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Guest post by: Nikki Leigh Become an Author

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Anyone who is in business for themselves knows that there are many things that make a difference in the success or failure of any business. I've managed businesses for over 20 years for a wide variety of business owners and usually I was hired to reorganize and fix struggling businesses. This gives me a unique perspective in the qualities and decisions that make a successful entrepreneur. So, I was very interested to read Young Guns and to see what Robert Tuchman had to say. I cringe every time I hear someone say "All you need is a great idea and you'll be a success." I was participating in a writer's conference symposium for business authors and the man beside me said that and I had to chime in and disagree. It made for an awkward hour - but it had to be said. So, I opened this book and waited to see if the author would say that. I'm very glad to report that he did not.

I was very glad that the first chapter is titled "Why Not Me?" What a great way to start the book? It made me even happier when I looked at the table of contents and found "The Idea" was chapter 3. This is the table of contents.

• Chapter 1 - Why Not Me?

• Chapter 2 - The Decision.

• Chapter 3 - The Idea.

• Chapter 4 - The First Test and The First Plan.

• Chapter 5 - The Partner Principle.

• Chapter 6 - Gut Check: Getting Started.

• Chapter 7 - Priorities for That First All-Consuming Year.

• Chapter 8 - You Are the Company.

• Chapter 9 - Technology: Our Generation's Great Equalizer.

• Chapter 10 - Service is What You're Selling.

• Chapter 11 - Back Up Your Sell.

• Chapter 12 - Inside Players: Your Team.

• Chapter 13 - Celebrate Failure, Reward Success.

• Chapter 14 - Your Vendor Relationships Matter.

• Chapter 15 - By The Numbers.

• Chapter 16 - Why Not You?

Robert Tuchman tells the reader to be sure that it is really a big idea. Just being excited about an idea isn't enough and many times we hear that its only important to find something that the market needs. While these are all elements of a successful idea - Tuchman says that its also important to find something that you are truly interested in. This proves that my "big idea" probably wouldn't be your "big idea".

I've always said that people should never make the decision to start a business without putting together a business plan. This can be daunting, but its also very revealing. In Young Guns, Tuchman provides a simple game plan to help the aspiring entrepreneur get started. This is not a complete and in depth business plan, but it is enough to help you get started and to evaluate your idea to see if its feasible.

There is a chapter about business partners. Should you have one? If so, what sort of person should you choose? The right or wrong decision about a business partner can have a huge impact on your business and your life.

He talks in depth about service - just selling a product or service is not enough. You need to back up your product or service with great customer service. As I was told years ago by my grandfather - great customer service guarantees you have customers and without customers you won't have a business.

These are just a few of the things I really enjoyed about Young Guns and I highly recommend it for a person who is considering starting their own business. This is a book that you can and should read before you have an idea - it could even spark a great business idea and he will also help you develop the skills you need to launch a business.

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