Business Model Developing a Business Concept The Business Model The Value Chain and the Concept The Nature of Feasibility Analysis II. Feasibility Analysis: Testing the Business Concept 5. Analyzing the Industry and Market The Industry Life Cycle Framework for Understanding Industries Conducting Industry Analysis Characterizing the Target Market Gathering Competitive Intelligence Forecasting New Product/Service Demand 6. Analyzing Product/Service Risks and Benefits The nature of Product/Process Development How Entrepreneurs Develop Products and Services The Product Development Cycle Intellectual Property 7. The Founding Team The Founding Team Professional Advisers Board of Directors Outsourcing with Independent Contractors 8. Analyzing Start-up Resources Gathering Entrepreneurial Resources Finding the Right Numbers Estimating Sales and Expenditures Preparing the Pro Forma Income Statement III. The Business Plan: Building a Company 9. The Business Plan From Feasible Concept to Business Plan The Business Plan: Strategy and Structure Effectively Organizing the Business Plan Successfully Presenting the Business Plan 10. Analyzing Legal Risks and Benefits Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships Corporation Limited Liability Company The Nonprofit Corporation Making the Decision About Legal Form Other Legal Considerations 11. Incorporating Ethics and Social Responsibility Ethics Social Responsibility Vision and Values Core Values and Success 12. Designing an Entrepreneurial Organization Organization: Understanding the Way the Business Works Location: Finding the Appropriate Business Site People: Organizing the Start-up Team 13. Producing Products and Services The Components of Production Preparing to Produce Products and Services Production Cost Issues Maintaining and Warranting Production Processes 14. Developing an Entrepreneurial Marketing Plan Relationship Marketing for Entrepreneurs The Marketing Plan Product/Service Promotion Online Marketing 15. Funding a Start-up Venture Resource Strategy Starting with a Plan Financing Start-ups Financing with Equity Financing with Debt IV. Planning for Growth and Change 16. Funding a Rapidly Growing Venture The Cost and Process of Raising Capital The Venture Capital Market The Initial Public Offering (IPO) Growing via Strategic Alliances Valuing the Business 17. Planning for Growth To Grow or Not to Grow Intensive Growth Strategies--Growing Within the Current Market Integrative Growth Strategies--Growing Within the Industry Diversification Growth Strategies--Growing Outside the Industry Growing by Going Global 18. Planning for Change The Components of a Contingency Plan The Harvest Plan Dealing with Failure: Bankruptcy Case Studies Case 1. Overnite Express Case 2. Craigslist: It's About Helping Others Case 3. Beanos Ice Cream Shoppe Case 4. Wizards of the Coast Case 5. iRobot: Robots for the Home Case 6. The Crowne Inn: A Classic Case of a Family Business in Turmoil Case 7. Linksys: The Essence of Opportunity Recognition Case 8. Finagle a Bagel Appendices Business Plan Feasibility Study