Creating a Thriving Business

George Horrigan is Founder and CEO of Fountainhead Consulting Group, Inc. and from his over 25 years of experience being a business planner and a CPA, he has a proven track record of showing people how to start, grow, manage and take their business where they want it to go. In fact, over the past 17 years George has shown over 1,200 people either how to grow an existing business or start a new business. Besides being a noted business planning expert and recognized thought leader, he personally has started and operated seven businesses and understands the mindset and mentality of an entrepreneur, thus giving him both professional and personal perspectives on creating a thriving business. He holds a BA in Accounting and a Masters degree in Financial Information Systems. He is an author, speaker, frequent broadcast media guest, and has been recognized in a number of Who's Who National Registries.

Most business owners and leaders have expectations for today, hopes for tomorrow and dreams for down the road for their business. They say to themselves, if this is the business I have and that is the business I want, how do I get from here to there?By using a systematic, structured methodology build upon George Horrigan's experience with over 1,200 businesses over the past 17 years, Creating a Thriving Business shows business owners, leaders, and managers how to solve real world problems and get the kind of results they want.By using a proven, practical, and comprehensive methodology that is simple to understand, straightforward, easy to implement, and extremely effective, the reader will be able to achieve the goals for their business in less hours than they are currently spending on their business, thereby turning today's problems into tomorrow's promise.Creating a Thriving Business shows the reader, step by step how to create a successful, thriving, and immensely profitable business by providing an approach that enables them to eliminate the guesswork, trial and error, and uncertainty associated with trying to beat their competition, grow their business and increase its profitability.

Chapter Summaries     Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter One—Choosing A Business     Looking Inside: Ideas From Within Looking Outward: Ideas From The World Around You     Inside And Out: Combining Both Approaches Idea Sources: An Endless Well     Tough Choices: Product Or Customer First? Major Factors: Narrowing Your Choices     Naming Your Business     Timing Issues     Tyranny Of The Urgent The Business Choice Chicken-And-Egg Syndrome     Chapter Two—Recipe For A Thriving Business     Recipe For A Thriving Business     Components Of A Thriving Business     Why This Structure Matters A Unique Methodology     A Traditional Business Plan Versus The Structure Of Profitability     Chapter Three—Step #1: Vision     Why You Need A Vision For Your Business     Vision: What Does It Really Mean?     Four Benefits Of Having A Compelling Vision The Importance Of A Compelling Vision     Sources Of A Vision     Developing A Vision Three Steps To Creating A Compelling Vision     What Does A Compelling Vision Look Like? The Importance Of A Win/Win Experience Mission Statement Versus Slogan Versus Vision Incubating Your Vision Three Problems Chapter Four—Step #2: Critical Success Factors And Strategy What Is A Critical Success Factor For A Business? Your Critical Success Factors Critical Success Factor Analysis: The Foundation What Will This Analysis Accomplish? Synchronizing Vision And Critical Success Factors Making Implementation Measurable Your Strategic Plan: The Road Map For Achieving Your Vision Creating A Sustainable Competitive Advantage Chapter 5 — Step #3: Marketing Where Do Marketing And Sales Fit In? The Importance Of Your Marketing And Sales Area Overview Of Your Marketing And Sales Area Your Number Of Potential Buyers Awareness Of A Need For Your Product Or Service Understanding Your Customer Attractiveness Of Your Solution Create Experiences Worth Repeating Their Awareness Of Your Solution Updating Your Critical Success Factors Chapter 6—Step #4: Sales And Related Areas Your Delivery Channels Effectiveness Of Your Sales Processes Sales Is An Ongoing Process Meeting And Exceeding Your Customer’s Expectations Assessing Your Competition Updating Your Critical Success Factors Chapter 7—Step #5: Producing Your Product Or Service What Production Means     The Production Chicken-And-Egg Syndrome Overview Of Your Production Area The Five Elements Of Your Strategic Advantage Exceptional Versus Great Versus Good Versus Average     Product Cost Advantage     Product Quality     Delivery Time Or Convenience     Customer Service     The Uniqueness Of Your Product     Developing Your Strategic Advantage     Updating Your Critical Success Factors     Chapter Eight—Step #6: Financing Your Business     Why The Funding Of A Business Is So Important     Your Overall Financing Needs     Evaluating Your Financing Needs     Tools For Calculating Your Financing Needs     Types Of Financing     Sources Of Financing     Evaluation Of Financing Criteria     Obtaining Funding     Updating Your Critical Success Factors     Chapter 9—Step #7: Execution—Innovating And Systematizing     Business Planning Activities     Developing A Game-Changing Vision     Recrafting And Recasting Your Vision     Innovation Fruit Stands Versus Factories     Systems     Your Daily Role In Your Business     Updating Your Critical Success Factors     Chapter Ten—In Conclusion     About The Author     Free Special Bonuses     Additional Resources