Visionary activist and author Jeremy Rifkin exposes the real stakes of the new economy, delivering "the clearest summation yet of how the Internet is really changing our lives" (The Seattle Times). Imagine waking up one day to find that virtually every activity you engage in outside your immediate family has become a "paid-for" experience. It's all part of a fundamental change taking place in the nature of business, contends Jeremy Rifkin. After several hundred years as the dominant organizing paradigm of civilization, the traditional market system is beginning to deconstruct. On the horizon looms the Age of Access, an era radically different from any we have known.

With descriptions of more than 12,000 newsletters in 4,000 different subject areas, this comprehensive resource is an invaluable research tool.

For 21st-century entrepreneurs, this book provides the practical guidance they need to overcome the often intimidating challenges of starting, organizing, and running a new business effectively and efficiently. The economic downturn has many individuals considering going into business for themselves, rather than relying on an employer for their income. Unfortunately, according to data from the Small Business Administration, the odds of long-term success are against them: 69 percent of businesses do not last past seven years and 56 percent fail in less than four. This book provides entrepreneurs with a comprehensive guide to the resources they need or will likely want to consult when starting a small business—and in order to stay profitable over the long run. The Entrepreneur's Information Sourcebook: Charting the Path to Small Business Success, Second Edition provides the expert guidance and up-to-date print and web resources an entrepreneur may need to make his business thrive and grow, from inception and information gathering, to raising capital, to marketing methods and human resource concerns. Nearly half of the resources in this newly updated book are new, and the essays have also been updated to reflect current business practices. This book is an essential tool that provides quick and easy access to the information every small business owner needs.

Franchising is a unique collection of articles that offers a handpicked selection of the main outstanding 'classic' texts in franchising knowledge. Researchers, students, professional advisors and anyone with a serious interest in the development of this extremely topical subject can now have, at their fingertips, the key articles and papers that have contributed to the philosophy of cloning business success. Many researchers in the field have only heard of the names, 'Brickley and Dark', 'Rubin', 'Hunt' or 'Oxenfeldt and Kelly', but may never have seen their seminal works through the difficulty in locating the material. Their original articles are reproduced in full here, complete with supporting analysis from the editors.

This book presents a range of chapters dealing with current issues of interest to franchising researchers and practitioners. From authors who have been especially active in the area of franchising research, the chapters represent contributions from the Society of Franchising, the only international special interest research group totally devoted to franchise research. The chapters reflect a balance of structural and behavioral issues relevant to franchising. They span the spectrum from technical, methodological subjects to highly applied, practitioner-oriented chapters, giving a sense of breadth to the subject matter. Franchising researchers and practitioners and marketing academicians can begin to incorporate this volume’s information on: problem of quality data on franchising-related matters territorial encroachment and the potential for cannibalization and conflict master franchising and system growth multi-unit franchising and system performance advertising fees issues linkages between franchisor-franchisee relationship quality and service quality franchising as a unique form of organizational governance setting measurement of franchise relationship quality and exchange norms franchisees’role expectations as entrepreneurs and managers competition issues concerning franchisees, company units, and independent businesses All involved in the franchising industry would do well to peruse this timely collection which explores all facets of the current state of franchising growth and distribution.

Franchise Your Growth Expert franchise consultant Mark Siebert delivers the ultimate how-to guide to employing the greatest growth strategy ever—franchising. Siebert tells you what to expect, how to move forward, and avoid costly mistakes as he imparts decades of experience, insights, and practical advice to help grow your business exponentially through franchising. Learn how to: Evaluate your existing businesses for franchisability Identify the advantages and disadvantages of franchising Develop a business plan for growth on steroids Evaluate legal risk, obtain necessary documents, and protect intellectual property Create marketing plans, build lead generation, and branding for a new franchise Cultivate the franchisee-franchisor relationship

In America, a new franchise outlet opens every eight minutes-a rate that is accelerating both here and worldwide-yet to date, no publication has provided more than a cursory glimpse into the owners' experiences. The Franchise Ratings Guide is a deeper examination, revealing an industry in which deceit is common and a full 30% of franchise owners regret their purchase. The Franchise Ratings Guide provides essential and thorough advice on pre-purchase steps, in-depth, actual owner insight from more than 3,000 franchise owners, and reference data on each company surveyed, including contact, investment, and royalty information. It's got all the information you need to make an informed investment decision.

This invaluable guide offers a definitive game plan for anyone seeking to redefine his or her work status--for finding a new career or even starting a personal business.