Business and Money

Developing a Blue Ocean Business Strategy

Posted on Monday, June 17, 2013 by Business_and_Finance

Blue Ocean Strategy Blue Ocean Strategy is a great book for those new or familiar to business strategy. The book focuses on developing value within a company to reduce competition. While this is not a unique concept, the methods laid out by the book are. There are a variety of sequences and thought processes the book advocates for developing and executing a business strategy that avoids direct competition, . . . more »

Improving Your Forecast Models

Posted on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 by Business_and_Finance

The Signal and the Noise Creating predictive models can be deceptively simple. Unfortunately, many forecasters are unaware of the biases and limitations that are built into their models. Nate Silver examines these problems and explains how to make better forecasts in his book The Signal and the Noise. Silver’s book is not a how-to book, but an extensive examination into the logic and limitation of several forecasting models. Whether you . . . more »

Ready or Not for retirement? This guide may help.

Posted on Friday, May 24, 2013 by sccl_smart_investing

Ready or Not Ready or Not by Elizabeth McFadden has stood the test of time with the publication of its 40th edition. The guide covers a range of topics including financial planning, Social Security, legal matters, health, consumer education, where to live, grandparenting and others you might not associate with retirement such as starting a new career! The guide is available through the Library and is published by . . . more »

Value Line is Your Investment Tool

Posted on Friday, May 3, 2013 by Business_and_Finance

Value Line Logo Are you interested in playing the stock market for the first time? Or are you an experienced investor interested in expanding your knowledge? Value Line is an investment management tool that can help both beginner and experienced investors. Value Line has the stock, bond, mutual fund, and commodity information you need. Value Line focuses on operating numbers and the quantitative expertise of their analysts to . . . more »

Finding & Evaluating Venture Capital

Posted on Friday, April 26, 2013 by Business_and_Finance

Are you seeking venture capital to finance your startup? Should you go with angel investors, or pitch established VC companies? These are the big decisions that every entrepreneur must make. Use the library's Small Business Resource Center to learn about the pleasures and pitfalls of venture capital. This online resource contains not only articles, but also topic overviews and chapters from business e-books. Read only . . . more »

Free Business Plan Templates

Posted on Tuesday, April 23, 2013 by Business_and_Finance

Library patrons have access to hundreds of business plan templates through the Small Business Resource Center. To access the business plan templates from the Small Business Resource Center: 1) Place your cursor over the Research tab. 2) From the Research tab, click the Business tab. 3) Click the Small Business Resource Center link. 4) Click the Business Topics link. 5) Click the Business Planning link. . . . more »

Money Smart Week is for everyone: April 20-27, 2013!

Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2013 by sccl_smart_investing

Have you taken stock of your own personal economy? Whether you’re a student or ready to retire, managing your finances effectively is important to reach your goals in life. Personal financial planning is not just for those with a job and money, it’s even more essential if you’re barely getting by or in debt. During Money Smart Week, learn about all the resources the Library . . . more »

Crafty Businesses

Posted on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 by Business_and_Finance

Grow your Handmade Business Grow your Handmade Business There's a lot more to owning a crafting business than just having a store on Etsy. Even small homemade businesses need a business plan, a marketing plan, and plenty of energy to make it all happen. . . . more »

Creating Your Business Plan

Posted on Friday, April 12, 2013 by Business_and_Finance

Congratulations! The dream of owning your own business is coming true. You need some capital to get things off the ground and the bank has asked you for your business plan. This is where you may start to feel stressed, overwhelmed and completely out of your league. Take a deep breath. The Santa Clara County Library District has a resource that will help. The Small . . . more »

Small Business Resource Center

Posted on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 by eLibrarian

Looking to start your own business but don’t know where to begin? Need help developing a business plan? Look no further! The library provides you access to Small Business Resource Center, a database which offers practical, real-world resources on starting and operating a business. Sample Business Plans from Business Plans Handbook Series Accounting Finance Human resources Management Marketing Taxes Small Business Resource Center provides the . . . more »

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