PART II
open for business
the strategic and tactical keys to business success

Developing a vision and creating a business plan are the first steps in the process of building a successful small business. The next steps involve determining the strategy and tactics that you’ll need to make your vision a reality. The following chapters help you lay the foundation for making your small business a success. These key steps are derived not only from my own personal experience but also from having worked with many small businesses in a great many fields.

The key steps I describe here are based on what I call the “cornerstones of your business”: purpose, promise, and principles. Upon this foundation, you construct the framework of marketing and sales, human resources, support services, location, pricing, and financing. These are what I’m calling the seven P’s of business success—people, promotion, place, protection, pricing, process, and pennies. Part II concludes with some practical advice from someone who’s been in the trenches and risen to success.