MetroAction Small Business Toolkit

Tools, Templates & Guides

Tutorials

Starting a Business

Financial Planning

Other Useful Resources

Business Checklist

Take a little quiz to see if you are really ready to start your own business - http://web.sba.gov/sbtn/sbat/index.cfm?Tool=4
This checklist lists important items that you may not think of in starting your business http://pasbdc.org/index/services/checklist.asp

Business Name

Information on fictitious names and registering a fictitious name - www.business.gov/register/business-name/dba.html
Tips on choosing the right name for your company - www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1073859929

Business Plan

Location

Green Business

Everything about creating a green work place efficiently - www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/
Information on managing a green business - http://pasbdc.org/index/services/emap.asp
Green Guide to new businesses - http://www.sba.gov/content/green-guide-new-businesses

Finance

Simply explanation of budgets as well as common budget mistakes - www.cccsstl.org/savemoney/whatBudget.asp
Basic guide on to make a budget - www.cccsstl.org/savemoney/howCreateBudget.asp
Excel and PDF templates of more than thirty financial assistance forms including balance sheets, income statement, and security agreements. - www.sba.gov/tools/Forms/smallbusinessforms/fsforms/index.html
A guide on “How do I survive until my business is off the ground?” - www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/

Insurance

Basic business insurance information including a small FAQ’s section- www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/manage/getinsurance/index.html
Health insurance information focusing on Pennsylvania - http://healthinsuranceinfo.net/getinsured/pennsylvania/

Legal

Licenses and Forms specifically for Pennsylvania - www.wilkes.edu/pages/2100.asp
Advantages and Disadvantages of all each business structure as well as the tax requirements - www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/
Link to the exact tax forms necessary for each business structure - www.irs.gov/businesses/small/
Information on contacts and agreements, everything from definitions to great tips on writing a contract - http://smallbusiness.findlaw.com/business-forms-contracts/business-forms-contracts-overview/
Information on possible legal restrictions while picking a location - www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/start/pickalocation/index.html
Legal information a number of different areas such as legal help on the internet, hiring an attorney, small claims court, and legal FAQ’s- www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/manage/handlelegalconcerns/index.html
Explanation of the different types of businesses - http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/starting-managing-business/starting-business/establishing-business/business-types

Loan

A general background on borrowing money and available loan options - www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/manage/financegrowth/index.html
Local financing programs that are available to business owners and entrepreneurs in addition to traditional bank financing - www.wilkes.edu/pages/2099.asp
Checklist of most requirements necessary for a loan package - www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/

Tax

Information on Federal tax forms, programs, and payments for small businesses - www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html
What new business owners need to know about federal taxes - http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99336,00.html

Technology

Help with using the internet in the most effective way, also includes a glossary of internet terms - www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/manage/technology/index.html
Are you taking advantage of the latest technology to save time and increase your company's efficiency? - http://www.sba.gov/content/strategies-growth-technology-and-growth

Manage

A great resource for managing employees and hiring employees - www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/manage/manageemployees/index.html
Ten guidelines for hiring new employees including the tax forms and Employee Identification Number - http://community.sba.gov/community/blogs/community-blogs/small-business-matters/setting-payroll-system-10-step-guide-small-business-0
Information on making the decisions - http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/manage/makedecisions/index.html
Information on how to be a strong lead and boss of your company, including a definition of a good leader, how to conduct a productive meeting, and a section on leading vs. mentoring - www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/manage/lead/index.html
An always prevalent topic is business ethics this resource describes business ethics, gives an example, and provides information on how to create an ethics policy in your company - www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/manage/lead/SERV_BETHICS.html

Marketing

General definition and understanding of marketing - www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/manage/marketandprice/SERV_MARKBASICS.html
100+ marketing ideas broken up into smaller categories - www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/manage/marketandprice/SERV_100MIDEAS.html
15 foolproof ways to help improve marketing in your company - www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/manage/marketandprice/SERV_15IDEAS.html
Other Marketing and Advertising ideas such as, making the most of your yellow page ad - www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/manage/marketandprice/index.html
Information on creating a market strategy and understanding your competitors - www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/
Tips on how to market through email and online effectively - www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/